Gaybutton

I'm how the other half lives. I shave myself and I get my haircuts four doors down my street for 50 baht . . .

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Thaksin Rejects Peace Effort HRC Holds Talks with Warring Parties Published: 19/03/2010 Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has thrown cold water on an attempt by the National Human Rights Commission to mediate a settlement between government and red shirts. Thaksin yesterday rejected the panel's legitimacy to act as a broker in the conflict. The commission, led by chairwoman Amara Pongsapich, has been trying to find a way out for both sides since the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship rallies kicked off in Bangkok last Friday. Earlier this week, the panel held talks with UDD leading members, including Veera Musikhapong, Jaran Dita-apichai and Weng Tojirakarn. It met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday at the 11th Infantry Regiment. Its role as mediator had raised hopes of possible negotiations taking place as both the government and the UDD had responded positively. The ultimate goal of the NHRC-brokered talks was to stop the red shirt protests in Bangkok, said Ms Amara. "As of now, they have promised to vacate some areas [they are occupying] for the Red Cross Fair," she said. "That's a positive step. We have to keep talking with the protest leaders to see on which points they can agree. We need to persist with the talks." The fair is due to be held from March 30 to April 7 on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue down to the Royal Plaza and Amphon Garden. Commissioner Nirand Phitakwatchara said people were pinning their hopes on the NHRC to negotiate an end to the political conflict. But he could not promise a quick end to the rally with conditions acceptable to both sides. "I cannot say the rally will end straight away. It will take some time," he said. Mr Jaran agreed with Mr Nirand's remarks, saying: "Our ultimate goal is that the government must dissolve parliament. But it will take several steps at the negotiating table before we reach that point." So far, the UDD's rally has been peaceful despite concerns about the possibility of violence from the government and army. Jatuporn Prompan, another UDD leader, said Mr Abhisit must accept the UDD's demand to dissolve the House of Representatives so there could be a new election. The People's Alliance for Democracy and UDD must also sign a pact promising they would accept the outcome of the next general election and recognise any political parties that emerge as winners and form a government, he said. The government has repeatedly made clear its position that it would not dissolve the House before it could be sure it could turn around the economy, speed up constitutional amendments and draw up electoral regulations that are acceptable to all parties. Mr Abhisit has insisted there must be a guarantee politicians can travel anywhere in the country to woo votes, even in their rivals' strongholds, before he agrees to dissolve the House. But he said all the UDD demands were negotiable as long as they involve "the interests of the general public", such as the dissolution of the House, and they have nothing to do with Thaksin's personal benefits. "If the demands are for the sake of a person's benefit, I don't think the government is in a position to talk because the government is duty-bound to act in the interests of the public," the prime minister said. One of the stumbling blocs to the NHRC's initiative, however, looks like it could be Thaksin himself. Last night, he rejected the role of the commission as he said it had not been proven it was an independent body. He accused the NHRC of serving the interests of the amataya bureaucratic elite. Mr Abhisit said he could tolerate abuse from some of the UDD leaders, but he found threats of violence and remarks inciting violence, though spoken politely, unacceptable. Mr Abhisit also said he was planning to file lawsuits against UDD leaders who used and distributed an audio clip in which he allegedly orders security forces to use violence to put down protesters during the Songkran riots in April last year. Mr Abhisit said the clip contained his voice but it was doctored. He said he might seek a court injunction banning the use and distribution of the clip. Mr Abhisit said he would also file defamation lawsuits against Thaksin and Mr Jatuporn. On Tuesday, Thaksin spoke during a video link address to the red shirts and said Mr Abhisit was "mentally disturbed". He also likened the prime minister to Adolf Hitler. Democrat Party for Bangkok MP Natthapol Theepsuwan, the party's director, said the party would take legal action against the protesters who smeared blood at the party's headquarters.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Where will Thaksin End Up - Literally? By Tulsathit Taptim The Nation Published on March 19, 2010 It is clear that this is not the upheaval that Thaksin Shinawatra was hoping for. But what he plans to do next is as foggy as the air in Chiang Mai at the moment. On Wednesday, in the face of setbacks, he was belligerent, asking the dwindling numbers of red shirts at the Phan Fah Bridge to hold on for just one more week, after which, he promised, they would be tasting a sweet victory. Reports indicated that fresh funds have been shipped in to bolster the sagging campaign. Though most of the protesters came to Bangkok with "pure hearts" - as the organisers have insisted - they still have to eat and support the ones they've left behind. A lot of the red shirts have deserted the rally, and considering the official breakaway of hardliners led by ex-communist Surachai Sae Dan and fugitive Jakrapob Penkair, as well as the backlash of the blood protest, the movement needs urgent and drastic re-engineering. Though how this will be done is an urgent question, an even more immediate issue has to do with Thaksin's whereabouts. Public and media curiosity aside, his political movement is badly distracted by questions about where he has been and the government's claims that he has been kicked out of the United Arab Emirates. During his phone-in on Wednesday night, Thaksin vowed to return to the UAE port city of Dubai very soon to prove that the Foreign Ministry was lying. He said he was in Montenegro for business, and photos circulated online yesterday did indeed show him and his children in that country. So, what has really happened? Without access to flight and immigration records, one can only speculate. SCENARIO ONE Here's Thaksin's side of the story: He innocently left Dubai for Montenegro to inspect a hotel renovation after deciding to plunge into property investment there. The trip unfortunately coincided with an earlier Thai government protest to the UAE Embassy that he was using Dubai as a political base to undermine the Bangkok administration. Loophole: Leaving Dubai for another staggering business investment at a time when his "slave" protesters were sleeping on the streets and shedding blood? SCENARIO TWO He has been staying in Cambodia to be in a better position to guide (or command, if you will) the red shirts. The Montenegro photos could be old ones. He wasn't expelled from the UAE and is about to return to rub it in the Foreign Ministry's face. Loophole: AFP reported Thaksin had been spotted in Montenegro just a few days ago, and later the Montenegrin police confirmed he was there. Nobody has seen him in Cambodia lately. SCENARIO THREE The same as Scenario Two, except he came to Cambodia after being booted out of Dubai. Loophole: He might pop up in Dubai today or tomorrow. SCENARIO FOUR A mix of Scenarios One and Two. He had come to Cambodia and, after learning that his location was being compromised (a lot of news reports were speculating that he was in Cambodia), he flew off to Montenegro and pretended to have been there all along. He wasn't expelled by the UAE and is poised to embarrass the Foreign Ministry in a day or two. Loophole: Nobody has really seen him in Cambodia lately. SCENARIO FIVE The same as Scenario Four except he has actually been ousted from Dubai. Loophole: Nobody has really seen him in Cambodia lately and he has been very defiant about returning to the UAE. SCENARIO SIX Doesn't have much to do with where he was, but whether he was really kicked out by the UAE. In this scenario, he was really asked to leave, which explains why he wasn't "quite there" for his followers at the beginning of their most crucial campaign to save him. But according to this scenario he will be able to return to Dubai after lobbying or negotiating with his long-time hosts. Loophole: Too much diplomatic flip-flopping for comfort.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Strong Baht is only for the Near Term: Porntiva By PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said the baht would be stronger only for a short period following a flood of investment into the stock market. She maintains export value can still meet the 14-per-cent growth target previously forecast for this year. In the first quarter alone, exports look set to grow 20 per cent to US$40 billion (Bt1.29 trillion). However, she admitted export growth could slow in the second quarter if the baht remained too strong for long, because it would create problems for exporters trying to do business. Thai Rice Exporters Association president Chookiat Ophaswongse said Thai rice exporters faced greater difficulty competing with Vietnamese exports, due to the widening price gap between the two countries' rice. "Vietnamese rice is much cheaper than Thai rice, by $80 to $100 per tonne. Vietnam's dong is 8-per-cent weaker than the baht. Thailand will definitely lose export share in many countries that prefer cheaper rice," he said. Phongsak Assakul, vice chairman of both the Board of Trade and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern about the baht's appreciation possibly slowing export recovery in the second quarter. He called for the Bank of Thailand to control the baht, in order to ensure the Kingdom's competitiveness. The government may not have to announce a weaker unit, but it should ensure the baht is not too strong against other currencies, Phongsak said.

We also need to invite Job. Sometimes we need his patience.

'Daniel Boone' Star Fess Parker Dies By Alan Duke, CNN March 18, 2010 Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Fess Parker, best known for playing Daniel Boone in a 1960s television series, died Thursday at his home near Santa Barbara, California, his publicist said. He was 85. Parker followed his acting career with successful hotel and winery ventures around Santa Barbara. A statement issued by his family did not reveal the cause of death. Parker is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella, their son and daughter, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild who "spent a great deal of time with Fess in his final months and weeks," the statement said. A native of Texas, Parker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before graduating from the University of Texas-Austin in 1950. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s to pursue acting. Walt Disney cast Parker in the lead role of "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier," co-starring Buddy Ebsen. He followed that with several more Disney films, including "Davy Crockett and the River Boat Pirates," "The Great Locomotive Chase" and "Smoky." His TV career took off in 1964 with the title role in NBC's "Daniel Boone," which aired for for six seasons. When the series ended in 1970, Parker became a real estate developer in Santa Barbara. "After successfully opening three high-end mobile home parks, the 360-room Fess Parker Doubletree Resort opened in 1985," the family statement said. "It is one of the most successful hotels on the Santa Barbara waterfront." Parker and his family also opened Fess Parker Winery on the Foxen in Los Olivos, California.

You're going to be awfully busy. I hope you'll get a chance to come up for air once in a while . . .

Well, that's certainly a novel approach. The trouble is we didn't know the price until we received our bill and none of us had checked the price on the menu. It never occurred to us that this particular restaurant was going to charge two to four times the price that you find for the same water in any other restaurant in all of Pattaya. The criticism being heaped upon me at the moment includes people comparing the price we paid for water and food to prices one would pay in the USA and elsewhere. In case the critics hadn't noticed, we're not in the USA. Saying, "Prices in Thailand are much less than in the USA" is about as invalid a criticism as I've ever encountered. The issue isn't the actual price. The issue is this one restaurant charging much more for the water than any other restaurant my friends and I have ever been to in all of Thailand, and we've been to plenty, including the expensive gourmet restaurants. If most other restaurants were also charging 80 baht for a small bottle of water, then we wouldn't have anything to complain about, would we? That would be the expected price. It wasn't just the price of the water. What set me off about this was the attitude of the management coupled with the fact that we couldn't get our bill. There were only three other tables occupied at the time and there were two waiters. It took us ten minutes just to get a waiter to even glance in our direction, despite signaling and one of my friends calling out to him. Then it took nearly 30 minutes to get our bill. It would have taken even longer, but one of my friends finally got fed up and went over to the owner, who was paying no attention to anyone other than the small group at his own table, and asked him to get our bill for us. Then, when we saw the price of the water, the owner was standing right there at our table. I asked him if that is correct. He said yes. I then pointed out that this is far more expensive than anywhere else in Pattaya and I asked him to explain why he is charging that price. Instead of answering, he just said "sorry" and walked away. If the critics want to be treated like that, that's their business. While the critics are busy telling me how wrong we were, I'll remind them that in the entire history of my presence on the message boards, this is the first time anyone has ever seen a post from me lashing out at an individual restaurant. I think I'm perfectly justified. None of the critics were there with us, but they're sure quick to ridicule. Meanwhile, I don't doubt for an instant that most people would have reacted as we did if they endured the same experience. "Go on, tell me about it, Cole. Tell me about how if it was you, you'd have done it different." - Robert Mitchum to John Wayne, 'El Dorado'

Shhhhhh! Don't tell anybody. You might spoil my reputation . . .

Restaurant Pattaya Casa Pascal March 16~31 Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2007 Beef Carpaccio with Truffles, Parmesan Cheese and Ruccola *** Tomato Essence with Shrimp Ravioli, Potato Dumpling and green Peas *** Salmon Mousse in a zesty Basil Sauce *** Sherbet of mixed Forest Berries *** Red Wine Cackle Berry, Shiraz, Australia, 2006 Rock Lobster Thermidor -or- Pork Filet Mignon in Bacon Wrap, glazed in red Wine with Bone Marrow & Mushrooms, served with Spaetzle *** Peach Pan Cake Suzette -or- Selection of premium international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,550 Baht (36.50 Є) Menu with Unlimited Beverages 3,350 Baht (78.90 Є) Restaurant Pattaya Casa Pascal

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ UDD rejects talks offer Published: 18/03/2010 at 04:53 PM The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Abhsit Vejjajiva's repeated offer to enter into negotiations provided the red-shirt protest remains within the law . UDD co-leader Jatuporn Prompan said there could be no talks as long as the government refuses to consider dissolving dissolve the House of Representatives and calling a general election. Mr Prompan said the UDD is ready for talks but the government must not set pre-conditions. Moreover, the UDD would talk only with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, not his representatives. "The talks must be be with Mr Abhisit only because Mr Korbsak would not be able to make any decisions and Mr Suthep tells lies on a daily basis," he said, referring to PM secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. Mr Jatuporn said if the government wanted to talk it must listen to every matter. "The talks must be without pre-conditions because we are not Mr Abhisit's underlings. Forget about the talks, if a House dissolution is left out," he said. Mr Jatuporn said the UDD would not talk if the prime minister did not soften his uncompromising stance. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Abhisit said the government was open to talks provided that the UDD respects the law.

Since the rally seems to be subdued today, rather than call this Day 7, I'll stick to individual reports that may be of interest to you. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Case being prepared against reds Published: 18/03/2010 at 12:36 PM Police are preparing a case for legal action against the red-shirts who rallied in front of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house in Sukhumvit Soi 31 on Wednesday. Pol Maj-Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung, the Metropolitan Police Division 5 commander, said during the rally the protesters poured blood, said to be drawn from the red shirts, on the ground in front of the gate of the prime minister's residence, splashed the blood on the fence and threw bags blood and other objects over the fence. Many of the bags landed on the house's roof. Police would examine recordings of closed-circuit television cameras installed around Mr Abhisit's houses and those of the neighbours to see who among the red shirts had broken the law. Those found to have committed legal offences would be summoned to acknowledge charges, Pol Maj-Gen Anuchai said. Pol Maj-Gen Anuchai said police and military personnel would continue to be on guard duty at the prime minister's house around the clock. Vehicles and people acting suspiciously would be checked while passing Sukhumvit Soi 31 and nearby sois. ____________________ PM to Sue Thaksin, Red Leaders Published: 18/03/2010 at 01:08 PM Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the Democrat Party's lawyers to gather evidence to take legal action against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leaders for making false accusations against him, Thepthai Senpong, the PM's personal spokesman, said on Thursday. Democrat Party's team of lawyers is led by Bandhit Siriphan. Mr Thepthai said that Thaksin, in a video link speech to his red-shirted supporters during a rally at Phan Fa bridge, accusing Mr Abhisit of being as dictatorial as Adolph Hitler, the World War II leader of Nazi Germany. UDD leaders Jatuporn Prompan, Suporn Atthawong and Arisman Pongruangrong had also again, during the rallies, replayed a maliciously edited recording of Mr Abhisit's speech before the Songkran riots last year. Each of these people may face at least one or two legal cases. Mr Jatuporn had already been prosecuted in three other cases, Mr Thepthai said. ______________________________ And these, from THE NATION: _____ Assassination Squads Hunting Abhisit: Report By THE NATION Published on March 18, 2010 Intelligence organs have warned of an assassination plot against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which is why he had to take cover inside the 11th Infantry Regiment base, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said yesterday. Metropolitan Police spokesman Maj Gen Piya Uthayo also said police obtained a tip-off the premier and some other heavyweights were targets of death squads. City police had stepped up their already-strict security measures for the key figures, he said. Up to six groups known for violence and inciting chaos in the country are being monitored for possible attacks, he said. Abhisit dodged a question from reporters about the assassination plan, leaving in his armoured vehicle without responding. _____ Red Shirts Threaten to Hound PM Everywhere Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, Thursday vowed to lead protesters to hound Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva no matter where he goes. "Now, the red-shirt people are on alert. If there is a report that the prime minister attends the House meeting today, we will go there to besiege Parliament to submit our demand directly to him," Natthawut said. "We will do the same if the prime minister goes into the Government House but we will not break in. We will follow him no matter where he goes." _____ Red-Shirts Protesting at Thai Bourse About 40 red-shirt supporters protested outside the Thai Stocks Exchange on Thursday morning, demanding probe into whether the finance minister used tax revenue to buy shares recently.

Aging Issues can be Tougher on Gays (CNN) -- Last Christmas, Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Dennis Engelhard was putting flares near a minor accident on a snowy road in Eureka when he was hit by a car and killed. "I'd had a premonition about it," said Kelly Glossip, 43, Engelhard's domestic partner of 15 years. The openly gay couple had discussed what might happen if Engelhard were to die in Missouri, a state that does not recognize same-sex partnerships, he said. "He had faith in the system and told me not to worry about it," Glossip said from his home in suburban St. Louis. But now Glossip, who works only part time in a billing office because of back problems and who supports his 17-year-old son, is worried and angry. The state would have given a pension to the wife of any officer killed on the job but has no such provision for domestic partners, Glossip said. "I'm basically on my own," he said. Denny Meyer, 63, knows all about being on his own. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 to pay his country back for welcoming his parents, both Holocaust survivors, after World War II. He stayed 10 years and loved it but remained in the closet until after he was discharged. After a career in New York, where he was open about his sexuality, "I started to get old," he said. "I'm an old 63 because of bad luck with cancer and this and that." Living alone on a limited income, with no close relatives, he was accepted to live in a senior citizens' home in the borough of Queens but turned it down. "I'm used to being out, so the idea of going into senior housing in a straight environment is horrifying," he said. "I knew that I would have to go completely back in the closet." Though aging is tough for everyone, it tends to be tougher for people who are gay, according to a report presented Wednesday at the annual conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging in Chicago, Illinois. According to the report, Improving the Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Older Adults, issues that disproportionately affect LGBT older adults include stigma, isolation and unequal treatment. Together, they translate into their being poorer and sicker and having fewer opportunities for social and community engagement than do their heterosexual peers, according to the report. Many older LGBTs' financial woes can be traced to the fact that discrimination was legal during their working lives, which often meant thinner paychecks, limited access to health care, fewer chances to build pensions and smaller Social Security payments, the report said. For example, lesbian couples' Social Security benefits are typically 31.5 percent smaller and gay couples' benefits are 17.8 percent smaller than are those of heterosexual couples, the report said, citing a 2009 study. Family members provide about 80 percent of long-term care in the United States, but that's not the case with LGBT elders, since they are more likely to be single, childless and estranged from their biological families, said the report. Instead, many of them wind up relying on friends and the community, so-called families of choice, it said. And that's just the beginning, according to the report, which cited "official policies, laws and institutional regulations" that offer same-sex partners few of the resources afforded to spouses and biological family members. That's largely because those laws, programs and services either don't acknowledge or don't protect the partners of LGBTs or because they don't address the stigma and discrimination that result in worse treatment of LGBT elders, it said. The report cited a 2001 study by the U.S. Administration on Aging that found LGBT elderly are only a fifth as likely as heterosexuals to use such services as senior centers, housing assistance, meal programs, food stamps and other entitlements. "There's a whole labyrinth of challenges and pitfalls for same-sex couples and LGBTs in general," said Michael Adams, the executive director of Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders, who helped write the report. The report cited these other inequalities:

Physically unclean. Not believing in personal hygiene. Low class trash. No social skills. OMG! That means I'm Russian!!!!!!

In Bangkok it was called Vickie L'Amour. It is definitely the same owner.

If that is the case, I'd like a list of those restaurants. That way I'll know where not to go. If overpriced mediocre food, with too small portions and lousy, indifferent service is the trend, include me out . . .

Welcome once again to my "I Don't Get It" list. Over the past few months there have been news reports quite often about Russian couples having sex at night on the beach, without regard to Thai laws, customs, or even whether they are drawing a crowd. WHY? Something is wrong with their hotel rooms? Are they just clueless? Does this sort of thing go on as a matter of routine in Russia? If yes, where's the gay beaches . . . ? The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: for photos, see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/03/17/russian-couple-caught-fornicating-on-a-pattaya-beach _____ Russian Couple Caught Fornicating On A Pattaya Beach Another case of a Russian couple caught fornicating on Jomtien Beach appeared on Wednesday morning. The pair were not arrested as they had fled the scene before police arrived. Various local residents and tourists witnessed the indecent acts. Pattaya, the 17th of March 2010 [PDN]: At approximately 6:30am on Thursday, reporters were informed of a Russian couple that had been caught fornicating on the Jomtien Beach at the Dongtan Curve near the local police station. Local reporters arrived at the scene, following an anonymous tipoff, photographing the couple in the midst of sexual intercourse. The pair seemed completely unaware or unashamed that an audience was gathering nearby, proceeding to finish their inappropriate antics and leaving the scene before police arrived to arrest them. Note (from editor): Insufficient or ineffective punishment for public indecency in Pattaya has significantly contributed to an increase in this type of act, notably from the Russian contingent visiting or living in the region. The attractive location and pleasant atmosphere created by the sunrise and morning peace along the beach, likely attracts Russian couples who otherwise do not get the opportunity to consider such acts in their home country.

Are you kidding me? Yes, mine was free, although a glass of water cost me 80 baht. My friends all paid full fare and I would have to pay the same if I ever go again, wouldn't I? I too had the experiences I listed above and the fact that mine was free doesn't alter the prices being charged compared to what you get. But I don't have to worry. I'm not going again. Neither are my friends. The issue isn't the fact that mine was free. The issue is the experience we endured and the negative changes that occurred in less than three weeks. Maybe you are technically correct that I wasn't ripped off. Now ask those who were with me if they felt ripped off. If you feel that the prices are reasonable, then by all means go and I hope you enjoy it.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Suthep: We'll Talk, if Thaksin Okays It Published: 17/03/2010 The government is ready for talks with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, particularly its core leader Veera Musikhapong, on the condition that he must first get the green light from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday. Mr Suthep made the offer as the UDD continued to mount pressure on the government for an early general election. The UDD's latest action was an attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house with what the leaders claimed was blood drawn from red-shirt donors. "We are ready for talks, but, most important of all, Mr Thaksin must first show a clear stance. If Mr Thaksin orders it, we can talk with his men. "We want to see peace and order in the country. With Mr Veera, for one, we would not need an interpreter. Whenever he is ready, he can call me on the phone.. or send a signal. I'm easy going," said Mr Suthep. Mr Abhisit also mentioned earlier that he would be be happy to talk with Mr Veera. He said Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong's suggestion that a national government be set up would be difficult to implement. Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action. Moreover, a national government could not include UDD core leaders. The deputy prime minister said one possible way of resolving the ongoing political conflict was for all parties to come to see one another, and joint;y agree on how to amend the constitution. If the constitution was not acceptable to all concerned, then problems would again emerge when an election was held. In addition to this, all parties must firmly agree they would no longer organise protests. They should enter a social contract that while an election is being held they must not obstruct or harm one another in any way, Mr Suthep said. Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the government was concerned about reports of possible sabotage. He could not say whether the saboteurs would take orders from Thaksin. All he could say was that there were still some people who wanted to stir up unrest and hurt the country. Mr Suthep said the government would continue to take stringent measures until it was sure that there would not be any violence. The government would definitely not allow the seizure of important installations, including Suvarnabhumi airport, he added. The deputy prime minister admitted he was unhappy with Thaksin. The former prime minister had continued to phone-in and further widen the division between the Thai people. He said this tactic of Thaksin was used by the communists 20 or 30 years ago and should be no longer used. He felt pity seeing the red-shirts resort to their blood-spilling tactic, because this would only cause the world to believe that some Thai people were still superstitious and followers of black magic. The blood ritual the red-shirts performed at the Democrat Party head office had hurt the feelings of the Democrats and Government House officials, Mr Suthep said. He warned UDD leaders to adhere to peaceful means, because violence was not acceptable to the majority of the people. On his reported remark during a press interview that intelligence units of foreign countries had warned the government of possible sabotage, after bugging Thaksin's telephone conversations, Mr Suthep said he had not named any countries. He rejected Thaksin's call that he produce proof of the allegation, saying it would be unethical to reveal the sources. __________ "Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action." Why do I think he's not exactly alone in that opinion?

This thing about price gouging via water and soft drinks is on my "I Don't Get It" list. Why do these restaurants do that? If they raised the food prices a little bit, most likely no one would notice. Don't they think people check their bills? Do the owners of these restaurants think nothing of it when they go out to restaurants and find themselves victims of price gouging? I'll bet they're the first ones to raise holy hell when it is they who are the victims. What's wrong with these people? As I said, if their food prices were a bit higher, I doubt I would really notice the difference, but when I check my bill and see that I'm being obviously ripped-off, then that's a restaurant that never gets my business again. For some strange reason, I tend to get a little annoyed when I find myself in a restaurant that is overcharging in the first place, serving too small portions, mediocre food, along with having to wait nearly half an hour for the bill (and that's after trying to get a waiter's attention for a good ten minutes) only to find I have been price gouged for my beverage and then brushed off if I dare to bring it to the attention of the owner. I know it will probably take a great deal of thinking to understand why I don't come to your restaurant anymore, but give it a try. Some people say you're paying extra for the ambiance. As far as I'm concerned, to hell with that. I've never understood why fancy surroundings justifies excessively high prices in the first place, especially when I can go elsewhere and get food just as good for half the price, and often the food in these high priced places isn't all that great. Sorry, restaurants, but that's not for me. I'll give my business to restaurants that have comfortable surroundings, good food, good service, and reasonable prices. In case you hadn't noticed, there are a hell of a lot of restaurants in Pattaya besides yours. I'll be eating in the ones that aren't rip-offs, but I'll be sure to give a friendly wave toward your restaurant if I happen to be passing by on my way to a different one. I'll be happy to do that right up to the day you close for lack of customers.

There have been few more blood splashing stories today, but the following story is the first I've seen since this whole thing began that at least is making some sense. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Senators Want a General Debate Published: 17/03/2010 at 03:46 PM Sixty senators on Wednesday signed a motion seeking a general debate of the Senate to explore ways of solving the ongoing political conflict, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej said. A resolution to take this action was reached at a Senate meeting attended by 66 senators. Mr Prasopsuk and his deputies said after the meeting that senators wanted the Senate to hold a general debate under Section 161 of the consitution as soon as possible. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be invited to attend the debate. The Senate called for all sides in the conflict to exercise restraint, refrain from violence and solve problems through peaceful negotiations, he said. Nikom Wairatpanich, the first deputy senate speaker, said the prime minister should call a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate under Section 179 of the constitution as soon as possible to solve the country's problems through parliamentary means.

I've already said my piece. I don't see much value in rehashing the same points I've already made. You have your opinion and I have mine.

Alright already . . . I'll read both.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 10 More Companies of Security Forces Deployed to PM's House Ten more companies of police and soldiers have been deployed to reinforce 6 companies of security officials at the house of the prime minister following the threat by red-shirt people to rally there Wednesday. The police and soldiers put up warped wires around the house of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Soi Sukhumvit 31 and strictly checked vehicles passing through the soi. The red-shirt people threatened to go to Abhisit's house to pour their collected blood in protest. No family members of the prime minister are inside the house Wednesday. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Political Rallies Banned Near Govt Property in Chiang Mai Monk backing UDD hurls blood at soldiers Published: 17/03/2010 at 12:00 AM CHIANG MAI : Political gatherings have been banned in and around areas of government offices in this northern province to prevent the red shirts' local chapter from storming and damaging government property. Chiang Mai is the first province to prohibit protesters from organising political rallies near provincial government centre and other government buildings. Chiang Mai governor Amornphan Nimanant yesterday said security measures had been beefed up at key government buildings under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act. Areas in and around key government offices have been put off-limits to political demonstrations from 6am until midnight every day. Violators will face a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of up to 6,000 baht. Mr Amornphan said many Chiang Mai red shirt supporters who joined the rally in Bangkok had now returned to the province. Local community radios are now mobilising red shirt supporters. A close watch is being kept on them, the provincial governor said. At the same time, the UDD's local chapter in Chiang Mai organised a blood donation campaign in front of Grand Waroros hotel. About 1,000 cubic centimetres of blood was collected and the blood was divided into two portions. About 50 red shirt supporters splashed the first portion of the blood outside the provincial government centre after they tried unsuccessfully to storm it but were frustrated by security forces. Another group of red shirts led by Phra Khru Thep Sutthikhun made their way to the statue of Chao Kawila, a former ruler of Chiang Mai, to splatter the second portion of the blood. The statue is near Kawila military camp in Chiang Mai's Muang district. They were blocked by about 100 soldiers. Scuffles broke out before the monk splashed the blood on the soldiers and members of the media. Security has also been beefed up at local government offices in other provinces as red shirts begin to return home. In Pathum Thani, Pol Lt Gen Krissada Phankongchuen, chief of Police Region 1, told provincial police chiefs to provide security and protection at the provincial hall, the district office and other important local government buildings around the clock. In Ayutthaya, provincial governor Witthaya Phiewpong ordered defence volunteers to stand guard at the provincial hall and to keep an eye out for a suspect involved in inciting unrest and vandalism in the province. The security measures come after local red shirt leaders told their supporters to storm and use the provincial hall as a base to attack the government. In Nakhon Ratchasima, police and defence volunteers were deployed at key government offices. The number of fire extinguishers at the provincial hall has been doubled.

One reason is Chez Vickie is closed on Tuesdays. You passed it last night and it seemed to be doing well? That's interesting. Last night was Tuesday. You don't need to tell me what Chez Vickie is like. I've been there a few times already, the latest only three nights ago, and it is one of my favorites. A second reason is because during the Take-Care party raffle I won a dinner at Le Montecristo. Last night I wanted to use my voucher. One friend wanted the paella. Another friend had never been there and wanted to go with us. Now you know why I didn't go to Chez Vickie . . .