Bob

I'm not sure about daddy George but his son sure has given us a good f____ing!!

Actually, it doesn't happen that often and the current case is the exception. Michigan, for example, has both laws and inspectors to make sure that the migrant workers are housed, paid fairly, and treated fairly (of course, the laws were made because of past abuses). The bottom-line, as always, is dollars. Dollars buys you a lobbyist which results in a law that makes money for the rich guy/company. That, in US terms, is what we call perfectly legal corruption. Other people call it campaign financing.

Lol.......GB (as in Georgie Bush....not GayButton!). If somebody defaced or erased my face in a picture, it wouldn't be called illegal but, rather, an improvement!

GB, when a company needs foreign workers here in the US, it really isn't that hard to get them papers to get into the country. They fill out the paperwork (saying they can't find US citizens to take the jobs and showing what efforts they made) and it isn't that difficult after that to get the papers. What I am guessing, though, is that the paperwork falsified the type of work as I doubt if it is legal to import workers for working on a bridge or other iron work. For example, it is legal to bring in foreign workers to do domestic work in the hotels and resorts. A few resorts in Northern Michigan do that every year (because nobody else will take the jobs at minimum wage).

Comparing defacing the King's picture in Thailand with defacing a picture of GB in the USA, while somewhat theoretically logical, totally misses the point. I don't agree with raising anyone to the "god" level but that's what Thailand has done with their King and anyone stupid enough to spray paint photos of the King in Thailand (let alone a 57 year old) deserves a little jail time and/or deportation. Had he been caught by some Thais rather than the police, the dumb f*** might be floating down the Ping River by now. The point of the whole story, to me, wasn't the legality of the act or the wisdom of the tradition. Hedda, you may have a constitutional right to yell the "n" word in Watts but you'd be incredibly stupid to do so (and probably incredibly shit kicked back to Pattaya). I don't personally like the deification of the King but it's neither my business to question the wisdom of the law (hmmm...it is their country) nor to violate it. And it isn't like any other rule or custom in Thailand.....it's the #1 "don't tread on me" custom of the Thai nation.

From the Bangkok Post today: BANGKOK: -- A Swiss man was arrested for allegedly insulting the monarchy by painting over images of His Majesty the King, police said today. Jufer Oliver Rudolf, 57, was caught Tuesday on surveillance cameras spray painting over portraits of HM the King with black paint at several locations in Chiang Mai, police Lt. Col. Kittiphan Kamwan said. He was detained Wednesday night and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted, the police said. BangkokPost He apparently claimed he was "drunk" although the cops are investigating to determine if he was hired by some "anti-junta" person or group. Drunk or not, the guy is an idiot and deserves to at least be thrown out of Thailand forever.

I saw the "Transfer to International" signs there so I'm guessing that is exactly what you do (so, if you're lucky, you'll be clearing immigration very quickly and easily in Chiangmai). If you got a ticket to Chiangmai (and the Thai flight is just a code-share connection to your final destination), my guess is you do immigration and customs in Chiangmai. P.S. I would note that the new international terminal at Chiangmai is now open and is very nice. it's just a new wing added on the south end of the existing terminal (and I'd also note that you have to walk all the way to the north end to get a taxi).

Besides an age limit, how about a weight limit for thongs or speedos? Perhaps wearing one of those would be illegal if one was over a couple of kilotons??? I mean this with some humor - I really don't have anything against the Germans (hmm...I am pretty German myself) or Australians - but there seems to be something in those cultures that encourages behemouths to wear the skimpiest bathing suits. I've seen speedos that appear to be hiding behind folds (mounds) of flesh that should altogther be avoiding the beach due to a deathly fear of harpoon scars. Rather disgusting occasionally.

Wow, nice. Congrats to your bf, GB. it'll be an interesting experience for both of you. My bf, god or buddha willing, will be graduating from Payap in Chiangmai at the end of 2007 (subject to having to take a very difficult class in Chinese again) so I kinda know the joys, surprises, and downers of the college experience for a thai kid. As you certainly know, most of the thai kids in college in Thailand are from the upper classes and it is a little bit of a problem for a kid from poor peasant parents to fit in (but it can be done). There's also the extra expenses - class trips, etc. - and the difficulty of economically fitting in (with decent clothes, mobile phone, decent computer, etc.). Sometimes the assignments (like requiring a presentation to be made on a cd - when one doesn't have access to a video camera) simply presume all the students have or can easily get money. At this moment, my bf (who is majoring in Tourism) is in Bangkok where they are inspecting various sites, making some type of cooperative arrangements with some of the shops at the new airport, etc.). Of course, the school just presumes all the kids have the extra money for the air flight, hotel, etc. It's been difficult for my bf but I'm proud as hell of him for all he's been through. Good luck to your bf (and you!) on the new journey.

On topic: Rain, good job and I hope to be able to join you some year. Very generous of you. Off topic: The so-called "MESSAGE FROM EARWIG." Earwig, could you possibly name one person on this board (or, perhaps, in the solar system) that gives a rat's ass what you think? For the life of me, I can't understand why the moderators don't put an end to this.

I'm not typically a cut and paster but thought this story, in today's Nation, was worthy of unusual human stupidity. Chon Buri - Two men were killed and another severely injured while they were illegally blasting fish near the Samersarn Islands off Chon Buri's coast. Police said the group was illegally fishing by blasting fish habitat near the Rongkhon Island off Chon Buri's Sattahip district Thursday morning when a bomb exploded on their boat. The bomb sunk the boat and killing two men abroad while injuring another. The injured man and the dead bodies were later retrieved by other fishing boats. All of them were Thais. Earlier, the accident was reported by a traffic radio programme that having happened to a boat charted by foreign tourists. The report said two foreign tourists were killed and another injured. The Nation This reminds me of the joke about the conservation officer seeing a fisherman taking fish by similar method (dynamite). The officer jumped in the offender's boat and told him he was under arrest for illegal fishing and then began lecturing the guy about the evils of illegal fishing.. The fisherman calmly listened, picked up and lit another stick of dynamite, quickly handed it to the officer, and then said: "Are you going to continue jabbering or are you going to fish?!?"

Songkran is really about having some innocent fun and, as dangerous as it may be to take a camera out in public (I use a larger baggie!),, it's my favorite time to take photos of the beaming Thai smiles. Some examples (Songkran in Chiangmai):

The thread was about the Cartier Club and I see no problem with letmetellyou thanking others for the report; however, I think Geezer's "drivel" reply was more directed to the first two paragraphs. I also knew David in Pattaya but not as well as many others; yet, I don't exactly take kindly to all of your comments about him nor do I appreciate your attempt to compare yourself to him. DIP would occasionally confound some people (especially yanks) with his wording and truncated writing style but he was fairly beloved by all and, to my memory, never attracted nor participated in nasty repartee. Perhaps you occasionally ought to try to emulate him.

Some people like songkran and others don't. I happen to enjoy it and I dress appropriately (shorts, sandals, tee shirt, and wallet in a baggie). Anybody that goes out during Songkran (at least in the noon to 19.00 time slot) dressed normally without knowing he has a good chance of getting wet has to be an idiot.

There are times when I've been in bars I'm quite familiar with that I am chatting and buying drinks for boys I know (and most of the time my long-term friend is with me and I have no intention of offing anyone). So, in those circumstances, I know to expect the boys to jump off when there's a financial reward awaiting (after all, as rotten as this sounds, we're talking about inventory in a business aren't we?). I see both sides of the argument. If you have one falang with a boy who truly has no intention of offing him, then it would seem to me that another falang who will off him has the priority.Now, how one takes care of that situation tactfully is another question. The "offing" falang ought to wait in my view while I can also understand the the "non-offing" falang ought to be sensitive to the fact that the kid has a chance to earn some money.

Contrary to the majority, I prefer using MSN for the weekly chats with my Chiang Mai friend. It's easy for us as my friend has excellent English skills (verbal and written). For most thai boys, though, I doubt if MSN would be that easy.

I'd still recommend the Porn Ping. Great location as far as I'm concerned (can walk to the night market, night market bars, Wararot Market, etc.). Depending on the dates, anywhere from 1200 to 1800 baht a night. I've stayed there 7 or 8 times and just finished a 3-week stay there. Note: Ask for a Tower room on a high floor or the Bubbles Disco in the basement or the Hotshot bar on the first floor might bother you at night. As for PJ's, looked like a nice place but I didn't like the location. It's great for going to the mall or to Soho Bar but, other than that, really can't walk anywere from PJ's. Trongpai is correct about Diamond Riverside.....avoid the place.

Can't blame them a bit. While I have no problem at all with two (or more) adults doing anything they want with each other in private, it's absolutely disgusting to me that the "CFS-types" think it's fun, cute, exciting, or whatever to engage in sexual behavior in public restrooms, highway rest stops, or in movie theaters. Rather boorish behavior to me which is better suited to private spaces. And it's too damn bad that the general public (which includes gay men with some reasonable norms of behavior) is unable to use public restrooms or simply "holds it until later" because of the fear of encountering the public bathroom cruisers.

My CM friend has obtained his first and second passport in Chiangmai so I don't think Bangkok is the only place for Thais to obtain a passport. We went to Malaysia last weekend and Thai citizens don't need anything at all to go there. Now, I do understand he goes through a different exit line than myself travelling to Laos, Burma, Malaysia, and Singapore (places we've gone in the last year) and perhaps there's some type of "exit visa" he's given (although the only things I see stamped in his passport are the entry and exit stamps of the countries we're visiting); if so, it's given in 10 seconds as he always flies through the exit lines.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted in another thread my experience (most excellent) during my first flight into the new airport. However, I flew there on a loaded 747 from Chiangmai this past Monday and the boneheads had to bus the passengers to the terminal (geez.....with a new spacious airport and a large scheduled flight from the 2nd largest city in the country, you'd think they could have found a chute somewhere). And they bussed us to the south side of the terminal more than half way toward the international side! Then, I had to hike back to the east end and go through security again to connect with my flight to Udon Thani. Thankfully, I had 2 hours between flights so had no trouble making the connecting domestic flight on time. The facility, in my view, is wonderful. But it would be helpful if they learned to use it efficiently. P.S. Not that other airports don't suck occasionally. On a trip to Kuala Lumpur last weekend, the plane (arriving and leaving) parks out on the tarmac about a half a mile from the terminal. They must be short of busses because they walk everybody to and from the plane [i'd estimate it was clearly over 100 degrees (fahrenheit) out on that lovely tarmac.]

My Chiangmai friend (28 in a few weeks) obtained his driver's license 3 months ago and I have had the privilege (perhaps better said as "sheer terror") of driving all over the Chiangmai area with him the last 10 days. His boss (bf works part-time at a guesthouse in CM) allows bf to use one of his cars. The boss, of course, is very generous and very, very, stupid.... [since it is difficult to tell my friend "your driving sucks", I am bitching to the world with this post] I have no clue what they teach them to obtain a driver's license but it's obviously very little.Then there's no temporary license while they have to drive with an adult nor any probationary period where they have certain limitations (like not driving at night). I would guess that I have experienced mild fright about every kilometer with a dose of sheer terror thrown in every 50 kilometers or so. So far: 1) First Trip of Length. Although I was heading for a thai massage at the Olde Thai Medicine Hospital, we stopped at the local restaurant of a thai friend and suddenly we were on our way to Lampang. Great fun but I think the purpose of the trip was for my bf's thai friend to obtain some vegetables out of the garden at his mother's, to have dinner in Lampang, and to scare the hell out of me. Shortly on our way out of Lampang, a motorcycle rider appeared to be coming out into the road from the left. My friend slowed but didn't move over to the right and was oblivious to the fact the motorcy turkey kept coming and slammed into the rear left passenger door (where, of course, I was sitting). All frazzled, my bf stops the friggin car in the middle of the highway (across both lanes) and jumps out to go yell at the motorcy guy (who at that stage was still laying on the street with his motorcy). The motorcy guy got up - wasn't hurt, just a bit drunk - and so my first task was to get the bf to move his car out of the highway so the traffic could get by. The boss' car was only scrapped up and motorcy guy was extremely lucky. Frankly, this accident wasn't technically the bf's fault but, on the other hand, an experienced driver would have avoided it (bf has absolutely no clue about defensive driving). 2) Our second major trip was our second trip to bf's home in a small village north of Chiangrai. I'm sure that everyone who has driven between Chiangmai and Chiangrai fully remembers the 18 billion curves, up and downs, etc., involving the hills between those two cities. It's a somewhat miserable trip under the best of circumstances but I can assure you that it is sheer hell when an inexperienced driver doesn't properly anticipate the curves ahead, doesn't slow down enough for the sharp ones, doesn't understand how to turn into a curve, and also doesn't understand how to accelerate out of a curve. It's really not that hard.....all it takes is EXPERIENCE! I am absolutely amazed that the car did not skid off of the roadway a hundred or so times! And, occasionally he would pass a slower vehicle and, on some occasions, I would hear an "oh!" when, after pulling out to pass, he then realized that another car behind him was already trying that maneuver and was simply (silly him!) in his way. We only drove 3-4 other cars off the road although I am happy to advise that no gunfire was heard (just a few horns here and there). My bf seemed rather nonplussed about all of this although he was wondering why my left arm was turnin blue griping the overhead assist handle. The trips within and around Chiangmai proper have been equally tense but we've had no collisions as yet. And, as you might expect, even if we're going 1 block, he simply has to drive. I accidentally determined the source of bf's luck. While I began to wipe off some smudges on the interior roof liner of the car, I was stopped by the bf and advised that these were incense marks made by the temple abbot to bring good luck to my bf while driving. I've gotta tell you that the head monk is really, really, good and must have a direct line to Buddha - as that is the only explanation I can conjure up as to why bf isn't already taking a dirt nap due to his driving. I've having a ball up here and I have learned to deal with the driving the only way I know how. I now securely tighten the seat belt, I "wai" the monk's smudge marks, and then I just close my friggin eyes....

If he's already got a place to stay and has access to 4-5 thousand baht a month, I think he'll do just fine, Pete. He maybe won't have the latest mobile phone with all the bells and whistles but he really doesn't need all of that (yea, yea, explain that to 80% of the kids in Thailand!! hehe). I'm used to tuition at Khon Kaen University, Burapa (Chon Buri), and Payap in Chiangmai ranging from 35,000 baht per semester up to 85,000 baht per semester. For the kind of program you're describing, we both know (given the usual $15,000.00 to $25,000 cost per year in the states) that a 2-year program which costs under $6,000.00 is an unbelievable bargain. What thrills me the most about watching a poor kid do that is the drive he has to better himself. Not for every kid but it sure is nice to see it happen occasionally (and it's too damn bad that most of the kids never have the opportunity).

Sounds like a great time. And especially dear that the aunt was trying to fix you up with her daughter. Just be happy that they didn't have the family water buffalo in tow.....

Join the club, Pete, mine is at Payap here in Chiangmai (one more year to go....or at least I hope...). I do not have the student ID however and I would only probably lose a leg or two if I asked for it (but I don't worry as I get the news about the grades, etc.). I stopped by that campus once and it is very nice. And I'm absolutely amazed at the cost (seems a bit low to me but I'll defer to you as I didn't inquire there). Once or twice a year, I do furnish occasional funds for some extraordinary expenses but am thankful he works part-time and covers most of that himself. I presume your guy must be doing the same to cover all the usual expenses other than tuition. What I've found over the years (I've sponsored one other friend through the University of Khon Kaen) is that 99+ of the other students are from rather well-to-do thai families and it's difficult for the few poor kids (even ones sponsored by falang) to keep up with the others "face-wise." By keeping up, I mean having the appropriate clothing, mobile telephone, ability to pay for class trips/excursions, etc. Both of my friends have struggled through that issue a couple of times in the past but have come through it okay (sometimes with a little financial assistance from me). Best wishes to your friend. I keep telling mine that I can't wait for him to finish so he can obtain a great job and then start supporting yours truly. (I only joke .....although that line is always good for a retort of "falang ba!).

I would think that what is going around is the old common flu. Bronchitis itself doesn't seem to be contagious but the flu surely is. I've had it before over here and, for a falang on vacation, it surely makes the hot temperatures almost unbearable. GT: Rum and coke seem to help!