And that's my opinion

Swine Flu

Thailand's Health Department has muzzled provincial health administrators from talking to the press. Bangkok Post
At one end of this directive is of course that only one agency should gather the data and release information, to avoid confusion and duplication/
On the other end, this may delay vital information of regional outbreaks.
Keep in mind, the Swine Flu (H1N1), is simply another flu which has been getting more press than any previous flu.

David Carradine
My condolences to all the friends and relatives.
Investigations are incomplete, the media frenzy intensifies;

Murdered By Transsexual Hookers? Read that article at starpulse,com

Death by Masturbation Sect. Read that article at NOT THE Nation

Thailand's Tourism Industry is in despair. They need to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

More pressing than tourism is the increasing unemployment

Massive jobs programs are needed.

Unemployed tend to resort to criminal acts, just to survive. Crime is up.

Tourists tend to stay clear of known high crime areas,

unless may be criminals themselves.

Phuket Wan reports that Visa runs are way down

I suspect that the recently enacted four trip limit has many tourists going elsewhere.

The nations airport arrivals are one third of last years (June) arrivals.

Last years wasn't such a great year for tourism either.

Local arrivals (Sakonnakhon) do not seem to suffer as heavily.
I am receiving almost daily mails asking for information, indicating immediate travel plans.

The person considering a side trip to Vientiane, I recommend some time in Nong Kai with a trip to Wat Keak