Meanwhile, in the past decade the consortium's annual budget has shrunk by half—to US $17.5 million—even while resident numbers declined by only 30 percent during the same period. Much of that drop is due to resettlements in third countries, such as the United States and Australia, but those left behind can no longer apply for such status.
* Watch the 1926 Funeral of Thai King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)—South China Morning Post
The later parts of this footage are probably from the cremation day. You can see the large urn with the king’s body being transferred from the grounds of the Royal Palace. It was gold exterior encasing a silver urn that contained the king's body.
* Binod Chaudhary Helps Rebuild Nepal—Forbes Asia
Since then Nepal's first billionaire has pledged $2.5 million through his Chaudhary Foundation to restore schools and homes destroyed or damaged by the quake. The foundation will bear all the costs of building 1,000 transitional bamboo-and-plaster homes and is working with other donors to construct another 9,000
* Funeral of Late Thai King May Not Be for Tourists; Here’s How to Pay Respects—South China Morning Post
Estimates that one million people might gather here during the period are probably conservative, says Tongthong Chandransu, a law professor and expert on Thai royal funeral ceremonies. “After all, 500,000 people showed up last year on October 14 to observe when the king’s body was transferred across the river from Siriraj Hospital to the Grand Palace,” he says.
* Thai Elections Postponed As Violence Hits Tourist Territory—Forbes
If you're already ensconced there, give these rally sites a very wide berth. You can even take a "taxi boat" from Phra Athit pier to piers near the Grand Palace, Wat Po and the National Museum. Don't take the San Saeb Canal boats which run eastward from Wat Saket. Get back to your hotel area by dark and don't wander out to the Democracy Monument area.
Susan J Cunningham 