Gaybutton

Dear friends, Unfortunately, Mick has taken a serious turn for the worse. He had problems breathing and had to be put on a respirator. He then experienced what was called a brain spasm. Tests indicate more possible problems with areas in the brain. He is not conscious at this time which could be caused by medication or by the brain spasm. Doctors are doing all they can and hope that this can rectify itself. All any of us can do is wait. The doctors, at this time, can not give us a very positive prognosis. Tim & Tom

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ Fugitive US Pedophile Hunted Down in Pattaya A fugitive American serial child abuser, accused of consistently preying on young Cambodian and Thai girls, has been tracked down and arrested, hiding in South Pattaya. The man was caught by police in his rented room in Yensabai Condotel, Pattaya Soi 18, South Pattaya, on June 9, 2009, in which many photos of young girls were found and taken as evidence. The individual, identified as Curtis David Fahlberg, 63, has been under surveillance by Pattaya police since 2006, however, the decisive move to arrest him came with a request from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) that he be arrested following a tip off that Fahlberg had been observed travelling between Thailand and Cambodia in what transpired was a pursuit of under-age girls in both countries. Fahlberg was actually on the run at the time of his arrest, having fled prosecution in the US, where an outstanding warrant was out for his arrest, accused of child sexual abuse. Fahlberg apparently has a penchant for very young girls. So far evidence collected reveals that he has sexually abused an 11-year-old Cambodian girl who was also photographed by him and a six-year-old Thai girl, likewise. He apparently used an agent to provide these and other girls and is suspected of more abuse of other under-aged girls in both countries. Following his escape from the US, Fahlberg, on coming to Thailand, apparently used a Thai accomplice to hide him from pursuers, not tremendously effectively, however, as his surveillance and subsequent arrest proves. A police spokesman has announced that Fahlberg will be handed over to the Immigration Bureau and deported to the US.

Don't leave us in suspense. Where, how, and how much?

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the show?" I'm convinced that the real reason they do these things is because somebody's brother-in-law is lining his pockets at the expense of everybody else.

These low season closures are something new. This is the first year I have noticed any of these businesses closing for the entire season. Closing while the boss is on a holiday somewhere is not so unusual, but closing for several months at a time is new to me. Sometimes it's difficult to tell if the closings are temporary or if the venue has simply gone out of business.

Can you recommend other places to stay? What else can you tell us about the gay scene there? Are there gay bars? How do you hook up with boys there? How much do the money boys expect? Any details you can tell us would be very helpful. Also, if you have any tips, restaurant recommendations, and that sort of thing, whatever you can tell us would be appreciated. Also, are there ATMs there? Can you recommend the best mode of transportation to get there from Phnom Phenh?

Enjoy it while it lasts. This evening I was told that even UOB is going to start charging in August, but their charge will be 100 baht, not 150 baht. I know nothing about GSB or what they're going to do.

Yesterday I heard the same thing about UOB (United Overseas Bank). I hadn't heard about GSB (Government Savings Bank) until your post. Assuming that's true, then they better keep their ATMs filled. They're going to get a lot of farang customers as long as they continue the practice. For UOB, you'll find their ATM locator page at: https://ereport.uob.co.th/BranchService/Fro...ng.jsp?suS=Find I couldn't find an ATM locator for GSB.

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: for photos, see: http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/june/n...8_06_52_3.shtml _____ Thai Man arrested Following Allegations of Lewd Acts in Public Park On Sunday Afternoon, Police from Huoy Yai arrested Khun Songkran aged 30 at a public park in Soi Chayapreuk 2 following allegations of an indecent act involving three children aged 6,8 and 9. The suspect was taken to a Police Box in the area after a parent of one of the children was informed of the problem inside the park and went to investigate. At the Police Box the children explained that the man approached them and offered them 40 Baht for some drinks. In return, the children must touch the suspect in his genital area. The children refused to comply and at this point the suspect is alleged to have masturbated in front of the children who were told to stay and watch. Khun Songkran confessed to the indecent act and was arrested and charged with the offence and is set to appear in court later this week.

I received the following information today: _____ Mick the night manager of the Cafe Royal Bar was taken to Bangkok Pattaya hospital a few days ago with uncontrollable shakes and very high blood pressure. Yesterday the doctors there said they believe that whilst there he has now suffered a stroke and appears to be paralyzed down one side it doesn't look very good for him they say. As they don't have a Neurosurgery department or surgeon at Bangkok Pattaya hospital he was transferred overnight to the Bangkok Medical Center in Bangkok. As you know Mick ran the Soho bar in Pattayaland Soi 1 for some years.

If that describes you, I think I found a web site that can help quite a bit: http://www.learningthai.com/tones/

Maybe I should have said "activity" instead of "construction." I have seen cement trucks going in and out of there. Maybe you're right about what's going on.

There is construction going on at the site, so they're building something. Whether it will really end up being that 95 story structure remains to be seen.

First, it's the Boat Bakery, not Boathouse. Take a baht bus north to the Dolphin Roundabout. If you're lucky, he'll turn right and go up North Road (Pattaya Nua) to the bus terminal. If not, you'll have to get off the bus and take another one that goes up Pattaya Nua. You could also just hire a baht bus to take you there. It should cost about 150 baht.

Please let us know the outcome and if you found our information to be accurate.

Maybe not a fake after all, according to AP. Nevertheless the family made it clear that they are quite upset over publication of the photo, so I did remove it to avoid being caught up in a lawsuit and out of respect to the family's wishes. _____ Carradine Family Takes Action on Probe, Photos By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES – David Carradine's family members, dissatisfied with Thai investigators and "profoundly disturbed" by the publication of a forensics photo in a Bangkok tabloid, are seeking help from the FBI and an independent pathologist and have threatened legal action against any media outlet that reprints images of the actor in death. Keith Carradine has filed reports with the FBI that could lead to the agency's involvement, said Mark Geragos, attorney for the "Kung Fu" actor's half-brother. The FBI confirmed that Carradine's family had contacted the agency. The family will also seek an independent autopsy by famed forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to determine whether another person could have been involved, Geragos said. Results of an autopsy performed Friday in Bangkok were not expected for at least three weeks. A chambermaid found Carradine's body Thursday at Bangkok's Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel. Thai authorities said they have all but ruled out foul play, based on surveillance footage and interviews with hotel staff that indicate no one was in Carradine's room before he died, said Col. Somprasong Yenthuam, who is heading the investigation. A grainy photo published on the Saturday cover of the tabloid Thai Rath shows a naked body suspended from a clothes bar in a hotel closet, hands apparently bound together above the head and feet on the floor. The face is blacked out and other areas are obscured. The paper did not indicate the source of the image, but Thai police said they believed it was a picture of Carradine's body taken by a forensics team. Keith Carradine said in a statement that the family was "profoundly disturbed by the release in Thailand of photographs taken at the scene of David Carradine's death," and threatened legal action against further distribution. "The family wants it understood that, per attorney Mark Geragos, any persons, publications or media outlets will be fully prosecuted for invasion of privacy and causing severe emotional distress if the photos are published," the statement read. The actor's family hopes the body will arrive in Los Angeles by Monday, Geragos said, but he did not give specifics. Geragos said the family decided to intervene because of conflicting information about Carradine's death and a lack of direct information from Thai authorities. "All we really know is not much more than what the public knows, and that's disturbing," Geragos said. Agents were checking with the FBI's legal attache at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to see if Thai authorities "are requesting or would welcome FBI assistance in this matter." FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said the agency generally only gets involved in death investigations overseas if a crime is suspected. Investigators initially said Carradine's body was found "naked, hanging in a closet," causing them to suspect he had taken his own life. But his family, friends and representatives have said they doubt the 72-year-old actor would have killed himself. Police later said the actor may have died from accidental suffocation or heart failure after revealing that he was found with a rope tied around his wrist, neck and genitals — leading to speculation that Carradine may have engaged in a dangerous form of sex play known as auto-erotic asphyxiation. But Geragos said he expects the examination by the New York-based Baden, a celebrity among forensic pathologists who frequently consults on high-profile cases, will clear up many unanswered questions. "It's an amazing thing what a good pathologist can accomplish," Geragos said. Carradine flew to Thailand last week and began work on a film titled "Stretch" two days before his death. His friends and associates told CNN's Larry King he had a happy marriage, recently bought a new car, and had several films lined up after he finished work in Bangkok. A martial arts practitioner himself, Carradine was best known for the U.S. TV series "Kung Fu," which aired from 1972-75. He played Kwai Chang Caine, an orphan who was raised by Shaolin monks and fled China for the American West after killing the emperor's nephew in retaliation for the murder of his kung fu master. Carradine also appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby. He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill." Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000009421 _____ VICE PRESIDENT OF PATTAYA CONDO PROJECT “THE BEACHES” ARRESTED ON FRAUD CHARGES On the morning of 5th June 2009, police arrested a Thai-English national, Mr. George Carl Morgan (40), on fraud charges. He is accused of issuing fake documents to customers of “The Beaches” condominium project in Jomtien and embezzling deposit payments to the tune of 100 million baht. The arrest was confirmed at 11:20 am by officers of the Crime Suppression Division under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner, Police Colonel Supisal Pakdee Narunart, and Police Colonel Pornsak Surasit. The half-Thai, half-English suspect, who resides at 45, U-thong Nok, Susit District, Bangkok, was arrested at Arina Gerden Village, Soi Samakki, Pak-Glet, Nonthaburi with warrant no. 1094/2550 on charges of issuing fake documents. He had managed to evade arrest until now by moving from place to place. Mr Liakat S. Dhanji [40], the Canadian director of the development company behind the project (Triple Eight Property Company Limited) has issued separate proceedings against Mr. Morgan who, since 14th January of this year, has been the vice-president and marketing manager of the condominium project, claimed to be the biggest of its kind in South-East Asia. Police said that Mr. Morgan had presented himself as a respectable person and had used his privileged position in the company to offer customers half price deposit deals. The value of the paid deposits is believed to be about 100 million baht. Most of the customers affected are from Sweden and Russia and police have announced that anyone who has deposited money with Mr. Morgan should check to see whether their payments have been registered in the company records. Should anyone discover that their reservation has not been registered, they should contact the police immediately. The 800 room, 20,000 Million baht project started in 2005 and is located at the Najomtien area of Jomtien Beach. Prices for apartments are between 5 and 20 million baht and construction is expected to be complete by 2012. The project has been popular among speculators, both Thais and foreigners.

<!--quoteo(post=26352:date=Jun 7 2009, 06:45 PM:name=lvdkeyes)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lvdkeyes @ Jun 7 2009, 06:45 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=26352"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I can explain it for you. T I T<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Unfortunately, that's probably the best explanation we'll ever get.

Ok, pic deleted. Besides, that picture looks like a fake to me anyhow.

Between the bank charges and document requirements for visas, it seems that many of us are having entirely different experiences when we're doing exactly the same things. Lord only knows why this should be, but apparently that's what's going on. In another thread, when this sort of thing was brought up, I said this may be my newest item on my "I Don't Get It" list. Now, it's definitely made the list. I can't come up with anything to explain what's going on.

Did you also give them some sort of proof of address? If you did, then that means whether they ask for the credit card or not is a matter of whim. All I can tell you is I have never been asked, although last year when I went to renew my retirement visa I gave it to them voluntarily with all my other documents. That's because that's when that rule first came out. But they didn't ask for a foreign credit card. I gave them a copy of a Thai ATM card, one that has a VISA logo on it. Also, they did black out that three-digit code on the back. I don't know what good that does them, though, because Thai ATM cards do not have your name imprinted on the front. This year, however, I did not give them a copy and I was not asked. When I do my 90-day reports, all I have ever been asked for is something to substantiate my address. I give them a bill, in my name, that had been mailed to me. They always readily accept it. I've used my MaxNet bill, my TOT bill, and that sort of thing with no problem at all. Sounds like the next item for my "I Don't Get It" list.

As far as I know they are not. I just renewed my own retirement visa last week and was not asked for that.

I'll try to make it easy for you: If you have not held 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 3 months or more: 1. Your passport 2. Copy of your main passport page. 3. Copy of the oldest retirement visa in your current passport, if you are renewing a retirement visa. 4. Copy of your most recent retirement visa, if you already hold one. 5. If you do not already hold a retirement visa, a copy of the visa you currently hold. 6. "Letter for Immigration" from your Thai bank. 7. Bank passbook, updated the same date you are applying for the retirement visa (no more than a very few days old. Best to update the same day you intend to apply) 8. Copy of your bank passbook's main page. 9. Copy of your bank passbook's updated page, showing your account balance. 10. Proof-of-Income statement from your embassy. 11. One passport photo 12. Evidence that shows where you live and whether you are renting or buying. You do not need to provide copies. They simply want to look at what you have. 13. 1900 baht to pay for the visa. If you do have 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account, and it has been there for a minimum of three months: You need everything listed above except the proof-of-income statement from your embassy. At the Pattaya Immigration office, if they want additional copies or additional documents, there is a little copy shop right next door. They'll make whatever you need. You can even have your passport photos made there. If you still feel uncomfortable, then if you're going to apply for your retirement visa in Pattaya, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to go with you personally and walk you through the whole thing.

I just did. That's wonderful if you were someone who watched a television comedy, "Home Improvement," which I never did - not even once - and I also never heard that phrase. Now that we know "I don't think so, Tim" really is a phrase (next time put quotes around it and next time don't assume anyone else is familiar with obscure phrases, especially since non-Americans also read this board), I don't suppose we can get off this and actually get to the subject of the thread at some point before the Internet becomes obsolete, can we? Because I'm starting to give some thought to adding one or two more to that "tourist attraction" . . . . . . . . . .

Who's Tim? By the way, does anyone have anything to say about the article that started this thread? Here we have an article about someone being beheaded and then put on display, and all anybody wants to talk about is whether Saudi Arabia is geographically considered part of Asia. Alright already. I concede that Saudi Arabia is part of Asia.