MidTMike

It looks like it is time for all the things to come out and rear up their head. Feb 26th should be a very interesting day in Thailand. From the Nation: A House dissolution, civil war and a coup top the list of investment risks facing businesses ahead of the February 26 landmark verdict on the Bt76-billion assets foreclosure trial. Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra may be guilty or not. His family's enormous fortune may be forfeited entirely or partially or the whole amount returned. All these are among the possible scenarios that are prompting virtually all businessmen in this country - Thais or expatriates - to keep their finger crossed. Many wish the political situation before and after February 26 will not be as bad as the brief street riots last April or the November 2008 airport closures. Most importantly, they hope there will be neither a civil war among those with divergent political ideologies nor a coup that suspends the country's democratic governance system once again. For the entire story: House dissolution, civil war, coup most feared - Nationmultimedia.com

Apple's newest creating is a great looking cross between and Ipod and a notebook. It is supposed to have 10 hours of battery life. Great looking graphics. Fast.

French Paedophile Arrested In Pattaya Selling Child Sex A combined force from Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and local police in this coastal province late Tuesday night arrested a French businessman who runs many entertainment venues in the seaside resort of Pattaya on charge of sexually abusing child and providing child sex for his customers. Chon-Buri, the 25th of January 2010 [TNA]: French national Jean Eric Lopez, 47, was arrested after the DSI’s Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime was informed by representatives of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Thailand and French national police based at the French Embassy in Thailand that Mr Lopez used to run entertainment venues which offered boy sex trade for hire and the accused himself had sexually abused children. According to the investigation, the DSI officials found that Mr Lopez is a shareholder in several entertainment venues for homosexuals in Pattaya, which provide children aged between 12 and 20 year-old to the customers. The Pattaya Court issued an arrest warrant of Mr Lopez on Tuesday and he was arrested hours later. The DSI operation officials also impounded a number of gay sex CDs and condoms. The French national has been charged with taking indecent liberties with children aged under 18-years-old despite having the child’s consent. The accused denied the charges and was later taken to Pattaya for further questioning. http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/01/27/french-paedophile-arrested-in-pattaya-selling-child-sex/

BANGKOK — About 17,000 "Red Shirt" supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra rallied in Bangkok Saturday to pressure the Thai government over their petition seeking a royal pardon for the fugitive former prime minister. The number of protesters in the capital's historic quarter could eventually reach 20,000, said deputy national police spokesman Piya Utayo, adding the security situation so far was "normal". Thailand has deployed 2,000 police officers and invoked a harsh internal security law to ensure the rally in front of the government offices does not turn violent after protests in April left two dead and 123 injured. The demonstrators want the government to speed up the process of their petition, which they say at least 3.5 million signed in support of Thaksin, who fled the kingdom last August to escape a two-year jail term for corruption. "'Red Shirt' people are rallying today to ask about the progress of our petition," protest leader Jatuporn Prompan told reporters, accusing the government of trying to delay their submission. "We are here to send a signal to the government... We will come back by the end of the month. The protest will not end quickly." The government has said that it would take at least two months to process the petition, which must be submitted to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has been in hospital for almost a month recovering from a lung infection and fever. Rumours the revered monarch's health had deteriorated earlier this week sent the Thai stock market tumbling because he is considered the only unifying figure in a politically fragile nation, though the bourse rebounded Friday. His youngest daughter Princess Chulabhorn also allayed concerns, saying at the Thai embassy in Germany late Friday that his condition is improving -- the first public statement on the king's health from a royal since he was admitted. Twice-elected billionaire Thaksin, who was due to address his followers by phone late Saturday, was toppled in a military coup in 2006 and the nation is still deeply divided between his supporters and his foes. Thaksin's backers forced the cancellation of a major Asian summit in April and then rioted for two days in Bangkok before a crackdown by the army. Rival royalist "Yellow Shirts" staged a crippling blockade of Bangkok's airports in late 2008, triggering the collapse of the previous, pro-Thaksin government and ushering current premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to power. Thaksin still enjoys huge support among Thailand's poor, particularly in rural northern parts of the country, but is hated by the Bangkok-based elite in the palace, military and establishment. His supporters have held several mass rallies in the capital. In August more than 30,000 Red Shirts gathered to deliver the petition, and last month at least 26,000 took to the streets to mark the third anniversary of the coup. The former policeman is currently being tried in absentia on a separate corruption charge relating to 2.2 billion dollars of funds that were frozen by an anti-graft body soon after the coup. Abhisit has said Thaksin, who has several passports and divides his time between a number of countries, must return to Thailand to face justice. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jBA0Kpli-cweyB5FOQHH7EHXd5qA

This story seems so unusual for Thailand. It is a bit surprising to me. Do you hear this often?

True. Great photos. Thanks for sharing!

It was a choice she had between many bad options. One of my long term "dates" in Brazil is a boy I met when he was 18. He has just started working at the saunas. He knew at 17 he wanted to work there to make better money than the book store he worked at. So, for a year he saved his money and he learned English and started the saunas on his 18th Birthday. He said he knew he would make better money if he spoke English. He grew up in a flavela. A very poor kid with an older sister and 2 younger brothers. He made a choice to work at the sauna. It was not his dream job but it was his way out of the slums. Perhaps his only way out. He sent his sister to University and his 2 younger brothers to private school. His choice was to sacrifice himself for them. 7 years later, he is still doing the same thing and still paying for his 2 younger brothers to stay in Private school. I ask him why and his response is always, "so they will have more of a choice than I did." A choice yes. But, one he made with little options.

Wrong. Those are the best times. More police. More security. Much safer. IMHO. Rio is dangerous if you do not know what you are doing and don't have money to take a taxi. If you are willing to spend 3 or 4 USD to get from one place to the next, you will be fine. I have been robbed at gunpoint in Brazil 2 times. Both times were places I should NOT have been and was told not to go there. I took my chances and lost. I won't make the same mistake again. During Carnival and New Year's the atmosphere is amazing and the people are incredible. I'll try to find some old pics from these events to post.

I have been there many times and love the place. It is amazing. Their website is: http://www.tiffany-show.co.th/intro.htm Check them out and go to see them if in Pattaya!

I too went with Italian. I love pasta and pizza and everything in between. On my last night in Bangkok, I spent my last night at my favorite Italian restaurant.

I am thrilled as I love Rio and I know they will put on a great show. If you have never been to one of their Carnival's you are missing one of the world's greatest treats. It is simply amazing! I am sure Rio will do a fantastic job as the country will pull together to make sure the event shines.

I have 120,000 miles with NWA/Delta this year. I have been Platinum for many years. I need 5k more miles to reach the new Diamond Tier. I don't see that much of a difference between the two. I wonder if I am better off letting my 45k miles above Platinum roll over to next year and count toward Platinum next year. This would mean one trip to Thailand and I'd be Platinum again. Are the extra benefits worth it the new Tier? Or, is my thinking logical?

Yes, you are right. It is also good to save them for upgrades. I have been in Business my last 20 or so trips over here and never paid for the seat. I always use miles to upgrade. Now that NWA and Delta are merging, I am not sure what the changes will be so I am a bit worried to be honest but I hope it stays the same or similar!

They need free wifi. They need to have better lounges. They need an easier way to get from one point to another. That said, I think it is beautiful and lovely to look at.

The woman now wants out. Is her testimony now needed? Will her "payoff" become more public? What about her family? Why now? It seems that his lawyers were saying that the LA prosecutors office was not going to actively pursue him. They made a mistake. A big one. The DA's office called them on the bluff. Now, he is in Europe. Will he be released on bail? At what cost to that country? The LA office? France? Roman himself? I am not a betting man, but I bet he finds a way back into France.

Rio all the way baby! One of the most amazing cities on earth. Don't see how they made it this far in the running. It is one of the most dangerous cities on earth as well. What kind of agreement would they have to make to ensure the safety of those traveling and/or competing there? If I were a betting man, I would take bets Rio is one hell of a longshot!

I live on the 30th Floor of a hotel. I walk up to my room 5 times a day. I also exercise a bit. I try to stay healthy by not smoking or doing drugs but I love sweets. A real sweet tooth here.

This does sound yummy! I would throw in here my recipe for Special Brownies. But, I don't think appropriate. The Guinness is a great idea! Can't wait to try this.

Now about this? 0-10 - Curious Member 11-30 - Apprentice 31-50 - Learned Member 51-100 Visionary Member 100-250 - Expert member 250-500 - Resident Member 500-1000 Know it All 1000 -2000 Guru 2000 plus - Ruling Elite

Thailand and Brazil are the two places people go for Plastic Surgery. Both are affordable and both have an abundance of specialists. I don't have any studies, but I think more people in Brazil have plastic surgery than any other nation. If you want it, go for it!

I loved Beautiful Boxer. I also like going to Thai slapstick comedy with my Thai friends. I don't get it at all but I find it so funny to watch them enjoy it so much. It reminds of of the old Hee Haw show.

I think they should legalize it. But, I think the USA and every other country should as well. What 2 people do with their body is their own damn business. IMHO.

In Siam Paragon, on the bottom level, all the way to the back, hidden from the world is Tony Roma's. There are actually several great places to eat back there if you wander back. Tony's is known for its Ribs. They are good and the place has a nice staff, good food and a nice ambiance. The price for the ribs is about 650 baht for a full-slab. They are juicy and tender and taste excellent! The deserts are not worth the money at all. But, the rest of the food is pretty good!

I like Socialism and Communism in theory. Until humans get involved. Democracy really is the best that I can see right now. What would you suggest would be better? Saying that, now, if I ruled the world, I would promise to make it fair and just and share the wealth with all. A one ruler world may work. If the right ruler is chosen.

A friend gave me this recipe. Thanks Donna. "Fried" Chicken Breast - recipe Share Today at 8:14am Ingredients: * 1/2 cup whole wheat flour * 1/2 cup white flour * 1 cup plain bread crumbs * 1/2 cup plain yogurt, low fat * 4 chicken breasts (5 oz each), boneless, skinless, and cleaned * Mrs. Dash to taste * Pepper to taste * Cooking spray Preparation: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F 2. Mix flours and bread crumbs in a bowl and season with Mrs Dash and pepper 3. In another bowl, place the plain yogurt 4. Dip chicken in the yogurt, then toss in the flour mixture 5. Spray a non-stick cookie sheet and lay the chicken on the sheet 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes; turn after first 10 minutes # Nutritional information:Number of serving: 4 # Serving size: 1 breast # Calories per serving: 386 # Fat grams per serving: 3