TotallyOz

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thailand's Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for deposed Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra who fled the country last month just as he was to appear in a corruption case. The court wants Thaksin arrested for his alleged role in a bank loan case, according to the Thai News Agency, which is owned by a public company controlled by the government. It is one of several corruption cases against Thaksin and his family that are winding their way through the legal systems. The billionaire is accused of abusing the country's system of checks and balances and bending government policy to benefit his family's business. He and his wife face charges stemming from a Bangkok land deal and a stock concealment plan. Thaksin also faces separate charges of concealing assets. The former prime minister has consistently denied that he or his family was involved in any wrongdoing. Last month, the Supreme Court issued another warrant for Thaksin and his wife after they skipped a court appearance and fled to the United Kingdom rather than testify in a case about the unlawful purchase of real estate. In the real-estate case, Pojaman is accused of using her husband's political influence to buy undeveloped land from a government agency for about a third of its estimated value. In addition, Pojaman was found guilty in July of evading millions of dollars in taxes and sentenced to three years in prison. She was out on bail at the time of the couple's flight. Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon, owns the English Premier League Manchester City Football Club. His party won two landslide victories before he was deposed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 after massive anti-government street protests. He returned to Thailand after his allies -- the People Power Party -- won nearly half the seats in the lower house in December's parliamentary elections and formed the ruling coalition. Samak Sundaravej assumed the prime minister's position. Opposition party supporters accused him of being a Thaksin puppet. In recent weeks, the country has seen daily demonstrations from opposition party supporters who want PPP leaders purged from the Cabinet. The protesters -- led by the People's Alliance for Democracy -- wanted Samak ousted. They contended Samak was trying to amend the constitution so Thaksin does not have to face charges. Samak's government placed the capital city, Bangkok, under a state of emergency on September 2 after clashes between pro- and anti-PPP supporters turned violent and left one dead. Last week, Thailand's Constitutional Court stripped Samak of his position, ruling that he had violated the constitution by appearing as a paid guest on a television cooking show. Immediately afterward, the PPP tried to re-nominate him for the position. But it was unable to convince its five coalition partners to go along with the choice. On Monday, the PPP nominated Thaksin's brother-in-law for the post, further inflaming opposition party supporters. The parliamentary vote is scheduled for Wednesday. Somchai Wongsawat is married to Thaksin's sister and had been acting as prime minister following Samak's ouster. He lifted the emergency rule over the weekend, saying the order had adversely affected the country's economy -- particularly, tourism. But the PPP's decision to pick someone related to Thaksin means the protests are unlikely to wane. advertisement PAD party leader Sondhi Limthongkul has said demonstrators will not accept a prime minister nominee from the PPP. Even within the PPP, several lawmakers called on the executive board to reconsider Somchai's pick. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...ksin/index.html

Yes, Americans are bound by both US and International law. Recently, GB also passed similar legislation. I am not sure how many other countries are doing the same. I do wonder if a California resident whose legal age of consent is 18 goes to say New York where it is 17, which law they must follow? If the USA does this Internationally, how long will it take for them to do it state by state?

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thailand's ruling People Power Party has nominated the brother-in-law of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra for the post of prime minister. The party's executive board picked Somchai Wongsawat and will forward the name on to its coalition partners ahead of a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, a government spokesman told CNN. Somchai is married to Thaksin's sister, and had been acting as prime minister since a constitutional court stripped Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of power. Even if the five coalition partners agree with the choice, Somchai's pick is likely to rankle anti-government protesters. For weeks, the protesters -- led by the People's Alliance for Democracy -- had tried to oust Samak, accusing him of being a puppet for Thaksin. They contended Samak was trying to amend the constitution so Thaksin does not have to face charges. Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, returned to England this summer just as he was to appear in court in a corruption case. Last week, Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled Samak had to resign because he had violated the constitution by appearing as a paid guest on a television cooking show. Immediately afterward, the PPP said it would re-nominate him for the position. But it was unable to convince its coalition partners to go along with the choice. On Sunday, Somchai -- acting head of the caretaker government -- lifted a state of emergency that the capital city, Bangkok, had been under since September 2. The emergency rule was imposed after clashes between pro- and anti-Samak supporters left one person dead. Somchai announced the repeal of emergency rule on national television Sunday, saying the order had adversely affected the country's economy -- particularly, tourism. advertisement Now, with the PPP's decision to pick someone related to Thaksin, the protests are unlikely to wane. CNN could not immediately reach many of the top leaders with the People's Alliance for Democracy for their reaction to Somchai's pick. But on Sunday, party leader Sondhi Limthongkul said demonstrators will not accept a prime minister nominee from the PPP. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/...inee/index.html

Thank you for this. It was hilarious!

http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/...529c95/be940ef3

Having been to more than my share of these events, I know they are a blast. Anyone planning to be there this year? http://bbcm.org/

I do wonder why they compete with that event. But, in all honestly, having been there last year, the majority of customers are those looking to oogle at a porn star and not dance the night away so I doubt too many would be in conflict.

LOL. Well, I hope that happens as I think he would make an excellent justice. But, don't hold your breath. If that happens, I'll most defiantly vote for that person again after the first term.

Each state in the USA has different Age of Consent laws. The world has many as well. In Brazil that age is 18 and is strictly enforced. When I was with a friend there recently, we were cruising through the park and he pointed out some guys that were 17 and said that no one will go with them as it is too dangerous even for someone close to their age. In Thailand, the Age of Consent is 15 BUT, for all practical purposes it is 18. Those 15-18 can have sex legally if there is no money involved but if it is a foreigner involved, it is assumed that money or favors is involved. Therefore, best to stay above the 18 rule. Spain was the surprising place at 13. Most countries were around the 16 year old range. http://www.ageofconsent.com

It is a very interesting article. Where the world was once dependent on the American Economy and the USA was King, we are now in a world where we are dependent on a world economy but the powers that be have yet to figure how to deal with this and to manipulate the world. The power is switching to other places and I feel America needs to learn to face this and find a way to enhance our economy while interacting with others well. So far IMHO the isolationism that we have had for the last many years has only hurt us and perhaps endangered our own reputation in the world to come that will not easily be overcome.

Absolutely. Would be happy to do so. And I assure you, your name would live up to its meaning every night or if you are really LUCKY 3 or 4 times a night. But, hurry, I have 2 weeks left.

Looks like the Prime Minister is out over here. Not sure what will happen next week when they elect a new Prime Minister. I guess it will be instability as usual. The baht has been on the rise and almost hit 35 this week. Not as high as 45 when I first started to travel here but better than 29 in the not so near past.

I have always been in Intercontinental guy. They always upgrade to a full suite when I reach their highest level and they are wonderful at doing that every time I go to one of their hotels. What do you think the best programs are? Why?

I have many friends and relatives in Texas. It is a hard time for them all and our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Anyone planning on going to this? I went last year and had a good time. It was hard as hell to get a taxi afterward but the event itself was fun. I also read they are not having the one in LA this year. Anyone know why? http://www.gayeroticexpo.com

LOL. I am not getting too bored trust me. Just had some of the best sex of my life the past few months. Not how sure how much more I can take. I will have to go to Brazil for a holiday. I thought his tats were HOT! And, so is he. Yummy.

Want to fuck him, or want him to fuck them? I feel like we have all been fucked for 8 years. I am normally a 2 minute guy myself but 8 years? Damm!

One of the things the boyfriend loves is KFC. When I ask where he wants to go, often he says KFC. I have noticed even more KFC's in Thailand than McDonalds. I also notice that the taste here is MUCH spicier than in the USA and always wondered if that was an addition to the recipe or another recipe. Well, reading my morning paper, I found out the secret recipe is kept secretly hidden from all. I wonder if the owners of Oud's Place keep their recipe for BBQ sandwiches as secretly hidden? LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The secret's out at KFC. Colonel Harland Sanders' handwritten recipe of 11 herbs and spices was to be removed Tuesday from safekeeping at KFC's corporate offices for the first time in decades. The temporary relocation is allowing KFC to revamp security around a yellowing sheet of paper that contains one of the country's most famous corporate secrets. KFC hired off-duty police officers and private security guards to whisk the document away to an undisclosed location in an armored car. The recipe will be slid into a briefcase and handcuffed to a security expert. For more than 20 years, the recipe has been tucked away in a filing cabinet equipped with two combination locks in company headquarters. So important is the 68-year-old concoction that coats the chain's Original Recipe chicken that only two company executives at any time have access to it. The company refuses to release their names or titles, and it uses multiple suppliers who produce and blend the ingredients but know only a part of the entire contents. Sanders developed the formula in 1940 at his tiny restaurant in southeastern Kentucky and used it to launch the KFC chain in the early 1950s. Sanders died in 1980, but his likeness is still central to KFC's marketing. "The recipe to him, in later years, was everything he stood for," said Shirley Topmiller, his personal secretary for about 12 years. Larry Miller, a restaurant analyst with RBC Capital Markets, said the recipe's value is "almost an immeasurable thing. It's part of that important brand image that helps differentiate the KFC product." KFC had a total of 14,892 locations worldwide at the end of 2007. The chain has had strong sales overseas, especially in its fast-growing China market, but has struggled in the U.S. amid a more health-conscious public. KFC posted U.S. sales of $5.3 billion at company-owned and franchised stores in 2007. http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/080909/K090902AU.html

Reading the Phuket newspaper online, this article was there. Luckily, for me this is one story I will never have to hear. But, the cleverness of these schemes are amazing. Sugar daddies duped by pretended pregnancies UBON RATCHATHANI: Attractive women having relationships with much older and considerably less attractive men for financial benefit is certainly nothing new. In Isarn, however, some girls have allegedly started using an ingenious method to extract more money from their stingy sugar daddies: having their stomachs injected with chemicals to make them appear pregnant. Pukki, a 20-year-old college student from Ubon Ratchathani, said some students were using this method to get extra money from businessmen or government officers they have relationships with. Usually the sugar daddies would give them pocket money of only 300 to 500 baht a month, which is hardly enough for a modern girl these days, she said. Friends studying in Maha Sarakham province, one of the main student centers of the northeast, had told her that certain clinics would inject chemicals into girls’ stomachs that would make them swell up as if they were pregnant, Pukki said. This method worked especially well with men who were well known in society, particularly high-ranking officials. When the girls say they are pregnant, almost all of the men are happy to give them as much money as they need for an illegal abortion, she said. Most of the men want the problem to disappear out of fear that their wives will find out and because of the future costs of having to support an illegitimate child, Pukki explained. Another Ubon Rachathani college student, 21-year-old “Em”, said that while she had heard of many cases of girls claiming they were pregnant to extort money from their sugar daddies, she had yet to hear of anyone using chemicals to inflate their stomachs. Em explained that girls’ sponsors would often give excuses and use delaying tactics when the girls asked for money to buy essentials, such as motorbikes, cars and brand-name fashion accessories. Falsely claiming pregnancy is the surest way to get what you want and students have learned the sure-fire method from TV soap operas, she added. Dr Wutikrai Mungmai, a doctor with Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Health Department, said that he had not as yet come across the practice of faking pregnancies through stomach injections. He had, however, heard of a number of clinics offering abortions. These would be cracked down on very soon, he said. http://www.phuketgazette.com/queernews/index.asp?id=6705

Was in Krazy 2 nights ago and got a flier for their latest promotion. It will be this Friday and called the Beautiful Boxer contest. I met one real boxer there last month and he is yummy and I hope he takes the prize. Drop in for a fun night at Krazy. Beautiful Boxer contest at Krazy Dragon this Friday, September 12th. Krazy dragon 273/13-15 soi Yensabai, Sunee Plaza Moo 10, Pratamnak Road, Pattaya City Banglamung , Chonburi, Thailand Tel: 086-867-1265 Khun Pooh E-mail: krazydragon@yahoo.com http://www.krazy-dragon.com 12th SEPTEMBER 2008 http://www.krazy-dragon.com

The search engine giant celebrated its 10 year anniversary this week. It is so hard to imagine a world in which Google did not exist. I try to think back before Google and it is hard for me to imagine. I think perhaps dogpile was the site I used before Google. The Internet has been greatly enhanced by this company and their ideas.

I use both Skype and Vonage but I often get better reception when in hotels with Skype for some reason. I prefer the Vonage phone and adapter as opposed to my headset on the computer but it is better than nothing. Vonage seems to be more expensive. Anyone have a preference or another suggestion?

News that McCain has taken over the lead in the popular vote has been covered a great deal. From what I have read, it seems that the state to state breakdown of the states gives the electoral college vote to Obama if the vote were today. This is a very interested election and I think it will determine the course of things for this country for years to come. It is 55 days and counting!

Love the new Prison Break and like the addition of a new character who is leading the group. I have been in love with the main character since the beginning and to watch him with the tattoo removal was hard. I was hard at least and love this show!

When overseas, I love to watch some American movies, tv shows, etc and listen to my music. I download quite a bit when I travel. I have always used Itunes as it is legal and the easiest way to download music I have found. The new version of Itunes has a Genius bar which has to be activated on your computer. It reads your music, sends it to Apple and makes lists based on similar songs. This morning when I went to the gym, I wanted to take my Ipod so I picked one upbeat song I like to run to and had my Genius Bar make a play list of 100 songs that are similar. I simply then hit Make New Playllst and it was done. I synced it with my Ipod and I was good to go. The results were great and as I didn't make the list myself it was nice to be surprised from one song to the next. The high definition shows are 2.99 as opposed to 1.99. Many NBC shows are now there as the two companies worked out their differences. Itunes 8 has some great new features but the Genius Bar is pretty damn enjoyable.