Bob

The distance between international and domestic is rather large (maybe 1-2 km!). There are a lot of moving sidewalks (some of which are long enough for the record books) but there's also a fair amount a walking to be done. Like GB said, I'd suggest you ask for assistance. Good luck.

I arrived yesterday (Tuesday) about 11:30 (AM) on EVA via Taipei. The plane took off about 30 minutes late and that made me a little nervous as to whether I could make the 13.15 flight to Chiangmai. No problem at all, lots of time. I was second in line at immigration, my suitcase arrived about 5 minutes later, and I whipped out through customs - all of this occurring in less than 10 minutes. Faster than I ever experienced at Don Muang. The trek over to domestic is quite a distance - seemed like a couple of kilometers - but it only took about 15 minutes and was fairly easy. Thai Airlines, on the domestic side of things, is at the very far end of the terminal (or at least it seemed to be at the far end - and I'm guessing that it's the east end). The several moving sidewalks going in that direction must qualify for Ripley's given their length. One nice thing about location of the Thai Air domestic departure is that the departure runway is right next door so we lifted off less than 3 minutes from departing the gate. Flight to CNX was uneventful (well, given I slept, how would I know!). One thing that did surprise me is that my suitcase never had to go through any check prior to arriving at the Thai ticket counter (at Don Muang, everything had to go through the machine if I recall right - although maybe my memory is incorrect and you only had to do this for international). Perhaps they shoved it through the machine after I left it there. Based on my experience, I'd give Suvarnabhumi very high marks. The folks at LAX ought to visit and learn how to do things right.....

I was told an hour ago by my Chiangmai friend that there is no flooding in Chiang Mai. As I understand it, the significant flooding in the North centered around Lampang and areas south of Lampang (which happens to be the area that ultimately drains into the Chao Praya and heads for Bangkok). The online version of Chiangmai Mail issued yesterday has no stories about any flooding.

Some of this sounds like the Bill Buckley theory of economics (use some fancy words and it actually sounds intelligent!). Some of this could maybe be rephrased: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula on Thursday revealed the ministry would emphasise the implementation of the monetary and fiscal policy by adhering to the sufficiency economy principle. Delivering the performance policy to the ministry

Sanctions don't work? Well, depends on what you are asking the "work" to be. If you mean that it brings a country to its knees, changes its attitudes, and makes all nice, then you're right in some cases (North Korea being the prime example). But to suggest that the correct path is no sanctions and just talking and hugging, I'd suggest a Disney movie versus the real world. The sanctions against North Korea imposed by many countries have in fact contained that country for years; unfortunately, those same sanctions have likely disproportinately harmed the poor of North Korea. The depth of misery and supression in North Korea is so bad that the world, together, should put that regime out of its misery. I would suggest that the relationship between Thailand and the US is still very good and I also would suggest that the Thai leadership cares about the concerns expressed recently (and rather mildly) by the US government (which, as noted by others, has been almost identical to what many other countries have said). By the way, sometimes the attitudes get in the way of the true facts. The suspension only involves 24 million in military aid. The suspension does not affect other funds the US provides (including funds for health programs, funds to help prevent the spread of AID, and funds provided to prepare for a possible bird flu outbreak).

In the interests of accuracy only, that is simply not true. Nor has it happened to a single citizen (with the possible exception of a couple of people of dual citizenship engaged in waging war against US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq). While I do object to some of the surveillance techniques of the Patriot Act that could relate to US citizens (e.g., the possible search of library records), the vast bulk of the act doesn't deal with US citizens at all. And one might be actually surprised by some of the language included in the act such as the following (which is hardly draconian) withing Section 102 of the act: It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, and Americans from South Asia, must be protected, and that every effort must be taken to preserve their safety; (2) any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans be condemned; and (3) the Nation is called upon to recognize the patriotism of fellow citizens from all ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Back to the subject of the original post, the funds under suspension involve voluntary assistance and I personally don't have a problem with the US suspending payment while the events play out; after all, what has happened is that an allegedly democratic government was overthrown by force, martial law is ineffect, and many civil liberties have been indefinitely suspended. While I am very happy that no bloodshed has occurred and the net effect to most Thai citizens has been negligible, I wouldn't expect the US government (or any legitimate democracy) to praise the events. The US ambassador has now met with the new leaders, the relationship is still friendly, and I suspect the suspension will be lifted soon (if it hasn't been already). Yes, I detest Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield and I abhor some of the policies (ie., the Iraq war) of the Bush administration; yet, the US government has done and continues to do a lot of good things for its own citizens and other nations. And it, like every other nation, has the right and the duty to speak out against any governmental infringement of civil liberties anywhere. In the last 40 years, I think that whenever I've heard comments such as "what we do in our country is none of your business" or "don't comment about what we do internally", such comments usually have come from very represive countries. If anything, most nations didn't scream loudly enough about South Africa, China (the laughably named "cultural revolution"), North Korea, etc.

Annus Horribilis!

Welcome back to the real (or virtual) world, Boxer....have always enjoyed the photos and info.

Good advice above and I don't think you'll have trouble getting laid in Thailand...hehe. As concerns diving, several dive shops in the Pattaya area.....I'd suggest having the hotel desk hook you up with an outfit. Culturally...and presuming this is your first trip to LOS....you must see the Grand Palace in Bangkok. A reasonable tour of that is about 3 hours. If you want a guide for that, there's many hanging around the entrance but I'd suggest forgetting that doing your own thing. One of the best things I did during my first trip to Thailand was to take the trip up to Ayutthaya (I probably spelled that wrong) via the tour offered at the Oriental Hotel. It's an all day event, starting at about 7:30AM to 8AM. Bus ride with a guide up to Ayutthaya, a look around the ruins and a few other things, and then a ride on the big boat back to Bangkok. The lower level of the boat has some very good food (western and thai) and the upper deck has a bar and lounge chairs (with a covered area if you want it). A very lazy and slow way to get a glimpse of Thailand....and I found a great way to relax after spending an enternity on an airplane (it doesn't seem so bad now but it sure did back then). I loved this trip and probably will do it again some day. In Bangkok, also fun to take a cruise along the river, visit the floating market, etc. If your hotel has a tour desk, just stop there and pick out what you'd like to do. Not too expensive. In Pattaya, there is no culture (.....just kidding). Check with your hotel there too. My guess, though, is that about as cultural as you'll get in Pattaya is when you yell "oh my buddha" (or the equivalent) when you see your first special show in one of the bars....

Hmmm......why don't you first tell us what you want to do. Want to see some cultural things, want to go diving, want to go bowling, want to go shopping, just want to get laid as many times as your body can take, like saunas, love to photograph temples, etc., etc. With a few ideas as to your interests, I'm sure many here can suggest more ideas than you have time.

If he ever takes it to the disco, GT, make him attach it to a steel chain so he doesn't lose it! The opposite of seeing the child-like joy of your friend with his new mobile is the look on his fact when he loses it and you tell him (for the 4th or 10th time?) that there will be no new one....hehe. Enjoy....

Such examples, GB, continue to flabbergast/delight me. You paid (at 37.4 baht to the dollar) a total of $14.71 for the job - two hours labor by two plumbers/mechanical contractors including parts! In the US, it's my best guess you would have paid 20 times that number.....providing you could get them to show up in the first place. Two weeks ago, I engaged an electrician and a helper to leisurely (it wasn't an emergency call) to replace a electrical wire between the circuit breaker panel and a light switch. They "worked" (fixing, chatting with friends on their cell phones, and eating lunch) for two hours. The bill was $380.00. And I furnished the parts! You think Khun Doon and his son might travel?

Each country or region has its own point of view regarding a constitution and/or a system of rules and laws and it's probably fair to say that outsiders can't be entirely objective given their individual cultural and historical background clouding their view. There have been many interesting disussions on message boards about the "Thai" way of doing things and, admittedly, gaining a little insight about the "Thai" way probably helps us understand these things a bit. Being from the US, I've been benefitted (and/or been saddled?) with a constitution that is over 200 years old and, other than some actually minor changes in the overall scheme of things (with the system designed to make any changes very difficult), it's remained the rule of law. With that history, I just understand as a basic given the notion of permanency of a constitution. And, while the events of the day or year swing left or right, there's this sense of a foundation that will ultimately guide the long term back to the immutable principles found in the constitution. It would be interesting to try to understand what the "Thai" view of a constitution might be. I suspect, given the history (14 constitutions created and revoked in the last 74 years?), their view is quite different than mine. Given that each Thai constitution [except, perhaps, the one first created as a result of the 1932 events (which effectively destroyed the absolute monarchy and created the concept of a constitutional monarchy in Thailand)] was endorsed by the King, it seems surprising to the outsider that the King keeps endorsing newer versions. And, given the viewed permanence of the King's wisdom and power and rulings, it seems strange that the constitution can be revoked without first seeking the King's permission to do so. Just a bit of a paradox from the outsider's point of view. Still, if the powers that be would be willing to discuss the whole notion of a constitition, it would be fun (intellectually) to do it. And, if the discussion were had and humor was allowed, perhaps the outsider might suggest that the next version be in Word format due to the ease of subsequent editing. I understand the press is indicating that the constitution being readied for this weekend is only a "termporary one." Will the next one be sorta "permanent?"

Hmmmm.......is he a neck nibbler?

Nice photos, fedsocr. Thanks for the link.

Hmmm.....160 baht for a pair of rats. Aroy mak! I wonder what she charges for the house wine? (and would that be a red or a white with rat?).

Thanks, Rainwalker. P.S. I am nuts (i.e., a few fries short of a Happy Meal...)

Nice report, fedssocr. Your comments about the drive from Chiangmai to Chiangrai brought memories back as I've done that several (read: too many) times. A rather miserable experience in one of the standard vans but, to top that off, I did it once in the back of a baht bus (my most miserable experience in Thailand!). The highway between the two cities consists mainly of hills and turns and really doesn't allow anyone to drive it comfortably. A few years back, one of the minor airlines (phuket air or adaman?) had flights between the cities and that was superb. They used a small jet (only 10-12 passenger seats) and the flight took about 35 minutes (versus about 3 hours by car). On one flight, the pilots deftly flew between two thunderstorms just south of Chiangrai and, while most other passengers looked rather green, I was having the ride of my life. Although it takes another 20-30 minutes, taking a VIP bus (where you sit up high and don't have to watch the road in front of you) is maybe an easier way to make the trip between Chiangmai and Chiangrai. It was at least more comfortable to me (and I feel the same about going between Bangkok and Pattaya). Looking forward to your photos if you choose to post any.

Well, I do think I do get it and I think some have missed my point. I'm not complaining about the choice of the site owners not to allow anything critical of the coup or coup leaders. They've made a choice to adhere to ARC's decree to disallow criticism/speculation so as not to put the site or moderators at risk. I'd probably make the same choice (especially for the protection of friends and moderators). But, since we're not allowed to suggest or even ask if the emperor has no clothes, it is my preference (and personal opinion) that the wardrobe not be discussed at all. There is no decree or ruling that demands adulation and, unless and until we're allowed to critically think and discuss the issues involved (participants and motives), presenting only the one side of the issue effectively supports the views we're not allowed to analyze. Regardless, understanding the board's rules, I'll adhere to them. When I see a post that either praises what is occurring or simply states the leaders' views and rulings, I'll do what comes unnaturally to me: I'll become Edith (Archie's gal, not the poster) and stifle myself.

While I truly do like this board and, as always, respect the right of the owner to decide what he does and doesn't want posted here, the internal censorship here of anything about the military junta (even if benignly stating what they have announced in public) is a bit too much in my opinion. If you're going to go that far, then my suggestion is to allow nothing posted even mentioning the coup. At least that way, you don't participate in helping to paint a one-side image of the issue.

I think they mean public gatherings as in potential protesters. If they mean private gatherings too, I suppose the tanks will attack the Royal Garden any minute.....

Doesn't anyone at all see the extreme irony in giving a rational basis to the coup (a taking over of a government with a gun) by now saying that 80% of the people support it? Let's see......80% support it (presuming that is really true and I don't) .....then, okay, a majority of the people give it the okay and, of course, that's the concept (majority of the people) that underpins the whole notion of democracy! Of course, a coup is the most democratic thing that could have happened! How dumb of me not to understand. If these poll numbers are true, then why not simply wait until the next election (it was supposed to happen in October anyway!) and, if you believe what the pollsters say, Thaksin and his party would have received 20% or less of the vote. Democracy in action! Having some military men take over the country by force (oppose them - you get shot), revoke the constitution, ban all gatherings of 5 or more people, ban the creation of political parties or the meeting of any existing political parties, etc., etc., is not something I am going to suggest is a good thing to happen. Their decrees are intended to stiffle any freedom of expression and, apparently, the freedom of any rational thought.

It's a coup and brought to you by the likes of the Army Chief of Staff Sondhi and a few of his buddies. In spite of the fact I dislike Shinawatra, I don't agree with ignoring the rule of law to get rid of him. What's sad to me is that Thailand cannot pretend to be a modern state and then behave like a backwater, banana, republic. I just hope that the actions that are on-going don't lead to bloodshed and that the effects of what's occurring doesn't come to rest on the shoulders of the average Thai citizen. And the coup leaders hopefully understand that, in this modern era of communication, they will never be able to hide from the world what happens here. I pray to god (and buddha) that a few thousand university students or peasant supporters of Shinawatra or other groups don't choose to try to demonstrate (as occurred before in1972, 1976, and 1992) as the world will get an accurate body count this time. Come on generals, you suck just like so many of the corrupt and power-seeking politicians you are "saving" the thai populace from and your "doing it for the king" is neither palatable nor likely accurate. Without the biggest guns today, you would have no success. But you certainly do reinforce the idea that somebody can take over a government if they happen to have the biggest guns that day (however, it might be wise to sleep with one eye open as your teaching everyone else that it's okay to behave that way). Tomorrow, somebody else will have the biggest guns.

I could be wrong here but I think "Soi Twilight" is the soi heading north off of Suriwong, just east of the main Patpong street (e.g., where Dick's Cafe and a load of bars are located). At least that's what I've always called that street (okay, occasionally I refer to it as Soi Prostitute! ). Balcony bar and many others bars are on sois running north off of Silom. There's also Soi Tarntawan (which leads south off of Suriwong opposite the Tawana Ramada). Get yourself a map of the Suriwong/Silom area (Dreaded Ned has one as do many other sites) and you'll likely be able to find something that makes you happy.

On a related front, if anyone here after the 27th arrives interrnationally and then leaves the airport on a domestic flight, I'd like to hear how long it took you to clear immigration and then to get to the domestic side of the terminal. I do that in about 4 weeks and I'm just wondering if 1.5 hours is enough time.