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. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.23/243 - Release Date: 27-Jan-06