Wino

I would have never guessed that to be the case. I thought most of the story was fabrication.

I was not aware there was another “walking street†in Pattaya. Has anyone been to this new shopping area around Naklua? MEGA SUCCESS FOR NORTH PATTAYA’S NEW WALKING STREET This is an account of how a quiet street in north Pattaya has been transformed to one of the busiest Saturday / Sunday night markets in just one opening event. Much of this is due to good planning and the support received from Pattaya City Hall and other local government authorities, who saw the need for extended shopping facilities. Pattaya, - Saturday 21st November 2009 [PDN]: - Festivities continued well into the night after our Pattaya City Mayor, Khun Itthiphol Khunplom opened this “Walking Street†style venue. This is a market concept at the far end of north Pattaya’s Naklua Road, based on traditional Thai shopping, so a marvelous time was had by all, both fun and shopping. The opening night included various forms of entertainment including singers, dancers, a band and a huge variety of food, clothing and anything else that comes to mind. At around 400-metres long, with aisles created down each side of the twin central rows of tables, which saw visitors quickly decide to make each lane a one way walkway. Local police officers were kept very busy diverting the hundreds of cars down an adjacent side street, where they could either find parking or continue on to another destination. Talking to government officials, they estimated that over 5,000 visitors visited this opening night and they included both Thai and foreign national shoppers. So why has this new “Walking Street†suddenly become so popular? – The reasons are good promotion leading up to the opening night, and also the huge customer base that exists in the surrounding northern Naklua & Banglamung areas. This will be a regular Saturday and Sunday night event, starting around 6.00pm and extending until late. If you want to experience traditional Thai shopping at realistic prices, then this is the place to be, for the quiet enjoyment of family shopping, away from the noisy central city environment. http://www.pattayada...NEWS=0000011180

I found this article in pattaya daily news under lifestyles. The article is very hard for me to take serious. What do you think? MODERN TRENDS – MALE CHASTITY BELTS A rather disturbing trend is currently ‘afflicting’ Western Europe: the male chastity belt! This especially so in the UK and Germany, where a small percentage of the women are forcing their men to don genital irons prior to going to work. The meek husbands apparently accept this humiliation, being able to interact normally, the only drawback (no doubt from a female perspective) is that their men feel somewhat shy when using public toilets. Historically, England introduced male chastity belts towards the end of the 19th century, during the puritanical Victorian epoch; however, male chastity belts only became currently popular recently. Today, approximately 30,000 European men go to work wearing chastity belts, no doubt from couples’ desire to remain totally certain of their spouses’ fidelity; women are taking up this trend, likewise. According to various sex websites, European women are increasingly developing a penchant for hiring young studs for sexual services, paying the young gigolos 500 Euros a month. However, these women are also demanding their rampant young studs wear chastity belts to stop them straying. According to websites which sell men's chastity belts, modern gigolos are ready to accept any amount of humiliation for money; however, those in the know are advising the use of plastic chastity belts, which don’t cause embarrassment when passing through metal detectors in stores and airports. Medical experts, however, strongly advise against the use of male chastity belts as they are very constricting and may block blood flow and cause painful oedema, tissue numbness and even temporal impotence. Female chastity belts on the other hand, are much less problematic and don’t affect the female sexual functions. http://www.pattayada...reID=0000001459

In the past, I always thought Uganda was a backwater country with the likes of Idi Amin, but today it sounds no better. By KATHARINE HOURELD and GODFREY OLUKYA, Associated Press Writers KAMPALA, Uganda – Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals. Gay rights activists say the bill, which has prompted growing international opposition, promotes hatred and could set back efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. They believe the bill is part of a continentwide backlash because Africa's gay community is becoming more vocal. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_re_af/af_uganda_gay_death_penalty

Looks like Beck may be in a little hot water. Glenn Beck's dual embrace of gold -- as an investment vehicle for his listeners and a personal moneymaking opportunity for himself -- has drawn boos from various journalism watchdogs. And now it looks like the talk-show host's close relationship with one purveyor of gold coins has gotten him in a bit of trouble with his employer Fox News. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/12/07/thars-gold-in-them-shills-fox-raps-glenn-becks-endorsement-de/?icid=main%7chp-laptop%7cdl2%7clink5%7chttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.dailyfinance.com%252F2009%252F12%252F07%252Fthars-gold-in-them-shills-fox-raps-glenn-becks-endorsement-de

To think the cops have killed 11,000 people over the last 6 years is a scary thought. Hope they have things under control by the Olympics. By BRADLEY BROOKS RIO DE JANEIRO – Police in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have killed more than 11,000 people in the past six years, many execution-style, according to a report released Tuesday by Human Rights Watch. Few of the officers have been charged in the extrajudicial killings, which are often labeled in police reports as the deaths of suspects who resisted arrest, the report said. The 122-page declaration echoes a 2008 United Nations' finding that police throughout Brazil were responsible for a "significant portion" of 48,000 slayings the year before. "Extrajudicial killing of criminal suspects is not the answer to violent crime," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "The residents of Rio and Sao Paulo need more effective policing, not more violence from the police." http://news.yahoo.co...police_killings

I agree, in a civilized society everyone has a right to voice their opinion without threats of tomatoes and shoes. Although sometimes, a part of me, wishes these nuts might hit the target every once in a while.

More bad news between these two neighbours. A court in Cambodia has convicted a Thai national for syping. The offense was a report of Thaskin's flight schedule. More tension between the two nations. By SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated Press PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – A Thai man was ordered to serve seven years in prison for spying on Thailand's former prime minister while he was in Cambodia as a guest of the government, a case that threatens to worsen a diplomatic feud between the two neighbors. The trial in the capital of Phnom Penh follows Cambodia's decision last month to name former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its special economic adviser. The appointment and Thaksin's subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides. Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, an employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin's flight schedule before his Nov. 10 arrival and sending it to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Thaksin stayed five days, getting red-carpet treatment as he talked to Cambodian economists. Siwarak, 31, was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with stealing information that could impact national security. Municipal Court Judge Ke Sakhan ruled that Thaksin's flight information was confidential and sharing it was a breach of security protocol for dignitaries. "Thaksin is an adviser to Cambodia's government and Cambodia has the obligation to provide him security," the judge said. He ordered Siwarak to pay a 10 million riel ($2,500) fine and serve seven years in prison, the lowest possible for the spying charge, which carries a penalty of seven to 15 years behind bars. Siwarak acknowledged earlier in court that he saw the flight schedule and passed the details on to Thai embassy First Secretary Kamrob Palawatwichai who was later expelled from the country. But he denied stealing the document. "I took a look at the flight schedule and made a phone call to Kamrob about the flight schedule," Siwarak told the court. "But I didn't get a copy of the flight schedule and hand it over to anyone." Two other employees from the Cambodia Air Traffic Service testified that Siwarak asked them about the flight schedule. Thaksin went into self-imposed exile last year before a Thai court found him guilty of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced him to two years in prison. He had served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was ousted in a military coup after being accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the monarchy. Thaksin's supporters and opponents have repeatedly taken to the streets since then to spar over who has the right to rule the country, sometimes sparking violence. Thaksin's visit to Cambodia led to allegations he was trying to ignite a new political crisis from across the border. Critics, including Thailand's government, have portrayed Thaksin as a traitor for accepting the Cambodian appointment and have lambasted Cambodia for hosting him while he is a fugitive. Relations have already been roiled by several deadly skirmishes over the past year and a half over land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple. http://news.yahoo.co...mbodia_thailand

I know many people do not like Sarah Palin, but this guy went too far. He threw tomatoes at Palin but missed and hit a police officer instead. He is in trouble. Dec. 8) -- A man faces charges for allegedly throwing tomatoes during a Sarah Palin book signing at the Mall of America on Monday. According to local channel FOX 9, Jeremy Olson, 33, allegedly threw two tomatoes from a second-story balcony, aimed at the former vice presidential candidate. The local CBS station, WCCO, said Olson hit a police officer instead. The red, juicy projectiles missed Palin, who was in the massive Bloomington, Minn., mall to sign copies of her new book, "Going Rogue." Olson was arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct, the TV station reported. Get the full story from FOX 9 and WCCO . http://news.aol.com/article/tomatoes-thrown-at-palin-book-signing-at/807236

This is an interesting site. I am no fan of tattoos but there certainly are some interesting one. Here is a real ugly one. http://ugliesttattoo...ag/pop-culture/

The blood and guts are hard for me to take, but I can always look away. I find all the nasty ghosts entertaining.

The government likes to keep track of its citizens. The long arm of the US law.

The outreach program is a wonderful service, although the services they offer now are limited. They no longer are able to accept passports that require additional pages and of course you need to go to the Bangkok embassy to apply for a new passport. Simple things like an income verification letter, then the outreach program is great. Does the British embassy also have an outreach program?

I don't have the address anymore. The honory consulate was a midwestern one but just in Bakersfield on vacation. That is the reason I freaked out. She told me to send my passport and money to the California address.

I try to keep my Thai account under $10,000. I am told, as a US citizen we are suppose to report any accounts over that amount.

I too, think you are safe with any major Thai bank. Do the Thais banks have some type of insurance, similar to the FDIC insurance in the US? I pick a bank because it is convenient to my home and has plenty of ATM's. Most of my money is in my home country and so even if the bank fails, it would not be a major catastrophe.

If you have cable TV, there are a lot of Thai horror films on TV. I saw one the other day about a ghost coming back to haunt her old lover. It is like Bob said, a lot of blood and guts.

Beer Chang, could it be the 30 baht health insurance card that Thaskin initiated?

Not in this decade or the next. I do think it is a nice addition to the Airport-Bangkok transportation choices.

I was surprised that the US embassy in Bangkok is the third largest in the world. They do have offices on both sides of Wireless Road. When I went to obtain a new passport there last year, I found them to be very organized and helpful. The place seemed to be always crowded.

I came across the honorary Thai consulates by accident. Originally, I thought there was only the big consulates in LA, NY, Chicago and the embassy in Washington D.C. Surfing the web, I came across the list of the small honorary consulates. I emailed them a few questions and received an immediate response. When I went to apply for my one year non-immigrant multiple entry visa, the lady said to send it to an address in Bakersfield, California. This was not the same address that was listed and so I thought maybe it was a scam. I then decided to send my application to the LA consulate, but after a few weeks, it came back with more documentation required. I went ahead and emailed another question to the honorary consulate and found out she was on vacation in California. Wow, still working while on vacation. She was so helpful and quick with her responses, too. I figured I would trust her and so I sent the application and money to the Bakersfield address. Lo and behold, I had my visa in five working days. This is the same application that was sent and rejected by the LA office. Needless to say, I think the honorary consulates are the best.

There are many honorary Thai consulates across the US and world. The smaller consulates are much easier to work with and more helpful. Here is a link of a list of honorary Thai consulates. I am not sure how up to date the list may be. http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/honcon-americas.php

Light a candle for His Majesty and hope for a long life. I read that his cousin died on his birthday at the age of 88.

Chewing tobacco is really gross, almost as gross as chewing bethel nut. I guess these women do not have a lot of choices. By MARGIE MASON, AP Medical Writer HANOI, Vietnam – When pregnant Cambodian women suffer morning sickness, they often reach for an unlikely source of relief: a wad of chewing tobacco. Many become hooked, and the World Health Organization warned Thursday it is a tradition putting the health of both mothers and babies at risk. The largest tobacco survey ever conducted in Cambodia found that about half of all women older than 48 regularly chew tobacco, and about one in five rural women first took up the habit during pregnancy, to soothe their prenatal nausea. The survey conducted by WHO and other researchers found that midwives are the country's biggest users of smokeless tobacco, with 68 percent chewing it. About half of traditional female healers use it as well. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091203/ap_on_he_me/as_med_cambodia_pregnant_tobacco_chewers

Here is another weird story. Widower Charlie Bonn Kemp, 77, of Vero Beach, Fla., took especially hard the loss of his wife, Lee, in 2006 because she was unquestionably the love of his life even though the couple had stopped having sex even before they got married in 1978. According to a June 2007 St. Petersburg Times profile, Lee had been Charlie's gay lover for 26 years, until revealing in 1978 that he could no longer resist the urge to become a woman, and especially a housewife. Such was their attachment that, following Lee's full sex change, she and Charlie decided to take advantage of Lee's new status and legally marry, and continue their devotion, even though Charlie remained sexually attracted only to men. [st. Petersburg Times, 6-24-07] http://news.yahoo.com/s/uc/20091206/od_notw/nwx091206xml