Gaybutton

For those of you who check the current exchange rates via the Siam Commercial Bank's web site, as of today they have changed the URL. The new URL is: http://www.scb.co.th/scb_api/index.jsp

Perhaps, but it would have to be quite a large wallet to be able to hold 400,000 baht.

Last night I spent some time wandering through Jomtien Complex. The biggest surprise for me was that the newest gay venue is now the newest failed gay venue. The Black Cat opened at Christmas. It was to be a combination gay bar, sauna, massage, and eatery. Now, six weeks later, they're already out of business and shut down. I'm rather surprised that they failed so quickly, given that they first opened during the prime of high season. The Panther Pub also no longer exists. That location and the storage facility next door have both been taken over by The Venue, which by the way was packed last night. From what I understand, The Venue has several different ideas for how that space will be used. Another recent addition to the Jomtien Complex scene is the Russian owned Lu'Bov Boys bar. It's still open and has about a half dozen boys working there, but it too is up for sale. They just don't seem to draw in the customers. I'm not sure why. Directly across the street from them is the Question Mark bar and they always have plenty of customers. Monty's is still open and still putting on their nightly show. Monty himself is in Australia and, according to the boys working there, is quite ill. I'm not sure who is actually running things at Monty's, but things seem to be going along smoothly enough. If you know who Alex and June are, they're the ones who seem to be in charge at present. Over on the next soi is the new Ganymede bar. I spoke to the manager. The bar itself is open and they seem to be doing well. They have taken over the adjoining building and are planning to put in a sauna. The current plan is for the sauna to be on the ground floor and at least one level above will have privacy rooms. They hope to keep it open until 4:00am each night, but it is at least one or two months away from being ready to open. There will also be a snooker room. The manager assured me that all of the boys working there are at least 18+ years old and have to prove it in order to be hired. The boys are not pushy and there is no pushy mama-san. The off fee is 300 baht. The boys get 100 baht from that fee. When a farang buys a drink for them, they get 30 baht out of it, which is 10 baht more than most bars give the boys. He also told me he pays the boys better than the other local bars pay their boys, but we did not get into a discussion of how much. I also can't tell you the drink prices. I didn't have a drink. I was only talking with the manager and didn't even think about asking the drink prices. Once he gets everything into place and can get it going, if he can attract a good customer base I think Ganymede will be a great success. I think it all depends on whether the "location, location, location" factor works out well for them. Other than that, all the rest of the long-established venues are still open and thriving.

Even if it was an inside job, how would anyone have known that this particular person was carrying enough cash to make it worthwhile to break into his room and steal the safe? Unless he was stupid enough to flash the cash or open his mouth about it, I don't see how anyone would have known which room to hit. Also, what became of the safe? Unless the thief broke it open and then abandoned it while he was still in the venue, how did he get it out of the place without arousing suspicion? I suppose there are any number of ways he could have done it (if indeed it was a 'he'), but he still would have had to risk being caught with it.

Your point is well taken, regarding farang to Thai and vice-versa. In my post above I meant farang to farang. Probably one of the most common causes between Thai and farang occurs because of "Thai Time," when the Thai boy says what time he will meet you somewhere or how long he will be gone. I have learned that when a Thai boy tells me "Twenty minutes I come," that can mean anything from the actual 20 minutes to 2 hours, or longer. Many farang, especially those new to Thailand and those who have discussed it with their boyfriends until they're blue in the face, still end up the victims of "Thai Time." I'm being victimized by it even as I write this. A young Thai gentleman was supposed to give me a call at noon. At the moment it's about 12:40. I don't even regard him as late unless 2:00 rolls around and I still haven't heard from him. Regarding your question above, I think saying it just as you do in your question ought to be sufficient, assuming the person who is owed the apology is willing to discuss it at all. The person doing the apologizing needs to be prepared to discuss it if the other party wants to discuss it and/or let the other party vent his anger. The person apologizing also needs to make sure he doesn't get defensive about it or try to tell the other party how it wasn't such a big thing when, obviously, to him it was. Depending on the degree of seriousness the other party takes whatever happened, sometimes that will solve the problem and sometimes you'll lose a friend over it.

The vast majority of people have never been hit by a car when trying to cross a street, but that doesn't negate the necessity of looking both ways first. I agree. To me, the purpose of the room safe is to have a place to store valuables while you have a 'guest' in the room with you. Other than that I think there simply is too much risk involved storing large amounts of cash and valuables in a safe. While according to that poll only 4% of those who responded were victims of theft, how would you like to be one of the people within that 4%? No thank you very much. When I'm traveling I'll stick to travel checks and debit cards. So, I'll pay the 150 baht. Given the choice of losing 150 baht per transaction or risking the loss of 400,000 cash, it doesn't take much thinking to figure out the preferable choice. I have yet to understand why people keep such large amounts of cash anywhere other than in a bank account. Usually it turns out that the thieves were aware of the fact that large amounts of cash were being kept in a particular safe in a hotel or in one's home. How do they know? The only two ways that I'm coming up with would be if the theft victim told people that he's got that much cash or if the thieves hang out in banks, look for potential victims who withdraw large amounts of cash, and then follow them. How else do they know? I have yet to ever read a story about a thief who stole an empty safe.

I agree. A simple "I'm sorry" doesn't cut it when the necessity for an apology goes beyond something very simple. Often, that can make an already tense situation even worse. I think a "pseudo-apology" also makes the situation worse. It's when the person doing the apologizing tries to pretend he has no idea what he did wrong. "Whatever I did, I'm sorry." "If I did something to offend you, I'm sorry." What kind of an apology is that? That's nothing but someone essentially saying to you, "I didn't really do anything wrong, but if saying 'I'm sorry' will defuse the situation, then I'll say the words even though they really don't mean anything and without any true sincerity or remorse on my part." To me that's not an apology. It's more a slap in the face. An apology without acknowledgment is not an apology.

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ 400,000 Baht Room Safe Theft at Central Pattaya Hotel Late on Friday Night, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirawoot from Pattaya Police Station was called to the Pattaya Place Guest House located in Soi 13 off Pattaya Third Road to investigate the theft of a safe-box from a room occupied by a German Tourist. Officers were directed to room number 301 on 3rd floor and met with Mr. Hans Gunter aged 68. He returned to his room after a night out and realized his door was open and the room safe had disappeared. Inside was 150,000 Baht and 5,000 Euro’s along with Mr. Gunter’s passport and plane ticket along with personal items. Khun Sooksak aged 32, the owner of the guesthouse explained that a middle-eastern man had checked in but did not complete any registration documents. He was assigned room number 302 which is opposite the victims room. Although the man had not checked out, his room was found to be empty apart from a single shirt in the wardrobe. Police have received a description of the suspect and they will attempt to locate and arrest him and recover the stolen items for Mr. Gunter. ____________________ I've lost count of how many similar stories there have been over the years. You don't keep large amounts of money in a hotel safe. Repeat after me: You don't keep large amounts of money in a hotel safe. You don't keep large amounts of money in a hotel safe. Is there anyone who still doesn't get that and can't figure out why you don't keep large amounts of money in a hotel safe?

How do you know?

I got rid of it for you. You inadvertently typed in the code that produces it. You typed the letter B followed by a semicolon ). That produces the smiley. I changed your semicolons to periods.

For me, the most embarrassing kind of fart is when you didn't fart at all, but your shoe somehow rubbed the floor, producing an almost identical sound. Have you ever noticed that you can never get your shoe to do it a second time? Now everybody thinks you just ripped loose with a loud one. Why are we discussing farts anyway? "When you fart in an elevator and only one other person is in there with you, everyone knows who did it." - George Carlin

"You know why God put a smell in it? So deaf people could enjoy it too." - Redd Foxx

As far as I know, the only people who have the access necessary for removing posts are GayThailand and me. Neither he nor I removed any posts. If anyone's posts are missing, feel free to re-post if you wish.

That's just what I would do if I were you.

Did you see the pinned thread about possible site disruptions while servers are being changed? If any posts are missing, that's why. Nobody removed any posts.

The following appears in THE GUARDIAN: _____ Turkish Girl, 16, Buried Alive for Talking to Boys Death reopens debate over 'honour' killings in Turkey, which account for half of all the country's murders Turkish police have recovered the body of a 16-year-old girl they say was buried alive by relatives in an "honour" killing carried out as punishment for talking to boys. The girl, who has been identified only by the initials MM, was found in a sitting position with her hands tied, in a two-metre hole dug under a chicken pen outside her home in Kahta, in the south-eastern province of Adiyaman. Police made the discovery in December after a tip-off from an informant, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on its website. The girl had previously been reported missing. The informant told the police she had been killed following a family "council" meeting. Her father and grandfather are said to have been arrested and held in custody pending trial. It is unclear whether they have been charged. The girl's mother was arrested but was later released. Media reports said the father had told relatives he was unhappy that his daughter

That's precisely what I have been trying to say.

Yes it does. Many thanks. If you get a chance to talk to the same group, ask them what "zeed" means. I see that one all the time too.

Neither do I. That's not my complaint. My complaint goes toward those who condemn smokers because of their clothes. For example, lvdkeyes complains about being seated next to someone whose clothes smell of smoke and he has no way to move away from it. What is the smoker supposed to do about it, keep himself locked away at home? I'm certainly not willing to do that. There are all kinds of annoyances that can happen when one is in a public place. Unpleasant odors is one of them, but by no means the only one. I've been stuck next to people who have terrible body odor, the guy who falls asleep next to me and thinks my shoulder is his pillow, the guy in front of me who reclines his seatback as far as it will go when there is hardly any room in the first place, the guy at the window seat who wants to get up every two minutes but won't trade seats. Do I need to go on? There is all kinds of rudeness out there. That's the way it is.

I think the religious fanatics cause more harm and misery in this world than all other causes combined.

I didn't say anything is wrong with it. Don't misunderstand. I only meant that I think you are a very sympathetic person. It was meant as a compliment, not a put down. But I think you are wasting tears when it is for a phony baloney. Yes, I cry at movies too. My tears usually start to flow as soon as I see the ticket and popcorn prices . . .

I was fortunate enough to see it on Broadway with the original cast. It must be 20 years ago by now. It's a terrific show and well worth seeing.

I don't see it that way. I don't see anyone saying anything to indicate they would intentionally smoke where others would be subjected to it. The closest exception to that is Xian, who wants to at least be left alone about it in his own home and certainly does not appreciate someone grabbing the cigarette out of his mouth. It works both ways. Some say, "Why should I be subjected to the stale smoke odor of your clothes?" On the other hand, I could say to one of the complainers on this thread, "Why should I be subjected to the sight of you manhandling boys, in full view of everyone, in Jomtien Complex?" I have the option of looking elsewhere. He has the option of sitting elsewhere.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ The Gay Story that's Real By Pawit Mahasarinand Special to The Nation February 5, 2010 'The 4 Sisters' begs to show the honest side of life on the other side In this prolific year of queer theatre, "Chan Phuchai Naya" ("I Am a (Wo)man"), Dr Seri Wongmontha's adaptation of Broadway hit "Boys in the Band", is currently running at Aksra Theatre. Later in the year, Scenario will stage the Thai translation of another Broadway classic, "La Cage Aux Folles", at Rachadalai Theatre. In between, a much smaller production, "The 4 Sisters" by Life Theatre, has no television stars in the cast, and is receiving less attention from the media. But it's worth our attention and attendance because it's the only one of the three that's entirely based on true stories of Thai gay people. "I have many gay friends and know that what we're watching on TV and in the movies are not the true representations of them," says director Bhanbhassa "Khru Ning" Dhubtien, who was last year acclaimed for her title role in "Nangfah Niranam" and her staging of compelling drama "Water Time". "Most frequently, they're comedians on screen, but I want the audience to have a chance to look at them as human beings. And so I asked Shogo [Tanikawa, Life Theatre's resident playwright] to write a play based on the true stories and experiences of three gay friends [who are also professional actors] - Apirak 'Yo' Chaipanha, Sun 'King' Tawanwongsri and Setthaphan 'Graph' Sernthaisong - whom I'd like to see share the same stage." The play is set in a cabaret bar, which is going out of business after 30 years. Khru Ning adds, "Although the play is generally classified as a comedy, has quite glossy PR photos, as well as some entertaining cabaret performance sequences, we also show some true problems these gay characters are facing. One of them is having trouble showing his true sexual identity in his office - he just can't step out of the closet. Another is getting older, sick, past his prime, and about to retire, without any family member to take care of him. And the last one is a wannabe who's trying his best to become a star of the show but after many attempts not succeeding yet. "The play started out as 'The 3 Sisters', but then Shogo suggested we should have a woman character so we added this character who's the daughter of the bar owner. It's to be performed by Heen [sasithorn Panichnok, a co-founder of Life Theatre whose performance in films 'Chandara' and 'Talumpuk' made her famous]. Another straight character is a Karen waiter, portrayed by Shogo [who's Japan-born and Thailand-bred]." On screen, some actors have delivered great performances of gay characters and are prone to winning major awards - Tom Hanks in "Philadelphia", for example. Kru Ning, who teaches acting and directing at Chulalongkorn University and is a permanent member of New York City's Actors' Studio, comments, "The audience may be more excited, perhaps, if we cast straight actors in gay roles, and it can be a selling point. I don't look at this issue in that perspective though. In this case, it's these three gay actors' own stories and I think it's fair to give them a chance to portray them as who they are, not as comedians." "The 4 Sisters" is already the third production from the 10-month-young group Life Theatre whose three core members are the playwright Shogo, the director Khru Ning, and the actress Heen. "I used to have this kind of small theatre troupe when I was working in New York. I think it's practical and fruitful and each and every one knows his role and work accordingly. Shogo and Heen worked together and I like their chemistry and the work that came out of it so three of us formed Life Theatre last year, and it's working smoothly." "The 4 Sisters" will be the first production at the new Blue Box Theatre, a studio space at M Theatre - a praiseworthy vision of Dreambox's artistic director Daraka Wongsiri. In fact, large and small performance spaces sharing the same roof is a standard practice in theatres and performing arts centres all over the world, yet not common enough here. "Daraka is very kind in renting this new space to us at a very reasonable price. It's also a little larger than the other two spaces our previous two productions were in [Crescent Moon Space and Makhampom Studio]. It seats about 70 people, so it's very intimate and fits the setting of the play. We'll get enough audiences to cover the cost, and don't have to perform as many shows as when we're in smaller spaces. Plus, audiences already know M Theatre, so it's convenient for them as well." Good news for our English- and Japanese-speaking readers, like in all plays by Life Theatre and productions by Shogo, "The 4 Sisters" will be performed with Japanese and English subtitles, making sure that language is not a barrier to enjoy contemporary Thai theatre. Details "The 4 Sisters" opens on February 19 and runs until February 19 and again from February 26 to 28, at 7.30pm, with additional 2pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. The venue is Blue Box Theatre, on the 2nd floor of M Theatre (New Petchaburi Road), with free parking at nearby Manoonphol Building. Tickets are Bt350 (Bt200 for students), bookable online at http://www.BananaBooking.com, and by calling (080) 2600 7716. Check out http://LifeTheatre.webs.com for more details.

I'm with Xian on this one, although I don't think I would have tossed a cup of coffee into the person's face. Why waste a good cup of coffee? But if someone had done that to me anywhere he would have quickly realized he just made a big faux pas. If it occurred in my own home I would keep my coffee, but I would also immediately show him where the door is and make sure he uses it.