Gaybutton

Good question. I've wondered about that too. I think, but am not sure by any means, that they mean with use of poppers. I've never used poppers. I don't even know if it's legal in Thailand, but I'm guessing probably not.

I don't think Avalon is much less expensive, but it doesn't hurt to check. You're not going to get bargain prices where there are only two beachfront hotels in the gay beach area that also have swimming pools.

PM proposes Nov 14 poll date Red shirt leaders push case for an amnesty Published: 4/05/2010 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has offered to hold a general election on Nov 14 as part of a plan to achieve national reconciliation. Mr Abhisit said in a television appearance last night for the first time a general election would be held on Nov14 - but only if five objectives underpinning a national conciliation were achieved. They are: the monarchy must not be used as a tool in political conflicts; the country must be reformed by tackling economic disparities and inequality; the media must refrain from reports which exacerbate social or political conflicts; an independent fact-finding panel must be appointed to review fatal incidents involving security forces and protesters; and the reconciliation process must be carried out with the cooperation of all sides. PM proposes Nov 14 poll date ____________________ Last Chance for Peace By TULSATHIT TAPTIM The Nation Published on May 4, 2010 PM urges reds to accept his offer to hold election on Nov 14 to avoid more bloodshed; red shirts to respond to govt's road map today and decide on future of Ratchaprasong protest Is the light at the end of the tunnel that of a train coming our way? The answer depends on how the red shirts, who have been tired, dispirited and discredited, respond today to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's unexpected offer to hold a general election on November 14. Whether the 30-minute national address last night is a game-changing moment will be known soon. As of now, the ball is squarely in the red shirts' court. The roars of the crowds at the Rajprasong intersection at the end of Abhisit's statements could mean anything, but from day one the protesters have never been the ones making decisions. Optimists say the Rajprasong occupation may even end in a day or two. They see Abhisit's offer as a carrot being dangled before demoralised red leaders who have had their personal well-being threatened by possibly serious legal action and their image smeared by the Chulalongkorn Hospital invasion, arms seizures, as well as alleged links with armed militants. The real "stick" is yet to come. On Sunday, an emergency Cabinet meeting was called to approve the possibility of an armed crackdown, which would almost surely be accompanied by terrorism charges against key leaders, who already face lesser accusations of violating the state of emergency law. It was thus a good psychological moment for Abhisit to lay down his five-point "road map" on the table. "This is your graceful exit," was his unspoken message. Take it, or you will see armoured vehicles moving in through the other door. Now, it's a matter of whether common sense prevails among the red shirts. They poured into Bangkok on March 12 knowing that the political calendar at that time tentatively set the general election for late next year. Abhisit virtually told the movement to think about it, now that he had agreed to reduce the waiting period by half. Last chance for peace

Actress Lynn Redgrave Dies at 67 By Alan Duke, CNN (CNN) -- Actress Lynn Redgrave died Sunday after a seven-year battle with breast cancer, according to her family. Redgrave, 67, was surrounded by her children at her Connecticut home when she died, the family said in a statement Monday morning. The star of stage, film and television was twice nominated for an Academy Award: for best actress in 1966 for her role in "Georgy Girl" and for best supporting actress in the 1998 film "Gods and Monsters." Actress Lynn Redgrave dies at 67 - CNN.com

If that, plus a pool are your requirements, then there are only two gay area hotels in all of Pattaya that can offer what you want - The Rabbit Resort and the Avalon. If you don't have to be in the gay area or in a hotel designed to be gay-friendly, there are several other hotels. One of the newest and best would be the Centara Mirage in Naklua.

I agree. I've made the same observation.

A friend of mine who posts intermittently on this board stayed there a couple months ago and he loved it. He said next time he comes to Pattaya, that's where he's going to stay.

Yes, it is. Their office is in that same shopping location where Food Mart is.

I wonder if it really will end it. I can also see how the whole thing could backfire and provoke even further hostilities. ____________________ Armoured cars, plus a roadmap Published: 3/05/2010 Armoured vehicles are being readied for use in the dispersal of the prolonged anti-government rally at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong commercial district, spokesman for the government's Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Monday. The armoured vehicles would protect soldiers from attack by the protesters, who could be armed, and would help avoid violence, Col Sansern said. The vehicles had not reached Bangkok yet. Armoured cars, plus a roadmap

Not me. I'm thinking very seriously about going. I believe I know what you mean, though. The odor of durians is not exactly in the background. It can be overpowering. But I think I can handle it.

I'm afraid not. You can only get a Thai driver's license if you are here on a non-immigrant visa. A 60-day visa is a tourist visa, so you are not eligible. However, you can still drive legally in Thailand. Before coming to Thailand get an International Driving Permit. Despite the fact that it is good for a year, Thailand honors it for a maximum of 90 days upon entry to Thailand. You must also have your home country driving license with you as well. If you intend to drive both a car and a motorcycle, you must have a permit that specifies both. Yes. Thailand issues separate licenses for each. And as I said above, you must also have International driving permits for each.

Looking for something different to do, and in precisely the opposite direction of the Red-Shirt demonstrations? You might be interested in the Chanthaburi Durian Festival: _____ World Durian Festival 2010 to Be Held in Chanthaburi in May Chanthaburi is recognized as the only province in Thailand, and in the world, where the majority of farmers are engaged in durian production. The province organizes a World Durian Festival each year to promote durian consumption and introduce its tourist attractions and local products. The 2010 World Durian Festival will be held from May 1 to 9 at Thung Na Choei Lagoon and Chanthaburi Stadium. The opening ceremony is scheduled for May 2 at 5:00 p.m. Visitors to this area will see rafts decorated with fruit and locally made products that make a name for Chanthaburi. They will have a chance to buy fruit, seafood, and other agricultural products of high quality directly from farmers. The festival will feature a food fair, a demonstration of making durian jam, a bazaar of local products under the One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) program, an exhibition on fruit production, a durian-eating competition, and cultural shows. It will also include various contests, such as food preparation from fruit and fruit decorations. The fruit contest focuses on five varieties of fruit, namely durian, rambutan, mangosteen, longgong, and zalacca. There will be a top-quality gems and jewelry fair, as well. Dubbed the

Cabinet Acknowledges Need for Army Move Against Red-Shirt Demonstrators By PIYANART SRIVALO THE NATION Published on May 3, 2010 The Cabinet yesterday acknowledged the need for the use of Army force against red-shirt pro-testers occupying the Rajprasong intersection, as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva grimly warned the public in his weekly address to expect undesired results from future government action. A closed-door Cabinet meeting accepted a bigger role for armed troops who, since the "Black Saturday" drama on April 10, have still played mostly a secondary role to police commandos. "The government's action from now on will carry the risk of clashes or losses which could affect the feeling of the general public," Abhisit said. "But the government has its duty and will have to do what needs to be done." It was Abhisit's first such public statement. He and other top officials yesterday reiterated the government's determination to reclaim the Rajprasong intersection from the protesters. An SMS campaign will be launched to persuade as many demonstrators as possible to leave the area. Abhisit said the government had made significant progress in inquiries into a series of incidents, which he said confirmed suspicion that some were acts of terrorism. Yesterday's emergency Cabinet meeting followed an invasion of Chulalongkorn Hospital by some protesters that increased pressure on the government to deal with the pro-longed rally. "We want the operation to take place as soon as possible so we will do everything we can to ensure the least losses and maxi-mum safety for people involved," said acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. Panitan denied that the Cabinet discussed the possibility of imposing martial law in the area. Cabinet acknowledges need for Army move against red-shirt demonstrators

I voted for car, mainly because that's what I drive. When I first came to Thailand I saw no need for personal transportation at all. One thing available just about anywhere in Thailand is public transportation. Then when we graduated to a motorcycle I didn't know how we ever lived without one. Later when we graduated to a car, I didn't know how we ever lived without one. I can certainly see driving a motorcycle for local transportation. After all, it's far less expensive for everything ranging from fuel to maintenance to insurance, etc. But having a car allows me to go anywhere I want in Thailand any time I want, by any route I want, with stops anywhere I want for however long I want in air conditioned comfort and in any kind of weather. I am also able to do shopping much easier and am stopped by cops far less often. Also, there seems to be much more motorcycle theft than car theft. Aside from the obvious difference in expense, the disadvantages I've encountered with a car are mainly difficulties finding a place to park, navigating narrow sois, and getting stuck in traffic while watching motorcycles breezing right on by. For me, obviously I prefer a car.

Since this thread is about what it takes to purchase a motorcycle, if there is to be a debate about whether it is better to have a car or motorcycle, I would like to suggest starting a new thread so that this thread doesn't end up going off on a tangent.

You seem to have covered everything. So, just one more question. Do you have a particular shop from which you recommend buying?

There is no conflict. GT is the boss around here and anything he says overrides anything I say. Very simple. Sorry if the rules don't cover every imaginable circumstance, especially the ones that should be perfectly obvious. If you are confused about what we will or will not accept, then you have the option of submitting what you wish to post to us by PM to see if it is something we can accept. Your other option is to just go ahead and post something we may not accept and hope for the best. Unless you wish to be someone who causes problems here, I suggest just leaving the monarchy out of it. If you want to place your own freedom at risk for the sake of a post that few readers are going to really give a shit about in the first place, that's up to you, but don't even think about risking mine.

As far as I know, he hasn't said anything.

Given the way things seem to happen in Thailand, it's getting harder and harder to imagine why anyone with the right qualifications would even want the job. Sooner or later someone is going to emerge as Thailand's next Prime Minister. I don't think it will be Thaksin and I don't think it will be Abhisit. No matter who it is, it's a job I wouldn't want. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the most stable government Thailand had in years was the military government following the coup. I'm wondering if the outcome of this will end up being another military government.

You're right. I can. But since neither GT, the other moderators, nor I owe you an explanation about a damned thing, I can't be bothered.

Then the best suggestion I can make is to look again periodically. Often things only show up when someone who has it is online. What about getting a copy from Amazon or eBay?

There is another torrent program called Ares. http://aresgalaxy.sourceforge.net I'm pretty sure I've seen it on that one. I checked VUZE again. Actually I saw that they do have it, but you have to join and pay for some other site to download it. I don't recommend that. Those things are usually full of viruses.

Ok, the Sawatdee forum has returned.

"Civil War. What an oxymoron. How can there be a civil war?" - George Carlin

Try the VUZE bit torrent. http://www.vuze.com . I just checked. That one does have it.