Monday, July 21, 2008

DA Thailand to Launch Pattaya and Eastern Seaboard Chapter -- August 1st

On Friday, August 1, Democrats from Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard will hold a social night and inaugural meeting of a new DAT chapter bringing together Americans from all over the Eastern region of Thailand. The event will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of Cafe New Orleans (see www.cafeneworleans.info for directions and a map), Soi 10 in Pattaya.

Admission is free, and it's a "no-host" event -- meaning you pay for what you eat and drink. The key thing is this is an excellent opportunity to come share your ideas, your passions and your principles on policies and politics with your fellow Americans. DAT Chair Phil Robertson will come down from Bangkok to talk about how Democrats Abroad will be working with Americans all over Thailand to do our part to elect Sen. Barack Obama as President, and other Democrats to the House and Senate! For those who need to register to vote and/or request their absentee ballot, there will be volunteers ready to help you take care of that in a few short minutes. The management of Cafe New Orleans is offering a 20% discount on all menu items and drinks.

For more details, contact Loran at furzymouse "at" gmail.com, or Rey at pattaycrats "at" gmail.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

DA Thailand Social Night and Platform for Barack Party -- 26 July -- Roadhouse BBQ Bangkok

Democrats Abroad Thailand members!

It’s time to get started! Sen. Barack Obama is asking for input on the kinds of issues and concerns that Americans have to ensure this year’s Democratic Party platform really reflects the views of the grass-roots – and this is a golden opportunity for Democrats in Thailand to engage. Come out and make your issues heard! DAT is organizing a major night of policy and politics at the Roadhouse Barbecue (www.roadhousebarbecue.com) to take up Sen. Obama’s call to us (see below)!

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008

Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., discussing the issues and proposals – and then DAT social night continues

Where: Roadhouse Barbecue, corner of Suriwong and Rama IV, next to Jim Thompson store

Please RSVP to: democratsabroadthailand@gmail.com

DAT will also be registering Americans to vote and request their absentee ballot – and it’s friends bring friends – and we will register one and all!

Owner Dana Caron (a loyal Democrat from Maine) promises a 15% discount card for the excellent Roadhouse food (love those ribs!) and beverages – so join your fellow Americans in a night of fun and issues, passion and politics!

Note from Sen. Barack Obama --

Every four years, the Democratic Party assembles a platform that outlines the party's position on a number of issues.

Traditionally, the drafting of the platform is not open to ordinary people.

This year, that's going to change.

For two weeks in July, people all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities to discuss the issues and share their input. The outcome of these meetings will be reviewed by the Drafting Committee as it creates the final Platform.

No political experience is required. Your thoughts and experiences are all that matter, and they will shape a platform that -- like this party -- is owned by the people.

Sign up to host or attend a Platform Meeting in your neighborhood! This year, ordinary people like you will gather in their homes, community centers, places of worship, and even coffee shops to discuss the issues that matter to them and help decide what should be at the heart of the Democratic platform for change.

The input we get from these meetings will help shape the platform at the Democratic Convention in August.

Platform Meetings are a great way to connect with fellow supporters and help write the next chapter in the history of the Democratic Party.

We'll make sure you have all the resources and support you need to succeed. All you need to provide are your ideas for America and your hunger for change.

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard in the political process.

Thank you for all that you do,

Barack

Sunday, July 6, 2008

DAT in the New York Times

New York Times

Overseas, Democrats Gather for the 4th

By Leslie Wayne

For some Democrats living outside the United States, the Fourth of July may have more of a hometown feel this year.

From Chiang Mai, Thailand, to the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, Democrats Abroad, the overseas branch of the party, is holding a series of American-style barbeques planned to celebrate Democratic politics and principles and to encourage overseas Americans to register to vote. The group is working closely with the nonpartisan Web site to get expat Americans registered to vote.

"We plan to celebrate the Fourth of July in every corner of the world," said Christine Schon Marques, the international chair of Democrats Abroad. "We are united and dedicated to doing all that we can to help get a Democrat elected to the White House."

In Leeds, England, the group is meeting at the "Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen." Buenos Aires, home to the tango, will feature a party at Le CafĂ© Merval, where a DJ will play American music. In Costa Rica, Americans are invited to the Cerveceria Costa Rica – a well-known Costa Rican brewery. And, the Toulouse, France chapter has plans for a "fun political trivia quiz" in a private home.

Events are also taking place in Dublin, Ireland, Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland, Bangkok, Thailand and three locations in the United Kingdom.

In Florence, forget about visiting the Uffizi. There's an "American picnic" with games, music, speeches, barbecue and voter registration.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/overseas-democrats-gather-for-the-4th/

Friday, July 4, 2008







Happy 4th of July -- see the voter registration information in the previous post, in case you are not yet registered or have not yet requested your absentee ballot for November!

We had over 20 DAT members come out for the Obama Bridges project, with home-made signs, Barack shirts and hats (including Bert's locally made hat), and of course all our Obama signs. Beyond taking the photos, the gathering was an excellent opportunity to make new friends, plan for future activities (including a T-shirt that will be forthcoming based on the Bangkok for Barack design), and revel in the fact that we have a nominee that is principled, passionate and exciting -- all things that the other side lacks! Here are some cool photos -- Yes We Can and Yes We Span! See you at the party on 5 July at the Port Authority.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

DA Thailand Voter Registration - Chiang Mai (July 3) and Bangkok (July 5)

Come join us for Independence Day celebrations as we begin our very important work to elect Sen. Barack Obama as the next President of the United States! Events will be taking place in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai! We will be registering voters, and helping people apply to get their absentee ballots for this November’s critical election, and are looking both for volunteers to help, and for members to come by and learn what we will be doing for the rest of the year! And while you’re at it, join the celebration of our country at the annual Independence Day picnic (organized by AmCham in Bangkok, the US Consulate in Chiang Mai), with food, games, fireworks and fun for the entire family!

Bangkok:

When: Saturday, July 5, 2008
Time: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Sport Club-Football Field, Port Authority of Thailand, Sunthorn Kosa Road (please see www.idaybkk.com for map and details on how to get there)

Democrats Abroad Thailand will be conducting voter registration and we are looking for volunteers. Look for our booth! We will be organizing one-hour shifts, so please sign up now to help your fellow Americans get registered and ready to help Democrats take back the White House in 2008! Peter Fischbach, the DAT vice-chair, is overseeing this voter registration effort, and those interested in volunteering him should send him an email at email: peter@ismtech.net Please make sure to include your phone number in that email, so that Peter can call you!

Chiang Mai:

When: Thursday, July 3, 2008
Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: American Consulate, 387 Withchayanond Road. Please note that Consulate requires passports to be presented for admittance. For more information, see the con sulate announcement at

http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/root/pdfs/2008_july-4-picnic.pdf

Look for the votefromabroad.org banner. Trained volunteers will help you register and request your General Election ballot.

We look forward to seeing you all for the I-Day events. Yes We Can!

Best wishes,
Phil Robertson
Chair, Democrats Abroad Thailand