The same day as the protest in Poipet, Thai police closed the pier where boats carry gamblers across the Mekong to the Paradise Resort.

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Thai stocks have been on a roll this year, along with the Thai currency which hit a five-year high on the day that I met the musician at a dinner party.

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"I try not to remember all the details, " said Thai hotel manager Wisut Kasayapanand, who still has painful memories of that fateful day.

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ATHENS, Greece -- Udomporn Polsak became the first Thai woman to strike Olympic gold as Asian athletes enjoyed another medal-laden day at the Games.

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And though landmarks such as the central market clock tower may help you orientate yourself somewhat, chances are a map of your exact wanderings after a day out at Chatuchak would resemble most closely a plate of pad thai noodles.

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Unfortunately, Thip Samai was closed that day, so we headed to his restaurant instead and began with a plate of his pad Thai.

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Designed for clients who relish privacy and personalized services but also want to be able to use the Internet or their cell phones or otherwise conduct business between sessions of Thai massage, the suite is composed of two connected rooms and can be booked by the hour or the day.

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Vatsaloo picked up Srithap's Thai-Laotian dialect, and accompanied him back to his village--in those days, a three-day trip.

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