samgrowth

Well he did send out that daft sms message, so one can see why people are angry!

He he sms all the people in Thailand (60+ million). He must expect some replies.

Wasn't it in Thong Lo (or certainly near there) that an entire city block of small-scale merchants were wiped out of business a few years ago - their little stalls, full with merchandise, smashed to bits by a hired mob(?) If memory serves, the local man who hired the mob was a massage parlor tycoon, and got off unscathed....

Chuwit Kamolvisit: Thug, MP, ex-MP, 3rd in Bangkok governor elections in 2004 and 2008. Lovely chap.

Chuwit claim that police corruption is common in the entertainment industry

"Chuwit insists he paid millions to many policemen in many different precincts. Trays of Rolex watches and plastic bags full of cash allegedly changed hands."

http://www.tomvater.com/chuwit.html

So my wife tells me that this page details the investors and the distributions and the profit for each year.

Seems odd since the club takes in 70 million baht and only has a 2 million baht profit. Is that right?

68 million Baht does seem rather high for the operating expenses of a night club. It would be interesting to see the books for this business.

I'm guessing they are getting gauged on the rent but you suspect there's some "washing" going on here?

I was doing Event Planning in Europe and considering the drinking prices of Santika of 160 Bath for a beer it is not unusual to have around $ 40,000 - $60,000 in gross sales per night. The gross annual sale of 68 million Bath seems right, but the net profit is way to little. It should be over 10 Million or

more easily

I cannot confirm anything. IMHO the number is about right.

The share holders are mostly Bangkok elite Chinese rich kids who drive fancy cars (some even have Ferrari) that often park in front of the club. They don't expect much returns for their invest. Most of them do it for fun, with their spare cash given by their parents. Managment is loose (hence the low profit), and share holders oftens let their friend in for free, and even free drinks. The bulk of the money also goes to police, authorities, rent and the entertainers, which is very expensive. Like Bad Boy Joey, who is playing that night.

Sodsri unconvinced Newin's role in govt formation is punishable

By The Nation

Published on January 3, 2009

... but the electoral provisions have a wide leeway for interpretation ...

That is exactly the problem. The interpretation will ALWAYS favour the YELLOW and against the RED.

Thailand set to host ASEAN summit Feb 27-March 1

BANGKOK, Jan 3 (TNA) - Thailand, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is prepared to host the regional summit from February 27 through March 1 in Bangkok, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said on Saturday.

Timetable for the RED to close the airports.I bet you it will happen.

I agree with you and it sucks to start the NYR off like this. I used to frequent this club in the past and they do cram the place unitl it's packed as every other venue, bus, etc. This goes for other clubs on Silom Soi 4 etc..

My heart goes out to the people and their families.

As nationalistic as the people are here, they really don't seem to care about safety, the environment, education, and the list goes on!

It makes me sick to see such negligence.

RIP

This is sad news for Thailand.

Speaking of being nationalistic and all....

What do you think the reason was for the Police to initially state the many of the victims were foreigners?

This one is easy and it has absolutely nothing to do with nationalism.

There is no question that the police, on scene and talking to firemen, knew most of the victims were Thai. However, with the media swarming, they needed to buy time from locals to get a better understanding of how this club, licensed as a food establishment that was required to close by midnight, was allowed to continue to operate as a nightclub for more than 4 years. Soon after they announced that they didn't want the Santika to operate, but the administrative court issued an injunction 4 years prior that was still in force that they had to obey. The comment on foreigners has not been made again.

Right now, the Adm. Court's explanation is awaited and it should be made within a day or two.

There is a lot of unanswered questions, many to do with culpability for this tragedy and many to do with how this club was allowed to operate in the first place.

Passing the hot potato.

How can Thaksin come back and fight, laws were created with a view to prosecuting him.

Exactly. Thaksin has always been advocating (since he loss) that he canNOT get a fair trial in Thailand.

According to my information (airport staffs), PAD never made it inside the airport (restricted area), they just stay in the public area so the damages were minimal. It seems it was a very organized operation …

No, instead they just breached the security of places of little consequence......LIKE THE CONTROL TOWER!

Wake up! They were illegal, trespassing thugs, armed clubs, metal rods, and more common lethal weapons (bombs, bullets, and guns). (Witness what the police found at Government House, and afterwards at the airport when PAD left).

Only God knows what could have happened if they'd taken control of the tower while flights were still taking off and landing.

Thailand took a lot of hits, but at least dodged this one potentially fatal bullet.

If you don't know the facts better don't reply at all.

Not one person went via terminal to the restricted area.

And in the terminal was almost none or very limited damage.

The protestors went only to the control tower after the airport was closed for air traffic.

And they went inside with "unofficial" permission from the control tower people as they where supporters of the PAD. ( which they can't confirm off-course or loose there jobs )

There was only one room in the government house which had damage and this was from prior the occupation.

All other rooms where without any damage and the protesters lead the media ( tv and newspapers ) around before they left the government house. ( which is also shown on the TV but not off-course on the government run channels )

Outside was a big mess as excepted as nobody was allowed inside or outside the government house area for many days by the police.

I don't approve with all of the actions of the protestors but when you see the victims with shot off legs ( from the teargas grenade explosions ) you will rethink who are thugs, the 99 % peaceful protestors or the police captains which ordered the shooting with the comment " keep shooting until they all are down ". If you can speak and understand Thai you can hear this on the several news coverage's.

And how do I know all this, simple because I was there.

Typical yellow.

Hello!

My brother and I are looking for a 2 bedroom, 2 month rental (January and February 2009). We are both single so we don't want to be secluded from the city or too far from any night clubs. We would like to spend no more than B45,000/month and need internet, TV, near BTS, a kitchen and a gym (or one close by).

Is there a place you could suggest? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Best regards,

Jeff

Go to ThaiVisa Classified. There are hundred to choose from.

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/

I like Hilton Hua Hin. Nice pool, beach front, walking distance to market. But it is not exactly cheap.

Go in pair. Split the chip into 2 equal pile. One bet red, the other ber black, equal amount, on the Roulette. In no time, the promotion will be converted to the normal chip.

Any recommendations ? Not overly expensive,somewhere nice/central for shopping & drinking.200 sing Dollars or less would be nice.

EPG.

Not around Orchard Rd / Scotts Rd. You have to up the price a bit, move slight further out.

AirAsia to KL.

KL to BKK is also cheap.

bangkok is not even in the top ten?

Give them a call. They should be able to do something manually.

Svadee Pei Mai, to all, Has anybody any information, about where is a good place to do some photography of aeroplane take off or landing, around suvarnabhumi airport, or has anybody stayed in a good hotel near the airport with views of the aeroplanes, We are going on 20th of jan, Thanks, John

You miss the boat. The best shot of the airport were during the PAD days.

After the recent problem in Thailand (PAD, Swampy, Thaksin, etc) Even the mozzie stay away.

If the court wanted Thaksin, where did they let him leave (to Beijingn to attend the Olympic) in the first place. I cannot understand that.

Will the new government please help these poor children. Please.

Following The Nation's report, the BP has now reported that the building didn't meet zoning requirements and was subsequently registered as a food shop which couldn't operate after midnight.

Hence, besides who is at fault for this tragedy, there will also be many legal issues as to whether the building met building codes (it doesn't sound like it did), why it was allowed to operate after midnight when registered as a night time food shop and what the Administrative Court's injunction covered and why was this njunction in force for so long.

Why it take so long? Because there is money under the table. For the police, for the administrator or for the court? Your guess is just as good as mind.

**off topic discussion removed***sbk

For now the owner of Santika is being charged for allowing underage customers in his club since one of the dead people was 17 yrs old.

Out of 1,000 who when it, I am sure a handful will managed to slip in. What's the big deal on that. This will happen no matter where. NY, Bagdad, Soho, you name it.

This is how Thailand deal with its problems. Charge them for allowing 17 yrs old to enter; case close. The penalty is minimum, maybe 500 Baht fine. Like Samak was charge for being a cook, etc, which become a joke for CNN & BBC.

ASEAN diplomats met with FM, congratulates for improving political situation

Ambassadors of ASEAN member countries have paid a visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to express their readiness to closely cooperate with Thailand in creating happiness for ASEAN people.

Ambassadors and envoys from nine ASEAN member countries attended talks on the ASEAN Community with Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and emphasized the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the region to promote prosperity and happiness.

The diplomats also congratulated Thailand for the improvement of political situation and voiced their opinion that at present Thailand plays a very important role in ASEAN as ASEAN Chair when the ASEAN Charter takes effect for the first time.

The ambassadors and envoys also expressed readiness for the 14th ASEAN Summit to take place in Thailand in February next year.

At the same time, the Foreign Affairs Minister affirmed that Thailand as ASEAN Chair would strengthen regional cooperation in terms of security, economy, society, and human resources. He also urged the member countries to realize mutual benefits in the region and bridge gaps between them.

The minister also invited all Thai people to take part in the 14th ASEAN Summit by visiting the websites www.mfa.go.th and www.14thaseansummit.org.

- ThaiNews / 2008-12-31

You you think Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya also emphasized on how must he enjoyed the closing of the airports; the free food, and music etc.

Was told that this hotel was initially planned as a mega massage parlour

Like Chuvit's another place - Poseidon. It does look a bit like it too.

Poseidon is a place people go for paid sex (sad by legal in Thailand). Poseidon is not own by Chuwit. It is own by the Ministry of Commerce - to boost tourism, I suppose.

Security to be stepped up in Bangkok on New Year's Eve

BANGKOK: -- Security will step up at 11 key areas in Bangkok during the countdown to Year 2009.

These areas cover the Victory Monument, Major Ratchayothin shopping complex, Seacon Square shopping plaza, Central World, Khaosan Road, Chitralada Villa, Si Sao Thewet Intersection, Morchit Bus Terminal, Soi Nana, Central Pinklao, and Saphan Kwai.

Most of these areas saw bombs exploding on New Year's Eve two years ago.

"We will ensure public safety," Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj Gen Wiboon Bangthamai said Tuesday, "We have a plan. We have also received cooperation from the armed forces and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration".

-- The Nation 2008-12-29

A cunning one, Baldrick!!

I hope that plan does not include locking up all emergency exit to prevent abuse by terrorists.

My gf have big TlTs and like to wear low cut. The Korean IO send her on the next flight back to BKK becuase of that. The Korean are not taking any chances. They are afraid that big Thai TlTs (however few) might over shadow there domestic sunny side ups.