Gaybutton

If it is possible for a Thai boy to get a college education and possible for you to provide it, I believe it can only benefit his life. It will certainly provide more and better career opportunities. Yes, it is expensive, but if he qualifies there are scholarships available. I believe student loans are also available.

Sheeeeesh! Until now I thought I had heard everything.

That's the whole point in a nutshell. People allow their ingrained hangups to embarrass them in a country where such hangups do not exist. I realize that it is difficult for some to disregard what they have been taught all their lives, especially when in Thailand for the first time for a one or two week holiday. If they get stares, they're most likely to get them from other farang, not from Thais. For me, it's easy to ignore people like that or even go as far as staring right back or even confronting them. But I do realize that just because I don't have a problem with it doesn't mean that others won't have a problem with it. Still, I have difficulty accepting the idea that some are so self-conscious about it that they would allow even the potential of receiving stares ruin their holiday and cause them to watch everyone else taking boys off, but being too embarrassed to do the same thing themselves. One thing I do know, at least regarding myself; when I am looking toward a farang who has a boy with him, whether walking around Sunee Plaza or anywhere else, or at the beach, I'm not even paying any attention to the farang. I'm checking out the boy.

A close farang friend was fired from his private school teaching position in Pattaya earlier this year, without cause. It was his refusal to fabricate progress, among other similar issues, that caused it. For example, he actually caught, red handed, some Thai teachers at that same school who had made copies of an exam he was about to give, and they provided the students with the answers. And that was just one incident. There were others. He fought back. He sued the school for breach of contract. It took months, but when the case finally appeared in court, the school offered a settlement for less than half of the amount he sought. On the advice of his attorney he accepted the settlement. His attorney told him if he refused the settlement he would still almost certainly win his case, but the school could drag it out for years. If he accepted the settlement the school would have to pay up within 30 days. He chose to accept the settlement. For him it was the principle of the matter, not the money, that was most important to him. He is hoping that the fact that he stood up for his rights, fought back, and won will inspire other honest teachers and make them see that they don't have to feel forced to put up with the dishonesty and intrigue that goes on. The point is that much more than just dealing with students and demands on time are at issue, and you would have to deal with all of it. Horror stories about teaching in Thailand are common. My friend sued and won, which is quite rare to happen in Thailand. He is an excellent, experienced teacher who loves his work and was devoted to it, but after all he went through, he does not wish to be a teacher in Thailand again. He loves teaching and giving it up is difficult for him, but he feels that the peripheral hassles are just not worth it. If anyone wishes to teach in Thailand, I urge you to first talk with people who have done it and make sure you are fully aware and fully understand what you would be stepping into.

I hope you felt more confident once you overcame your anxiety. I don't think it was a lack of confidence in and of itself. The fact that you were in a foreign country, where you neither speak nor understand the language, and being unsure of what to expect in new and unfamiliar surroundings, probably played a part in the cause of your anxiety.

Some may disagree with me, but my advice is to forget all about teaching. If you are considering teaching English on your own, you need a work permit, which won't be easy to get. If you're considering teaching at a school, the school will get you a work permit, but everyone I know who tried it didn't last very long. The salaries are quite low, but the demands on your time are quite high. There are also a great many other problems associated with it. Based on your posts, it does not seem to me that you are going to be in need of supplemental income. $3000 per month is plenty to live quite well here unless you intend to do a lot of high end expensive living. Of course, the more money you have, the merrier, but you don't appear that you'll be in need of it. Given the choice of having to wake up to an alarm clock, spending about 8 hours a day in a school, dealing with kids, parents, and all the associated bullshit, dealing with paperwork, etc, and all for about $700 per month if you're lucky enough to get that much, or waking up whenever you feel like it, doing whatever you please during the day at any time you wish to do it, and maybe heading for the beach instead of a school, I don't think I need to spell out what my choice would be. Again, some will disagree with me, but my advice is if you're going to retire, then retire.

No apology necessary at all. Believe me, if you had spent all the years I've spent on the moderator side of message boards, you would be able to smell these kinds of trolls a mile away too.

Unless you are planning to live in a very expensive, high-end residence, I doubt you'll spend that much per month for rent. Depending on where you live, rent for most farang ranges from 12000 to 25000 baht per month. A friend of mine was renting a large two-story house in a quiet security guarded residential neighborhood, 3 bedrooms, two bath, in excellent condition and furnished, with plenty of space and plenty of yard space, and even an adjoining room that was large enough to use as a guest bedroom or large utility room. He was paying 25000 baht per month. Deals like that are readily available. As a matter of fact he just moved away from Pattaya and that house is now available. Another friend recently moved into a beautiful large 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment, fully furnished, at Jomtien Complex for 25000 baht per month. You would have to use a lot of electricity to receive bills greater than 4000 baht per month. Again, most farang I speak with receive bills that range from 1500 to 3500 baht per month, and it usually depends on how much they use their air conditioning. My friend with that house I mentioned was getting electric bills that averaged 2000 baht. My own electric bills usually range from 2000 to 4000 baht. In the hot months I use my air conditioning and that's when I usually get the bills in the 4000 baht range. Water is very inexpensive and probably won't even be a factor for you. I can't imagine that you will get city water bills that even reach 500 baht per month. Cable TV, depending on the service and selections you want, will probably average around 1500 to 2000 baht per month. Internet service probably will cost between 1000 to 1500 baht per month, depending on the service you get. Telephone. A land line for my ADSL costs me 139 baht per month. Mobile phone, again depending on the service (One-Two-Call seems to be the most popular) is about 3 baht per minute. There is no charge when receiving calls. Food is impossible to predict for you because of such a wide variety of choices and price ranges. In Pattaya, you can literally choose for yourself how much you wish to spend. The average dinner will probably cost you between 250 to 450 baht, depending on what you eat and where you eat. High end restaurants will probably be about double to triple that. If you have drinks and/or wine with your meals, the price goes up. If you have your own place, you might choose to cook at home on a regular basis. You could even hire a cook, if you really want, for about 4000 to 5000 baht per month. Public transportation on the motorcycle taxis and baht buses probably won't cost you more than 200 baht per day, if that much. When you're talking about insurance, you didn't say what kind of insurance. If you mean health insurance, there is a wide variety of companies and plans. The price depends on your age and any pre-existing conditions. Probably the best person for you to contact with regard to medical insurance is Travelerjim. If you're talking about other kinds of insurance, such as car, motorcycle, home-owner's, or whatever, let us know what kind you're looking for. In any case, if you have $5000 to $6000 available each month, I can't imagine that you would have any financial problems and unless you're going to live on the high end every day you probably won't spend near that much per month here.

If you have that amount available to you, then you should be able to live quite well and maintain a lifestyle to which you probably have become accustomed. That's more than enough.

I belong to a religion that teaches when we die, our souls go to a used furniture store in Comus, Maryland.

I agree with that statement The reason I see it as a possible hoax is because, unless I've misunderstood something, this is not his first trip to Thailand, but what is essentially being said, the way I see it, is what I've already said. He'll spend a lot of money traveling here and then sit by himself because people might stare at him or he might be rejected. If that's what he's going to do, then why come here at all? That makes no sense to me, especially when we've told him repeatedly that these boys want to be approached. Anyone with experience here knows that the chances of being rejected by those boys are practically nil. Maybe his fears are genuine. Maybe it is some sort of phobia because in a city like Pattaya that kind of fear is not exactly what I would call rational. However, I've offered some suggestions for him. He's not going to be rejected if he goes to places where the boys will approach him instead of the other way around. It has been suggested he go to Wat Chai after hours. It has been suggested that he simply hand a boy a piece of paper with his name and telephone number written on it. It has been suggested he take a walk around Saranrom Park. Also in Bangkok he can check in to the Malaysia Hotel. Then, all he has to do is sit outside in the Gazebo or walk through the parking area along the hotel sidewalk and he's guaranteed to be approached. He can try Gay Romeo. Silver Daddies, and other personals sites. On Gay Romeo all he has to do is log on and wait a while. Within minutes boys will start contacting him. He won't have to do a thing except sit there and wait. If he tries some of those kinds of suggestions, the kinds that can't possibly involve rejection, and still has problems, then that's where I start feeling truly sympathetic. But if he comes here and won't even try some of those ideas, I would find it difficult to conjure up much sympathy. Again, I've already stated that I accept the possibility that I'm dead wrong about these posts being a hoax. But if they're not, what purpose is served by coming here and then being afraid to do precisely what you came for?

I can agree with that part. If you're telling the truth, then I'm glad you're trying to do something about it. Out of curiosity, how old are you? What have you been doing for sex and boyfriends all this time if you can't handle any rejection or even the thought of it? I don't like getting rejected either. I don't know anyone who enjoys being rejected. But there are so many willing boys here that I don't really care whether I get rejected or not. If one boy rejects me, so what? There are plenty of others who won't. If you go to the right places, a fear of rejection shouldn't even be a factor. The boys will approach you. You can be the one who does the rejecting. If you don't believe me, go to Saranrom Park in Bangkok around 10:00pm some time. It will take about two minutes for you to find out what I mean. I'm not trying to ridicule you, but I do find it very difficult to believe your story. If you're really telling the truth and these posts are not a hoax, then I hope your psychologist can get you past your fears. But for you to say that thousands share the extent of your fear of rejection, even in Thailand, is only an assumption on your part. I'm also not over confident. I am well aware that any time I approach someone new, the possibility of rejection is there. When I do get rejected my ego isn't bruised and, as I said, I know there are plenty more who won't reject me. And I damned sure don't let a fear of rejection stop me from at least trying. "The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts." - Peter O'Toole, 'Lawrence of Arabia'

Quite frankly, this set of posts, on this thread and the "Walk of Shame" thread, is so ludicrous that I'm half convinced that they're not for real and someone is pulling our legs. That's just my feeling, of course, and I could be wrong, but it is becoming quite difficult to accept the idea that grown men, especially gay men who come to Thailand, are too embarrassed to be seen with a bar boy and/or are so riddled with a lack of self confidence and fear of rejection that they're too awkward to even be able to approach a boy. Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy it.

I simply walk up and say hello. I've done that many times and have never been rejected. As a matter of fact the boys I've approached that way have always been delighted that someone wants them. If he is with friends, they are always happy for the boy. Don't forget, that same boy just spent his all of his working hours hoping that a farang will take him off. And after he eats, don't be surprised if he heads for an Internet shop in hopes that someone left a message for him on Gay Romeo. Get on Gay Romeo about 10:00pm, Thailand time. Pay attention to how many boys are currently online. Then get on again at about 1:30am and you'll probably see a lot more boys online. They just got off from work, were not taken off, and now they're hoping to reel someone in via Gay Romeo. You guys have to get over this shyness routine. In Pattaya there is no need for it and by being so shy you're ruining your own holiday. No offense intended, but some of these shyness posts are coming across, at least to me, like a 14 year old kid who is scared to ask a girl for a date. You're adults aren't you? Why the same fears that you would expect from an awkward kid who is frightened to even speak to a girl? Get over it. Don't you understand? These boys want to be approached. That's why they're working in the bars. Every last one of them "want to have farang." You're acting as if you're expecting to receive some kind of a humiliating rejection, when what you're actually going to get is a boy who is very happy to go with you.

If anyone truly does have a problem about walking with a boy, then to me the solution is very simple. Have the boy meet you at your hotel. If necessary give him money for a motorcycle taxi. Don't worry. He'll show up. He wants his tip.

It is? What's the hard part?

Did you send him back because you did not realize he was a lady-boy and you don't like lady-boys or did you send him back because you would have been embarrassed? There's a difference. Lady-boys do not tend to look butch, so if that is really what happened, then that was an unusual circumstance.

You'll find the story and photos at: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000011323

Are you guys kidding? If you are so easily embarrassed by doing precisely what so many farang come here to do, then why do you come here at all? If you're being serious, and I'm beginning to have my doubts, then you've definitely made it to my "I Don't Get It" list. I could understand your embarrassment if you were suddenly and unexpectedly embraced and kissed by a boy during the middle of a Women's Christian Temperance Union meeting, but you're embarrassed from doing the same thing everyone else comes here to do, or wishes they were here doing? And lvdkeyes makes an excellent point. What makes you so sure they're staring at you? It's much more likely they're looking at the boy. Let me see if I have this correct. Some of you are going to spend a large amount of money for the airfare and additional transportation to come to Pattaya. You're going to endure the long haul flight getting here and another one returning home. You're going to stay in a nice gay-oriented hotel. Then you're going to spend more time and money going to the bars and buying at least one drink. And then you're going to sit there by yourself instead of taking any boys off because you're ashamed and embarrassed because a few strangers, who came here themselves to take boys off, are going to look at you. Is that about right? Why am I getting the feeling that these embarrassment posts are a hoax? But if you're truly serious, then my advice is to spend your money, which will be a lot less than a trip to Thailand, for memberships on porn sites and masturbate to the videos. Better still, just go to X-tube and look at gay porn for free. You'll save yourself all that terrible embarrassment and save yourself a lot of money too. Meanwhile I, and probably the vast majority of visitors to this message board, will take off any boy we damned well please (as long as he is at least 18 years old), with no embarrassment whatsoever and without giving a damn whether anyone looking at us likes it or not. If you're here, I, for one, will be happy to walk right by you as you sit there staring at us. Again, given the choice of being the one walking down Sunee Plaza on my way to have a great time with the boy I took off or sitting and staring at others, but embarrassed to take a boy myself, guess which one I'll choose. There are some things in life that just may be worth a few moments of embarrassment.

Dear our friends & guests, Christmas time- for many of us a sentimental and enjoyable time of the year. When splendidly decorated trees glitter, the redness of poinsettias glows, the smell of Christmas confectionery and the sounds of festive music fill the air and the Christmas lights sparkle, then memories of Christmas pass awaken. It is our pleasure to present to you our culinary program in these fairytale surroundings and we shall be delighted to welcome you at Restaurant Casa Pascal during this Christmas and New Year time. We send you our sincerest good wishes for this holiday season and for a happy and a health start in the New Year. For more information and reservations please call us at: Casa Pascal: 038-723-660 Poseidon: 038-303-300 With our best regards, Kim, Pascal & Casa Pascal Team ______________________________ Christmas Menu (Casa Pascal) December 24th Lunch : à la Carte menu Dinner : Set Menu & à la Carte menu December 25th Lunch Seating 10.3o – 18.3o Dinner Seating 19.0o – 24.oo hrs. No à la carte menu will be served Amuse Bouche Rock Lobster & Alaska King Crab Legs on a zesty & smooth Dressing or Pan – fried Goose Liver with potted Plums and Potato Gnocchi in Leek Cream Pumpkin Cream Soup with Tea – smoked Duck Breast Orange Champagne Sherbet Stuffed Butter Ball Turkey served with Chestnuts, Cranberry Sauce and Gravy Accompanied by green Peas, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts and braised red Cabbage Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Shallots or Whole roasted Beef Tenderloin with Horse Radish & Apple Cream, red Wine Butter Sauce Accompanied by green Peas, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts and braised red Cabbage Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Shallots Lemon Meringue with marinated Strawberries & Vanilla Ice Cream or Traditional Christmas Pudding with Rum Sauce and Jamaica Ice Cream Coffee & Tea Christmas Cookies and Pralinees Menu 1,650 Baht all included _____________________________ New Year’s Eve Menu (Casa Pascal) December 31st from 19.oo hrs ( à la carte menu available ) Amuse Bouche Symphony of Scottish Salmon ( Smoked, Marinated, Tatar & Carpaccio ) or Goose Liver Terrine and Tian of Italian Baby Artichokes Double boiled clear Oxtail Soup with Porcini Mushrooms Pan – fried Goose Liver Escalope on Endive Salad and Hazelnut Oil Dressing or Gratinated Scallop and green Asparagus in Shell Passion Fruit Sherbet Scottish Salmon baked in Puff Pastry on Saffron Sauce or Grilled Baby Beef Tenderloin Sauce Bearnaise, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, and Winter Vegetables or Oven – roasted Rack of Lamb à la Provencale with Gratin Potatoes Red Wine Shallots and Winter Vegetables Fine selected international Cheese or Crepes Jubilées with Cherries &Vanilla Ice Cream Hand crafted Pralinées and Cookies Entire Menu 2,950 Baht all included Small Menu ( Cold or hot Appetizer & Main Course & Dessert or Cheese ) 2,250 Baht all included ( Dress code : No shorts, no slippers ) _______________________________________ CHRISTMAS BUFFET MENU (Restaurant Poseidon) December 24 & 25, 2009 Dinner Only Starting at 18:00 Price 650 baht net (Children under 12 years 500 baht) Appetizers Hot Dishes Shrimp Cocktail Butter Ball Turkey Crab Meat Salad Honey Ham Smoked Salmon Dory Fillet in Dill Sauce Christmas Cold Cuts Braised Red Cabbage Beef Carppacio Carrots & Green Peas House Terrine Brussel Sprouts Thai Chicken Salad Mashed Potatoes Coleslow Salad Roasted Potatoes German Potato Salad Cucumber Salad Tomato Salad Mixed Lettuce Soup - Pumpkin Dream Soup B.B.Q Steak Station Pork Spare Ribs Sausages Chicken Thai Dishes Pork in Oyster Sauce Sweet & Sour Prawn Fried Rice Desserts Crepe Station Crème Caramel Merry Berry Crème Brulee Tira Misu Fresh Fruits NEW YEAR’S EVE BUFFET MENU (Restaurant Poseidon) on Thursday, December 31, 2009 Dinner starts at 18:00 Price 1,000 baht net (Children under 12 years 800 baht) Appetizers Hot Dishes Crab on Ice Rack of Lamb Provencale Oyster on Ice Roasted Beef Tenderloin Smoked Salmon Dory Fillet in Dill Sauce Parma Ham on Melons Cauliflower in Cream Cheese English Roast Beef Broccoli with almonds Goose Liver Terrine Brussels Sprouts Thai Seafood Salad Mashed Potatoes Coleslow Salad Roasted Potatoes German Potato Salad Cucumber Salad Tomato Salad Mixed Lettuce Mushroom Dream Soup B.B.Q Steak Station Pork Spare Ribs Sausages Chicken Thai Dishes Chicken with Cashew Nuts Sweet & Sour Fish Beef in Oyster Sauce Fried Rice Desserts Crepe Station Crème Caramel Merry Berry Crème Brulee Tira Misu Fresh Fruits

Thursday, December 10 is Thailand's Constitution Day. All banks and government offices will be closed. Of course ATMs and exchange booths will remain open. As far as I know this holiday has no effect on the bars and they will be open. I have not heard anything to the contrary.

So what? I fail to understand why you would care whether they're looking or not. What's the embarrassing part? Even when you're the one doing the looking, are you still thinking about them 5 minutes later? Personally, I have better things to think about, such as the boys I wish I was walking with. As for me, I couldn't care less. If anyone really wants to look at me walking with a boy and take note, fine with me. They can also take note of the fact that I'm the one on my way to wherever with a boy while they're taking note of the fact that they've got nothing. I can be the one walking with a boy or I can be the one sitting and watching somebody else walking with a boy. Guess which of the two I would rather be . . .

My friend, if you're looking for boys, that's the wrong place to stay. If you already have a boyfriend and are looking for an off-the-beaten-path accommodation, you're fine. But you're not going to find available boys there and you're not going to find many boys willing to go there with you. How are they supposed to get back? Baht buses and motorcycles are not going to be out there waiting to take passengers into town. Even if the guesthouse provides rides, I would guess the service is not available 24 hours a day. If it is, do you think they're going to provide transportation back to town for a boy you took off from a bar and is not a registered guest? A baht bus is going to cost at least 150 baht, probably more, and that's if you can find one willing to take you there. You're talking about at least a half hour ride, maybe more, each way. If you have never been to Pattaya, then I urge you to stay at either The Ambiance or Le Cafe Royale during a first visit to Pattaya. They're both gay hotels, right in the center of all the action, and there will be plenty of people to help you.

When you say "we" you are implying that your lack of confidence applies to most people, perhaps everyone. That is simply not true. You're even assuming that you can forget about sex unless you pay for it. Other than the bars and usually the beach, that is also not true. And there are plenty of Gay Romeo boys who have nothing to do with the bars. Speaking for myself, if I see a boy I like, whether in a supermarket or anywhere else, I first smile. If he smiles back and maintains at least a little bit of eye contact, then I just say hello and take it from there. Sure, I get rejected sometimes, but if we're talking and he seems to be amenable, then getting rejected is rare. If I can see it's not going to go anywhere I say "it was nice to meet you" and go about my business. You seem to be overly shy and lacking in self confidence. You've already posted that you would be self conscious simply by taking a boy off and walking through Sunee Plaza with him. What do you plan to do, come to Pattaya and watch everybody else having a good time, but you're going sit there embarrassed to do anything for yourself because of a fear of rejection and/or a fear that others may be watching you? Here's an idea that may help you. If you don't already have one, when you come to Thailand buy an inexpensive mobile phone. Now you'll have a phone number good anywhere in Thailand. Then get some small pieces of paper and write your name and telephone number on them. If you cannot bring yourself to invite someone to your room, someone you've at least said hello to, then just give him one of the papers and hope he'll call you. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you start getting those calls. You can even do that in the bars. If you call a boy over, but are too shy to walk with him through Sunee Plaza or wherever, give him one of the papers and tell him you would like him to call you sometime. Most likely you'll here from him the next day. Then you can arrange to have him meet you wherever you want. Being shy and having no confidence is just plain silly in Pattaya. I'll even go a step further. If you wish, contact me when you get here. If I'm in town I'll be glad to take you around myself. It won't take long before you realize how useless your fears are in a city like Pattaya.