storing unicode in mysql database

 
Hi,

I'd like to know what would be the best way to store Unicode text in a
database. I am using MySQL 4.1.
I am trying to create a multi-lingual CMS and the browser charset is set to
utf-8 and the database and tables are set to UTF8 and utf8_bin for charset
and collation.

While displaying in the browser, Thai text is displayed correctly but it is
stored as html code in the database.
Is this correct behaviour or is there a better way?
Would I need to specify charset for every query, or is it enough to have
specified it for the mysql connection, results and client charset options.

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