Tonycheston

hahaha I'm sure this has something to do with todays date ?????????

It's ok today. I guess it was my internet connection, sometimes it is very very slow. Thanks, it is a good read.

File Name: Phuket Gazette Digital Edition

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File Submitted: 11 May 2009

File Updated: 11 May 2009

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nice thought George but I only get a grey screen. do you know if this has to be with me using a mac?

Thank you so much for the information

By my count it comes to the 3rd of June.

Even the 2nd would be ok as long as you go through immigration before midnight.

If the old visa expires on the 4th will the extension start on the 4th or the 5th? If it starts on the 4th then the 4th will be counted as day 1, my estimate makes it then valid to 2nd June. Am I thinking wrong?

It will start on 4 May.

Thanks. Do you know if there will be a problem with my leaving date? If I count 30 days it will be the 2nd of June, the same day I have my outward flight.

I need a 30 day extension on my tourist visa. The visa expires on May 4th. I have an outward flight on June 2nd. If I go to the Immigration Office tomorrow for an extension, 30 days, will it expire on the 27th May or does it commence from the 4th May until June 2nd?

I just got back from HH. Faqtong is closed. The owner, an English guy was murdered at the beginning of this month. The place has a sign on the gate "for rent" All in all HH was DEAD. we went to Guy's bar, there were only staff 5 boys at 8pm, around 10pm a couple of German tourists came for a drink and I think a massage. We also visited "red Indian" again only staff there at both times, early evening and later around 11pm. I was very disappointed at not being able to meet any local gay people. There is a bar next to "red indian" on the gay map (can't remember the name) of HH but that bar has also closed down. When we asked the staff about other bars, we got the reponse - closed, closed, closed. I wonder where they all go?

Hi, can i check if there is a Louis Vuitton Store at Suvarnabhumi Airport? TIA!

go to "google" Suvarnabhumi Airport. There is a plan of the airport and where the shops are. Hope this helps.

It is Songkran. It is Thai tradition. It is fun and a happy time for most. All of you who are complaining, why are you here? I was out yesterday and the day before, my first time experiencing Songkran, what I saw is different to what many are complaining about.

First, most streets where there are water fights are well known. They are not everywhere, if you don't want to get wet don't go there, there are ways around them.

Second, many of those throwing water are very gentle, many even asked if they could wet me. Those who didn't just sprinkled water, more like a blessing than an attack. Driving the motorbike if I showed a sign that I didn't want to get wet they let me pass, no problem. Those who wanted to cover me with powder or water stopped me first. I was utterly surprised at the gentleness. I had great fun and felt safe all the time.

Third, The pick-ups carrying the many people and water containers are out for the one purpose so are the people on the streets with their hose-pipes. They meet, throw their water and go to the next group. It all looks pretty well organised.

Last night I walked down the street to have dinner. I passed 4 groups of water throwers. 2 asked if they could wet me. I said, politely, no thanks. They smiled and danced around me and that was all.

To those of you who have been too scared to go out, it is not as bad as people are making out. put your wallet and cellphone in a plastic bag, just in case. But, my experience is only one of a very, very nice public party atmosphere where people are having one hel_l of a good time. Everyone can join in and I recommend you do

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks "dukkha". Unfortunately my Thai language is still very poor. Most sites on "Google" are either in Thai or English (for tourists) It is clear that success cannot be based on the number of gay tourists visiting HH.

IJWT - Mafia is a big problem all over Thailand, starting from the small beer bars to the big hotels. You may be correct that the gay scene is even more vulnerable. This is also the case I think everywhere in the world. Whether in London, Berlin, HK or HH. It is a case of making friends with these people (if possible) and working with them and not to fight against them. I know that the "police protection" in Bangkok are people who listen, A sauna I visit regularly has just reduced the amount of tea money they pay monthly due to less customers. The police accepted that.

All enterprises contain risk. Thanks for your good luck wishes and sure I will keep you posted.

PB - I am in the same boat as you. I am hoping that I will meet some Thais who do have a business type mind and are strong enough to help me find solutions to the many problems that I will face. I agree that there are probably more than enough locals who will use the premises.

Dc - "not specifically a destination for gay people" you are talking about tourists, I guess. They are important but not the main range of customers I expect. As for going to Bangkok - They go to Bangkok because there is no place in HH. I think many would be happy if they didn't have to travel such distances. I had messages stating this point about people in Krabi having to travel to Phuket.

Hi, I think it would be a good idea to have a topic to let people know what is on and where. I just sent a message to "Bangkok forum"

The festivities were disrupted on Monday due to SOE parades were cancelled. Now the Songkran has been extended to Friday. Does anyone know what is happening, where and at what time? I am interested in the Bangkok area but I think anyone knowing any information about activities anywhere could post here to let others know.

I know water fights are everywhere. My personal interests are the traditional games and parades that were to be displayed on Monday. Are they now being done on another day? Please post useful information for people to get the most out of something unique. Maybe someone from TAT has info.

Thanks

Unfortunately due to the SOE a lot of festivities were cancelled on Monday. I read a lot about parades and demonstrations of Thai traditional games etc. The holidays have now been extended to Friday. Does anyone know what is happening today and where, also what time? Maybe someone who has a link to TAT or works at TAT could give information. Water fights or on nearly every street, we have seen and enjoyed those but would also like to see other unique things.

Thanks for your input.

July 3 is correct but 60+30 from that date would not be September 04. Or do you only get 30+30?

oh, my mistake October03 of course.

thanks,

p

pepi - be careful, they calculate 30 days (60 days visa + 30 days extension (costs 1,900 Baht)) and do not count in months. Do some maths. I made the same mistake.

Breakingnews

Some inner city malls remain closed

By: bangkokpost.com

Published: 14/04/2009 at 11:33 AM

Some inner-city malls remained closed on Tuesday, the proprietors still worried about potential further unrest in the capital.

Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Central World were closed for the third day running. Managements said they wanted to more certainty in Bangkok before reopening and that they were evaluating the situation day-by-day.

MBK mall remains open, according to staff.

Central department stores management said all malls under Central Group were open except for Zen and the Silom Complex branch.

Cinemas belonging to Major Cineplex group were open, except the Siam Paragon branch.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30100...nder--Chatuporn

The Nation:

Leaders of red shirted protesters announced on rally stage at Government House on Tuesday at 10.30am that they all are ready to surrender to face charges.

One of the leaders; Chatuporn Promphan, said they welcomed police and soldiers to arrest them.

The announcement came as soldiers were moving towards the rally site on Tuesday. The leaders included Jakrapob Penkair, Veera Musikapong, Nuttawut Saikua

According to Johnathan Head BBC reporter he spoke to red leaders. They said "It's no longer worth fighting for. We are giving up and going home" Just now on BBC 11 o'clock news.

Seems it will soon be over. Hurray - hope I didn't cheer too soon

pictures live now on thai news, fire and smoke. can anyone tell me where it is?

http://www.explore-thailand.net/media/thaitv26.html

Did you see the end picture on AJE.

A solidier pulling a woman along the ground by her hair.

He just kept on pulling her and ripping her hair and dragging her along on the ground, while she screamed. Only when someone else intervened did he stop.

His face is on camera, action must be taken.

This is the kind of thing that will divide Thailand, unrequired sheer brutality by the government and its cronies against civilians.

I hope AJE keep showing that, thats the kind of thing people need to see to get a balance view of why the Reds are so angry at the moment, after being incited into violence by the Blue Shirts to start with.

Need to get that clip put on YouTube. Your friendly woman beating, hair pulling Thai army solidier who picks on a woman standing doing nothing and grabs her hair and drags her along the floor.

What an embaressment.

It wasn't a soldier. It was an angry citizen who lives in the area where the reds are demonstrating. PLEASE get your facts right. The normal people of Bangkok are getting angry at the reds behaviour. They are putting normal peoples lives at risk. e.g moving LPG gas wagons into private living areas.

I've just had a flick through the channels on Thai TV, and the only reporting I can find is ASTV (yellow shirts). Anyone else watching TV and able to find something useful (in Thai or English)?

try http://www.explore-thailand.net/media/thaitv26.html many live coverage but unfortunately only in Thai

seems to be hotting up, live coverage now on

http://www.explore-thailand.net/media/thaitv26.html

can anyone translate? I just saw maybe 100 or more armed soldiers move into position and march down some street. where? Also water canons being driven to some area.

I just came of the phone with a police friend of mine as I was getting pissed of with the police doing nothing. He is a very nice guy and he speaks perfect English and he is a Colonel.

He explained that it was very simple. Even if a government, any government would order them to go in, they wouldn't do it. Not because they like the protesters. But because of the law.

He said the last few times the police did anything towards any protesters the commanding officers found themselves in front of criminal court and were disgracefully dismissed from service. He said no sane police officer would have themselves disgraced anymore for following orders from any government being red, yellow, blue. As they would always betray them afterwards by letting the police officers take the fall for the failure of the government.

He said he is personally itching to put down the riots. Willing to be wounded in the process. But he isn't willing to be disgraced for doing his duty and following orders. He said that the majority of the police officers is feeling that way.

The problem is with the law according to him. There are laws protecting protesters rights. There are no laws that protect a police officer from acting against protesters even when under orders from the government. The police officers are by law responsible for any wounded from their actions. Even when ordered. and that is why they will not do anything.

W

Understandable, but why so violent? what's wrong with water canon or tear gas? You don't have to kill people to break up demonstrations.

From what i've been told by Thai wifey

groups of 5 or more red t shirts cannot be together (check clothes line and wardrobe, just in case)

Restaurants /clubs etc are fine there is no curfew involved -

tiss only the trouble makers who are curfew'd and wet husbands

Thanks sanook. happy Songkran

10.11: Fire bomb allegedly thrown at and set fire to a traffic police booth near Transport Ministry on Ratchadamnern Nok Road

10.20: Red-shirts have once again occupied the Victory Monument

10.40: Democrats evacuated headquarters in response to threats by red-shirts to torch the compound with gas tankers

The Nation recently posted a story that the Red Shirts have surrounded King Power on Soi Ragnam. I immediately walked over there after reading that since I am only about 500m away! I saw a lot of people standing around looking at the King Power Office but no red shirts. King Power has been surrounded by about 100 security guards for the past few days.

Bring on other firsthand accounts! We'd all be interested and it's nice to have a break from all the political analysis.

Thanks FD your info is of great value to us. Please copy your news and post in "Bangkok-Breaking_News" forum too. Keep your head down and be safe.