Jason1988

My economics professor claimed that with the safety nets such as social security, unemployment compensation, etc. that we wouldn't see a depression. I do think that with most American's home being worth now about half of what they were 2.5 years ago and the 401K and IRA's worth about 50-60% of what they were 3 months ago, that most Americans feel poorer than they were a few months or a couple years ago. This feeling and sense of loss is more damaging as it will convince them not to spend money and they whole economy will get slower. I don't think I'd want to be retiring now and cashing in my stocks or retirement accounts.

Thais really don't care that much about age when westerners are dating them or family members. She would just like to know that her son is being treated well. That matters more to her than your age.

Thai boys are amazing! Even when they speak little English they still know how to take care of someone and see that they are happy. If you treat them with respect you will reap so many rewards. I swallowed a bee, while sleeping, on Jomptien beach and was starting to have my airway closed off from the swelling and my allergy to bees. A very nice Thai boy took me on his motorbike to the hospital just in the nick of time! He really saved my life. After I was released I tracked him down and gave him some money which he refused to take. I just shoved the bills into his pocket and walked away. Every year when I come to Jomptien beach I see him and he still remembers me. He also reminds me to be safe and have a nice holiday. Most people that complain about being taken advantage of have themselves created the problem by not knowing when the proper time is to say "mai chai" (not yes) when he asks for something. If you spoil him 100% of the time you can't blame him for asking for more. It's human nature.

I voted yes because, I think, Thailand has some beautiful places to visit and the culture is amazing! Not every single male visits for sex. Some of us have monogamous relationships and visit for the food, sights and culture. I can understand the draw of cheap sex, cheap alcohol and cheap cigarettes. For me, I prefer a non smoking hotel or room and would love to see a show in a bar that patrons didn't smoke. I know I'm in the minority but I wanted to add my thoughts. Happy Holidays! Jason

Has anyone traveled there and what were your experiences? Any recommendations?

This was published on the yahoo page shown in the US: It makes Bangkok sound dangerous...."Bangkok Dangerous?" lol Protesters clash with police in Thailand, 1 dead BANGKOK, Thailand - Thai protesters demanding the government resign set fire to cars and threw bottles and metal barricades at police, who used tear gas to break through their blockade around Parliament Tuesday. At least one person was killed and more 350 were injured. Unarmed military forces were deployed to quell the unrest, an army spokesman said. It was the most violent and widespread unrest in Thailand's six-week political crisis in which protesters have tried to force out supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the premier ousted in 2006 amid allegations of corruption. Tensions began building Monday night when protesters surrounded Parliament, erecting barbed wire and tire barricades. They vowed to block Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from entering to deliver a policy statement to lawmakers Tuesday. Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law. The violence erupted early in the morning when police first cleared the street outside Parliament so the prime minister and other lawmakers could enter. Rioting protesters set fire to parked cars, trucks and vans. Clashes continued throughout the day, with police firing tear gas at protesters, who were armed with batons and slingshots and who threw bottles, metal barriers and firecrackers at police. In the afternoon, riot police fired volleys of tear gas to break through the protesters' cordon so the lawmakers could leave. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots throughout the day. Some police were armed with shotguns, and an AP Television News reporter saw at least three protesters carrying guns. The street-fighting carried on after nightfall, with new clashes erupting outside the Bangkok police headquarters. Forces inside the compound fired tear gas to try to disperse the besieging mob. A 20-year-old woman died in clashes outside police headquarters after being brought to the hospital with chest injuries and one hand nearly severed, said Surachet Sathitniramai, director of the disaster coordination agency Narenthorn Center. About a mile from the fighting, a second person was killed when a Jeep SUV exploded near the headquarters of the Chart Thai Party, a member of Somchai's six-party coalition government. Police said they suspected a bomb caused the blast, but could provide no other details. It was not immediately clear whether the explosion was linked to the political violence. A total of 358 people, mostly protesters, were injured. A few policemen were among those hurt, said police Lt. Thirapol Pokpong. An Associated Press reporter saw two police inside the parliamentary compound who had been shot by unknown assailants. "We did not use any weapon other than tear gas and shields to clear the path for parliamentarians to go into the building," said deputy Bangkok police chief Maj. Gen. Umnuey Nimmanno. "It is conventional practice in dispersing a crowd. We did not use disproportionate force." Thai media reported that Somchai sneaked out the back of Parliament to escape the mob by climbing over a fence. The protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy have occupied the prime minister's office since late August. The alliance includes royalists, wealthy and middle-class urban residents, and union activists who are nervous about political and social changes that threaten their privilege and position in society. They want Thailand to abandon the system of one-man, one-vote democracy, which they say gives too much power to the rural poor, whom they say are susceptible to vote buying. They have not explained how exactly such a system would work or what would make it less susceptible to manipulation. The same group was instrumental in 2006 ouster of Thaksin who lives in exile in London. When protesters originally took over the grounds of the prime minister's office on Aug. 26, their intention was to oust then-Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej — whom they also accused of being a puppet of Thaksin. They later said they also opposed his successor, Somchai. Somchai was sworn in as prime minister on Sept. 25 but has been forced to run the government from a makeshift office at Bangkok's airport. He said he would not resign, dissolve parliament to call new elections, nor declare a state of emergency. "I came in to do my job, so I will not quit working," he told reporters. Somchai opened Tuesday's parliamentary session after a 90-minute delay and the chaos escalated outside the building as he spoke. Anti-government protesters regrouped and barricaded all four entrances to the Parliament, saying their goal was to block top officials from leaving the building. The opposition Democrat Party boycotted the speech. After the parliamentary session ended, lawmakers said they were too afraid to leave the building. Hundreds of people had to wait in the parliamentary compound, which was dark and uncomfortable because the electricity had been cut off. The reason for the power failure was not clear, although the protesters took responsibility. The chaos prompted Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to resign. Chavalit, who was in charge of security, was seen as a key figure in helping the government to resolve the crisis. "What happened was partly my responsibility in failing to resolve the conflict," he said in his resignation letter. The situation returned to relative calm Tuesday night, with most of the protesters returning to their stronghold at the prime minister's office. ___ Associated Press reporters Busaba Sivasomboon, Ambika Ahuja and Raul Gallego contributed to this story.

I was so impressed that I'll vote for Obama!

Maybe because he sees the salad dressings and thinks he was fake. P. S. MRS. BUTTERWORTH IS NOT A REAL PERSON...LOL

I'll bet he's a cute one! :-P

Filipinos have a fondness for americans and this helps a lot when you're looking for a companion there. Boracay Island is a very quiet place and the action is more 'by chance.' Cebu is a very laid back and there aren't really any gay places there either. You can meet guys in a mall as in Manila but you have to be careful in Cebu as well as Manila. There are some bad apples there. Manila has a gay club in Makati. The name is is 'Government.' This is very popular with the better looking gay filipinos. Makati is the upscale area in Manila. There are also clubs in Malate which is in the tourist belt. All the taxi drivers know the places. For a wild time ask your taxi driver to take you to the stripper bars in Quezon City. I reccomend that you go with a local as it is safer. Take your laptop with you or surf in an internet cafe to find a companion if you don't seem to find someone by chance or in a club. If you want to meet someone before you arrive you can post an ad on craigslist.org One good thing about filipinos is that they speak english but they differ from Thais and I think they are more efficient at seperating you from your money. You have to bargain them down because they start very high...lol Just go with an open mind and go with the flow. You'll have a great time.

With air fares rising I think it might have an effect. I don't see as many US tourists in Thailand as I did 2 years ago... considering the way they act in public, they won't be missed :-)

A 15" anaconda is quite small. Do you have any other dwarfed pets?