"The Rounds" November 19, 2004

The minister, Social Development and Human Security Minister Sora-at Klinpratoom, was at the head of a group of police who arrested 30 prostitutes in Bangkok's well-known Lumpini Park, including some male prostitutes and transsexuals.

The minister said the action was just the opening step in what will be a concerted, long-term campaign to eliminate the sex industry.

In an interesting move, the minister personally talked with each prostitute, and told reporters at Lumpini Police Station, where the ladies were taken, they all suffered low economic and educational status. He also said in this campaign psychologists will question prostitutes to try to discover the underlying causes so as to make ministry workers and police strike at the roots of the problem. This certainly is a far softer approach than has sometimes been taken in the past, according to what I've read and heard, though I personally have never been present during any such raid.

Given the pervasiveness of the trade and, in some quarters, increasingly casual attitudes about sex outside marriage, it appears the task force has its work cut out.

(Thanks to George at www.ThaiVisa.com for making his site's visitors aware of the story.) [Saturday, November 13, 2004]

I got the following e-mail aimed at all U.S. military veterans residing in Thailand. Those of you who fit into that category well may wish to visit the indicated web site, read the form letter there, and take the survey also there. But on to the e-mail:

TO ALL THAILAND VETS,

WE ARE GATHERING INFORMATION ON HEALTH ISSUES AND THE USAGE OF AGENT ORANGE IN THAILAND.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A DAVID ADAMS AND SEVERAL OTHER THAILAND VETS. WE HAVE A FORM LETTER, SURVEY AND A WEBSITE, IN REGARDS TO THESE ISSUES.

WE HAVE FORMED A GROUP CALLED: THAI VIETNAM VETS FOR EQUITY IN TREATMENT (TVVET)

I AM COMING TO YOU TODAY, TO ASK YOU TO HELP. TO FILL OUT A SURVEY AND ALSO PASS THESE SITES ON TO OTHERS, SO THAT THE WORD, CAN GET OUT. IF YOU ARE ON OTHER SITES OR ON MESSAGE BOARDS, PLEASE POST THEM. IF YOU BELONG TO AN ORGANIZATION, PLEASE ASK TO POST IT THERE, AS WELL.

THIS SITE INCLUDES A WEBSITE, FORM LETTER AND A SURVEY. THESE SURVEYS HAVE TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO: TWET@COMCAST.NET.

http://www.vspa.com/k9/agentorange5.htm THIS IS THE WEBSITE, FORM LETTER AND SURVEY.

ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE US IN THIS ENDEAVOR, WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

WE UNDERSTAND, THAT SOME VETERANS DO NOT HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, AT THIS TIME. THEY WOULD STILL LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. YOU MAY HAVE SOME VALUABLE INFORMATION, TO HELP THOSE WHO DO.

I don't know anything about this organization, but thought I would pass along the information for your consideration. [Sunday, November 14, 2004]

There is a pair of interesting articles in today's edition of The Nation about marriages between Thais and Westerners under the headline "MIXED MARRIAGES: Isaan Meets West."

I have long known there were numerous such marriages right around the Kingdom, but I must admit I was surprised to read that the number of mixed couples runs about 20,000, higher than I might have guessed for the region. But I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise; even though the great majority of men coming here looking for romance go about it the wrong way, if anecdotal evidence is to be believed (and my and others' observations over the years); many men come here and head straight after a bar girl, a recipe for emotional disaster and, too often, financial loss. One Thai wife is quoted as cautioning the financial risks.

Other than that, the articles are positive and encouraging. And there are I know or have known a number of cross-cultural couples who have made it over the long term, some even starting familes or adding to the couple's existing children from previous marriages one or the other or both may have had.

Because most of the items we hear and read regarding these romantic relationships are mostly negative, it was nice to read something positive for a change -- refreshingly nice. [Sunday, November 14, 2004]

The hugely popular Ploenchit Fair returns to Bangkok Saturday, November 20 at BEC TERO Hall in Suan Lum Night Bazaar on the corner of Wireless Road and Rama IV Road. Gates open at 10:00 A.M. There are 2 entrances from Wireless Road and 3 from Rama IV Road. Three car parks are available on the grounds, according to maps I've seen.

This fair has been held for decades; its purpose is to raise money for charity. It is very much an event of broad appeal, drawing as it does singles, couples, and families, with a wide variety of activities for everyone -- including, for example, a ferris wheel for children (even we old children!).

The fair was cancelled in 2003, a domino affect of 9/11. It used to be held at the British Embassy, but security concerns forced it to move to the new venue.

After years of threatening to go but never doing so, I hope to make the fair this year. Everyone I know who has been says its a really nice day out. And the new venue is very spacious, plus will be partially housed in the air-conditioned BEC TERO Hall and partially in the open air. And the venue is easy to reach, as there is a subway station on the corner of Wireless Road and Rama IV Road, the Lumpini Subway Station. Since the Skytrain line connects at several points to the subway's, even more people can get there quickly and conveniently. (There's an excellent map of the subway provided on the Fortune Hotel web site; just click here.)

If the Suan Lum Night Bazaar is open, I'll take the opportunity to explore it for the first time, too. [Sunday, November 14, 2004]

The lengthy amnesty granted to illegal foreign workers and their employers ends tomorrow -- I'm writing Sunday the 14th, so can't predict what developments may begin after an announced crackdown begins.

In many people's eyes, including mine, the amnesty was actually quite generous. After all, having had 4½ months during which to register should have given plenty of time for the affect immigrants to register and government workers time to process them. From the description in the article of the process to register it doesn't sound difficult; if that description is accurate, I would suppose the only barrier might have been long lines at provincial labor offices, where the registrations have been handled.

Though the article doesn't mention worker protection, it seems reasonable to assume that registered workers will be less at the mercy of their employers, especially unscrupulous employers, something street rumors have long held to be a major problem, than unregistered ones. And that's not even considering the danger from the government of arrest, detention, fining, and deportation.

In my view, the government is to be commended for this effort. Long-time readers know I sometimes am quite critical, so I feel it only fair to say something when positive governmental efforts occur. [Sunday, November 14, 2004]

I received an e-mail yesterday from Ken and Lat Bower in Texas with the subject line "Shocking Pictures from Iraq...too gross for ABC, CBS AND CNN???" As you can imagine, I was reluctant to open the e-mail, imagining all sorts of horrible images -- torn-apart bodies of American or other Allies' troops, perhaps.

Everyone knows that it is the nature of the news media to focus on negative news, not positive, the argument being that we, the ordinary readers, don't care about good news. But sometimes a news organization has its own political agenda, and its editors present its news stories in such a way as to support that organization's editorial bias. And it happens all along the political spectrum.

We expect such from official mouthpieces, such as China's People's Daily newspaper and the former Pravda of the now-defunct Soviet Union. We usually don't expect it from the media in democratic countries in which the media exist and operate independently and freely.

Of course, any news organization has a place to express editorial views, commentaries, and opinions. Yet sometimes news organizations' stories themselves are skewered in one direction or another. This is not to say editors necessarily consciously skewer any given story; they sometimes may do so without even realizing it.

All that said, think back over the bombardment of coverage we seen in the run up to and conduct of the war in Iraq. Can many -- if any -- of us recall anything positive and uplifting having been reported? I can't, at least not offhand, though from knowing a few people who live and work there, both civilian and military, I have heard some personal anecdotes that were heart-warming.

But to return to Ken and Lat's e-mail, in the event it turns out they sent me some nice photographs taken in Iraq. Given the paucity of such photographs in the media, I thought I'd pass them along to you. And no, I'm *not* trying to make any editorial judgment, only to provide some relief from the nonstop grimness coming out of that benighted land. Each of the photos below is a thumbnail you can click to see a larger version.

Many thanks to Ken and Lat for sending these pictures along. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. [Monday, November 15, 2004]

When I went to friends' wedding up in Surin a few weeks ago, I became acquainted with Martin and his wife Sunee, who own this popular bar-restaurant in the city center; it was a short walk from the hotel in which I stayed, so it ended up being the only place outside the hotel I went for food or drink (other than my friends' wedding banquet, that is!).

The Farang Connection has a web site of its own, and for anyone thinking of traveling or moving there, it has very useful information, such as a page listing hotels and apartments there. There's even a listing for a 3-bedroom, Western-style villa on Theepthani Estate (though I don't know where that is) on the "Other Services" page listed for a stunningly cheap 15,000 baht per month. Martin and Sunee also have vehicles (including motorcycles) for rent.

Another nice service is the shuttle service they provide between the nearest airport, Buri Ram's, and Surin. The Buri Ram Airport is about an hour away from Surin, and if they know you're flying in, they'll pick you up and take you back.

Last week I wrote about the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival next week and said it falls on November 25th this year, coincidentally the same day on which American Thanksgiving falls this year.

Later, I was talking on the phone with a friend in Pattaya who owns a restaurant there, and he invited me to come to his restaurant's Thanksgiving celebration. I said I was torn because I wanted to be with friends here in Bangkok for Thanksgiving but also wanted to be in Jomtien, near Pattaya, for Loy Krathong, but not sure if I could do both since the 2 holidays fall on the same day this year. He told me I was wrong and that Loy Krathong falls on the 26th, not the 25th.

I've checked a number of sources and gotten no clarification; some say the earlier date while others list the latter. About the only thing I can be reasxonably sure of is that Loy Krathong will fall on a day late next week. [Wednesday, November 17, 2004]

It is 7:20 A.M. Wednesday, November 17, 2004 as I sit here in the Texas Lone Staar writing, the television set to CNN, from which I just heard a report that it's almost a certainty that Margaret Hassan has been brutally murdered by her abductors in Iraq. Of course, by the time you read this, anyone on the face of the planet with access to news will already know about this terrible turn of events.

Having myself lost a good friend to terrorists in Iraq recently, it is with the most genuine sincerity I extend my deepest sympathies to Margaret's family, friends, and colleagues.

Now to turn to the motives of the slime who murdered her and those scumbags' brethren. The death of Margaret surely must lead anyone not lost to fanaticism to realize this ongoing slaughter isn't about religion, nor about national issues, not even about racism, at least not per se.

Consider this latest victim of terror: 3 decades serving in humanitarian roles in Iraq, a dual national holding Iraqi citizenship, a woman who commanded richly deserved respect and honor across the Middle East for her tireless effort to help the Iraqi people. Her courage is indisputable -- she stayed in Iraq right through the American-led invasion last year. Yet the pigs who abducted her slaughtered her. And she was married to an Iraqi, Tahseen Ali Hassan.

She even pleaded for America, Britain, and their allies not to launch the invasion -- ironically, the mirror of what her abductors demanded, i.e., the withdrawal of Allied forces from Iraq immediately.

And they shot her in the head for all that??? There are no words strong enough in the English language to express the depth of my contempt for her murderers. What "heroes" they were to commit such a senseless murder. And it was murder -- NOT an "execution," as the media is pleased to call these murders, something which irritates me mightily, as to do so imparts a patina of respectability on them. [Wednesday, November 17, 2004]

Two restaurants in the Square will be offering [U.S.] Thanksgiving Day meals next Thursday, November 25, 2004: the Texas Lone Staar Saloon and the Bourbon Street Restaurant.

George, proprietor of the Lone Staar, has been offering a free Thanksgiving Day meal for decades, starting when he first entered the business in Patpong in the 1960's. (He offers similar free meals at Christmas and New Year, but I'll announce the details of those later.) Even in years when I've gone elsewhere for the holiday feast, such as the 2 years I went to The Landmark Hotel, I made it a point to get by the Lone Staar because the celebration there is always a lot of fun. It's a good time to see Squaronians, many true Old Thai Hands, some of whom don't make it into the Square all that often. George throws this celebration primarily for his old friends and loyal customers, so many people who come know each other. Don't be late -- this is a well-attended event, and the food moves right out of the kitchen at a brisk pace! Here's the menu for the free meal:

Doug, owner of Bourbon Street, also does a great Thanksgiving meal, with a wide variety of food available, though of course it isn't free. I've not tried his, though his restaurant is a place I like to drop by to visit people, as Doug has his own regulars, many of whom I know. And, of course, I know Doug as well. Here's Doug's menu:

- Fresh Garden Salad with our homemade dressing

- Caesar Salad

- Shrimp Cocktail

- Fruit Cocktail

- Crawfish Bisque

- Oyster Artichoke Soup

- Bar-B-Q Pork Ribs

- Cajun Deep Fried Turkey

- Cajun Deep Fried Cherry Duck

- Roast Beef in Gravy

- Baked Virginia Ham

- Mashed Potatoes

- Mashed Sweet Potatoes

- Giblet Gravy

- Mixed Vegetables ( Carrot, Cauliflower and Baby Corn)

- Corn on the Cob

- Cornbread Dressing

- Bread Pudding with White Chocolate Sauce & Bourbon Sauce

- Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese

- Apple Pie with Ice Cream

- Pumpkin Pie

- Georgia Pecan Pie

650 Baht Per Adult
Bourbon St. Restaurant
22/4-6 Sukhumvit Soi 22 in
Washington Square

690 Baht Per Adult
The Courtyard Restaurant
#9 Soi Tonson & Ploenchit in the Somerset Building

To top things off, Ott, owner of the Silver Dollar, always does a meal on the first Sunday following Thanksgiving, a roast turkey meal with all the trimmings -- for free. This year, that Sunday falls on November 28, 2004. It's a nice affair, one that allows fans of turkey to gorge some more. And for Old Thai Hand Squaronians, it's yet another occasion for us to get together, bend elbows, and enjoy each other's company. [NO FIREARMS ALLOWED.]

Pay a courtesy call to all 3 if you're in the neighborhood. If you're a newbie, this is an especially auspicious occasion to make your presence known and to meet a whole BUNCH of Old Thai Hands -- some with up to 4 decades' experience in The Land of Smiles.

13.00 Rugby League Tri Nations Great Briton v NZ REPLAY

15.00 Rugby Scotland v Australia REPLAY

Jetstar Asia, the Asian sister of Australia's Quantas Airline's Jetstar Australia, is set to launch next month from its Singapore base, the 4th budget airline in only 7 months to begin operations out of The Lion City.

With so many new budget carriers, the face of aviation is changing with amazing rapidity right across east Asia, for travelers the most notable change being the tumbling fares.

But there are some notes of caution. First, with volatile, increasing fuel prices, fares may be forced upward or fuel surcharges added (which amounts to the same thing). Secondly, no business can operate at a loss forever, and these budget airlines are no exception. Do I know they're losing money? -- no, I don't, but some competitors have been quoted in the media as claiming they are. Thirdly, the advertised fares border, in some cases, on deceptive, in my opinion. Just this week I called a Thailand-based discount carrier for which there was an advertisement in a local newspaper listing a 1-way fare to a regional destination of 699 baht, i.e., 1,398 baht return fare. The advertisement did say the advertised fare did not include taxes (7% VAT here in Thailand, which in this case comes to just under 98 baht for the round-trip price, raising the fare to 1,496 baht) or "fees." In this case, the unspecified "fees" raised the price on a return ticket to 4,631 baht -- in other words, there are "fees" totalling 3,135 baht -- well over double the fare itself. To be fair, the last time I flew to that destination I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of 12,000 baht for a return ticket, far more than the 4,631 baht fare I mentioned above. Still, to have taxes and fees more than triple the price came as a big -- and unpleasant -- surprise.

Does this mean I don't recommend you consider passage on Jetstar or any other discount carrier? No, it doesn't; after all the total fare I discussed above is far below the one I paid some years ago, and in U.S. dollar terms, the difference is even greater. At the time I flew, my fare was about US$480; the other carrier's fare of 4,631 baht equals about only US$115 -- a huge savings in percentage terms.

Such fares are especially beneficial to anyone wanting or needing to make only a short trip of a few days. As far as I've learned, all the discount carriers have lower baggage allowances than one gets on regular carriers, so the discount carriers probably are the way to go if you're going for an extended stay and wish to take a lot of luggage. I haven't asked, but I suppose you can pay an excess baggage fee. However, the carriers I've checked all require you to handle baggage yourself, so if you have a lot, it will be inconvenient at best.

But for the short-term traveler, carriers such as Jetstar are very welcome. The only such carrier I've flown is Bangkok Airways, for a return flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and I found everything about the flight splendid.

Though I didn't do an exhaustive search, what searching I did do didn't turn up a web site for Jetstar. I assume the airline will have one eventually. [Friday, November 19, 2004]

December 5th is the belovéd King's birthday, and I join Thais and foreigners alike in wishing His Majesty a Happy Birthday and wishes that he enjoy many more to come.

People not familiar with Thailand find it difficult to comprehend the reverence accorded the Royal Family here, especially the current Monarch. Even foreigners such as myself eventually begin to get a glimmer or understanding, and while we can't claim to have that feeling of reverence in our bones and psyche, we do come to revere this wonderful King ourselves.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose regal name is King Rama IX, is one of the most revered of the 9 monarchs of the dynasty. And he is revered and adulated with good reason; he has worked tirelessly during his decades on the throne to maintain peace and social harmony, and to foster prosperity, for everyone.

The King has always shown great wisdom. A constitutional monarch with only ceremonial powers, he nevertheless exerts extraordinary moral authority, so is very judicious in his public statements, as he is not given to interfering in anyone's affairs unless he feels it essential he speak out. His very judiciousness is one of the reasons we adore him so. However, he will speak when he feels compelled to do so -- and people listen attentively on those occasions. In the early 1990's, during a time of civil strife and dictatorship, after a number of extrajudicial killings he summoned the head of the 3-member dictorship and the leader of the opposition to his Throne Room and advised them to sort matters out. I watched the event on CNN while living in Macau long before I had the slightest notion life would lead me to Thailand, but even so, I was deeply moved by His Majesty's humanity, dignity, and calmness. I was greatly impressed that this soft-spoken monarch exerts such great influence that the strife ended forthwith, the dictators resigning and leaving the country.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej has sponsored countless projects, many addressing agricultural and water concerns. In so doing, he has helped bring untold benefits to the people he so benevolently rules. And no Thai person ever forgets this.

The King is supremely patient. Over the decades he has had quiet words with various people, such as political leaders, then waited out of the limelight to see how they took his suggestions. Yet he as always managed to remain apolitical -- and, more importantly, to be seen as being apolitical.

His Majesty is said to suffer heart ailments, something that greatly concerns his people -- and foreigners. When his day is done, the grief will be almost beyond imagination.

As a footnote, let me add that bars will be closed and alcohol will not be served of His Majesty the King's birthday. [Thursday, November 18, 2004]

I have a friend who went to Sukhumvit One, the new venue, night-before-last, and gave me a report. Here it is in all its glory:

There are 5 bars, all on the first floor. All have at least 1 or 2 pool tables, and most have TVs. This is a good spot for pool players indeed. The first bar on the left is owned by a Thai lady who also owns a Japanese place in Soi 13. Staff everywhere were friendly, the none of the girls at any bar aggressively begged for drinks. No good lookers in the 2 bars at the entrance. Next on the right, Sports Bar 2, only one half-way good-looking woman. Most were slags. Oasis is the best bar in the complex. It is also the only fully enclosed bar and the most tastefully decorated. Fridays they have a 6-9 Happy Hour, all drinks 60 baht. Weekday happy hours vary. Staff wear polo shirts with the bar's logo. There were about 8 girls working, 3 of them OK-looking but a little older. However!, they were all nicely dressed, polite and friendly. The only other customers were 3 very well-dressed African fellows in business suits. Good sound system. Comfy love seats. This was by far the best and most professionally-run bar there. Next on down on the left is Night Night Joop Joop bar. About 10 girls; 1 was a stunner, and 3 were cute. Good sound system as, with all of the bars. This is next to the toilet all of the bars share. Across from Night Night is a gourmet coffee stand. Had a long chat with one girl in Night Night. All of the bars open around 2:00 in the afternoon and stay open till 1AM. Cops let them slide another hour or so if they have customers, provided that they dim the lights. Only a few customers in each bar when I was there, and most were African, Thai or Indian. I saw only 3 other farangs the whole time. The 2nd floor has 2 internet shops, a beauty salon, and a massage shop. The 3rd floor is not completed yet. This complex has potential if done right like the Oasis bar and Night Night. I'll definitely go back to Oasis for the Friday Happy Hour. I think the others will fail.

I'm pleased to pass along the announcement that the fine folks at www.ThaiVisa.com have established a service for anyone to have his or her own web log -- in the parlance of the Internet, a "blog."

A blog offers a lot of benefits to anyone wanting an Internet presence but not wanting the headaches of owning a web site (and I assure you owning and maintaining a web site is a giant pain!).

Want to have your say without all the headaches? -- open a blog at www.Thaivisa.com. And good on the good folks there for making this service available.

Thaivisa Community weblogs (BLOG) launched.

Get your own weblog up and running in minutes!

We are proud of the launch of Thaivisa.com weblogs (BLOG).

A blog is your own easy-to-use web site, where you can quickly post thoughts, interact with people, upload photos and more. All integrated in the forum!

A blog gives you your own voice on the web. It's a place to collect and share things that you find interesting — whether it's your commentary, a personal diary, or links to web sites you want to remember.

Many people use a blog just to organize their own thoughts, while others command influential, worldwide audiences of thousands. Professional and
amateur journalists use blogs to publish breaking news, while personal journalers reveal inner thoughts.

Whatever you have to say, your blog can help you say it. And you can choose an easy-to-remember URL to spread the word of your blog.

With Thaivisa.com's heavy traffic you can be assured that your blog will be noticed!

A FEW EASY STEPS TO SETUP YOUR BLOG:

1. Just login to the forum as usual at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum

2. Go to your forum control panel here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?act=UserCP&CODE=00

3. From the left menu you can activate your own blog. After that you will have a new link added on top of all forum pages, "My Blog".

Other members blogs are shown at the top of all forum pages (look for "Blog").
You can also browse other members blogs here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?automodule=blog

If you have problems setting up your blog, please go to the Support forum here:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showforum=19

Get your own website (blog) up and running in
minutes!
Have fun!

Kind regards,
THAILAND EXPAT FORUM

AsiaMiles I learned of a new restaurant opneing up tomorrow on Soi Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) so thought I would pass the info along, though I don't even know the owner. The person who passed the information along to me assures me the Australian owner is a most excellent chef, so this "feedery" should be well worth checking out. Here are the poster's my source passed along to me:

I don't know about you, but in my book a good meat pie is hard to beat. I'm looking forward to giving the joint's Cornish pastries a try. And one sure can't beat the Grand Opening offer of free food and beer!

*I* certainly plan to check it out after a day of expected fun at the Ploenchit Fair! Drop on around to try it and say "Hello." [Friday, November 19, 2004]

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