Gaybutton

I tried your friend's recommendation. The surgeon took one look at me, left the office, and became an accountant.

The local news media is reporting several stories about the rise in the number and frequency of these crimes, along with more stories about pickpocket teams that plague baht buses. Regarding the gold chains, to me it defies logic as to why anybody would want to wear them here with so many thieves out there ready to try to snatch them. Some of them stop at nothing to make a grab. On the baht buses, be especially alert for anything suspicious and keep your money and wallet where the pickpockets can't get at them. The usual M.O. is for the pickpockets to work in teams. One or two of them will do something to distract you while another uses the opportunity to pickpocket you. If you have any reason to be suspicious, then get off the bus and alert the driver. For whatever reason, most of the pickpocket gangs that get caught are usually females, working in groups of three or four. Unfortunately, due to drug use and difficult economic times, more and more people are resorting to crime. Please use common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim.

I see that as similar to customs officials deciding whether to pass you through or give you the third degree. There are probably profiles they have been trained to look for. What I don't know, and maybe someone can tell us, is whether they have actually had the authority to ask for further documentation all along, but have simply chosen not to ask for it. I seriously doubt whether it is any secret to the Immigration officers that the USA embassy, at least, gives out proof-of-income statements without anyone having to prove a thing. I don't see anything particularly upsetting or frightening about this at all. First, let's see if we start getting reports from people that they have indeed been asked to provide further documentation and what kind of documentation the Immigration officers want before the usual panic over nothing begins. _____ Steve Randall: "Experts in the field from all over the world have gone over the scrolls with a fine toothed comb and have declared all of it to be genuine." LeBrun: "Anything can be forged." - Irving Wallace, "The Word"

"Making someone cum is hardly the worst thing you can do to anybody. So, what's the problem? Selling is legal. Fucking is legal. Why isn't selling fucking legal?" - George Carlin

Consider yourself lucky. I didn't have a youthful appearance, even when I was a youthful . . .

You know something, that's right! And that's one of my peeves, now that you mention it. It seems that whenever I go to a restaurant, if I want a waiter's attention they don't even look my direction. On the other hand, if I don't need them for anything, that's when they're hovering over my table. How do they do that?

Better still, tell us where you get them. I understand you get them at Boots. Have you seen them for sale elsewhere too? I have a feeling more than one person would benefit from these.

If that is the case, then you're stuck. Legal or illegal, all you're likely to accomplish is ending up with enemies who, in the long run, won't change a thing. The best suggestion I can think of is to invest in having at least your bedroom soundproofed. I read so many stories about people trying to deal with similar situations. Letters-to-the-editor appear quite often in the English language local newspapers too. I'm one of the lucky ones. I live in a quiet neighborhood and I'm never plagued with noise at night. I think I'll stay put.

Well, you could always have your name, address, and passport information tattooed onto yourself . . .

Here are a few more of my little peeves: 1. Opening a bank account. The stories I consistently hear about farang trying to open a Thai bank account. Why are some banks very restrictive about it and others seem to welcome farang without any problem? Why is it that one bank branch often will give you one answer and another branch of the same bank will give you an entirely different answer? 2. Mobile phone accounts. Farang can only open an account, at least with DTAC, if they hold a work permit. If you are retired, have a residence certificate, and can show you have lived in Thailand long term, you still can't open an account. You have to get a Thai to open an account for you instead, in his own name. Why? Who is least likely to pay the bill, a Thai or a farang? The strange thing is a farang can get a telephone land line in his own name with no problem at all. You get a monthly bill for that. A farang can subscribe to Internet service providers under their own name. You also get a monthly bill for that. So, what's the problem about mobile phone accounts? Do they think they're going to get a lot of farang skipping out on their bill? That's another one on my "I Don't Get It" list. 3. Potholes. There are few streets in Pattaya that fail to sport at least one or two potholes. Many have plenty more. My first peeve is that very few of them ever have any kind of a hazard marker. There have been many accidents, even deaths, when someone hits one of the more dangerous potholes and simply didn't spot it until it was too late. When they do mark them, half the time it's just a cut small tree branch that was stuck in the middle of the pothole. On the rare occasions when they actually repair the potholes, as soon as there is a heavy rain, there's the same potholes again, usually with a few nearby brothers. 4. Thai time. I've gotten used to it, but it can still be very annoying, especially when you are expecting a repairman or service technician. I can't even remember how many times I would be promised a "show up" time, but nobody shows up. Sometimes they do show up . . . hours later. Sometimes they don't show up at all. Of course, there is almost never a phone call telling you they will be late or can't come that day. Also, if you're with a Thai boy and he tells you he'll be back in an hour, be grateful if he shows up within three hours. 5. Junk. How many times have you purchased a small appliance or some sort of electronic device that breaks down or falls apart within three months or so? Wall electric sockets are notorious. They work fine and hold the plug beautifully for a month or two. Next thing you know, the plug simply falls out of the same socket or you have to jiggle it around to get it to work. And since nobody seems to believe in grounded electrical outlets, how many times have you received an unexpected shock? 6. The Bum's Rush. Often, in restaurants the waiter just can't wait to remove your plate. Too often they don't ask if you're finished. They just grab the plate and off they go. I've had several times when I haven't finished, am looking away toward someone I talking to, and when I look back, surprise! The plate is gone! Now, I know I can certainly stand going on a diet, but let me be the one who decides when it ought to begin, ok? Overly attentive waiters can be a little annoying too. It does tend to make me a little uncomfortable when a waiter, sometimes two or three of them, are just standing there, practically hovering over me, staring at me trying to eat. Then, of course, when they bring you your change, they love to stand there waiting to see how much of a tip you're going to leave. 7. Bottled water. My peeve is the prices many restaurants charge for bottled water. I buy bottled water in six-packs. Usually I'll buy a dozen six-packs at a time. The price? 210 baht. That works out to slightly less than 3 baht per bottle. I would imagine the restaurants buy their bottled water in wholesale lots. So, what are they doing charging as much as 30 to 45 baht for the same water? 8. Tree trimming. Every so often there are crews of workers that go around town trimming the trees. It's perfectly obvious to anyone that these people have had absolutely no training whatsoever in pruning techniques. Most of the time they simply butcher the tree. The branches are cut literally anywhere. Often, instead of at least cutting the branch correctly, they just cut from the top down. When a heavy branch falls, it takes huge portions of tree bark with it, leaving ugly large gashes in the tree. Many trees end up dying as a result. Those are a few peeves that came to mind while I was sitting here thinking about it.

You didn't finish the story. You left out the best part. Was it the teller or the Thai lady who said "sorry"? And, did the teller then serve you or the Thai lady? If you were served first, how did the Thai lady respond? I hope she was pissed!

That happens to me too. What I do in that case is wait until he gets off the stage and then call him over.

I'm glad. I'd hate to be on the road alone . . .

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Thaksin Talks of a Comeback Declares Readiness to Fight for Justice By: AEKARACH SATTABURUTH Published: 3/02/2009 at 12:00 AM NAKHON RATCHASIMA - Thaksin Shinawatra is in a fighting mood. The former prime minister says he is ready to fight for justice and make a comeback as the country's political leader. The move is a turn-around. Thaksin earlier said he had washed his hands of politics. "I earlier announced that I would wash my hands of politics," Thaksin told members of the opposition Puea Thai party and former MPs of the now dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) on Monday in a phone-in. "But as there are so many politically motivated cases being filed against me, I want to tell you now that I am ready to return to the political arena once again. "If I give up the fight, people who used to benefit from policies initiated by the TRT will be badly hurt." The former prime minister said mounting persecution by his rivals had forced him to change his mind. He also denied allegations he was not loyal to the monarchy. The allegations were "pure nonsense", he said. "I will fight on no matter what happens. I'm ready to be prime minister again if people support me. If people voice their call that they want me, I will come back to carry out my duty [as prime minister]." Thaksin said he would not always remain on the run in other countries and went on to criticise the Democrat party-led government for failing to tackle the country's problems. He urged the opposition party to be patient and wait for its turn to administer the country as public confidence in the present government was eroding. Thaksin's 20-minute phone-in started shortly after politicians loyal to him joined a seminar organised by Puea Thai at a hotel near the Khao Yai national park in Pak Chong district of this provincial gateway to the northeast. The seminar, co-hosted by Thaksin's younger sisters Yaowapa Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra, was attended by banned executives and MPs of the two dissolved parties - TRT and the People Power party (PPP). Former prime minister and PPP leader Somchai Wongsawat, PPP deputy leaders Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Sompong Amornvivat, former PPP secretary-general Noppadon Pattama, former TRT executives Pongthep Thepkanchana and Sermsak Pongpanit were also there. Thaksin, who fled the country in August before being sentenced in October to two years in jail for abuse of power in a land purchase deal, was toppled by a coup on Sept 19, 2006. The coup-appointed Assets Scrutiny Committee froze 76 billion baht worth of his assets. "Please feel at ease that I will not abandon anyone. Be assured that I will stay near you [MPs] to give you support," he told his loyalists. Puea Thai MP for Nong Bua Lamphu Chaiya Promma said the phone-in had helped raise the party's spirits. ____________________ EARLIER REPORT Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday declared his readiness to fight for justice and make a political comeback as prime minister. The convicted former prime minister's made the U-turn during his phone-in speech to members of the opposition Puea Thai party and former politicians of the now dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT). He had earlier said that he had washed his hands of politics. "I earlier announced that I will wash my hands of politics. But as there are more political prosecutions against me, I want to tell you now that I am ready to return (to politics) to fight. If I give up the fight, people who used to benefit from policies initiated by TRT will be badly hurt,'' he said. The former prime minter said mounting political prosecution used by his political opponents forced him to change his mind and denied allegations that he was not loyal to the monarchy. The allegations were ''nonsense,'' he said. ''I will fight no matter what it will happen,'' he said. ''I'm ready to come back to be prime minister again if people support me. If people voice their call that they want me, I will come back to carry out my duty (as prime minister),'' he added. Thaksin vowed that he would not stay in other countries until his last days and criticised the Democrat party-led government for failing to tackle problems in the country. He also called for patience from the opposition party to wait for their turn to come back to administer the country after the failure of the present government which was eroding public confidence. Thaksin's 20-minute phone-in speech started shortly after politicians loyal to him entered a seminar organised by Puea Thai at a hotel near the Khao Yai national park in Pak Chong district of this northeastern province. The seminar, hosted by his younger sisters, Yaowapa Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra, included banned executives and MPs from two dissolved parties -- TRT and People Power party (PPP) such as former prime minister leader Somchai Wongsawat, PPP deputy leaders Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Sompong Amornvivat, former PPP secretary-general Noppadol Pattama, former TRT executives Pongthep Thepkanchana and Sermsak Pongpanit. The former prime minister, who fled the country in August last year and was sentenced to a two-year jail term in October for abuse of power in a land purchase deal, was toppled by a coup on Sept 19. 2006.The coup-appointed Assets Scrutiny Committee ordered a freeze on his assets worth over 76 billion baht.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the same police officers return as customers, if they're not customers already . . .

Gentlemen, I'd like to steer this thread back to the topic - the Central shopping mall, remember? If you wish to discuss foods Thais like, no problem, but please start a new thread and discuss it there.

Why can't you get them at a bank?

Well . . . I have a screwdriver you can borrow.

I'm not modest. The two good friends were RichLB and myself. First, we're sorry you had the accident, but we were both happy we were able to help you. You bring up several important points: One is that it is nice, as well as important, to have friends upon whom you can rely, especially here. A bad situation can only become worse if you find yourself alone and in trouble given the language difficulties that can arise. It provides tremendous peace of mind to know that you can depend on friends coming to the rescue when something happens. This time it happened to you, but we are all aware that something can go terribly wrong in anyone's life at any moment, especially since we aren't getting any younger. Another important point is the quality of care available here. The hospitals here are excellent, with competent, caring staff. Sometimes I hear about people who return to their home countries for treatment. The only reason I can think of to avoid health care in Thailand would be if insurance won't cover you any other way. When I have had to be in hospitals, or take friends to hospitals, the care given is far better than anything I ever received in the USA, that's for sure! Granted, Pattaya is not exactly noted for being 'handicapped friendly,' but it's slowly, but surely, improving. At least you can get around at all. If I have to be confined, I'd much rather be confined here than where I came from. Here in Pattaya, whenever you need help from your friends we're only a phone call away. I wouldn't bet the farm on being able to depend on the same thing in the USA. Regarding the age of the orthopedic doctor, yes he was young and good looking, but I wouldn't let that throw you: In the film, "Flight of the Phoenix" (the 1965 original with James Stewart - not that lousy remake) during one argument Dorfmann is reminded that Captain Towns is a highly experienced pilot with many years under his belt. Dorfmann responds by saying, "That is precisely the problem. He has remembered everything and learned nothing."

How much do you want to bet that several of the very people urging this "crackdown" partake of these "services" themselves? I'll also bet a few of them will get caught. Well, don't worry about it. If it goes the same way most everything else goes in Thailand, they'll huff and puff about it for a while, and then that will be the last you hear about it and nothing will change. I also get the feeling they're much more concerned about girls selling themselves online rather than the gay boys.

Today I discovered one thing about Central Plaza. Sunday is the wrong say to go! Just getting into the parking lot was virtually impossible. After waiting at least twenty minutes I gave up and ended up at Villa Market instead. I wanted to try shopping at the Tops in Central, but the mall was just mobbed today. I'm not surprised. During high season I expect things like that. I also usually avoid the beach on weekends for the same reason.

To me, there is only one way to deal with it. Expect it to happen and be pleasantly surprised when it doesn't.

And cashiers who let them get away with it.

I have no problem about facing that. By the way, I've never been in Kansas in my life. Ok, here's one to go with the elevator peeve. Trying to enter a BTS or Metro car during crowded hours. The hordes won't let people out before trying to shove their way in. Of course, the people trying to exit have no qualms about trying to shove their way out. But at least let people come out before trying to shove your way in. Here's a quick list of some of mine: Traffic Traffic lights that take forever to turn green, and then stay green only long enough to let about a half dozen cars get through before turning red again. Potholes Road construction during the peak of high season, and no construction at all during low season. Taxi drivers who refuse to turn on their meters. Bar boys who are all over you while in the bar, and then are duds once you take them off. Boys who are constantly on their mobile phones, even during intimate liaisons. Pushy mama-sans. Overly aggressive bar touts. Bars that hire under-age boys. Bars that charge outrageous prices. Excessively high music volume in bars. The insane way so many Thai drivers operate their vehicles. The insane way so many farang drivers operate their vehicles. Double and triple parking. Having to risk your life just to cross a street. Businesses putting barriers on public streets so that no one can park in front of their shop. Police letting them get away with it. Baht bus drivers who try to cheat their customers. Boys who won't go to the beach because they're afraid of a tan. Old, fat farang who wear thongs and bikinis at the beach. Topless grandmas at the beach. Stores that have no change. Indian tailors who try to pull you into their shops. Those are just some of my little peeves. I'm sure I'll think of more.

There is no text-only version, but there is a way to filter out the banners and ads. There is a free program called Adblock Plus. You can download it at: http://adblockplus.org/en With that program you can filter out individual images and/or entire frames so that they will never appear when you access the web site. It's quite simple to use. You must have the Firefox browser in order to use Adblock Plus. It does not work with any other browser.