bunuel

As an alumnus of the Sir Richard Francis Burton school of cultural research, I can only say that the author's expertise in the field of promiscuity is very limited. Clearly he has not been to Brazil or central or southern Africa, for example. And equating promiscuity with higher rates of disease is just plain wrong, as relatively low HIV rates in Scandinavia clearly prove. Public health policy ( or the lack of one) is the key variable, and safe sex, rather then abstinence, is cure!

Man, I so hate threads like this. Promiscuity has nothing to do with the increasing HIV rates in Thailand. The growth is due to some of the following factors;

1. Young population. (The under 21 year old generation did not have the same education as did the population in the 1990s. The prevention proogram was everywhere 15 years ago. They also haven't seen the horrors of what HIV can do and have been lulled into complacency by the take a pill and you'll be ok fallacy.)

2. Increasing population of IV drug users, particularly in the Bumese border areas.

3. Reduction of medical outreach programs precluding early diagnosis thereby allowing unknowing HIV+ people to infect others.

4. An absence of community activists, particularly in the hardest hit communities. In the west, it was social community groups that pushed the message. Gone are the days when Mr. Condom could walk around handing out goodies. The prudes of Bangkok didn't want to see that again.

If you think Thais are more promiscuous than elsewhere, please get out more. According to surveys it appears that Canada is the world's hotspot of sex. (No I didn't make that up.) The Russians make Pattaya's night crawlers seem tame in comparison and on and on it goes.

Thailand has a crisis with HIV now because the previous governments over the past 5 years cut funding for prevention and education as soon as the cases started to drop. Cuts seem to have accelerated as soon as the military took over.

A very clear message indeed. Military grade explosives are hard to come by. And I am sure that the message has been heard far outside of Thailand, since Thal real estate is Big Business ( or, at least, has been until now) Hope the German community and others in the Pattaya Ex-Pats club get together and provide some support to the victim's family, if nothing else. Very sad story - and very scary!

Blowing him up with military grade explosives isn't exactly your average bump off the competition with a .38 revolver.

Sounds like someone is sending a very clear message going to such extremes.

Very well put - I am not sure what this was all about but this is a very strong message and shows connections above and beyond a group of foreign real estate developers

As a former professor from New York's FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, where the very international student body stretches the fashion envelope in every imaginable direction, I find the concerns of the administrations of the two Thai institutions of higher learning to be both

hilarious and lamentably misguided. Far better to pay attention to students' intellectual development than harass them for nonsense like this! At, F.IT., one of my female colleagues was,i fact, fired for trying to tell the female students not to dress provocatively - clearcut violation of First Amendment! Personally, I tried to ignore what they were ( or were not) wearing, though it took some serious will power at times - but it was none of my business - I was there to teach, no ogle. My subsequent experience teaching in a Thai university recently revealed that professors , too , could be the victims of such nonsensical priorities, and I quit. Current Thai education system is pre-enlightenment , and teaches nothing except mindless regurgitation. Suggest administrations do their job and improve the schools, while letting the girls ( and boys) have their fun!!!!!

Student uniforms 'too sexy'

Country's top two universities order clampdown

File photo. Source: unknown

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn University (CU) is campaigning for students to comply with its dress code, while Thammasat University (TU) wants to the government to launch a "Social Cabinet" to tackle the issue of students wearing uniforms inappropriately.

At the project launch yesterday, CU rector Pirom Kamolratanakul said wearing a Chula student uniform, the only one to be granted by the monarchy, is a privilege.

TU deputy rector for student affairs Parinya Thewana-ruemitkul said the president for Network of Deputy Rectors for Student Affairs supervised the student uniform code at each university. He added that Thammasat was less strict about the uniform than some other universities, but insisted students wear "appropriate clothes" to classes.

Celebrities' influence

Blaming the influence of fashions worn by movie and TV stars, he urged that a Social Cabinet comprising the efforts of several ministries should be set up to help universities solve the problem. The Culture Ministry could ask celebrities to wear clothes appropriate to the time of day and occasion as well as promote good values, he added.

Deputy Education Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat agreed that students need good discipline and praised universities' successful efforts in improving the standard of their students' dress.

-- The Nation 2009-08-19

Since UNESCO and the World Court has already declared that Preah belongs to Cambodia, and it is only a fringe element of Thai society that disputes this international arbitration. Afraid Khun Plus is living in a Cloud Cuckoo Land of his own!

It was Cambodia's responsibility to secure Thailand's cooperation when trying to enlist the site on World Heritage list.

They decided they didn't need it, didn't need to be good neighbours, and went alone, over Thai protests. Now it backfired, they blame Thailand for that, and even accuse it of bullying.

As for them being "in the right" - I don't know anyone who subscribes to their version of the temple being Buddhist, not Hindu. Ok, they got a French expert to back them up, but for the rest of the world the temple is undeniably Hindu.

Even if you let this nonsense about the origins pass, the next step in Cambodian logic, that Hindu part of the heritage is not worth being preserved, is even more outrageous.

Bottom line - Cambodia wants the money from foreign tourists, they can't care less about any cultural heritage, they'll twist and turn it any way they like for the sake of business. And for the sake of preserving the heritage, this attitude has to be stopped.

Isn't it time for both sides to accept binding international arbitration before this tempest in a teapot escalates into a war that neither side wants or can afford??? Please, wake up and smell the coffee guys - wars have been started over less!

Thai troops stand guard near temple

NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Thai troops are ready to use force to counter a Cambodian troop build-up along the border in a fresh dispute over a hill near Preah Vihear temple, the head of the 2nd Army says. The move follows Cambodia's claims that Hill 600, about 7 km east of the historic temple, had been seized by Thai soldiers. Thailand has denied the allegation.

Second Army Chief Wibulsak Neepal said troops were stationed at spots around Hill 600 to conduct border patrols, but had never invaded Cambodian territory. He said Thailand would not withdraw its troops. The presence of soldiers in the area was normal as they had to guard Thai territory to prevent possible incursions pending talks on demarcation of the disputed area.

The deployment of Cambodian troops nearby in response to the Thai move has prompted speculation that there might be a new round of border clashes. Lt-Gen Wibulsak said any border problem must be solved step by step or through negotiations.

''If Cambodia resorts to the use of force, Thailand would exercise its right to self-defence,'' he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1768...ard-near-temple

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-01

At last - a constructive suggestion that would both save lives and produce revenue! Good one -

More "income" is rolling in... and this "law" will be exploited merciless to the fullest extend

Foreigners are the main target... MHO

Maybe someone in the Government, that REALLY had a brain in his head should INVENT ROAD RULES FIRST for Thai Drivers,and educate them on WHAT a Pedestrian crossing is for and how MOST of the civilized world STOPS for Pedestrians , and not try to run them down, then get the DAMM MOTORCYCLES OFF THE FOOTPATHS, I think think the police could become millionaires if they did that.

As as one-time chef in Casa Mexico on Harvard Square in Cambriidge, Mass, my vote goes to

Mike's Mexican Retaurant in Pattaya - they do all the basics right, have good guacamole, excellent margaritas of all kinds, and very reasonable prices, along with a superb and friendly staff. Mike the owner is around, and has a chain of successful Mexican restaurants in Japan, and he really knows what he is doing. On Thapraya Road between Theprasit Road and South Pattaya Road Ole!

Here's my prior take on this...

--Best Value for Mexican food - Sunrise Tacos, Sukhumvit Rd. Soi 12

--Best food at sit-down Mexican restaurant - Charlie Browns, Suk Soi 11

--Best fresh, kick-ass margarita - Mamacita's, Suk Soi 15 side-soi (don't even talk, until you've tried them).

--Best/broadest selection of flavored margaritas - Coyote, Soi Convent or Suk Soi 33.

--Best Mexican food buffet -- Bourbon Street on Tuesdays, Coyote on Fridays, or....????

--Hottest Salsa -- Sunrise Taco's John's Super-Super Hot....

--Best Choice for Mexican Regardless of the Hour -- Sunrise Tacos 24 hours delivery.

In short, there isn't any ONE clear winner. There are, rather, individual aspects of each of the various Mexican offerings in BKK that place them above their peers. There is no one single overall winner here, as yet. But I hope they all keep trying!!!

As a veteran international travel writer, I can safely predict that it will take a lot longer than 6 months to undo the damage done by all the bad publicity the Land of Smiles has gotten in the last year - and, even worse, the bad word-of-mouth from travel industry professionals who no longer consider Thailand a reliable partner after the airport occupation, which had to be unique by any international standards. The fact that those responsible were not only allowed to do it, but now appear to be getting away with this very serious crime is causing Thailand to become a travel industry bete noir. The Foreign Minister and his cronies have succeeded in killing the fatted calf

Tourism hit 49-year low

BANGKOK: -- The tourism industry has hit a 49-year low and is expected to plunge by 22 per cent this year, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand.

Besides the global economic crisis, the country's continuing political turmoil had contributed to the sharp decline in tourism, Tourism Council of Thailand chairman Kongkit Hiranyakij said on Thursday.

The expected number of tourist arrivals had been reduced from 14.1 million to 11, he said.

The A(H1N1) flu outbreak could make tourism contract by three to four per cent, causing the country to lose up to 200 billion baht of tourism revenue this year, he said.

Last year, Thailand gained 540 billion baht in tourism revenue.

"If the government can solve its political problems and is able to host the Asean meetings successfully, tourism should be revived by the end of this year or the beginning of 2010," Mr Kongkit predicted.

However, he said Thai tourists would help generate 430 billion baht in revenue this year.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-23

Another valiant blow in the Land of Smiles public relations campaign! The hostility generated should keep another horde of unwanted farang riff-raff from the Motherland. At this rate, soon all those in the tourism sector can go back to farming !

At last, a voice of reason! Hopefully those in power in the Land of Smiles will heed Mr. Jeerapaet's wise counsel and take pro-active measures to encourage foreign investment and show foreigners they are actually welcome. The inconsistent statements on regulation coming from the Land Ministry are bad for business, and bad for Thailand. No one in their right mind will want to make a long-term commitment to a country with murky regulations that threaten peace of mind. The sad irony is that the Land Minister's statements threaten those same upscale foreigners that most countries would want to have as foreign residents - after all, the riff-raff don't usually buy property ( except for bars!)

Ways sought to win back foreign buyers

BANGKOK: -- Increased government scrutiny of land purchases by foreigners will hurt investment in all types of property, says Patima Jeerapaet, managing director of the property agency Colliers International Thailand.

The quiet property market in major tourist destinations such as Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin and Pattaya will get quieter if foreigners face more difficulty buying in Thailand, he said.

Meanwhile, he said, investigations by the Lands Department could cause foreign investors to hold back or place less importance on Thailand.

"This guideline announcement [dated Jan 22, 2009] will hurt not only the residential sector but also others like industrial estates," he said.

"When the announcement was released, nothing could be done with it. I think we [government and private sector] should organise a roundtable and find an exit together."

In his view, the announcement should not have been in the form of a guideline, as this might open a loophole for corruption. The issue should be resolved with practical regulations that impose the same standards on all officials.

He recommends setting up international economic zones where foreigners can buy condominiums beyond the 49% quota if they meet the government's requirements. The leasehold period should also be extended from the current 30 years to 90 or 99 years, as in China and Vietnam, he said.

"We need to regain their confidence, which was lost after the April turbulence. Then we expected they might suspend their decisions for at least two quarters. Now it might take more than a year," he said.

To stimulate foreign demand, the government should allow local banks to consider financial support to foreign buyers. Visas based on the amount that a foreigner invests in Thailand could be another incentive.

"We don't need to promote [property purchase and investment] to new foreign residents who are unknown to us. Instead, we should promote sales to foreigners living here," he said.

As the new chairman of the property committee of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), Mr Patima will propose that the government take urgent measures to stimulate foreign demand in the property market, especially through tourism as it brings in real-estate purchases.

"Land ownership by foreigners is an urgent agenda item we are researching," he said. "There are many models applicable to Thailand. We're collecting the information and doing research to see what models are most feasible."

The study covers international practices relating to property ownership by foreigners in Malaysia, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. It will also examine the Japanese and Australian models.

"The most feasible model is that of the UK, as most of our laws are adapted from that country. The UK allows foreigners to buy property but we don't need to copy everything. It might be limited to zones," he said.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-15

Theres much more to add than that but nobody want lose face... right? I was thinking about visa policies and the attitude towards foreigners in general...

Now they reap what they sow and cry loud!

i agree 100% with you on this one .... my parents were supposed to come here in june , but instead decided to go to St Marteen as according to my mother at least over there they don't get ripped off, don't need visa , and are treated like normal people and not walking ATM's, my dad of course tried tro change the plans but evidence was there: in St Marteen they will have a real vacation , and not constantly be fighting not to get cheated on , not to mention that to come to Thailand they needed 80 000 miles per person for the ticket , when for st marteen it was only 60 000 miles .....

they may come here again , eventually when Thai Airways will decide to make fares at NORMAL prices .....

The Thai authorities need to understand that the global tourism industry really is global, and that clients will take their business elsewhere when a destination gets a bad reputation - particularly if the bad reputation involves xenophobic attitudes towards foreigners, The current undemocratically selected government needs to show it is serious about reform by weeding out all the bad apples who like to blame the farang presence for everything wrong in the country instead of looking at themselves in the mirror. Swine flu? Time for some accountability - though real accountability would mean free and fair elections!