HumbleFlyer

For those using United check you time as they are now out a bit earlier. Being that they have unlimited gate at NRT and pay for gate at BKK I can understand the the 474 arriving (!@#$%$%^) with a depart of 7 hours is a costly deal.... I have 0645 and 0640 for Oct and Nov. Beware, whilst one might want a last boom you might get delayed for the play???

Here is the story: Thursday, June 9, 2005 Phuket to host gay festival rejected by Singapore PHUKET CITY: Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has given the green light for the province to host Asia’s largest gay and lesbian festival, the Nation Party, after the organizers’ application for a license to hold the annual event in Singapore was turned down. The three-day festival will now be held in Phuket, starting November 4. The festival, organized by the website Fridae.com, has been held in Singapore for the past four years. It was dubbed the Nation Party because it coincided with the August 9 Independence Day, which has long been used by the island-state’s government to promote a sense of national unity among Singapore’s diverse ethnic groups. The license application for this year’s festival, however, was turned down in a faxed reply to Fridae.com from the Singapore Police, which described the event as “contrary to public interestâ€. Singapore’s Minister of Health was later quoted as saying that concern about the spread of HIV among Singapore residents resulting from the influx of foreigners attending the festival was a factor in the decision. Officials in Phuket, desperate for a reversal of the post-tsunami tourism slump, appear more than happy to host the festival. Gov Udomsak played down concerns that it could result in a spread of the HIV virus in Phuket. “We already host one annual Gay Festival in Phuket, and nobody ever has any trouble with it,†he said. “[The organizers] have the right to hold it here as long as they don’t break any laws or engage in immoral practices.†Suwalai Pinpradab, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office in Phuket, said she expects at least 2,000 people to attend the festival, each spending at least 4,000 baht a day. She added that the TAT was not opposed to the festival as long as revelers cause no harm to others. Commenting on potential health concerns, Patong Hospital Deputy Director Padungkiet Utokasenee said that Aids is a health and behavioral issue affecting all people, not just gays, and that nobody could know for sure which tourists coming into Phuket might be infected with the HIV virus that causes the disease. She said that, far from opposing the festival, the Ministry of Public Health would instead use it as an opportunity to promote Aids awareness. She said she expected 3,000 to 4,000 people to make their way to Phuket for the party. Fridae.com reported the results of an independent survey that showed that some 40% of the visitors to the 2004 Nation festival in Singapore were foreign tourists and that the event generated close to US$6 million (244 million baht) in revenue.

I've been getting different reports on the NEW sales hours. Seems they differ from location to location but are to be standard LOS wide? Please ring in on the hours of off sale package stores. Seems that Bars are open wide at will??????

Beautiful Optical They have offices all over Thailand. Can give you a test, make from a script, or test another pair of glasses and much cheaper. I help with a 10yr old boys expenses and he goes thru about 4 pair a year due to breakage.... Beautiful Optical...ist a Beautiful thing,,,,

Thanks for the info. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting the dornor we have a common friend whom says we are both pleasantly plump! Thaatg being said I need to be able to avoid coach seats, what say you all??

It is the Marriott policy in Thailand to not charge for guests. I've been at the following:\ J.W. Sukhumvit Marriott Resort and Spa on the River in BKK Pattaya Hua Hin Never a problem, infact at the J.W. in BKK all he male staff gave me a wink when I strolled in with a pair from Morning Night Bar. One was a staffer and the other was a BG who suggested we wait for the staffer as myh Staff would get very good service!

As to the seating info try www.seatguru.com and that will be of help! It is fair to say that most airlines know whom there best customers are and serve them accordingly. On the print out for seating in non econ your status is usually added. I go with United and as a 1K million miler I get the royal treatment. '04 will have me make 5 trips to LOS, all on United in Business Class and paying really cheap prices upgrading with perks offered to 100,000 mile flyers! I really think that the service you receive being based on status is very overlooked in most reports. Look at www.flyertalk.com for more info! I hope adding the links is not considered as SPAM, I'm not vested in either site. Unlike the bloke whom is SPAMing a commerical site here which is really rude!