ToddWeston

We'll stick with marriage as an option for ALL citizens, thank you very much. Only four states with the relic and all of those are in process of dumping that over time. I don't get this obsession with pushing the USA into a two tiered system. It's not wanted.

JT you keep using the term "relic" it's becoming offensive. A union is a union, in my heart of hearts I don't see the difference. The other buzz word(s) you like to use is "the right side of history" it isn't a race and if it was the USA is still in warm up mode or do I dare say "catch up mode" do I wish them parity of course but it' doesn't matter which form it comes in.

Civil means a union - in a city hall or ANY venue performed by a reeve, mayor, judge, clergy or anyone licenced to perform such ceremonies.

Marriage means a union - same same as above.

It's a shame we share the same laungage but so many things have a different meaning and this is not exclusive to Europe.

I terms of Church and State my money doesn't say in God we trust, I know Americans love to say there is a divide between them - the USA has many religions that influence politics, they may not have a state religion because either it's not PC or melting pot doctrine. There is more religion in America and it's politics than most countries.

OTM quote - sorry stupid IPhone edit

But this topic is going into a direction that I don't want to follow, so I am out of here.

----

Please forgive me for asking - are you bowing out because the thread has become less about protest ?

You've probably missed the massive numbers of Russians in Pattaya in the last few years - it really is a peculiarly appropriate location, TW.

I've been learning quickly - there seem to be a lot of Russian visitors in Pattaya, I haven't been there in more than 10 years but if it's a hot spot sounds like a good place to start. Cuba is our (Canada) playground and the 20+ times I been there are loads of Russians- however I don't think that's the place to start an education.

I build bespoke kitchens for a living, and I've installed loads of built-in ovens. The modern oven is pretty much a self-contained unit, and will usually incorporate a separate fan for drawing the air up the back of the oven and out through the vents at the top front of the unit. The only thing you need to take care about is that you have about 5 cm clearance at the back for airflow, and that you also have the possibility for air to be drawn in below the unit. If you are installing it as a below-worktop unit, it's a good idea to have a small grille in the kickboard below to allow air in, and also to ensure that the unit housing the oven is not hard up against the wall. I generally build my oven-housing units 5cm shallower than the other units, and I also (I like to err on the side of caution) usually drill several 25 - 30 mm holes in the floor of the unit. The ovens invariably have small feet at the four corners to raise then slightly from the floor of the housing unit, so if there are holes in the unit floor, the air will be drawn up through them. You don't need any reflective material or any other special treatment.

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. I appreciate your insight and yes I was wrong (old thinking).

Again thank you. Now how the hell do I admit they are correct

In the middle of a renovation row & need some advice.

Purchased a built in oven and the instructions are in Thai no worries on that front - I think. I am being told the ovens are self heat venting out the front top, I can clearly see the holes and I'm being told there is no need to insulate the wall that has been purpose built to house said oven.

Am I living in the past ? I vaguely recall we had to build in a reflective type material so the wall(s) that house the oven wouldn't burn. If I'm wrong I'll fall on my sword, the next question is what type of reflective material would be best if any.

Ps I've looked online and and it's all noise for this novice.

Mods if there is a specific forum for Reno hacks please let me know where I should be posting - thanks

in the sub basement at gateway mall connected to ekkamai bts there is a pet store that carries clumping litter fresh step I believe and a few different varieties of wet food ostek, royal canine and they have turkey, beef etc.

Edit: the prices were reasonable for the wet food 25 to 35 baht, our little friend is also a very picky eater and we've found mixing different dry food whilst we find one that is acceptable to HRH is the easiest he eats what he likes and makes a mess with the rest.

We also had to add baking soda to the litter as with the heat is was a little too much, that took some getting used to as he likes to make a little dust storm pre and post his routine.

Picketing Soviet Embassies and Consulates would seem to provide visible "international support" without risking exacerbating the situation as Russian gays could hardly be held responsible, and there would also be no risk of violence to them or anyone else from any anti-gay Russian neo-Nazi extremists.

The Russian Embassy in Bangkok may not have as high a profile as those in Washington, London or Brussels but the Russian Consulate in Pattaya would seem an excellent place to start: a very large Russian tourist and resident expat population with a large Russian gay community. An ideal place for an experienced and motivated gay activist to not only protest himself but to drum up support from Russian gays who could protest anonymously without risking arrest for breaking Russian laws.

Located in the Royal Cliff Hotel, within easy walking distance of Dongtan beach, there could hardly be a better location. Free wi-fi too, to ensure the message gets out on the internet ....

Great oaks from little acorns grow, etc ....

Good idea especially in Pattaya- surely after they've seen the splendours of Patts that must have some affect in their mindset ?

I found this interesting these are the limited countries that allow visa free or visa on arrival for Russian nationals, I didn't realise they were so limited.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Russian_citizens

Don't think about it just do it.

It can save your life.

Edit: I'm just under 50 and had it last year

Here's an idea since change won't magically happen within Russia, we've been told how Obama is pro gay and things are chanigning in the USA for the better.

Why doesn't the USA allow say 100,000 gay tourist visas to be issued and then allow them to claim refugee status in America. This way Putin gets a slap in the face and there is a strong Russian lobby abroad who understands what we don't know and who are able then able to change things a lot faster than foreign lobbyists/protests et al.

This would also have an immediate impact on people in Russia when they start having their friends, sons, daughter, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts quickly emigrating to America.

2 gay Russians claimed refugee status in Canada this week, who knows a strong leader could emerge from within if there are 100k freedom fighters working abroad.

This repeated comparison with the Berlin Olympics is misleading. The whole world does follow the summer Olympics.... but how many people follow the Winter Olympics?

Putin will think he can do anything? Putin CAN do anything, and there is nothing the West can do to stop him.

I tend to agree with you, a few PM's and Obama gave the topic its 30 second sound bite to reinforce the IOC and for political speak. A few more actors and journalists jumped on the wagon but Putin won't give a toss. I believe focusing the spotlight on protests will not change one thing pre or post the Olympics, oh sure the IOC will get some sort of assurance during the games but it's after that has been my concern from the get go.

If ever, I believe Keep Calm and Carry On applies, we have no idea what backlash could be applied against gays in Russia when the games are over, the idea of athletes promoting such extremes goes against the IOC and sportsmanship. It's not a political rally and I would be ashamed if athletes straight or gay took it upon themselves to make specticals of themselves knowing full well it will never be aired in Russia.

If you want the honey, don't kick the hive, we simply don't know enough. the reference to Berlin may be valid but again we don't know what would have happened in those days if the maniac had lost the games.

And for the record I will be watching and I may also attend - that's me I love sport and have attended 3 winter games I won't let my personal opinion cloud such an event.

Contact the local police, show you have legal right to the home, pay them a couple of thousand baht, and they will have those squatters will be out in ten minutes.....

That is how the Thais do it..

100% correct inlaws have a vacant piece of land they want to sell and a family of squatters they paid the BIB 8000 baht and gave 2000 to the squatters to hire a truck to move - all was done in less than an hour.

Don't shower for a month, wear used clothes and look as grubby as possible, when you're on your next Skype call have your mates call you pretending to be a collection agent.

If all else fails give her the link to this thread.

In the Philippines every second commercial is about having flawless white skin, the lighter skinned Filipinos all claim to have Spanish blood which just feeds the craze.

Travelling, cooking, tennis, winemaking and the current hobby is soap making - it's a blast to make soap for family and friends. The number one thing we do is I start a project, get distracted and someone else finishes the project

I was under the impression with Indian visas (multiple) there must be a gap of two months between visits- there's your window of opportunity to duck and hide.

FYI being Gay/lesbian/ladyboy or a Tomboy is not a choice as you call it, perhaps Thai's don't talk to you about it because they don't want to insult you.

Thank you Andrew I didn't realise there was such an item like this in UK.

Looking forward to learning from other posters.

Go grab a seat at Sukhumvit Plaza Soi 12 and watch a farang smoking - within minutes you'll see him heading towards a nice little booth to make a 2000 baht donation. Ask the server how many the nab in a day. I get littering obviously but it becomes comical after an hour.

Because you are American.

Nearly all, if not all Americans i know of complain about cost in LOSTD,

i dont know of any other nationality that complain,

on the contrary the rest think its cheap.

That's because everything is cheap in America; we have Walmart.

Walmart and Costco seem to be everywhere in Asia but Thailand and Philippines for some reason.

The Philippines has SnR Membership Warehouse loads of Kirkland products, not cheap but it's okay.

On Speedtest.net - uk server - 5Mbs & 350 ms latency.

Is there a better / more efficient way or do I live with Skypes minor problems

What destination (s) are you calling? I use different programmes for different destinations.

BTW skype sign in on my iPhone - just tried .

Edit: sorry missed you call the UK - that one I Skype as primary and magic jack as back up with top up minutes.

I needed a refresher on boycotting Olympics in history and came across this article from the CBC.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2013/08/08/f-olympic-boycotts.html

Whilst I'm believe penalising these fine young athletes isn't the best idea after I read above, the Olympics has certainly been used for such political activism in the past.

You can add Stephen Fry and Arthur Frommer to the list of people speaking out.

Edit: It does make me giggle who they article is quoting....a great Canadian IOC member

who was in the running at one point to be the IOC President, perhaps of he reverted to Richard he would have stood a chance.

I believe the airlines in general are extremely careful who they will sit your little one beside no single males etc. I've seen the air hostess on TG move UM's to be closer to them near the galley. We fly LHR-BKK a few times a year in business and as another poster said they will often UG them, I think to keep a closer eye on them.

It's been some years since we flew our nephew UM to Europe to join us on holiday but I can tell you you'll be on pins and needles - but it works and the joy seeing the little one arrive is a great feeling. Have your ID ready for arrival procedures with copies - It took them ages to photocopy our ID.

They are never out of site and escorted at all times by TG staff, we bought the little guy a suit and he felt like a grown up. The one mistake we made outbound was ordering a child's meal he hated it, so on the return we ordered grown up food.

Double check what papers are needed if they need to being signed by both parents some country's are very strict. Make sure the phone is fully charged and line is working so you can see him on board. Lots of folks don't like TG for many reasons this is not one of them IMHO - they are great with kids.

Lucky kid, I hope he enjoys the trip.