Anything & Everything About Thailand

[U-Need]

清邁府堤沙菊縣警署前天下午3時半獲報，在佬呂區8村294號有1名外國遊客喪生，警即趕到現 場調查。
肇案屋是1幢2層洋樓，屋門使用遙控器控制，警在門前見到1輛汽車，引擎開著，排氣管接上了約長16米的p vc管子，管子的尾部拉進屋裡。
警撬開門進屋後見到瑞士藉男子彼得（51歲）的屍體，他穿著棕色的上衣和長褲，身上沒有傷痕，已喪生約6個 小時。
警在屋裡找到8封遺信，譯成泰文意為：請發現屍首的人幫助辦理後事，另抱怨泰妻"勒"不辭而別，使他傷心不 已。
警查悉，娘勒離開彼得後，他努力尋找不果，失望情緒低落，用汽車排氣管排氣自殺。警將傳訊有關的人，查出真 相。

[KatoeyLover69]

Originally Posted by U-Need

清邁府堤沙菊縣警署前天下午3時半獲報，在佬呂區8村294號有1名外國遊客喪生，警即趕到現 場調查。
肇案屋是1幢2層洋樓，屋門使用遙控器控制，警在門前見到1輛汽車，引擎開著，排氣管接上了約長16米的p vc管子，管子的尾部拉進屋裡。
警撬開門進屋後見到瑞士藉男子彼得（51歲）的屍體，他穿著棕色的上衣和長褲，身上沒有傷痕，已喪生約6個 小時。
警在屋裡找到8封遺信，譯成泰文意為：請發現屍首的人幫助辦理後事，另抱怨泰妻"勒"不辭而別，使他傷心不 已。
警查悉，娘勒離開彼得後，他努力尋找不果，失望情緒低落，用汽車排氣管排氣自殺。警將傳訊有關的人，查出真 相。

Bro U-Need,

Sorry don't understand Chinese ........

Can you please translate the above article into ENGLISH - the Universal Language ?

Welcome to the Club !

Hope to see more postings from you on Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Do you know what is the " official name " for Bangkok ?

It's : " Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathatthiya Witsanukam Prasit "

and it means : " Land of angels, great city of immortality, of divine gems, great angelic unconquerable land, land of nine nobel gems, royal city, a pleasant capital, place of Royal Palace, eternal land of angels & reincarnated spirit "

[KatoeyLover69]

Infection risk and oral sex

Written by Dr John Dean, specialist in sexual medicine, South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust


Oral sex is a very common sexual practice in both heterosexual and homosexual couples. It includes both oro-genital and oro-anal sex. Understandably, many men and women are concerned about the potential risks of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the viral infection that can develop into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other infections from oral sex. In this article, we look at the medical evidence available and offer advice on how to reduce the risks.

Cunnilingus is oral contact with a woman's genitalia and one study reported that 73 per cent of men and 66 per cent of women had experienced it. The same study reported that 69 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women had experienced fellatio, oral contact with a man's genitalia. Both activities have become increasingly common in the last 50 years, at least in part because they are considered 'safer' than penetrative sexual intercourse. The existing evidence shows that oral sex is a lower risk activity than penetrative vaginal or anal intercourse. However, low risk is not the same as no risk, and a variety of infections, including HIV, can be transmitted in this way. Safer sexual practices include masturbation and the use of vibrators or other sex aids, provided that partners do not share them without adequate cleansing.

Infection risk


AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a virus that causes progressive damage to the body's immune system, eventually leading to the development of chronic infections or cancers, and death. In its later stages, the collection of disorders resulting from HIV infection is described as AIDS. It is well known that penetrative vaginal and, particularly, anal intercourse, carry a high risk for transmission of HIV. Virus particles are found in semen and, to a lesser extent, saliva. Factors that might increase the risk of transmission are:

* being the receptive partner (ie taking the penis into your mouth).

* poor oral hygiene: the presence of oral thrush, mouth ulcers or gum disease.

* ulcer(s) on the penis or blood in the semen.

* allowing ejaculation of semen into the mouth.

* failing to spit out or swallow semen (the chemical environment of the stomach and digestive system will rapidly inactivate HIV).

There have been several studies reporting transmission of HIV between gay men who exclusively practice fellatio, rather than penetrative intercourse. There has also been at least one report of female to female transmission. In heterosexual couples, there is a significantly greater risk of transmission of HIV from male to female, than from female to male, but this includes all sexual practices, not just oral sex. As few couples exclusively practice oral sex, it is difficult to get reliable evidence and quantify the risk from oral sex alone, but from our understanding of how the virus is transmitted, we believe that the receptive partner (i.e. the one taking the penis into the mouth) is most at risk. Taking semen into the mouth, particularly with poor oral hygiene, further increases the risk for the receptive partner, although there are reports of HIV transmission as a result of fellatio without ejaculation.


Bacterial infections of the digestive system
There is evidence that the organisms Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter can all be transmitted by oro-anal contact. These can all cause severe abdominal pain and, sometimes, diarrhoea. Infections with Salmonella and Shigella can occasionally prove fatal.


Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis infection may cause urethritis in men (pain and discharge from the urethra - the outlet from the bladder) or, in women, pelvic infection and fertility problems. In women Chlamydia quite frequently causes no symptoms. The organism has been isolated from the throats of both men and women. There is an association between fellatio and chlamydia infection, suggesting that at least male to female transmission is possible.


Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoea. It usually causes a urethral (penile) discharge and discomfort on passing urine in men, and vaginal discharge and pelvic pain in women. It can be present without producing any symptoms at all, particularly in women, where up to 70 per cent may have no symptoms of infection. It is normally transmitted by vaginal or anal intercourse, but can also be transmitted through oral sex. It can cause gonococcal pharyngitis (throat infection). This is frequently without symptoms and only about 15 per cent of those affected will have a sore throat. Gonorrhoea is highly infectious.


Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a common viral infection that can cause jaundice and abdominal pain. It is not usually serious, although sufferers can feel very ill. The virus is found in faeces in high concentrations and will almost inevitably be present on the apparently clean anal skin of infected individuals. It can be transmitted by oro-anal contact. Several epidemic outbreaks have been reported among gay men, but heterosexual couples practising oro-anal contact are just as likely to be at risk.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that is more common among people who have had a previous sexually transmitted disease, and among drug users. It can cause a very serious, potentially fatal, liver disease and chronic liver damage. It is most commonly transmitted by inoculation of infected blood, by sharing needles for injection, needlestick injuries and the medical use of infected blood products. Virus particles are found in semen, stool and saliva, as well as blood. There is clear evidence that it can be transmitted through vaginal and anal intercourse, but it is unproven whether it can be transmitted through oral sex. Certainly, there is a theoretical risk of transmission.


Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection transmitted in a similar way to hepatitis B, and so usually affects drug users. Some people with hepatitis C infection were infected with blood products, such as transfusions, prior to adequate screening procedures in the 1980s. There is limited evidence that hepatitis C may be transmissible through receptive oro-genital contact.


Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
HSV infection is the commonest cause of genital ulceration. In the past, it was almost exclusively caused by Herpesvirus hominis type 2, but in recent years it is increasingly caused by the type 1 virus, which was more usually associated with labial (lip) herpes or cold sores. Genital herpes is characterised by recurrent bouts of vesicles (small blisters), either on the penis or vulva, or other parts of the female genital tract. These rapidly break down to form small, painful ulcers. The first episode is usually associated with an acute feverish illness, which may be quite severe. It frequently recurs, although recurrent bouts are usually associated with a milder illness. HSV can also cause pharyngitis, an inflammation of the throat with similar ulcer formation. HSV is highly infectious and usually sexually transmitted. It is certainly transmitted by penetrative intercourse but there are several reports of transmission through oral sex. Virus particles are shed profusely from ulcers, either oral (including cold sores) or genital, and infection is far more likely when these are present. Transmission is unlikely, but not impossible, in the absence of ulcers.


Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV infection leads to the development of genital warts in both men and women, and is almost certainly sexually transmitted. Warts are usually fairly obvious on men (present on the penis), but may be more difficult to diagnose in women, as they may be restricted to the cervix (neck of the womb) and vagina. They can also develop around the anus, particularly if anal intercourse or oro-anal sex is practised, and, rarely, in the mouth and throat. HPV infection is important to identify and treat, as it can lead to the development of cancer of the cervix, mouth, penis and anus.

HPV virus is shed from the surface of warts and any form of direct physical contact may result in transmission. Although there is no definite evidence that HPV is transmitted through oral sex, it is highly likely that this can occur.


Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a common, infectious viral disease affecting the skin. It appears as multiple, small, dome-shaped blebs, often with a central plug. A curd-like discharge can be squeezed from them. The vast majority of molluscum lesions are transmitted in ordinary contact – they are common in children for example. There is limited evidence that it may be transmissible through receptive oro-genital contact.


.............. to be continued ( Part 2 ) ..................

[KatoeyLover69]

................... continued ( Part 2 ) .....................

Infection risk and oral sex

Syphilis
There is a risk of transmission of syphilis by oro-genital sex, although it is difficult to quantify. Certainly, men and women may develop syphilitic mouth ulcers, or chancres, which shed the bacterium that causes syphilis, Treponema pallidum.

Thrush
Thrush is caused by a yeast, Candida albicans. Many people, perhaps up to 50 per cent of the population, carry Candida in their mouth or on the skin without it causing any symptoms. However, it can also cause infection and inflammation of the mouth, vulva, vagina, head of the penis and foreskin, usually with a cottage cheese-like white discharge present. Injury to the skin or mucous membranes, contraceptive pill use and diabetes are all predisposing factors. There is limited evidence that Candida can be transmitted by oral sex.

Worms
Threadworms, and probably other worms, can be transmitted by oro-anal contact or by fellatio after anal intercourse.

Risk reduction

Please note we are discussing 'risk reduction' and not 'risk prevention'. Avoiding oral sex is the only way of preventing infection by the oral route, but as it is an important and enjoyable part of most couples' sexual repertoire, this advice is impractical. Overall, oral sex seems to carry a lower risk of transmitting infections than penetrative vaginal or anal intercourse.

Limiting the number of your sexual partners and not being pressured into 'casual' sex with an unfamiliar partner is an important way of reducing infection risk. Consider whether your partner may have, or have had, other sexual partners, and what their infection status might be, before putting yourself at any risk.

It is perfectly possible to enjoy oral sex using some form of protective barrier. For fellatio, there are a wide variety of flavoured and scented condoms available, ranging from strawberry to curry, and from whisky to lager and lime! For cunnilingus and oro-anal sex, a dental dam - a thin plastic film - can be used. Remember that condoms can burst and dental dams can slip, so don't think that their use offers absolute protection. These products can be obtained from most pharmacies and many supermarkets. They can also be obtained by mail order from the Family Planning Association. Write to them to request their SexWares catalogue, at The Family Planning Association, PO Box 883, Mail Order Department, Oxford OX4 5NT.

Even if you use a barrier of some sort, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and not to have oral sex if you have any cuts, sores or ulcers in your mouth, or on your gums or genitals. If you do get semen or vaginal secretions in your mouth, either spit them out or swallow them quickly. Don't keep them in your mouth, as it is the mouth that is probably the most important route for transmission of infections. The longer they are in your mouth, the greater the chance of infection.

If you are concerned that you have, or might be at risk of having a sexually transmitted disease, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. Effective treatment is available for most diseases, including HIV. Early treatment is not only important for your own health, but in order to protect your partner from infection.

Last updated 01.05.2001
__________________________________________________ ________________________________

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.

[taurus75]

eeeiii.... pls dun dampen my coming mood ...hahaha
but nevertheless good info! always safe sex!!

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 27 December 2005 :-

Asian tours popular due to lower prices

By Sujintana Hemtasilpa

A cool breeze is drawing holiday-makers to the North this new year, but more Thais are going abroad to celebrate as the cost of doing so is not much higher than for a domestic trip. According to Massalin Sukpattanarakul, president of the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT), New Year holiday-goers this year will begin their long holidays on Thursday and return home on either Jan 3 or Jan 4.

Due to rising fuel prices and higher cost of living, the number of Thais making domestic trips this New Year period is expected to drop by about 30% from last year, said Ms Massalin.

But the number of Thais making overseas trips this New Year is increasing significantly.

One factor is that the cost of travelling within the country is now almost on par with the cost of going overseas to other countries in Asia, she said.

``Now, the domestic air fares on conventional airlines are almost the same as international air tickets to nearby countries,'' said Ms Massalin.

She said many travel agents preferred dealing with international airlines because of low-cost carriers' difficult reservation systems.

`For this reason, most travel agents will choose to offer their customers travel packages to overseas destinations instead because they are not hard to manage. It's also easier to work with international airlines,'' said Ms Massalin.

The most popular overseas destination this New Year season is China since the cost of going there is not much higher than for a domestic trip , she said.

Locally, domestic travel agents are highlighting new attractions in mountainous provinces such as Phayao, Phrae and Nan, along with Ratchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khiew district , she said.

A recent survey by the Chamber Business Poll at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showed that most Thais, represented by 82.5% of the survey respondents, would opt to celebrate the New Year at home.

For those who planned to travel, 99% said they would stay in the country, and 1% said they would go overseas.

The most popular domestic destinations are Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Loei, the survey said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects that the number of Thais making domestic trips would increase by 1.93% from 2004.

Based on Immigration Bureau statistics, from December 2004 to January 2005 457,544 Thais travelled overseas.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 27 December 2005 :-

Asian tours popular due to lower prices

By Sujintana Hemtasilpa

A cool breeze is drawing holiday-makers to the North this new year, but more Thais are going abroad to celebrate as the cost of doing so is not much higher than for a domestic trip. According to Massalin Sukpattanarakul, president of the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT), New Year holiday-goers this year will begin their long holidays on Thursday and return home on either Jan 3 or Jan 4.

Due to rising fuel prices and higher cost of living, the number of Thais making domestic trips this New Year period is expected to drop by about 30% from last year, said Ms Massalin.

But the number of Thais making overseas trips this New Year is increasing significantly.

One factor is that the cost of travelling within the country is now almost on par with the cost of going overseas to other countries in Asia, she said.

``Now, the domestic air fares on conventional airlines are almost the same as international air tickets to nearby countries,'' said Ms Massalin.

She said many travel agents preferred dealing with international airlines because of low-cost carriers' difficult reservation systems.

`For this reason, most travel agents will choose to offer their customers travel packages to overseas destinations instead because they are not hard to manage. It's also easier to work with international airlines,'' said Ms Massalin.

The most popular overseas destination this New Year season is China since the cost of going there is not much higher than for a domestic trip , she said.

Locally, domestic travel agents are highlighting new attractions in mountainous provinces such as Phayao, Phrae and Nan, along with Ratchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khiew district , she said.

A recent survey by the Chamber Business Poll at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce showed that most Thais, represented by 82.5% of the survey respondents, would opt to celebrate the New Year at home.

For those who planned to travel, 99% said they would stay in the country, and 1% said they would go overseas.

The most popular domestic destinations are Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Loei, the survey said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projects that the number of Thais making domestic trips would increase by 1.93% from 2004.

Based on Immigration Bureau statistics, from December 2004 to January 2005 457,544 Thais travelled overseas.

[KatoeyLover69]

The Sex Industry in Thailand

With its friendly citizens, fascinating culture, breathtaking scenery, laidback atmosphere, and awe-inspiring locations, Thailand more than most places deserves its right to rank as one of the top holiday destinations in Asia. Thailand, however, as is well publicised in the international media, has a booming sex industry which draws tens of thousands of sex tourists to the country each year. Sex in Thailand is “Big Business”, and lthough "Prostitution is illegal", the laws are rarely enforced.

History
Prostitution has existed in Thai society for centuries but it is only over the past few decades that the sex industry in Thailand has gained its notoriety. Prostitution was legalized in 1934 by Rama V but in 1960 The Thai
government outlawed the practise after pressure from the United Nations. In 1964 an influx of U.S. Military personel flooded the bars and brothels of Thailand whilst on R & R breaks from the Vietnam War; by the time the war ended in 1976, sex-industry establishments had expanded across the county and tourism was promoted in order to gain foreign exchange. Today, academic studies have valued the sex trade in Thailand as being worth more than 100 billion baht (US$2.5bn) a year. And while the foreign aspect of prostitution in Thailand may attract the most attention and money, most of the customers patronizing the establishments are Thai.

The Sex Workers
The majority of sex workers in Thailand come from poor, rural families from the country’s north and northeast regions. Most migrate to Bangkok or the other urban centers as a means to support their families, others are simply bored of village life and enter the flesh trade driven by a craving for the latest gadgets and brand name products. Child prostitution is a problem which the Thai government is aware of and there are severe penalties for anyone caught having sex with someone under the legal age limit.

According to the Thailand Government Public Health Department, there are approximately 75,000 prostitutes in Thailand. However, several well-informed non governmental organization (NGO) groups estimate that the number of prostitutes at any given time is close to 2 million. This figure represents 9% of female adult population and 3.15% of total population. If we include the owners, managers, pimps and other employees of the sex establishments, the related entertainment industry and some segments of the tourism industry, the number of workers earning a living directly or indirectly from prostitution would be several millions.

The Client
All over Thailand – most notably in the Patpong, Nana, Sukhumvit and Soi Cowboy areas of Bangkok, the coastal resort of Pattaya, Chiang Mai in the north, and Phuket in the south – it is common to see western tourists walking hand in hand with their temporary Thai "girlfriends". Studies have shown that most of these men would rarely – if ever – seek the services of a prostitute in their home country, but for some reason view the Thai prostitute in a different light, often losing sight of the fact that the girl they are actually with is in fact a prostitute at all.

Understandably, many of the men who fall into this way of thinking tend to believe that most of the girls working as prostitutes would probably have jobs outwith the sex industry if only their environmental and economic circumstances were different. Unfortunately, the environmental and economic circumstances are as they are and many of these girls have become quite the expert at milking the "Farang" (westerner) for as long as his time, wallet, and naivety permits.

HIV/AIDS
Despite Thailand reducing its rate of new HIV infections by more than 80 percent between 1991 and 2003 (the most successful HIV prevention campaign in the world), HIV/AIDS is still a very real issue in Thailand. At present the country has close to 700,000 adults and children living with HIV/AIDS out of a population of 64 million people.

WARNING: If engaging in the Thailand Sex Industry... ALWAYS PRACTISE SAFE SEX – HIV/AIDS IN THAILAND IS STILL A SERIOUS ISSUE...

[U-Need]

IN THAILAND Tilly Smith, the 11-year-old from Oxshott in Surrey who was one of the heroes of the disaster, read a poem written by a Thai but translated into English.
Tilly raised the alarm while on holiday with her parents Colin and Penny. When the waters receded she recognised the signs of an imminent tsunami from her geography lessons at Danes Hill Preparatory School, and warned others to leave the beach.



In three elaborate ceremonies at Phi Phi Island, Phuket and Khao Lak, where 129 of the 141 British victims died, senior Thai officials including Thaksin Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, were flown in by helicopter to give speeches.

However, the occasion was also marked by charges that the Government was more concerned with rebuilding its tourist trade than remembering the 5,400 people who perished on its beaches.

At Phi Phi Island, where 37 Britons died, relatives listened to speeches promoting the Thai tourist industry and a tsunami song, It’s time to heal, it’s time to smile, was played throughout the morning. James Judd, from the Wirral, who came from Phuket for the day, said: “This is all so surreal. It gives me the shivers.”

Technicians faded the song as Surakiat Sathirathai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Thailand’s nominee to replace Kofi Annan as Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for the souls of the victims to “rest in peace and tranquillity”.

What the Deputy Prime Minister did not see were notices in Thai around the memorial area protesting that Mr Thaksin had reneged on pledges to have Phi Phi rebuilt within a year. “We never got the money or help you promised,” the notices said.

Locals complained that huge sums were being spent on promoting events such as yesterday’s, with the Government bringing in a Thai entertainment company with a record label and many stars on its books to choreograph events.

Some Thais and expatriates boycotted official commemorations and held their own ceremony at the opposite end of the beach. One Thai left the official event saying she “did not feel comfortable”.

Bilitis Somritsuk, 28, an advertising executive from Bangkok, said: “This is not right. This is like a circus. It seems all about money. It’s not the way we normally do things.”

Natawut Khaenthong, a local tour operator, said: “The Government never asked local people for a single word of what we want and what kind of rites or ceremonies should be held.”

In Khao Lak, 50 miles north of Phuket, where most of the British victims died, similar misgivings were expressed. “The Government is organising a jolly celebration party, not a memorial service,” Nantaya Saphanthong, a representative of the all-but-obliterated Ban Nam Khem village, said.

Although Mr Thaksin did not refer to tourism in his speech at Khao Lak, he told Asian tourists afterwards: “Please tell your fellow Japanese and Chinese back home to stop fearing ghosts and return to this region again.”

[U-Need]

From Bangkok Post :

Asian spices : It's used to be Hong Kong martial arts, Taiwan tear-jerking drama, and Japanese comedy. This year it was Korean drama and food.

2006 saw the telly phenomenon of K-pop teen romance Full House, which kept youngsters and teens glued to Channel 7. Girls loved watching singer-cum-actor Jung Ji-hoon (Rain). Boys loved Song Hye Kyo. The realistic plot was in contrast with Thai soaps and their wishy-washy characters, verbal or physical violence, and cat fights over stupid leading men.

Channel 7's rival, Channel 3, fought back with Dae Jang Geum, another popular K-drama that spiced up (and swept the ratings of) television history in the region. With its unique storyline about cooking and medical treatment, slightly seasoned with romance, its success showed that there are certain Thai audiences who hunger for cultural wisdom and information with their TV programming, which is usually dominated by mindless fun.

Paparazzi

Paparazzi magazines, star-gossipy newspapers and star-struck TV shows mushroomed this year.

Some celebrities lent credibility to the paparazzi when the "gossip" turned out to be true. Model/actress Kathaleeya "Maem" McIntosh, deemed a TV princess for her immaculate image, blamed the paparazzi for spreading the news about her pre-marital pregnancy a few months before she eventually admitted it to the public.

The predictable break-up between lovebirds Nut Meria and Somchai Klemklat, and now a possible make-up, are evidence that the paparazzi can be ubiquitous.

Political statements and pro-social messages

A handful of good media are concerned about social well being and healthy content. The number of children's programmes has increased; hopefully the quality will increase too. Some soap operas, especially on Channel 7, talked about social issues like drunk driving, HIV/Aids and social responsibility.

Theatrical performances were more pro-active. A Thread in the Dark talked about being under the control of a dictatorship, while The Quartets questioned the power of the authorities. Nikorn Sae-Thang's Suey Sue Narok (Beauty to Hell) criticised the unfulfilled promise of the Otop scheme. In Prachao Seng (Desperation of God) are addressed issues of peace and war in parallel with the survival of the drama troupe.

Several small mobile troupes at the 4th Bangkok Theatre Festival, led by prominent artist Pradit Prasartthong, offered satires of government policies.

Y-Chromosome

"We're Here. We're Queer. Get Used to It." That message has been echoed loudly on both the telly and in theatres. While most television series still portray homosexuals as comedians, Rak 8009 featured a more realistic gay lifestyle and was awarded best TV series from a gay rights groups. Emerging on the scene is Rainbow Boys, featuring coming-of-age romance among university boys.

Theatres have been gay-friendly. Despite some stereotypical characters, some gay and gender themes emerged in Wanasak Sililar's I Wanna Say Thank You while Rashomon (All Male Cast) showed the dark side of being human, gay or otherwise. Damkueng Titapiyasakdi tickled audiences with the thought-provoking The Tootsie Horror Show.

News talk

One after another, the TV stations have added more round-the-clock news talk on their programming schedules. We have some good-looking TV anchors (are they journalists?) reading daily events from printed papers. As if they investigated the news themselves, they give comments and have an attitude. Sometimes they just make fun of the news. Some go on to become commercial presenters or entertainment show hosts, leaving their credibility in question.

Media critics have complained that this is a "cheap" way to gather news and present it. Others add that it could be a plan by "you know who" to devalue news credibility. Despite the criticism and suspicions, audiences and sponsors love it.

Eerie? Ewwww!

The 110-million-baht earning Shutter Kod Tid Vinyarn (The Shutter), filled with sure-fire formulas from other Asian ghost movies, paved the way to many more Thai ghost films this year. Chom Kamung Wej (Necromancer) featured witchcraft, Narok (Hell) featured torment after death, Rub Nong (Scared) offered blood-thirsty slashers, Long Kong (Art of the Devil) featured Thai voodoo, Phi Chalui offered comedy and so on. Some of these ghastly, supernatural films were not artistically up to par.

Fraught with digital garbage and lacklustre scripts, some movies went for blood and gore, offering increasingly morbid and unsightly scenes. But this has given a bad name to Thai cinema, which has been on the rise in the regional and international markets. In fact, it's the same scenario of when many producers followed a successful formula in the 1980s, resulting in banal content, poor quality and lack of creativity in the film industry.

Women to Women

Showing off the power beneath the powder has been the Pooying Theung Pooying talk show, which seemed to open a new space for female voices on social issues and gender perspectives. Although the viewpoints were not as varied as its prototype - American talk show The View, which features five American women different in age, race and professional background - it has provided a stage for these women to get their voices heard - until mid-year when they began to dumb down the issues to chit chat on more personal issues, degrading what they've been trying to achieve by perpetuating the stereotypes that women are only good for nonsensical talk and whining. And Pooying Theung Pooying Suay (From Women to Beautiful Women) on the weekends is living proof.

Yes!!!

In the land of television, loud applause should go to edutainment Khun Pra Chuay (Oh My God) that highlights the aesthetics and values of many conventional arts like music and dance, which are well-performed by the younger generation and well-received by the adult audience. As well, TV documentaries by TV Burapa like Khon Kon Kon and Lum Dum feature small people from all walks of life in a more comprehensive and humanistic fashion.

Finding a new home at Metropolis, Dreambox settled itself and recently celebrated the 100th showing of Onlamarn Lung Ban Sai Thong, making it the longest running comedy in Thai contemporary history. Meanwhile Patravadi Theatre successfully ran its Eclipse for over a year and kept open its space for experimental performing arts and dharma drama every weekend.

Compliments should also go to public spaces at TK Park at Central World, the Art and Design Centre at Emporium, Art Auditorium at Bangkok Bank, Hua Lumpong branch, and the upcoming Art and Culture Centre by the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority.

Extravaganza

Takonkiat Veravan, aka Big Boss of Scenario, repeated his success with Tawiphob: The Musical. With its mega investment, spectacle stagecraft and double cast, it was well received by the public and is set to make a comeback early next year.

After a huge investment, Siam Niramit opened its full-size stage and 2,000 seats to tourists. Its 80-minute nightly show might become popular with both tourists and locals alike.

Meanwhile, the newly-opened Siam Paragon offers a venue for marathon shopping and an aquarium for the curious. The ongoing construction of its opera/concert hall, to be finished in the two next years, promises to be extravagant.

Actors of the year

We have two names for Best Actor: First, Tony Ja (Tony who?). How about his Thai name: Panom "Ja" Yeerum? He of the 200-million-baht box-office smash Tom Yum Gung, who excels in martial arts, who flew to Sydney, who fought the Asian mafia and refrained from falling in love just to rescue an abducted elephant (yes, you read that correctly). Hopefully, he can save the future of Thai movies in Hollywood too.

Neck-in-neck, the award should also go to his co-star, comedian/ actor Mum Jokmok. He can't beat virile Ja neither in the movie nor in reality. But he deserves this title because of the fact that his other two movies, Cherm and Yam Yasothorn earned 30 million baht and 100 million baht, respectively.

Best actress of the year is Napakaprapa Nakprasit from Long Kong (Art of the Devil), who recently protested against the Supanahongse Movie Award committee, which put her in the Best Supporting Actress category. She felt it was unfair as she was the lead actress in the movie. But Somsak Teecharattanaprasert, who organised the award ceremony, did not agree. Interestingly enough, one Best Actress nominee has already been granted to preteen Grace, Somsak's daughter, for her role in Er Ler (Oh Yeah!).

Reality TV

How could we do a yearly wrap-up without including reality TV shows, that aggressive global trend? We still have many copycats of Western reality TV shows, including Thailand Next Top and Big Brother. Many localised versions like Hi-so Ban Nok and Jor Jai featured celebrities in hardship.

The favourites remain the singing contests, like The Star and Academy Fantasia 2, which seem to be less spellbinding because audiences now know what to expect.

Surprise is one key to success in this genre and so is controversy. Phrom Likit (Destiny), a blind date on television that toys with love on the tube, was sacked after a month. On Big Brother, a taxi motorcyclist was looked down on by other contestants, who were mostly middle class, so he gained public sympathy and won. The producers of Academy Fantasia 2 brought back the vote-out and consumer groups fret over the money that voters spend on SMS and MMS.

One thing is sure: Money is flowing among mobile phone companies, cable subscriptions, advertisements and sponsorships. Audiences will pay for their entertainment, no matter what.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Straits Times (Singapore) dated Wednesday 28 December 2005 :-


Man Says Thai Hotels Not Ready for Tsunami

By Alisa Tang
Associated Press Writer

PHUKET, Thailand (AP) -- A leading meteorologist who was accused of scare-mongering when he warned nearly eight years ago that a tsunami could strike Thailand said Tuesday that coastal hotels and resorts are still unprepared for another killer wave.

Smith Thammasaroj said tourist facilities along the Thai coast, where last year's tsunami killed nearly 5,400 people, have not yet hooked into the well-functioning National Disaster Warning Center, which would give quick notice of an approaching tsunami or other disaster.

"At the moment, they (hotels) do not even have a map or instructions to tell the guests what do" in a tsunami, Thammasaroj said Tuesday, a day after thousands of Thais and foreigners gathered on beaches to mourn the dead from the tragedy last Dec. 26.

Smith, the warning center's deputy director, led Thailand's meteorological department when he warned in 1998 that the country's southwest coast could face a deadly tsunami. Criticized then for causing panic and jeopardizing the critical tourist industry around the tropical resort island of Phuket, Smith retired under a shadow. He was rapidly returned to government service when his prediction proved accurate.

He complained Tuesday that hotels are willing to spend millions of dollars to rebuild but not some $12,000 more "to buy a small warning system and link into the government system to warn their guests." He noted that there was no legal requirement for them to do so.

However, some hotels said they have made preparations.

"We've done rehearsals. We've practiced. We have fliers. We have signage and information in each hotel room to inform the guests," said Asnee Kankaew, resident manager of the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket. The tsunami destroyed the first floor of the hotel on Phuket's popular Patong Beach, and some guests died.

Smith has also been critical of Thailand's meteorologists. At the time of the tsunami, he said that staff at the meteorological department working on Dec. 26 knew what was coming but failed to act because they were ignored earlier.

"They knew exactly what was going to happen, but they ... were afraid to make a decision, because they believed if they made a wrong forecast they would get blamed," Smith said.

The department has said it knew about the earthquake and the possibility that it could trigger a tsunami about an hour before waves began slamming ashore, but officials said they had no way to determine the size of the waves - and therefore the threat they posed - and were reluctant to issue a warning without such information because it could harm the tourism industry and anger the government.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered an investigation in January but the results have never been made public.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 29 December 2005 :-

Thailand to get 30 large new hotels in 2006

Thai and foreign hotel operators plan to open about 30 hotels with 20,000 rooms next year. Of the total, 12,000 rooms will be located in Bangkok and the rest will be in major tourist destinations like Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and newly popular locales like Koh Lanta in Krabi and Koh Chang in Trat.

New hotels slated to open in Bangkok include the Hilton Millennium, Central World Hotel, The Regent Sukhumvit and Park Plaza brands under the Radisson Group, Holiday Inn Sukhumvit, Millennium Le Meridien, three Ibis brand hotels of the Accor Group, and the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

The new Bangkok airport and Chiang Mai Night Safari were important factors driving the increase in rooms, according to Prakit Chinamourphong, vice president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA). Also, many service apartments see benefits if they add hotel services under an impending change to the law governing hotels and serviced apartments. Under the legislation only hotels can market rooms on a daily basis, and if serviced apartment operators want to rent by the day they must pay the same taxes as hotels do.

Under current law serviced apartments can offer rooms by the day without paying hotel-related taxes.

According to the THA, Bangkok’s hotel occupancy this year has been 72.8 per cent, compared to 78.8 per cent in 2004. The average in the central region is 65 per cent; the North, 68 per cent; the South, 50 per cent; the eastern seaboard, 61 per cent; and 60 per cent in the far western provinces.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s foreign tourist target for 2006 is 13.4 million arrivals, compared to an original target of 15 million.

The THA also outlined its marketing plans for 2006. It will organise sales missions to deal with travel agents in markets with growth potential. The organisation with the Association of Thai Travel Agents will hold a seminar to educate members on market needs, starting with the Chinese market.

Chalong Anunyapisit, general manager of Radisson Hotel Bangkok, said new hotels would sprout in Bangkok as more international tourists, particularly business people and incentive travellers, visit the Kingdom.

“Thailand has succeeded in implementing trade agreements with many countries. This will help the country bring in more business travellers,” said Chalong.

Accor Asia Pacific said its latest property, Ibis Fenix Bangkok, with 150 rooms, would open in late 2006 at a prime location on Sukhumvit Road.

“We are confident in the Ibis brand track record in Asia and in Accor’s ability to deliver positive results,” said Michael Issenberg, managing director of Accor Asia Pacific.

Ibis hotels have been launched in South Korea and China and have exceeded all predictions with occupancy rates of more than 90 per cent during the hotels’ first two years of operation. He expressed confidence in achieving similar results in Bangkok.

Moreover, the 189-room Ibis Siam Bangkok is five minutes from the popular Pratunam shopping area and the 288-room Ibis Huamark Bangkok is near Ramkamheng University and the Hua Mark Stadium.

In southern Thailand’s Phang Nga province, 1,200 rooms have been reconstructed and were open for business, accounting for 20 per cent of all rooms before the tsunami, said Anupong Sa-nguannam, president of theTourist Association.

Phang Nga operators had reserved 600 rooms for guests of the government for tsunami memorial events, he said.

Khao Lak has an advantage in being the starting point for scuba diving trips to marine destinations including the Surin and Similan islands as well as Phang Nga Bay.

In Chiang Mai the tourism industry has expanded thanks to more elaborate Songkran and Loy Kratong festivals, and the new Chiang Mai Night Safari.

To tap the market in Chiang Mai, Central Hotels and Resorts announced development plans for new properties including management of the Daungtawan Hotel.

Central Pattaya Beach Resort will open in 2008, Central Phuket Beach Resort in 2009 and Central Krabi Bay Resort opened in December 2005.

Central also plans to develop hotels with 200 to 300 rooms on Koh Lanta, 200 rooms on Koh Tao, 200 to 300 rooms in Rayong’s Koh Kood.

Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 29 December 2005 :-

Khon Kaen gold shops hit by wave of fake jewellery

Numerous gold shops in Khon Kaen province have fallen victim to a scam whereby partly fake gold ornaments are pawned as real gold. The fraud spree may be aided by expert goldsmiths taking advantage of high gold prices, police said.

A department store-based branch of the Mae Thongphool Gold Shop chain in the northeastern province – all of whose 15 branches have been conned – pawned a partly fake gold necklace weighing 91 grams for more than Bt40,000.

Areerat Naononethong, a store clerk, said fake and real gold chains had been expertly mixed in single gold necklaces, making it difficult for staff to realise the ruse at once.

Inspection of gold to determine its authenticity is usually done by help of a simple chemical test performed on only the hook of each necklace, Areerat explained.

A more reliable test entails burning part of the gold ornament in fire or filing off the coating of individual chains to examine if the material is indeed authentic gold, and not simple gold-coated base metal. Most owners, however, refuse such tampering for fear of damage to their jewellery.

Chana Jarukamnerdkanok, head of the association of gold shops in Nakhon Ratchasima, said a large number of cases involving the pawning or selling of fake gold ornaments had also been reported in the province.

He said his association had warned all local gold shop owners to conduct filing-off tests before buying or pawning gold necklaces.

Chana said a mandatory file-off test would be conducted on every necklace being sold to his shop. He added that although sincere sellers were generally cooperative, most of them refused the test because it would devalue their necklaces.

Pol Colonel Sakda Techakriangkrai called on the public to buy gold jewellery only from accredited gold shops rather than from pawnshops.

The officer said that police suspected that some expert goldsmiths had participated in the wide-scale fraud by interweaving fake gold chains with real ones in necklaces.

[U-Need]

Only a few days are left before the New Year starts. This not only marks a change of years, but also a happy time for wishing others well, personally or through wishing cards. It is also a time for giving gifts to one another. Normally, one or two months ahead of the year-end, a wide variety of products are put on sale to accommodate consumer demand. Among the merchandise commonly seen at supermarkets, department stores, discount stores and shops are 'gift baskets' to cater to New Year celebrants. A wide selection of gift baskets with exquisite packaging and a range of prices, from hundreds to tens of thousands of Baht, are on offer. Based on a survey on the New Year's gift shopping behavior of Bangkok residents, using a sampling group of 979 persons, aged between 15-65 years, and conducted by Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) December 6-11, 2005, it was found that Bangkok residents plan to spend around THB635 million on gift baskets for the 2006 New Year holiday.

Around 47.7 percent of the sampling group mentioned that they would purchase gift baskets. Most of them also bought baskets last year. Among the key factors in their decision-making on purchases of gift baskets, this year, is the kind of products put into the baskets. Health products come first as the most sought-after products. Meanwhile, most consumers are paying attention to the actual prices of each product arranged in the gift baskets, considering the value for money as one of the main criteria in their purchases. In addition, other details of products are also taken into account, i.e., the expiry dates and quality of products. Therefore, both the public and private sectors should seriously cooperate in monitoring product quality, so that the New Year will bring us real happiness.