PRAGUE, TRAVEL INFORMATION

The Vltava river runs north into Prague before its first major bend, 90 degrees toward the east. It's at this crook in the river where Old Town sits. Directly across the Charles Bridge to the west, intimate, mysterious Mala Strana's narrow lanes line the hills up to the castle. New Town lies to the south, and Vinohrady out to the east. Northern New Town and Wenceslas Square host most of the city's businesses and major shopping areas, while the southern part of New Town and Vinohrady are quieter and more residential, but have many excellent restaurants and cafés. Addresses generally start on the side nearest to the river and go up numerically as you move farther away.
The city is divided into 15 administrative districts (most visitors will want to stay in Prague 1 and Prague 2, within the historic area bordered by Prague Castle to the northwest and the National Museum at the southeast end of Wenceslas Square). Each district is made up of numerous neighborhoods, such as Old Town and Mala Strana, but confusingly, the names and numbers don't always match up. Vinohrady, for example, sprawls into parts of Prague 3 and 10, though most of it lies in Prague 2.
It's common to hear foreigners, even those from leafy burgs, comment on just how green Prague is. Two major parks (Stromovka and Letenske Sady) stand across the river from Old Town to the north, and there are also major reserves at Petrin and around Prague Castle.

WHEN TO GO

First and foremost, avoid high summer. In July and August, Prague is more crowded than Venice; December, with Christmas markets and picturesque snow, can be almost as bad. Spring is the best time to visit in every way, though it can remain cool through May (with a possible burst of warm sun in April). Fall is fine, too, but it can be damp.

HOW TO GET THERE

Czech Airlines offers direct flights to Prague from the U.S., flying from both JFK and Newark, though Delta will start direct connections from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson in May 2007.
Also known as Ruzyne, Prague Airport is about a 30-minute drive from downtown, and a taxi connection should cost about 700 CZK, or around $32. The Visa-brand taxis—a fleet of shiny gray VW Passats—look attractive, but they have a reputation for bad driving. Check for a cab from AAA, Profi, or Rony instead—there's a taxi stand just outside the arrivals gate. Almost as fast is the 119 bus; there's a stop just on the other side of the taxi stand. A 20-CZK ticket is good for one person all the way to the line's terminus at Dejvicka metro station, and it's also valid for a continuing metro or tram ride. (Be careful: The 100 express bus uses the same stop, but it lands in far-out Zlicin.) On your way back, another 20-CZK ticket will get you to the airport in about 40 minutes from Dejvicka.
Most international trains arrive at either Holesovice or Hlavni Nadrazi (Main Station), both of which are on Prague's C metro line. Bus travel is one of the fastest ways to get to the Czech capital from neighboring destinations like Dresden. Most buses arrive at the Florenc bus station, just steps from the Florenc metro, a connecting station for the C and B lines.

GETTING AROUND

Bring sturdy shoes: Despite (or because of) the cobbles and hills, Prague is made for walking. Pick up a good pocket-size map like the Prague Pocket Atlas, available at most newsstands—though getting lost in labyrinthine Old Town and Mala Strana is much of the fun. Trams and the metro are efficient ways to travel outside the center. If you plan to use the metro more than a few times, buy a three-day (220 CZK, about $10) or weeklong (280 CZK, about $12) pass. Two Travel Information Centers sell passes and mini maps every day until 10 p.m. at Prague Airport. Stamp your ticket when you use first use it, either at the entrance to the metro or on a tram. It's not valid otherwise, and if you get caught by one of the plainclothes inspectors, the penalty is the same as for riding without a ticket, and you'll be subject to an annoying fine and an even more annoying lecture. For schedules and complete information in English, go to www.dpp.cz.
Taxis here still have a bad reputation, but thanks to some major scandals after the country's EU entry in 2004, crooked cabbies are largely out of business. Be sure to take a cab from a reputable agency like AAA, Rony, or Profi. Unassociated cars lurking outside the city's Irish pubs and other tourist haunts are more likely to be among the few remaining crooks.

LONDON, TRAVEL INFORMATION

London is divided into 33 boroughs, including Islington, Camden, and the City of London (the financial district, otherwise known as the City or the Square Mile). It's also loosely divided into north and south by the snaking Thames. Most of London's big sights are located north of the Thames (although the south is catching up, with Tate Modern, the London Eye, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre). Central London (including the West End) is home to the major tourist areas—Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus—while the more upscale neighborhoods, including Knightsbridge, Chelsea, and Kensington, are farther west. The traditionally working-class, and still gritty, East End, which includes Spitalfields, Shoreditch, and Hoxton, is the place to hang out—for the moment. London's second financial district, the rejuvenated Docklands and Canary Wharf, is in the east. The most run-down areas of the East End—the site of the 2012 Olympics—will be transformed as part of a massive rejuvenation program in preparation for hosting the Games. While some imagine London's urban sprawl to be a gray old place, it's actually 30 percent green, with eight Royal Parks, including Regent's Park and Hyde Park, and 39 urban ones that provide plenty of places to escape the madding crowd.

WHEN TO GO

Go anytime. London has no off-season. The weather is famously unpredictable but rarely extreme. That said, recent summers have featured a run of hot weather (up to the 90s), which is hard to take in a city in which air-conditioning is exotic. Rain happens anytime, so bring an umbrella. November through New Year's is festive, starting with fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night (though if you visit over the Christmas to New Year's period, when everyone takes time off work, expect the city to be dead). Spring, from April to early June, is lovely, and in summer everyone's spirits get a lift—locals pack the sidewalk tables, spill out of pubs, and lay out in the parks on their lunch hour.

HOW TO GET THERE

Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, lies 12 miles west of London (www.heathrowairport.com). After many teething problems, British Airway's flagship new Terminal 5 (T5) is now open (800-247-9297; www.britishairways.com). Eventually the majority of BA's flights to and from the United States will operate exclusively from T5. The majority of other airlines flying to and from the States use Terminal 3 or Terminal 4. There are several ways to get to central London from Heathrow; the best is via the Heathrow Express rail link, which reaches Paddington Station in West London in 15 minutes (44-845-600-1515; www.heathrowexpress.com). Licensed taxis are also available; fares are metered and traffic can be very heavy, so expect to pay at least £55 (about $110) for a trip to the West End. Alternatively, many car-service companies offer fixed-fare advance booking online (www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire/london-guide.html). There's also the Tube, including a new station serving T5 customers (44-20-7222-1234; www.tfl.gov.uk/tube).
Gatwick Airport is 28 miles south of London (www.gatwickairport.com). Flights from the States use both the North and the South terminals. Gatwick Express transports passengers to Victoria in 30 minutes, though it takes a bit longer on Sundays (44-121-410-5015; www.gatwickexpress.com). Other trains service London Bridge and King's Cross. All leave from the rail station at the South Terminal; there's a free transit train from the North Terminal. A taxi into central London takes approximately 65 minutes and costs around $145, depending on traffic. The airport's official taxi partner is Checker Cars, which operates a fare-quote system so you can pay in advance (44-129-356-7700; www.checkercars.com).
American Airlines is now operating a daily service to New York's JFK (two flights each day from August 2008 onward) from Stansted Airport in the county of Essex, situated 32 miles northeast of London. The Stansted Express runs every 15 minutes (with a journey time of 45 minutes) to and from Liverpool Street in London's financial district (44-845-600-7245; www.stanstedexpress.com). The airport's official taxi partner is Checker Cars, which operates a fare-quote system so you can pay in advance (44-127-966-1111; www.checkercars.com).

GETTING AROUND

THE UNDERGROUND
The London Underground—or the Tube, as it's generally known—runs from approximately 5:30 a.m. until just after midnight. Its 12 lines, plus the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), are a quick and relatively cheap way of getting around. London is divided into six zones; ticket prices rise each time you travel between zones. Most visitors will stay in Zones 1 and 2, except to go to the airport. Tickets are required for both entry and exit and are available from automated machines (some take credit cards, some are cash only) as well as the station ticket office. Tickets can also be purchased before arrival at www.ticket-on-line.com.
There is a confusing number of ticket types available for travel within London. An Oyster card is the ticket of choice for most Londoners and the best option for visitors. An initial fee of £3 (about $5.80) can save you up to £1.50 (about $2.75) per trip. Single-journey tickets and unlimited Travel Cards (for one, three, or seven consecutive days) are also available. The price increases depending on how many zones you include.
BUSES
Sadly, London's iconic red double-decker buses have been phased out, retained only as an attraction on two heritage routes. Their modern replacements admittedly do have better access for disabled passengers and strollers. Either pay the driver the exact fare (£1.50, or about $2.75), show your Travel Card, or swipe your Oyster. If there's a yellow sign at the bus stop, you need to buy your ticket at the machine before boarding. Buses use the same zone system as the Tube. If you find yourself stranded after the Underground closes, catch one of the night buses, clearly marked with a large N, which run from 11:30 pm to 6 am. Go to www.tfl.gov.uk/buses to check routes.
TAXIS
Drivers of London's legendary black cabs have to pass the Knowledge, a two-year series of study and exams, before they can join the ranks. The meter starts at £2.40 (about $4.75), and the final price depends upon distance, taxi speed, and time of day. A one-mile trip taking five minutes will cost approximately £4.35 (about $8.50) during the weekday, about £4.80 (about $9.45) after 8 pm and on weekends, and £5.45 (about $10.75) after 10 pm or on public holidays. Taxis can be hailed on the street or ordered (for a minimal surcharge). Several black-cab companies can be reached via telephone through One Number taxi bookings: 44-871-871-8710. Check www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ for more taxi information.

Minicabs are another option, especially late at night. Beware of unmarked minicabs; only order one by telephone or at a minicab office (see a licensed list at www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/). Minicabs are unmetered and charge by distance.
CAR RENTAL
Rush hour is horrendous, parking is difficult and expensive, there's a daily "congestion charge" for driving in central London, and other drivers show little mercy for the uninitiated. Oh yeah, and the Brits drive on the left. If you insist, the major agencies all have offices here.

TOURIST INFO

British Tourist Authority
1 Regent Street
Piccadilly Circus
London, England
SW1Y 4NR
Tel: 44 207 234 5800
Open Mon 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Tues–Fri 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and Sat–Sun 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
U.S. Office
551 Fifth Avenue (at 45th street)
Suite 701
New York, New York
10176
Tel: 800 462 2748
Open Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
View England Factsheet

CENTER FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE ADDRESS People 's Association WORKER

CENTER FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE ADDRESS People 's Association WORKER
Number: 237/PI/KP-PRP/e/V/10
(Presented at the 12th Year of Reform)

Put Action: Galang Workers Union of People's Organization!

Jakarta, May 20th, 2010

    tanggalkan blinders that!
    a very long shackle
    restrict vision
    narrow minds
    blunting feelings
    (Snippets of poetry in the wind Burangrang blinders: The Old Farmer's poems, by Samsir Mohamad)



Comrades in arms,
Not felt, had 12 years of reform in Indonesia journey that begins with the fall of military dictator Suharto from the presidency (which occupies over 32 years) in the year 1998, as a result of the increasingly heightened the resistance actions of millions of people in almost all regions of Indonesia. Events on May 12, 1998 is adding a note on the history of the struggle of working people, in the month of May, against an oppressive regime and the system and sucking.
Reform Just Illusions
Comrades in arms,
May save a puzzle-the puzzle of consciousness that created a reverse flow of events that explain the existence of the fire resistance of the working people to the regime of power. We begin with the May 1 events are then assigned to the International Labor Day is the ultimate success of the Second International Congress at Paris in 1889, where Raymond Lavigne propose to hold a demonstration on 1 May 1890 as a memorial and tribute to the massacre Hay Market in Chicago in 1886 . Furthermore, throughout the world until now, all the trade unions and supported by elements of the social movement to make May 1 (later known as May Day) as an expression of unwavering unity and mass action as serbuah method of struggle for Socialism, led by the working class (Rosa Luxemburg , 1913). Not long ago we were commemorating and set May 8 as the Day of Women Workers Struggle Marsinah death based on momentum-female workers when the strike action.
May 2 while designated as National Education Day to commemorate the birthday of Ki Hajar Dewantoro, which embodies an alternative education to counter the hegemony of the colonial through the racist educational system to the natives. Even today our education system is still in cengekraman neoliberal regime that requires the people of third world workers as unskilled labor, and do not have the ability to create, assemble other than mere.
Twelve years ago, has not vanished from our memory, the shooting of Trisakti University students on May 12, 1998, amid the struggle of students of the New Order regime's overthrow. Not dry the tears for that, a sudden burst of events that until now could not we understand, the mass chaos that led the people who obviously do not burn the building residential and shopping complex in Jakarta, doing looting of goods, and sexual violence against women hard. It's odd, in the midst of the chaos of it suddenly hundreds of military forces facing each other prior to the student movement, disappeared from sight. The resistance of the people who spearheaded the student movement in the end won the battle, the end of their tenure as president Soeharto on May 21, 1998. At almost the same day, 102 years ago, on May 20, 1908 in Batavia, the youths confirmed their awareness of reverse flow by building an organization that is against the hegemony of colonial ideology. Youth organization, was named Boedi Oetomo. Once one still feels the Java-centric, but is essentially menyalanya spark of fire resistance.
However, always and always wins and the people were then looted by the power diplintir bourgeoisie. Those who prefer this style of capitalism, imperialism and neoliberalism, still managing Indonesia as a source of raw materials, labor, and at the same market. Victory of people's movement down Soeharto finally diplintir extent of neoliberal-style reform movement for restoration of the sources of exploitation and distribution in Indonesia. This is all within the framework of the recovery of the global financial crisis in 1997, where political openness in Indonesia, a requirement. Students and people, even those that become victims of the 1997 economic crisis and humanitarian crime 12 to 14 May 1998, the marginalized and alienated from the direction of the reform itself. Some are losing confidence in the people's movement and became a part of the status quo of the bourgeoisie.
Very Clearly, reform of the authoritarian New Order is a straight road to build Indonesia as a state-controlled regime of neo-liberal market. Reform is a route full of illusion toward democracy and economic growth improved. Proved that working people in number 90% of total labor force in Indonesia (BPS, 2007) increasing the choices facing rare to live and survive. Work as farmers, factory workers, fishermen, drivers, sex workers, even the pickpockets, not a free choice of a profession to "become" (to be). This is a problem when land and sea more and more taken for investment, while in 2004 the working system outsourcing and mass layoffs became a ghost for the hundreds of thousands of workers. So what happens is that the floating labor force without a production base for sure. This is fact, proven to accelerate proletarization reform in Indonesia, and they are to survive with debt in various forms of in kind or money. Hence, must be put into question, where digit anatra 4-7 percent economic growth was obtained, if the debt is joint micro economy, both to cover the cost of production and consumption of household labor, farmers, fishermen and the working people in general? From here we reiterate, that reform has essentially failed since the discourse of the elite bourgeoisie was made at that time. Because, when resistance to the rise of the Suharto regime, the struggle of working people who spearheaded the student is not a reform proposal, but the regime and the system must be uprooted.
The movement culminated in the overthrow of the regime in 1998, has failed to prove the facts to win people's welfare workers. Generally, the working people have an illusion to believe the presence of Tartuffe, the savior of human destruction. Who Tartuffe? He figures the creation of Moliere (French writer), in a paper titled his play Tartuffe. Tartuffe bertampilan The man who always carried and read the scriptures, whose words of wisdom like a knife, whose behavior polite and humble, who reached into a generous and merciful to give Tartuffe facility in his home life. Not him in holiness and kesantunnya baalik, Tartuffe trying to loot the philanthropist and the wife's body has a systematic plan for all his wealth looted treasures. Tartuffe behavior that could eventually diblejeti and destroyed his wife's generous and household workers. People who bertampilan pure, clean (Mr. Clean) and wise but full power of evil in it then called "Tartuffe". In our country there are a lot of "Tartuffe" a rollicking victory thwart people's resistance. Illusion of working people consumed by the display "Tartuffe" is sacred and chose to lead the country. The "Tartuffe" led the nation with a glorious and corrupt plundering the people's sovereignty over the state, in the aspect of wealth, power, and ideology. In the aspect of wealth, we feel the expropriation of land evictions of farmers and people in the name of public facility development. In the aspect of energy, we feel the laborers had been squeezed until the drops of perspiration dry. In the aspect of ideology, we have dihegemoni with the illusion of free market trade and investment in Indonesia will open up employment and economic growth, where the surplus can be accepted by the people as social security, such as BLT, Jamkemas, PNPN Mandiri, and so forth.
The Illusion versus the Union of Working Class struggle
Comrades in arms,
Thankfully, after the reforms fail, the struggle of the workers showed a militant. Bertumbuhan trade unions against the illusion of freedom of association, and since 2004 against outsourcing and mass layoffs, privatization of state enterprises, as well as manufacturing plants that culminate pailitisasi mass layoffs. Trade union movement flourished in the foundation of the struggle of economism. In fact, there are trade union federations that increase its strength to the trade union confederation in Indonesia, namely the Confederation KASBI (Indonesian Trade Union Congress Alliance), KSPSI (Confederation of All Indonesian Workers Union), KSPI (Indonesian Trade Union Congress), and KSBSI (Confederate States Indonesian Prosperous Trade Union). The existence of trade union confederations are significant enough to fight and to break the hegemony of the ideology of the New Order regime dikembangsuburkan workers who are still under the leadership of the neoliberal regime of SBY. Ideology is a system of beliefs about the partnership working class (working class) with capitalist corporations and government providers. Delusional, economism labor rights are discussed in the family atmosphere with a range penghisapnya and of course this is an illusion about the harmonization of the impossible. How can workers fight for their welfare can sit together with the corporate capitalists, as a representation of capitalist squeezing more value from the sweat of labor? While penyelanggara governance has become a capitalist roader would prefer crumbs capitalist economism rather than ensuring the needs of workers.
However, the trade union movement has to be alert to the threat of degeneration of unions due to closure of the factory (on behalf of the bankrupt), relocation, privatization, layoffs, and outsourcing. Especially in the manufacturing sector, services, and agribusiness, we have witnessed the dissolution of unions because of the factors mentioned above. One thing to consider is how the union is not broke, despite the layoffs, and workers' struggles can be sustained, even a small compensation was given to that experienced mass layoffs. This is the true challenges of the labor movement!
Until here, the labor movement can not fight economism limited to the level of mere survival. The labor movement should be improved to power, taking over the means of production, and then build a control mechanism at the level of production, management, and distribution. Trade unions must have a takeover strategy when the factory was closed and declared bankrupt. In a number of factories in Tangerang, North Jakarta, Karawang, Semarang, Jombang, and Surabaya, the occupation of factories by the workers' stories have taken place since 2004, when they try to defend their owners want to sell. However, the factory occupation movement is still limited to waiting for the severance of the receivership team that conduct asset sales. After receiving severance pay, most unions were also disbanded. This is what should be a new strategy for trade union confederation, to support and improve qualitatively the occupation of the factory into the takeover movement of production equipment, and then lead the sustainability of such trade union under the control of the production process of labor management.
The struggle of the workers had to be increased from economism problem becomes a political struggle for power under workers' control. Resistance to neo-liberal regime, both at the policy and ideology, must be done through a national strike, the acquisition of production equipment, as well as mastery of the national industry under workers' control.
The struggle of the labor movement should join the peasant movement. Trade unions to build practical cooperation is economic and political union with the peasantry. Things should be cooperation under the leadership of the confederation, so that cooperation can be encouraged from under developed and expanded. Therefore, farmers' union confederation should be formed, after reaching land takeover movement and / or retain land that snatched the owners of capital. So farmers have to think of union control over the production, distribution, and market prices. For, the problems faced by farmers include the increasingly scarce land ownership independent of, the products do not comply with the cost of production because prices are determined by the market, forcing monoculture, the production of a count of voluntary labor, capital and technology-dependent network of retail dealers who descended on the agencies large agencies. From here already seems clear that people's agricultural production has been successfully created 100% depending on the market. Farmer bankruptcies caused by controlling the market price and the quality of agricultural products is determined by the neoliberal regime. Bankruptcy is basically the farmers' buruhisasi "in the agricultural sector. Today, about half the farmers in Indonesia have become farm laborers, who if not on the production season they become construction workers or service workers. Almost similar to the farmer, fisherman in Indonesia is a state of the struggle has not been organized into unions are widespread and spreading.
Unity of Action Against divide
Comrades in arms,
It is our duty to encourage unions classes above, organized by a confederation led by a political party and the struggle it is in the unity of action. We collected the words of Lenin:

    In the midst of the struggle at that time, absolutely necessary existence of a unity of action. In the heat of battle, where every vein of the proletariat army was moving so high, no matter what we allow criticism. But before the action is determined, there must be a broad and free discussion of a resolution of a variety of arguments and a variety of different suggestions.
    (VI Lenin in Congress has been Summarize)


Unity of action in the struggle for workers' classes is the cornerstone that determine victory. Nothing revolutionary changes that run wild arbitrarily, because this attitude pemecahbelahan opportunities through money politics by neoliberal regimes. Threats that our most difficult struggles faced by all working people is the illusion of money and ikusi changes through the representation of political parties of the bourgeoisie. Been real, an illusion of movement is deadly. That's why we need not doubt by the various illusions and preconceptions that no dignity to the way that we wish to travel. Is not been proven? Our victory from colonial rule is determined by the mass movement led by the unity of working people. Victorious revolution in the history of the world is also determined by the unity of working people led by the working-class political organization. However, the opportunity to commemorate 12 years of reform, we call and invite all movement organizations and labor unions of the people discussed widely and freely about how the way people build a united struggle of workers, both national and local in each; how his method, and what tools. With this, we tanggalkan blinders and explore freely the material conditions that exist at regional or national. But everything is in one action qualitatively improve the working class movements toward the political struggle for power and build socialism.
Only with confidence, persistence, and patience, we will win. Never tired of fighting for Socialism.

Jakarta, May 20th, 2010

Central Committee Association of Working People (KP-PRP)

National Chairman
(Anwar Ma'ruf)

Secretary General
(Rendro Prayogo) 

Democracy and Humanity for the People of Thailand

Democracy and Humanity for the People of Thailand

Since last March, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as Red Shirts, began a massive protest against the Abhisit government. A government that came to power not through democratic election but installed by the military and endorsed by the monarchy. The Red Shirts main demand is that PM Abhisit resigns and hold a fresh, democratic election. After receiving numerous threats from the regime, last Friday (14/1) Abhisit used fully armed soldiers to violently disperse the Red Shirts. A Live Firing Zone was set up by the military to legalize the violence they do. Unbalance fights broke out in the street of Bangkok, the center of the Red Shirts' protest.
The military repression in Thailand has cost dozens of lives and thousands of injuries, because of the use of live bullets and other forms of violence. The systematic violence by the state against civilians, in any form, cannot be justified. Moreover, the reason for the violence is to uphold an undemocratic regime installed by the military.
We strongly condemn the Indonesian government for not taking a clear position or taking the international initiative to respond the situation in Thailand. Moreover, Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) received a visit from Thailand's Foreign Minister, Kasit Priomya, one of Abhisit’s righthand men, on 29 April 2010. Receiving the visit without making any criticism shows the position of the Indonesian government that ignores (or silently supports) the murdering of the people of Thailand. We strongly condemn the silence of the regional and international bodies (ASEAN and the United Nations) over this matter.
The problem in Thailand is not only a conflict between two elites (Thaksin Sinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva) an excuse which many people use to say that this should be left as an internal affair of Thailand. Millions of Thai people have openly declared, a strong willingness to fight for their democratic rights. This willingness has been proved with heroic self sacrifice. With their political action, the Red Shirts have shown that they are supporters of democracy, social justice and the ideas and universal practice of human civilization. Military repression will not solve the problem and instead create a protracted social conflict.
Seeing that situation above, we declare our position and demand as follows:
1. For the international community to immediately take decisive step to stop the military violence against the people of Thailand.
2. Stop supplying weapons to the Thai army.
3. Pressure the Thai government to stop the violence and restore democracy, with a concrete measures of immediate democratic elections.
4. The King of Thailand must take responsibility for the violence perpetrated by Abhisit’s regime. A regime that ruled over the blessing of the King of Thailand.
5. Condemn the rise of militarism and repressive action by the military that has developed in South East Asia.
6. Demand that the ASEAN Inter-government Human Rights Commission act responsibly on the gross human rights violations that have occurred in Thailand.
We make this statement as an appeal to the Indonesian people’s movement to build solidarity for the people of Thailand struggling to free themselves from the oppression of the military and Abhisit’s regime.

Jakarta, 25 May 2010

Democracy and Humanity Solidarity Action for the People of Thailand


Working People Association (PRP)
People’s Democratic Party (PRD)
Confederation Congress of Indonesia Union Alliance (Konfederasi KASBI)
Indonesian Nasional Front for Labour Struggle (FNPBI)
National Student League for Democracy (LMND)
Indonesian Poor People Union (SRMI)
Confederation of Nusantara Syndicalist (KSN)
Student Committee of University of Indonesia (KM-UI)

THE BAHAMAS, FACT SHEET,

Lay of the Land
The Bahamas consist of 700 tropical islands plus another 2,400 baby cays, but most visitors tend to focus on only a handful of them. New Providence (home to the capital, Nassau) measures only 7 miles by 21 miles, but two of every three Bahamians live there. It can be broken into three parts: Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas; Paradise Island, connected to the "mainland" by a couple of bridges; and all the rest—which takes in resort areas like Cable Beach, high-end gated communities, several nature preserves, and lots of small communities and settlements. To the north of New Providence is Grand Bahama, the second most popular destination, with some beautiful dive sites, white sand beaches, and pine forests. If that's what you came for, keep going until you reach the Out Islands (sometimes called the Family Islands), which are scattered east of Nassau; the farthest is Inagua, one hour and 30 minutes by plane. The closest Out Island to Nassau is picturesque Eleuthera, only 20 minutes away, with its pink beaches and the ever-more-famous cay Harbour Island nestled off its northwest shore. A mere 50 miles east of Miami are the little Bimini islands, the largest are North Bimini and South Bimini. The south island is practically deserted while the northmost island, especially in the area of Alice Town, is another big destination for the spring-break set. The curved 130-mile chain of the Abaco islands, to the east of Grand Bahama, is a very different prospect, known for its small inns and marinas. Southwest of the Abaco Islands is the largest island in the Bahamas, 2,300-square-mile Andros. More like a giant lump of complex fretwork than a single land mass, Andros can be divided into North Andros, South Andros, Central Andros and Mangrove Cay. Most residents and all the tourist accommodations are concentrated along the east coast. Southeast of Andros are the Exuma islands, a 120-mile strip of 365 cays. The two main islands are called Great Exuma and little Exuma, which form the southern tip.

WHEN TO GO

Thanks to a reliable climate whose heat is tempered by constant gentle trade winds, the Bahamas really don't have an off season. However, with temperatures generally around the 70s and 80s, there definitely is a high season during mid-December to mid-April. The rainy season, from May to November, is hardly a problem, with short tropical storms being the norm, along with some risk of hurricanes. This means that summer isn't off limits for travelers—and in fact it's a fine time to visit, with the water temperatures resembling those of bathwater.

HOW TO GET THERE

Currently, you can fly to Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport, ten miles west of the capital (242-377-0209), from several U.S. cities on seven carriers: US Air, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit, American, and Northwest. There are many direct flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to the larger islands, such as the Abaco and Andros islands, and from Atlanta to smaller islands such as Exuma and Eleuthera—which may eliminate lengthy waits for connections at Nassau, not the world's best-equipped airport. For interisland travel, try small local airlines such as Western Air (242-329-3167; www.westernairbahamas.com), private plane charter companies (among them Flamingo Air, New Providence; 242-351-5922; www.flamingoairbah.com), or a ferry service (242-323-2166; www.bahamasferries.com). You can also board an interisland mail boat departing from Nassau on weekly round-trips to and from all the islands—a relatively inexpensive (around $35 to $140), very authentic, but very slow experience. For a detailed schedule, go to www.bahamas.com.

GETTING AROUND

When you arrive at Lynden Pindling International, there's only one way into town—taxi—unless you ask your hotel to arrange transportation. Taxi fare is $22 to Nassau and $28 to Paradise Island. If you want a driver to meet you, Silverline Tours is very dependable (212-202-2567 or 242-362-0861; www.silverlinetours.net). Most visitors get around New Providence and Grand Bahama by taxi, but other options are jitneys (small buses) for $1 a ride, horse-drawn carriages, or rental cars (agencies on-site include Avis and Hertz). In the Out Islands, where rental cars are scarcer, the options are taxis, golf carts, or bicycles. Driving in the Bahamas is British-style—on the left side of the road—which is why so many visitors leave the driving to others. Another option for getting to your destination is to charter a seaplane (which can also be rented for half- or full-day eco-tours). Safari Seaplanes, for example, is an internationally recognized company that services the Out Islands (866-272-5728; www.safariseaplanes.com).

TOURIST INFO

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
P.O. Box N-3701
Nassau
Bahamas
Tel: 800 224 2627 (toll-free)
Tel: 242 302 2000
Fax: 242 302 2098
tourism@bahamas.com

NEED TO KNOW

Language: English
Capital City: Nassau
Population: 302,000
Area: 5,400 square miles
Telephone Calling Code(s): 1
Electricity: 120V, 60 Hz
Currency: As of May 26, 2010:
1 Bahamas Dollars = $1.00 US Calculate Other Amounts
Entry Requirements: The Bahamas does not require visas for citizens of the United States. A valid passport is sufficient for an eight-month stay.

GOOD TO KNOW

Books and Movies
To get a taste of Bahamian history stretching back to Columbus, dip into The Story of the Bahamas, by Paul Albury. Buccaneers of America, by John Esquemeling, offers an entertaining 17th-century eyewitness account of the sordid carryings-on of the peg-leg and parrot set. The Lucayans, by Sandra Riley, relates a more somber tale about the extermination of the indigenous population by ruthless Spanish conquistadors, long before affluent crowds and megaresorts ruled the islands. A Saga of Sea Tragedy and Sunken Treasure, by Dave Horner, tells the true story of two treasure-toting galleons lost near the Bahamian seas. The sun, sand, and crystalline waters that attract vacationers is also a lure for movie producers, and a slew of films have used the Bahamas as the setting or as an anonymous (often underwater) backdrop, ranging from the Beatles' Help in 1965 to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End in 2007. James Bond seems to have a soft spot for the islands: Thunderball (1966), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Never Say Never Again (1983), and Casino Royale (2007). Other recent movies set in the Bahamas are Holiday in the Sun (2001), Into the Blue (2005), and After the Sunset (2004), with Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek.
Cuisine
Like that of other Caribbean islands, the cuisine of the Bahamas focuses on seafood (including conch, crab, grouper, and lobster) with fresh fruit, rice, and grits—but without the hot chiles or fusion flavors of, say, Jamaica. Tourist fare here is likely to reflect the Bahamas' specialties, though obviously with an upscale, Continental, hotel-friendly twist and lots of fruity rum libations.
Good Buys
The islands of the Caribbean are very similar when it comes to shopping potential. The main attractions are inevitably duty-free goods—jewelry, watches, electronics, makeup, fragrance, liquor, and tobacco at good markdowns. Bahamian specialties include seashell jewelry and wood carvings.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

January: 1, New Year's Day
June: First Friday, Labor Day
July: 10, Independence Day
August: First Monday, Emancipation Day
October: Second Monday, Discovery Day
December: 25, Christmas Day; 26, Boxing Day
Spring: Friday before Easter, Good Friday; Easter; Monday after Easter, Easter Monday; eighth Monday after Easter, Pentecost Monday