Gaybutton

Of course, tip amounts are an "up to you," but other than drink prices the off fees and other prices remain the same.

That's where, in my opinion, you hit the nail right on the head. I think there is a great deal of difference between a Thai boyfriend who wants to go as opposed to a boyfriend who is talked into going. The idea is for it to be a positive, enjoyable experience for all.

Then I stand corrected. A Holiday Inn and a Hilton? That's impressive. Next time I'm in the area I'll try to see if I can spot exactly where the Holiday Inn will be.

I can understand thaiworthy's position. After all, how much fun would it be to take anyone, whether it's a Thai boy or someone else, on a holiday to the very location he wants to get away from and never see again? Not exactly my idea of a thrill either. And he would have to spend a fortune to do it too. Now, if he takes his Thai boyfriend to Disneyland or Las Vegas, or somewhere that might be a hell of a lot of fun, and not a reminder of the place he despises, that could be a very different story.

I could be wrong, but I believe it will be connected to the new Central Festival shopping mall. If anything else is under construction in that vicinity, they're doing a great job of keeping it well hidden, at least from my eyes.

Oogleman has posted a very good set of photos from The Venue on the Gay Ting & Tong board. http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4594

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: For photos see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000009320 _____ Manhattan Restaurnt Shot at by Motorcycle Maurauders Early in the morning of 25 May 2009, Manhattan Restaurant, on Tappraya Road, one of Pattaya’s fine dining venues, was shot at five times by two teenage youths riding by on a motorcycle. The restaurateur, Mr. Dave, was reportedly shocked by the incident and said in all the time the restaurant had been open, he had never had any problems with anybody. At 03.00 am, Pol.Lt.Col. Tanagrit Lapittisan, Pattaya Police Investigator, was notified that a man had fired his gun at Manhattan, a very popular restaurant located on the ground floor of a six-storey condo at 482/1-57 Moo. 12, Tappraya Road, and duly sent a police team to investigate. Arriving at the incident location, police found the restaurant front windows had been shot through, leaving three bullet holes in the glass. The restaurant name sign had also been shot at, leaving one bullet hole. Police found 5 cartridge cases on the ground in front of the restaurant, which were kept as evidence. Mr. Nattapol Bumroongrat, [21], a motorbike taxi driver, who was the only eye witness, told the police that the incident had happened while he was waiting for a passenger at his taxi-station in front of the condo. He said two young men had approached him, riding a motorbike along the Tappraya Road from the direction of Jomtien and when they were passing the restaurant, the pillion passenger had drawn out a gun and fired about five pistol shots at the restaurant. The two then sped away in the direction of South Pattaya. The restaurant owner, Mr. Dave, was closing the restaurant at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Police broadcast a radio alert to police patrols in the area in an attempt to apprehend the suspects, but they manage to escape. Mr. Dave told the police that the restaurant had been operating quite some time and neither he nor his staff had ever had any problem with anybody. He said he was shocked by the unexpected incident. Police presume the suspects were teenagers, armed with their own gun, intent on creating problems for people just for kicks. The police are currently following up the case and are confident of bringing the culprits to justice soon.

There are visa "service" companies in Pattaya and elsewhere that advertise they can obtain new visas for farang without the farang having to leave the country or otherwise comply with certain regulations. All for a fee, of course . . . a hefty one, usually to the tune of 10,000 baht on up. It's not a good idea to try to circumvent visa regulations, especially with use of these companies. I have a feeling that after reading the following, anyone tempted to try one of these "services" will definitely have second thoughts. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Woman Arrested by Immigration Police Accused of Offering Fake Visas to Foreigners On Friday Mr. Gaven Horst aged 34 from South America went to the Immigration Office in Jomtien to check the authenticity of a visa which was stamped in his passport. He explained to Police Captain Achib that he obtained the visa through the Visa 2 Company based in Soi 13 off Pattaya Second Road and paid 13,500 Baht for the service which did not require him to leave the country but only hand over his passport to the company who would do the rest. It was determined that the visa was fake and an Immigration Police investigation began into the company. Khun Bat-tamaporn aged 40 from the Visa 2 Company was contacted and explained she used another company called Property 4 U based in South Pattaya to make the visa. Khun Natarin from the Property 4 U Company explained that they sent the passport to Khun Narinee aged 43 who could make the visa. An arrest warrant for Khun Narinee was obtained and she was arrested on Friday Night and taken to the Immigration Office. She confessed to providing the fake visa service and was charged with producing counterfeit government documents. She will appear in court next week. __________ The article doesn't say what ended up happening to Mr. Horst's 13,500 baht, but I'll give you three guesses.

I think it depends on the individual boyfriend and his personal preferences. I've met many who don't want to leave Thailand at all, not even for a holiday, and some who would love such an opportunity. Also, I think it depends on what he'll be doing while there. If you're going to be with him at all times and take him around to different places, that's one thing. But if it is to be the type of holiday in which all he gets to do is lounge around the house, waiting for you to come home from work, do you really think he would enjoy that? If he takes you to his home town and leaves you there alone for hours while he is off doing something else, do you really think that would be a pleasant experience for you? The same goes for him. Another factor is food. Many of the Thai boys know their Thai food and that's about it. Some are quite finicky and won't even try other kinds of foods. I'd make sure about that too before thinking about bringing him over for a holiday. You might also want to make sure he brings along his spices, much of which might not be available where you live. After all, he might starve to death without them. In other words, you want to make sure he is really going to enjoy it and would jump at the chance to come again. You also need to make sure, in your own mind, who the holiday is for. Is it really something you are doing for him or in the end is it really for yourself?

Also, Trongpai knows that area quite well. If he sees this post he will probably respond or you can send a PM to him. If anyone would know what's available in that area, he would.

For their long-haul flights, they use primarily Boeing 747s and 777s. I think you'll find most of the information you seek at: http://www.seatguru.com

You're talking about only 5 days. I doubt that you're going to succeed in finding a condo for rent for such a short period of time. Condos normally require a minimum of one month, or at least require you to pay for a minimum of one month. Unless there is some reason why it must be a condo, you're probably better off staying at either the Pinnacle Hotel or the Malaysia Hotel, both of which are close to that area, are gay friendly, and are reasonably priced. The Malaysia Hotel is the cheaper of the two. Their current price is 800 baht per night. Price-wise, I doubt you're going to do better than that, even if you can find a condo willing to rent a room to you for a short stay. If you decide upon the Pinnacle Hotel, don't book directly with the hotel. Book through Jimmy, an English speaking Thai whose office is on the 13th floor at the Pinnacle. You will get the room at a substantial savings through Jimmy. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the area, Jimmy is a wealth of information and recommendations. The way it works is that you book your room through Jimmy. Then, when you check in at the hotel, you tell the desk clerk that you made a reservation through Jimmy. The desk clerk will let you check in, probably charge you a key deposit, and give you your room key. At some point you go to Jimmy's office and pay him, not the hotel. He's usually there from about 10:00am to 3:00pm. If he isn't there, you can simply put the money in an envelope, write your name and room number on the envelope, and slide it under his door. When you book through Jimmy, you're going to have to call him. He almost never responds to Email. He answers his phone between 10:00am to 3:00pm, Thailand time. The number is 081-859-6585. The Pinnacle Hotel has a web site at: http://www.pinnaclehotels.com/lumpinee/index.html The number for the Malaysia Hotel is 02-679-7127 Their web site is: http://www.malaysiahotelbkk.com

Regarding the roads being torn up, at least they're doing it during the lowest part of the low season, but it's anybody's guess how long it will be before they complete the road construction. It seems to be dragging on forever. Sometimes weeks go by without any work being done on the roads at all, despite the fact that they tore it all up. As for Continental Bakery, at least they have other locations where you can get the same breakfast, but it must be terribly difficult for all the businesses along the torn up areas. You can still get there easily enough on a baht bus or motorcycle taxi, but for local people who have their own transportation it is very difficult, let alone trying to find somewhere to park. So, their business is definitely going to suffer since there are so many other places to go for breakfast, including making your own if you're a resident here or if you're on a holiday and renting a room with kitchen. Since there are so few tourists right now, that makes it all the more difficult.

It's a very sparse low season. Several bars have closed, changed hands, or are up for sale. The most popular bars still get plenty of customers, but not nearly so many as before. Also, I think part of the problem is that Pattaya is not really lacking too much for tourists, but they're just not spending as much money as before.

I don't know what difference it makes who the owners are. I would think most people are interested in the bar and the show itself and couldn't care less who owns the place. Last night I did see part of the show and I think it is quite elaborate (definitely too loud for my ears, though) and well done. People who enjoy cabaret shows are certain to enjoy The Venue. I like the fact that the seating is table seating rather than the usual bench seating found in most bars. I also like the colors and the lighting. I've always hated it when strobe lights give me a direct hit in the eyes, or a support pole blocks the view. There is none of that at The Venue and they are drawing a crowd for good reason. Again, if you like cabaret shows, then I think it's definitely worth heading for Jomtien Complex and seeing the show at The Venue.

I think we may be getting it through the back door. For the past couple months my net income has been about US $30 more than it had been. I've been told that's how it's being done - less tax pulled from your monthly income. I don't know for sure if that's correct, but it would account for the additional money each month.

Today I went with a friend to a Bank of Ayudhya (yellow) ATM. He pulled money with his foreign ATM card and was not charged the 150 baht fee. So, as far as I know the yellow Bank of Ayudhya ATMs are the last ones that are not charging the 150 baht fee.

Now I have. The way I'm hearing it, the police were rounding up the street kids and checking them for drugs. I do not know whether the police entered any of the bars.

I'm not sure why you dredged up a thread nearly a year old already to make this point and I'm not sure who your source(s) of information are when you say "I was told," but yes, it is common knowledge that certain bars pay for such "security." I have had more than one bar owner freely tell me that they pay and how much they pay. That just seems to be a part of how things work here. Not all bars pay, but when police raids occur none of them seem immune to me, whether they pay or not. There have been no major raids for months now, but when the raids do happen the usual target is Sunee Plaza. Pattayaland is pretty much left alone. I know of only one major raid that took place in Pattayaland. What was that, about a year or two ago when farang caught up in that raid were ordered to produce their passports? If I remember correctly, if a farang had his actual passport or had a good copy on his person, he was sent on his merry way without further incident. I also seem to remember that a very few farang were actually taken to the police station, but all were later released. I don't remember whether they had to pay fines, but I suspect they did. Anyway, that's the only Pattayaland raid that I recall at all. On the Ting & Tong's Gay Thailand board, Oogleman posted that one bar in Sunee Plaza was raided Wednesday, this week. I haven't heard about it personally, but you can read what Oogleman has to say about it at: http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4583

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: For photos see http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/may/ne...0_05_52_4.shtml _____ Jellyfish Alert Following the recent rainstorms around the Pattaya area, Jellyfish have been spotted in large numbers around the coastline from Pattaya all the way up to Sattahip. For this reason we must warn you to be on your guard, especially if you enjoy a “dip in the ocean”. We have been told that if you come into contact with these Jellyfish you will notice an intense burning sensation and this may affect your mobility, therefore coming into contact with them is extremely dangerous. If you are unfortunate enough to be stung by them, we recommend that you make your way to Hospital as soon as you can.

I can't help you with the Thai menus. I can speak Thai fairly well, but I haven't even tried to learn to read it. I'll take the durian, but I'm with you on the fermented eggs. Forget it! I can't eat the chilies either, at least not yet. Burns the hell out of my mouth and then I can't even taste anything. Not exactly a pleasure for me. I have people tell me all the time why I should like the chilies. Maybe they like it, but so far it's not for me. But there are Thai foods I'd like to be able to make, especially some of the seafood.

That never occurred to me. I often wonder just what I'm eating too. Now that you took the course, are you less afraid of it or did you end up even more afraid of it? I took a look at the BaiPai web site you you posted. That does seem like a good course and at a reasonable price.

The following appears in the PHUKET GAZETTE: http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=7389 _____ Aussie Woman Confesses in Phuket, Released on US$ 28.00 Fine PHUKET CITY: Australian tourist Annice Smoel today pleaded guilty to theft charges at Phuket Provincial Court and was released after paying a 1,000-baht fine (approx US$ 28.00). Pol Maj Songserm Preecha of the Kathu Police told the Gazette today that the maximum sentence for the theft charge was one year imprisonment and a 2,000-baht fine, but Phuket Provincial Court halved both the prison sentence and fine based on her confession. The court then suspended the prison sentence because Ms Smoel has no previous criminal record in Thailand. Ms Smoel’s case has made major headlines in her native country, which is a prime source of tourists to Phuket at this time of year. She was arrested and detained for two nights in a cell at Kathu Police Station after police caught her with a stolen beer mat (aka 'bar mat') from the Aussie Bar on Soi Bangla in Patong. The bar mat, measuring 145cm by 45 cm, was made of thick rubber. The Australian mother or four initially denied the charges, saying friends had put the item in her handbag without her knowledge as a prank. Kathu Police forwarded the case to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office and seized her passport, preventing her from leaving Thailand to go home to her children. The non-stop, worldwide publicity surrounding the case – and its possible impact on tourism – apparently made the court expedite the case. A Thai person facing the same charge would typically have to wait weeks or months for a court hearing. Maj Songserm also denied that Ms Smoel spent four nights in prison, as has been widely reported. She spent two nights in prison and was released after 48 hours, the maximum allowable under the law, he said. Ms Smoel was in an angry mood and quarreled with staff at the Aussie Bar. She was arrested by uniformed officers after staff at the bar reported the theft, not by “undercover police” inside the bar as previously reported in major media around the world, he said. – Kamol Pirat ____________________ and this: _____ http://www.theage.com.au/national/phuket-a...90520-bfp8.html Phuket Accused Mum 'Going Home' * Paul Millar * May 21, 2009 MELBOURNE mother of four Annice Smoel, who had been facing a jail term in Thailand after being charged with stealing a bar mat, was trying to arrange a flight home last night after the governor of Phuket intervened to resolve the matter. Governor Wichai Praisa-nob, who was under pressure from the Thai foreign and tourism ministers, made a personal appearance at Ms Smoel's case hearing yesterday - which was brought forward - and even paid her fine, according to local media. Alan Morison, a journalist with the The Phuket Wan news website in the Thai resort town, said it was highly unusual for the governor to turn up at a court hearing and then pay the fine of the accused. He said the governor had received calls from the Foreign Minister and the Tourism Minister about the case. "It appears it was a clear attempt by the Government to expedite the matter as it was quite damaging to Phuket tourism," Mr Morison said. The website said Ms Smoel had pleaded guilty to theft and was given a six-month suspended jail term and a 1000 baht ($A38) fine in a court ruling yesterday. Bernard Murphy, the chairman of her legal firm, Maurice Blackburn, confirmed last night that there had been progress. "There have been some very good developments today, but it is still sensitive and we would not want to say anything more until Annice is on a plane," Mr Murphy said. "The most important thing for us is to get her home." According to the report, Ms Smoel's passport was being returned to her, and she was quoted as saying: "I think I am going home. The governor is waiting for my passport now. He has been very gracious. I don't know exactly how it all happened today. I think it was probably a combination of my lawyers here, my lawyers in Australia and my Government and the Thai Government. "The governor has apologised to me and been very kind. He seems like a lovely man." The maximum sentence for the theft charge is a year's imprisonment and a 2000 baht fine, but her guilty plea had been taken into consideration. A Thai facing the same charge would have to wait weeks or months for a similar court hearing, the Phuket Gazette said.

I love these kinds of things. I found some more: _____ Lawyer Says Client Is Not That Guilty. Alzheimer's Center Prepares For An Affair To Remember Gas Cloud Clears Out Taco Bell Harrisburg Postal Employees Gun Club Members Meet Georgia Peaches California Grown 89 Cents lb. The Boston Globe ran a story on the Ford/Volvo deal. The headline was "Have You Driven a Fjord Lately?" Legislator Wants Tougher Death Penalty Man Jumps off 2nd Street Bridge Neither Jumper Nor Body Found After Detour To California Shuttle Returns To Earth Fried Chicken Cooked In Microwave Wins Trip Woman Improving After Fatal Crash Properly Drafted Will Reduces Anxiety After Death Study Reveals Those Without Insurance Die More Often Experts Increase Probability of Big Quake in California Man Found Dead In Cemetery Gunfire In Sarajevo Threatens Cease-fire Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge Arson Suspect is Held in Massachusetts Fire British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply Lansing Residents Can Drop Off Trees Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half New Vaccine May Contain Rabies Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Ax Eye Drops Off Shelf Fund Set Up for Beating Victim's Kin Gators To Face Seminoles With Peters Out (The Tallahassee Bugle) Governor Chiles Offers Rare Opportunity To Goose Hunters (The Tallahassee Democrat) Governor's Penis Busy [should be "Pen Is"] (The New Haven, Connecticut Register) Half of U.S. High Schools Require Some Study for Graduation He was asked if he contemplated any further act of matrimony. 'Certainly' was his evasive reply. New York World Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors The choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir. Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan in preparing for the girth of their first child. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. Please use large double door at the side entrance. Mr. and Mrs. Wally Burman of Sioux Falls have just arrived at the Lindau home where they will be housepests for several days. - Minnesota paper If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While Include Your Children when Baking Cookies Iraqi Head Seeks Arms Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus? Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant Stolen Painting Found by Tree Two Soviet Ships Collide, One Dies Checkout Counter Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years Drunken Drivers Paid $1000 War Dims Hope for Peace If Strike isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Times in 10 Years Latin Course To Be Canceled—No Interest Among Students, Et Al. Lawyers Give Poor Free Legal Advice Lingerie Shipment Hijacked--Thief Gives Police The Slip Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half Long Island Stiffens For Lili's Blow (Newsday) Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge Marijuana Issue Sent To A Joint Committee (Toronto Star headline) Married Priests In Catholic Church A Long Time Coming (The New Haven, Connecticut Register) Messiah Climaxes In Chorus Of Hallelujahs (The Anchorage, Alaska Times) Never Withhold Herpes Infection from Loved One Organ Festival Ends In Smashing Climax (San Antonio Times) Patient At Death's Door--Doctors Pull Him Through Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told Prostitutes Appeal to Pope Publicize your business absolutely free! Send $6. (Entrepreneur Magazine ad) Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges Rose Petroleum Jelly Keeps Idle Tools Rust-free (Chicago Daily News) Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted Some 40% of female gas station employees in Metro Detroit are women, up from almost none a year ago. (Detroit News article) Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says Starr Aghast At First Lady Sex Position (The Washington Times) Stolen Painting Found by Tree Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents Teacher Strikes Idle Kids Thanks To President Clinton, Staff Sgt. Fruer Now Has A Son The public is to be allowed to inspect the Crematorium on Sundays. Other amusements will be found advertised in the local press. Canadian Paper Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years in Checkout Counter Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead War Dims Hope for Peace Would She Climb To The Top Of Mr. Everest Again? Absolutely! (The Houston Chronicle) Textron Inc. Makes Offer To Screw Company Stockholders (The Miami Herald)

Yes, it's a US requirement. Gay_grampa was joking.