Gaybutton

I've done that for you.

I agree with the others. That's cutting it way too close. It can take fifteen or twenty minutes alone, once you're in Suvarnabhumi, just to walk to your departure gate. I would recommend at least three hours between flights. The ride from the old Don Muang airport to Suvarnabhumi will take forty minutes, or more, and that's if you don't hit any traffic delays. In Bangkok traffic delays are quite likely. Your friend arrives at 1:10. Let's assume his plane isn't late and he arrives on time. By the time he gets off the plane and you make it out to the transportation area, you're looking at about fifteen to twenty minutes, and that's only if all he has is carry-on luggage. If he has to wait for luggage, then you need to allow twenty minutes for it, at best. Ok, at best now it's at least 1:25. You grab a taxi to Suvarnabhmi. Again, at best, you arrive at Suvarnabhumi and now it's 2:05. Now you have to check in for your flight out of Suvarnabhumi. The best you can hope for is another 15 minutes, and that's if you're not waiting in a long line. Now you are on your way to the departure gate. Time to go through the metal detector, remove your shoes, and have any carry-on luggage inspected. Again, if there are no lines at all, at least ten minutes. Now it's 2:15. From there you have to get to your departure gate. If you're really lucky and it's a close gate, at least a five minute walk and now it's 2:20. Your flight leaves at 2:45. The aircraft doors will be closed at least ten minutes before departure. Under the best of circumstances and luck, you're leaving yourself only a fifteen minute leeway, and that's only if he didn't have to wait for luggage at Don Muang Airport. In other words, your chances of making that flight are quite remote. I would advise rescheduling.

What did you have for dessert . . . . . ?

You did. I have no objection at all to people trying to win the contest. In my post above I said if I was eligible, I'd be doing the same thing. You're a long time poster on this board. You're not someone who suddenly showed up here once the contest was announced and started writing frivolous posts solely for the purpose of trying to "stuff the box" in order to win the contest. I've read every post you've ever written here and I don't think any of them have ever been frivolous. I don't even have much of an objection to people who are writing frivolous posts. That's not my objection. What I object to hasn't even occurred yet, although I expect that it will. My objection is with the people who came out of the woodwork, started posting on this board only in an attempt to win the contest, and as soon as the contest is over, they're going to disappear right back into the woodwork. As I said, that can't be helped, but I have no personal respect for those who do that. I hope nobody will, but I think some will. I don't think you're going to be one of them. There's nothing at all wrong with your posts or your posting history here, which I am certain will continue long after the contest has been completely forgotten.

If you like piercings, then you're certain to fall in love with this gentleman: And that's just his face. I don't know about the rest of his body. I don't think I want to know. How would you like to be the guy operating the metal detector at the airport? I wonder what happens if he gets too close to a magnet. Anyway, he would certainly make a dream blind date, no doubt. When you knock on his door, he gets to give you a little surprise. And a Happy Halloween to all . . . . .

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ American Dies after Fall from Well-Known condo. On Thursday afternoon police and rescue services were called to Center Condo in South Pattaya after being informed that a foreign man had fallen from one of the floors and was lying badly injured at the base of the building. The man, an American national later identified as Michael John Bruner, aged 58, was lying face down and clearly in a very distressed state with multiple broken bones. Although he was attended to at the scene and then rushed to Pattaya Memorial hospital, Mr Bruner died a short while later from his injuries. Initial theories are that Mr Bruner committed suicide as residents and workers at the condo said he was suffering financial problems and had recently begun selling off his assets. Even so, it may be that his fall was an accident. Although the deceased’s room was on the 13th floor of the complex, Mr Bruner fell from the third floor. Locals said he liked to sit near an open window on the third floor to catch the sea breeze on most days. For some strange reason police were unable to gain access to Mr Bruner’s room on the 13th floor because it was locked and the keys to the room were not, apparently, on his person. Police said there was no evidence of anything unusual around the third floor balcony area and they believe Mr Bruner committed suicide due to stress. The American Embassy has been notified of the death. ____________________ And this, from the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ AMERICAN DIES IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE FALL FROM PATTAYA CONDO An American national suspected of committing suicide was found dead following a fall from the third floor of the Center Condotel in Pattaya. Responding to a report of a suspected suiceide received by Police Lieutenant Colonel Tanagrit Larbittisan at 4:00 pm on the 20th November 20 2008 an emergency response squad, consisting of the police and the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Team, rushed to the Center Condotel located on South Pattaya road. The officials found Mr. Michael John Bruner (58), an American citizen, lying alive, face down, on the ground at the back of the condo and next to the garbage storage area. He was wearing a colored shirt and white shorts. He had sustained broken arms and legs. The rescue team rushed him to Pattaya Memorial hospital immediately but he failed to recover and died from his injuries. Mrs. Tonglai Tohprom(44) , a cleaner of the 16 storey condo, told police that she'd heard the sound of something heavy hitting the ground while she was sitting and talking with her friends in the staff room near to where the incident took place. They went out to investigate and found the body of Mr. Michael John lying outside and still alive. Police inspected the immediate area but could not investigate Mr. Bruner’s room, no. 3/456 on the 13th Floor, because it was locked. They questioned other residents and were told that he had financial problems and had lately been selling off his belongings, including his motorbike. Police inspected the third floor balcony where the victim usually liked to spend his time because it is a windy area. On the day of his fall, people saw him there but say he didn’t show any sign of stress. There was no evidence of fighting or anything unusual, only a small broken window and footprints around the balcony. With the evidence available police presumed that Mr. Bruner committed suicide from stress. The American Embassy has been notified of the incident and proceedings are ongoing.

There was a little more to it than just that, although I can well understand wanting to overthrow a government because of taxes! "Do you realize that America was founded by slave owners who wanted to be free?" - George Carlin

Oh my God. Piranhas!!!!

If you attach a picture to your post, it will appear small. If you click on it, then it will enlarge. If you use the IMG function, then the picture can be whatever size you want.

I dislike tattoos. I've never understood why someone would want to decorate his body with an image he wouldn't be caught dead framing and hanging on his wall. Some people find them attractive and erotic. I'd rather not find them at all.

First, I suggest you do not bother obtaining Thai baht in advance of your trip. There is absolutely no reason to do that and you'll be charged rip-off prices for it. I also suggest sticking primarily to your ATM card. You'll find ATMs virtually as soon as you step off the plane. They're everywhere you look in Thailand and every one of them have an option to do all transactions in English. Unless your issuing bank is some obscure bank, such as First National Bank of Ouagoudougou or something, your card will work just fine at any ATM in Thailand. If you can, try to bring a duplicate ATM card with you in case your existing card gets lost, stolen, or eaten by an ATM. It can't hurt to bring traveler's checks, but the only real reason to bring them is for back-up if something happens to your ATM card and there would be a delay getting another one. I wouldn't bring too much. Yes, you do get a better rate, but unless you plan to spend thousands and thousands of dollars, it won't make a significant difference. Here's a couple of suggestions: 1. Before you come to Thailand, make sure to contact the issuing banks of any ATM or credit cards you intend to use in Thailand. Make sure the bank knows the dates you will be in Thailand and where you expect to be. That makes life much simpler. It will prevent your bank from locking the card and will also make life much easier for you in case the card is lost, stolen, duplicated, or something else. Also, make sure to get an international collect call number from your bank, in case of a problem, and keep that number in a safe place. 2. If you intend to make additional trips to Thailand, I urge you to open a Thai bank account while you are here. You can open one with as little as 500 baht. Most Thai banks charge an additional 300 baht fee for an ATM card. The card will be usable internationally. Having a Thai bank account will make life a lot easier. You can deposit your money into that account and use the ATM card anywhere in Thailand. If something happens to the card, you don't have to worry about international calls, delays in getting a new one, or anything else. You would be able to close the card and get a new one the same day. By the way, if you do lose a Thai ATM card, call the bank and cancel out the card, but go to the police station before trying to obtain a new card. Most banks require a police report before they'll issue a replacement card. From what I understand, the easiest bank where you can open an account with a tourist visa is the Kasikorn Bank. If you do intend to return to Thailand, then do it now. Open the account during this trip. Don't wait. The regulations keep changing and it could easily end up being difficult to impossible later on. If you want any assistance opening a Thai bank account, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to contact me. I'm always happy to help and I'll be just as happy to personally take you to do these things. All you need to do is to send me an Email ( gaybutton@gmail.com ) and I'll respond with my telephone number.

Ok . . . it ain't so.

Actually I am a little upset about that! I want to give it a try. As for terrible, mean spirited me . . . I leave that to the eye of the beholder. Personally, I don't think it's anyone's business as to reasons why you're doing this. It's not my business either. In my opinion, the only thing that's any else's business is the fact that you're doing this.

Good idea. If you really want to know what happened at Googie's, why don't you ask him?

Are you joking? Do you truly believe that GT is spending $1500, plus whatever it will cost for the little affair when the winner is drawn for the sake of attracting new posters or rewarding regulars? As for the intent of the contest, if GT wishes to share his reasons, that's up to him.

That's very kind of them. I'll remember that next time I park on a steep hill . . .

I think I will. I live for thrills.

I'm out to my family. To me, the word 'out' in this sense means you have told people, personally, you are gay. Other than my family, I have never told my friends, but I'm sure they figured it out. Either way, I couldn't care less whether they know or not. If any of my friends back in the USA don't like it, too bad. I've reached a point in my life at which I'm not going to hide the fact that I'm gay to anyone, with the possible exception of a dream (well maybe 'nightmare' is the better word) holiday in Tehran or Taliban Acres.

I think Laurence has the best idea of all. The food around Wat Chai, after hours, might not be the greatest and you might need a forensics expert to identify what's in it, but those 'desserts' can be outstanding!

If he also parked, maybe you don't know why, but I do . . . and you didn't take the hint? Oh well, another missed opportunity . . . . . . I drive in Thailand every day. I'm not afraid of it, but I have learned to drive not just defensively, but extremely defensively. When I was in high school, many, many moons ago, something my driver's education instructor said stuck with me and has saved me from accidents and quite likely saved my life a great many times, more than I can count, especially in Thailand. "Always expect the unexpected." Around here, those are exactly the words to survive by. It's rare for me to drive at all without experiencing at least one close call. The major culprits are the motorbike drivers who come zooming out of intersections without even a quick glance to see if there's an oncoming car. Sometimes I think these people must lie in wait and signal each other whenever I'm driving. I constantly have to be on the lookout for those motorbikes at intersections, along with every kind of vehicle that exists, including bicycles, cutting me off, making a left turn from the right lane, making a right turn from the left lane, speeding at least double to triple the speed limit, failing to use a turn signal, driving the wrong direction, deciding to pass another car and zooming into my lane, nearly causing us to have a head-on collision, suddenly changing lanes without warning, jumping red lights, simply ignoring red lights, tailgating so close that if he were any closer he would be in my car with me, and lord-knows-what else. One of the most difficult things to do is to maintain a safe driving distance behind the car ahead. As soon as you're a safe distance you can virtually count on another car bulling his way in. There goes the safe distance. I would swear that some of these people must be suicidal. Thais are some of the kindest, most gentle and docile people you could meet anywhere, but put them behind the wheel of any kind of motor vehicle and it's a totally different story. They turn into Mr. Hyde. I'm not afraid to drive at all and dealing with this kind of driving has become second nature, but if you frighten easily, get frustrated easily, are impatient, or are not extremely cautious, then Thailand is the wrong place for you to be driving. It's not easy to be a pedestrian either. In Pattaya, if there were laws against jaywalking I don't know how anyone could cross a street. People complain all the time about the hazards of trying to walk across Second Road. Believe me, it isn't just there. It's everywhere. Walk in the middle of the street around and within Sunee Plaza some time. I don't think it will take long to see what I mean. Some crazy kid is sure to come barreling through at high speed on a motorbike. If you're fortunate enough that he misses you, it won't be by much. _____ "Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone driving faster is a maniac?" - George Carlin

Since you're a relative newbie on this board, I'll leave it up to GayThailand as to whether to let your post stand or to wipe it. In all honesty, if I were to decide unilaterally I would delete your post and cancel your posting privileges right along with it. You know why I'm angry? Because you decided it was appropriate to come here and post an accusation without providing a shred of proof or evidence as to what you wrote. That is unacceptable. Apparently you expect people to simply take your word for it, while you get to hide behind the cloak of anonymity. _____ _____ By the way, in case anyone thinks I am somehow biased in favor of Googie, I don't know Googie and he doesn't know me. I wouldn't know him if he were sitting next to me. I ate breakfast there a grand total of once, about four years ago. I haven't eaten there at all since. The only reason is that it's not a convenient place for me to eat. The food was fine. Nobody knows who you are and nobody knows whether your post is credible or not. But in the past, just about every time someone comes from out of the woodwork to post this sort of allegation, it turns out to be someone who has a personal vendetta against the person being accused. I've been involved with these message boards for a lot of years and it doesn't take much for me to smell a major rat here. First, if you want to make an accusation, this is the wrong board on which to do it. Second, whether you make an accusation here or on any other board, you better be able to back up what you say. Third, if you ever do something like this again on this board I won't wait for GayThailand to decide. I'll decide the instant I see it. Your post will be gone and so will you. GayThailand knows he can overrule my decisions any time he wants without argument from me, but to date he never has. I'll take a "whitewash job" over a "hatchet job" any day of the week! ______________ Several hours later: As you can see, GayThailand has edited out some of the inappropriate remarks that were in the offending post. The gap you see in my post is where I followed up and edited out the portions of my post that would have revealed the very things GT edited out of Gordon's post. There is no place on this board for that kind of posting.

First, airline terminology lesson number 1: Most people confuse a direct flight with a non-stop flight, thinking both mean the same thing. They don't. A non-stop flight means your flight arrives at your destination without making any intermediate stops. A direct flight also arrives at your destination, but there will be at least one stop along the way. You don't have to change planes, but you're going to be delayed by the stop with disembarking passengers leaving the plane and the next set of passengers boarding. Often, especially on international flights, you may also be required to exit the plane (just about definitely if they're going to refuel), but you'll board the same plane again. End of lesson. I'm guessing GaySacGuy meant "non-stop," even though he said "direct." If so, then I'm also guessing he was on a Thai Airways non-stop flight to Bangkok. That flight is a much more expensive flight, which probably is the reason why his plane was empty and your friend's was full.

If he actually finds somebody who knows how to make eggs-over-easy properly, instead of overcooking them as so many breakfast places do (no matter what you try to tell them), then he'll have a gold mine in breakfast customers alone.

Actually "5-baht Mary," as I have dubbed her, does clean every hour or so. Granted, I wouldn't want to rely upon her to clean the operating room if I was about to undergo surgery. However, for 10 baht, you can go into "10-baht Tui's," which is right there. You'll find the restrooms there quite clean and also quite large. It's a much better alternative.

I feel the same way. It's rather obvious when people who have either never posted before or had rarely posted before suddenly come out of the woodwork and make sure to post at least three times almost every day for the duration of the contest. I suppose that is to be expected in a contest like this and there are no rules against doing that. I think if I were eligible for the contest I'd probably be doing the same thing. I imagine some will disappear once the contest ends. It would be nice if that doesn't happen, but I have a feeling some people will do that. That's their choice, if that's what they decide to so. I hope everyone remembers: The winner will not necessarily be the person who writes the most posts. The winner will be the person whose name gets drawn out of the hat. It could very well turn out to be someone who submitted three posts during the same day only once.