Gaybutton

Now, now. Be careful. Suppose I start think you are one of them . . . . . . . .?

I hope you wear a helmet when you're riding it . . . .

I hate to say this, and I truly mean no personal insult by this, but if you permitted him to steal that much from you without throwing him out, then I don't think I'm stepping out of line by suggesting you have another look at who is suffering from a mental disorder.

I suppose on a technical basis, they're right, but that doesn't mean we have to sit around without at least speaking out about it. Maybe the people who insist it isn't our business need to consider what the extraordinary number of these arrests do to the public perception of Pattaya and gays who come here. What do they think the reason is that customs officials hassle single males who are returning home from Thailand, especially if they've made multiple trips to Thailand? What do they think the reason is that the odds are that a single male returning home from Thailand is going to have his laptop computer and photos rigorously inspected? Maybe they forgot that a great many people are under the impression that gays are also all pedophiles, and simply the fact of being gay is still almost universally stigmatized in the first place. In my opinion, the idea that it's not our business is ridiculous. Just why the police "stand by and let this happen" is a question I can't answer. I don't know what it takes before the police can consider that enough evidence has been gathered to make an arrest that will stand up in court. I am bothered by the fact that the police must have been following this guy if they knew where he took this boy, unless someone saw what was going on and called the police. The article doesn't say how the police knew where this man was. I'm bothered because in the majority of similar news stories I read, the police often wait for the act to be in progress before they make the actual arrest. Maybe that's necessary under the way Thai law works, but if it is, then changes need to be made so that the police can make the arrest without the boy actually having to be subjected to sex with the 'alleged' pedophile. I hope you are not going to retire elsewhere. Certainly Thailand has it's problems, but I hope you won't allow these sick individuals to destroy your confidence in Thailand as a wonderful place to retire.

These are minors? They not only appear to be at least 18, they appear to be at least 21. Maybe someone in Denmark needs glasses. They certainly appear to be older than a hell of a lot of female models that appear all over the various media. And these pics are G-rated in the first place. Something is rotten in the State of Denmark - William Shakespeare

Maybe that's why he brought the boy to his little hideaway by the reservoir instead of to his own place. First he stalks a school. Then he sets his sights on his target. Somehow he manages to speak to the boy in a location that won't arouse suspicions of adults or other kids. He lures them by promising to take them shopping, which he doesn't do. Instead he takes them to his 'secret spot' and somehow convinces the boy to have sex with him for 200 baht. This is one news story I hope the media will follow up. Based on what I've read so far, I have a feeling that there are going to be a significant number of more of his victims who come forward and I also see a possibility that this man may turn out to be one of the most vile, prolific pedophiles ever to show up in Pattaya. How would you like to be in his shoes? Even people who try to justify pedophile behavior are likely to come out against this "gentleman." I think even his own ex-wife is going to testify against him. The media says she left him because of this behavior. Obviously, somewhere along the line she mentioned that to somebody. I am also angry because once again this kind of story ends up having the effect of stigmatizing Pattaya as a haven for pedophiles and since he was involved with young boys, it also stigmatizes the gay community further than we have already been unfairly stigmatized. All this just so he can have himself a satisfying cum! If I ever met him, the first question I would ask would be, "Was it worth it?" The prosecutor is going to have a field day with this one. I would love it if part of his sentence includes allowing each parent of each victim ten unsupervised minutes alone with him. The only silver lining I see on this cloud is that at least he gives his victims money and a threat, however little, instead of (as far as we know) murdering them.

They didn't misunderstand. The application and process is the same. That's why I said, on another thread, the worst that can happen if you lose your retirement visa if it expires before you get a chance to renew it will be that you simply apply for a new one.

That's easy. Just walk into Boyz Boyz Boyz. You may not find those particular boys (maybe you will!), but you're sure to find that type.

I agree. I don't understand why they published photos of the boy. They usually don't do that. If his schoolmates see those photos, now it will be open season on him in the teasing and bullying department, as if things weren't bad enough for him already. You know what else stinks? This guy was giving these kids 200 baht per "session." 200 baht! How generous of him.

It's one of my favorites too. Not long ago they were telling me that if a Thai boy is with you and wants to order Thai food, they bring food over from the Thai restaurant next door. Now I've been hearing they don't do that anymore.

That's what I'd like to know. I know many people who post are very insistent that we use the word "alleged" until someone is actually convicted, but in this case this man was caught in the act, and on top of everything else filming it, and he had been arrested for the same kind of thing only a month ago. Try getting me to use the word "alleged" in this case. According to the article, his wife left him because of this kind of behavior, so that tells me this incident is not exactly the first time. I don't understand why they let someone like this out on bail, but I have a feeling that due to the publicity and since he obviously has no intention of stopping this behavior other than by force, he's not going to be granted bail again and he's not going to see the light of day as a free man again for quite some time. In prison he'll have all the sex he wants, but I have a feeling that when the other prisoners find out why he's in jail, he's going to have plenty of things shoved up his ass other than someone's cock. It's sad that people like this either cannot or will not exercise self control. It would be hard to get me to agree with anyone who wants to say this man is not a pedophile. He had to be aware of the chances of getting caught, especially in light of the fact that he had been caught before. If the articles are correct about the number of times he's been caught, then apparently he's not exactly the most cunning pedophile around and apparently he's come to believe that it doesn't matter whether he gets caught or not. He simply pays whatever the bail amount is and presto! Right back out on the streets to start doing the very same thing yet again. It's been a month since he was arrested last time. Why do I have a feeling that the day he was caught this time is not exactly the only day during this past month when he was doing this? I think this man is in real trouble this time. He could end up in prison for a great many years. How would you like to spend the rest of your life in a Thai prison for the sake of having a 12 year old kid jack you off? What a stupid, useless way to ruin your life.

This "gentleman" was caught literally with his pants down. Would you believe he was arrested only a month ago for the same type of activity, but was out on bail? The story is just unreal. For photos, see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008275 __________ The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ SERIAL ITALIAN PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT AGAIN HAVING SEX WITH YOUNG BOY An Italian paedophile who has a long history of assaults on Thai boys has been found again having sex with a young boy at the Charknok reservoir. At 6.00 pm on the 20th January, Mr. Supakorn Noja of the Child and Female Protection Squad was notified that a foreign man had been seen taking a Thai boy into a bush at the Charknok reservoir, Moo. 4, Huoyyai, Banglamung. Suspecting a case of child abuse concerned officials rushed to the scene to investigate. At the scene parked in the bush, well hidden from view, police found a blue motorbike [Platinum, PX 125] with no number plate. They also found a boy performing hand sex on a foreigner who was later identified as Mr. Mannari Massimo [51] from Italy. They were both naked. Mr. Mannari Massimo, otherwise known as Allan, gave police a driving license which identified his address as 133/4 Moo. 12, Nongprue, Banglamung. Mr. Massimo had been arrested many times before, charged with similar offences. Police searched his bag and found a video camera, a digital camera, a box of condoms and some used condoms. According to the boy, Dahm [alias] , Mr. Massimo had taken him to this bush about three times. The first time, he approached him in front of his school and asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. Mr. Massimo told him that he would take the boy to a shopping mall to do some shopping but he ended up being brought to the bush. He was given 200 baht each time for performing hand sex on the Italian. Dahm said he could not refuse each time the man approached him because he threatened to kill him if he told anybody. Mr. Massimo videoed each occasion they had sex. Mr. Supakorn Noja said Mr. Massimo had been previously arrested on 23rd December 2008 when police caught him having sex with a 13 year old boy. His record of abusing boys had added up to more than 40-50 cases in the previous years. He normally approached boys at the Wat Suthawat School. As an alternative he would take boys from the Sunee Plaza to hotel rooms instead of the bush. Police revealed that Mr. Mannari Massimo had a wife but she couldn’t put up with his behaviour and so she had left him. ____________________ The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Italian Man Suspected of Conducting a Lewd Act with a 12 year old Boy On Tuesday Afternoon, Police Officers from the Children & Women Protection Center Region 2 were given information of a foreign man who was accused of conducting a lewd act with a young boy in bushes close to the Charknok Reservoir in Huoy Yai Municipality. Police Lieutenant Colonel Omsin and team of officers arrived at the location and found the suspect who was naked along with a naked Thai Boy aged only 12. They were caught as the lewd act was taking place. The foreign man, later named as Mr. Massimo Mannari aged 49 from Italy was taken to Banglamung Police Station where it was determined that the man was already known to the Police who had arrested him in connection with another case involving sex with minors less than one month ago. He is also thought to have been involved in many other cases of the same nature in the past. He intended to pay the boy 200 Baht for his services and also filmed the indecent act. He further revealed that he met the boy in front of a school and initially offered to take the boy shopping at a local Mall. In fact, by his own admission, he intended to take the boy to the reservoir. Mr. Mannari accepted that he had taken the young boy to the secluded area for the purpose of taking part in a sexual act in exchange for money and is now facing further criminal charges in addition to his previous outstanding cases. There are calls for Mr. Mannari to be taken off the streets of Thailand for good, however Police could not confirm that bail would not be offered to this suspected pedophile.

Personally, I don't blame Israel for "over-reacting," if that is indeed what they are doing. Perhaps I am wrong, but from what I understand Israel has never attacked anyone unless they were attacked first or were in obvious danger of imminent attack. Am I wrong about that? It seems to me the anti-Israel middle eastern countries that despise Israel and say their homeland was taken from them have directed their hatred toward the wrong people all along. Israel was set up by UN charter wasn't it? I have never really understood why they go after Israel rather than the UN. I also don't understand what good either side thinks bombs, terrorist attacks, and that sort of thing will do. All that ever seems to do is provoke more mutual mistrust and hatred. I think the problem has nothing to do with the fact that these hatreds have gone on for so long. I think it has to do with both sides being in a no-win situation that so far has not been able to be resolved through negotiation. If they are never able to reach a compromise, one that works, then I see no end to it.

What a perfect editorial cartoon that would make. A drawing of Cheny in the wheelchair with a caption that says, "What the Bush administration did to America." But I do recognize the historic event. I don't deny the significance of the event. And I do hope he is able to get things turned around. All I'm really saying is that I don't trust any politician or anything the government says until it actually happens. Hope is one thing. Trust is another. Don't get me wrong. I am an Obama supporter. We've heard the talk. Now I'm looking for the action. David Niven (Miller): "You don't trust anyone, do you?" Anthony Quinn (Stavros): "That is why I have lived so long." - The Guns of Navarone

That's an interesting blog. Thanks for posting it.

I have. The number of days you spend outside of Thailand has no effect on the expiration date of a retirement visa or any other type of visa. He is probably confusing that with the address reporting deadlines. The clock restarts for address reporting dates upon re-entry into Thailand.

Maybe Guantanamo will be used to house the terrible people out there who smuggle in a pirated DVD or a questionable photo. After all, a single male traveling to Thailand must automatically be a criminal of some sort . . .

"An expert is a fellow who's afraid to learn anything new because then he wouldn't be an expert anymore." - Harry Truman I feel the same way. If you will send me your suspicions I will look into it.

It's your choice as to whether you wish to purchase a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit. Based on what you posted, I would go with the multiple re-entry permit. Remember, though, either permit expires the same day your visa expires.

If you are going to stay three weeks or more, then your best bet is to rent a condo. If not, then I would suggest either Howard's Guesthouse or Two Guys Guesthouse. Both are within easy walking distance to Sunee Plaza, are very good places to stay, and are far less expensive than most other popular gay accommodations. Howard's: http://www.howards-pattaya.net Two Guys: http://www.twoguysguesthouse.com The rates run from 600 to 700 baht per night. I don't think you can do any better than that.

In my case my home was burglarized. Since then I've taken a number of security steps. So far that hasn't happened again. However, when it comes to boys I have chosen to either bring home or to a hotel room when traveling (and that's getting to be quite a number now, thank God), I can honestly say I have never had anything stolen. I do take all the precautions I often post about. Whether those precautions are the reason or I simply have had only boys who are not thieves, I don't know, but to date I have not lost so much as one baht to any boy I have ever had with me.

No, I don't believe I'm raining on anything and I wish nothing but the best for Obama and the things he says he will do. I hope as much as anyone that he is able to accomplish everything. But the way I see it, inspirational speeches, promises, and rhetoric mean absolutely nothing. It's accomplishment that counts. I'm the type who prefers to wait until those accomplishments start actually happening before I'm ready to stand up and cheer and view a politician, any politician, as the savior of anything. I am not among the people who are delighted that now the USA has its first black president. That also means absolutely nothing to me. You know why? Because I don't give a damn about what color he is. I only give a damn about what he will actually accomplish, no matter what color he is. If I had to select just one USA politician, within my lifetime, for whom I so far have the greatest respect it would be none other than the late Senator William Proxmire. That doesn't mean I don't also have great respect for several others, but Proxmire is still number one on my list. As I said, nobody would be happier than I if eventually I can replace that choice with Obama, but only time will tell that. I reserve my judgment until a year from today. I hope on January 20, 2010 I will also feel thrilled with Obama as president. Today, my greatest thrill was watching 'Dubya' make his exit.

I guess the killjoy around here is me. Many people are acting as if Obama is tantamount to the Second Coming of Jesus, but I'm not buying it. Not yet. I also have the same hopes everyone has, but I don't believe a thing politicians say until they actually do what they say they're going to so. I realize that some are delighted to see Obama take office because they're so sick and tired of 'Dubya," and I count myself in that crowd, but I hope a year from now everyone is just as pleased, if not more pleased, with Obama than they are today. I hope he really does make differences, the right kind. But until he does, I'm still a "we'll see" person. One thing I do greatly respect and admire about Obama: According to news reports he writes his own speeches. He does collaborate with professional speech writers, but his speeches are primarily his own words and ideas. But inspirational speeches are not enough to satisfy me. I'm very happy to see Bush go. I'm half surprised he didn't have us in a war with both Iran and North Korea before he left office and I thank goodness he didn't. I also realize that Obama is stuck with the legacy of what Bush did to the country and to the world, but only time will tell just how good a president he turns out to be. I can tell you, though, nobody will be happier than me if he turns out to be the greatest president the USA has ever had. I hope that's what happens. It will be very interesting to see how Oliver Stone portrays Obama when he gets around to making a movie about him. I just hope that Michael Moore doesn't feel a need to make a movie about him in the middle of his presidency.

Normally they give you a claims ticket and have you come back the next day at about 10:00am. If the 800,000 baht is a problem, why not simply get the proof-of-income statement from the US Embassy? All you need is a valid passport. Then it doesn't matter what you have in the bank. You'll still need the letter from the bank, but that's routine. The bank letter is acceptable for one week. Based on what you have written, none of this appears to be any problem at all. I really don't think you're going to have any trouble. Just don't wait until the last minute. I suggest going in to get the visa renewal three days in advance of your trip out of Thailand. That way, if there is any kind of a paperwork problem, you'll still have time to deal with it. I also suggest bringing your airline ticket with you. I doubt you'll be asked to produce any evidence of when you're actually leaving, but you never know, so have it handy just in case you're asked. Remember . . . get the re-entry permit.

Sometimes I think that's precisely what's bringing on dementia. There are plenty of people out there who will tell you I became "demented" a long time ago. I'm told I definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic. The cheese fell off my cracker many moons ago! But yes, I do read the posts. Pattayamale says he sees a pattern between two posters. I hope he sends me a PM or Email and let's me know who he's talking about. I haven't spotted a pattern. But, as I said, if anyone out there is suspicious that someone is trying to cheat, please let us know and we'll certainly look into it.