Gaybutton

Sometimes you really don't know how you would respond when you're taken completely by surprise and caught off guard. In my own case I don't think I'd ignore it, but in situations like that I usually come up with what I wish I had said once it's too late to say it. I am certain I would say something to let the guy know that neither I nor the boy appreciated it. I am certain he would be very clear that I don't expect him to ever do anything like that again. If the boy is with me, if he didn't do it on his own accord, I would let him know I expect him to apologize to the boy. I think what I would say and how strongly worded it would be would depend on who the friend is, how long I've known him, how long the boy has known him, and how close we are. But I can't think of any circumstances that would cause me to ignore it.

Even if every boy in Pattaya really was a hooker, I can't imagine why anyone would do something like that, even if he thought he's being funny. That's one farang I wouldn't want anything to do with again. I know you were probably caught completely by surprise and didn't know how to respond, but it would have served the guy right if you had immediately told him off, took the boys, walked away, and left him standing there like the complete schmuck he is. Even if he comes up to you later, apologizes, and tells you he didn't mean to offend anyone, I would say a quick "Thanks," give him an icy stare, and turn my back on him. This boy was not in a go-go bar trying to entice farang customers. He was out in public, minding his own business, and this idiot thinks it's perfectly ok to grope him. Even if he's someone who is reading this, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he is low-life enough that he still can't understand why anybody thinks he did something, to put it as gently as possible, inappropriate.

If you want to do it a less expensive way, if you arrive during daytime hours there is a very nice airport bus that goes directly to Pattaya. It makes 2 stops, one on Sukhumvit at the bus terminal just south of Central Road (Pattaya Klang) and the other on Soi Chaiyapruk, about 1 block from the beach. You might also want to look at the following thread: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2623

Noooooooo!!!!! Those photos are too good. You can use Photoshop to re-size the pictures and make them a bit smaller first, and then instead of simply saving the photo, go to FILE and SAVE FOR WEB. If you "save for web" you'll have much smaller file sizes with almost no discernible difference in quality. If you upload those, everything will load infinitely faster.

TOQ, why didn't you tell us about your web site?!?!?!? Folks, if you want to see some of the most fabulous photos of Thailand, then don't miss TOQ`s ADVENTURES IN THAILAND web site. It's page after page of photos that National Geographic photographers would envy. I mean that. Some of those photos ought to win awards. I've never seen anyone who is able to capture the "real" Thailand the way TOQ does. There's a lot of photos, so it takes some time for everything to load up, but it's well worth the wait. The URL is: http://freeblognetwork.com/TOQ

I don't see how that's possible. Loy Krathong takes place on only one day per year anywhere in Asia. You might want to have a look at the following web site: http://nyenoona.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/k...thong-festivals

I agree with you, although others may not mind sharing. However, it doesn't have to be a boyfriend. It can be anybody, provided you have his permission to post the pic. Also, according to my interpretation of the thread title, it doesn't necessarily have to be a sexy pic. It simply has to be a sexy Thai boy. I've seen plenty of photos of Thai boys I consider sexy and they were fully clothed. By the way, your post on this thread does qualify and you're the first qualifying post for the contest.

Originating a thread and/or replying to a post, with a quality post counts. Writing a post that says, "I only fly Business Class!!! Does this post count toward my 150 posts?" does not qualify, according to my interpretation of the rules of the contest. The rules specify "To qualify, the posts must be reasonable quality." I don't see that post as reasonable quality going toward an expensive prize such as this contest. I'm the one keeping score. If you wish to dispute my opinion, the final arbiter is GayThailand. It's his money paying for the prize, so he definitely has the final say-so over me.

No.

November 1 – 16. Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2004 Salad of Rock Lobster and Artichokes Hearts on Mesclun *** Truffle flavored Leek & Potato Cream soup *** Roasted Pigeon on braised red Cabbage and glazed Chestnuts *** Orange Sherbet *** Red Wine Sea Horse Bay, Shiraz, Australia,2006 Cajun blackened Salmon with Creol Rice on Corn Galette or Veal Liver in Port Wine Sauce and light Potato Roeschti *** William Pear Mousse with Chocolate Crepe and Puff Stick or Selection of premium international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,450 Baht net (31.60 Є) Menu with Unlimited Beverages 2,900 Baht net (63.20 Є)

I can't say that I blame you, but so far nothing has happened to anyone other than those directly and intentionally involved in this upheaval. Here in Pattaya life is going on as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening at all. I expect to be in Bangkok myself at some point next week. I'll post what I personally observe. I hope others who are currently in Bangkok will do the same. I would hate for people to cancel their trip to Thailand because of fears if it turns out there was really no need for a holiday maker to worry. If it helps, consider that the PAD is going after government buildings. They're not going after the Bangkok gay venues, although they did stage a protest at the British embassy, demanding that Thaksin be extradited and forced to return to Thailand to stand trial.

That would be Vientiane.

Gay Grampa is correct. The news media makes it appear as if all of Thailand, especially Bangkok, is becoming embroiled in a civil war. It simply is not true. Even in Bangkok, unless you go to the isolated areas where all of this is taking place, you wouldn't know anything is going on unless you watch it on TV or read about it in the newspapers. To me, the really sad part is the number of tourists who are going elsewhere other than Thailand. This evening some friends and I ate at the Amor Restaurant in Boyztown, in Pattaya. There were only about 10 farang visible in Boyztown at all this evening, and we were there for two and a half hours. And this is the beginning of high season. It wasn't this bad during low season. The problem with Thai politics is that those who are directly involved are literally ruining the lives of those who have nothing to do with it, but end up suffering the most because of it. Tomorrow is the end of the month. I hope the gay venues have enough money to pay the boys. Tomorrow is supposed to be their pay day. Considering the lack of customers I hope the boys are able to receive their salaries instead of receiving excuses as to why there is no money to pay them.

Regarding the issue of a Thai entering Laos with or without a passport, I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the travel mode by which he enters. When I entered by bus with my Thai friend, all he needed was his ID card. Is it the same when entering by airline? Maybe the only way to be absolutely certain is to contact the Laotian embassy in Bangkok at: http://www.bkklaoembassy.com

You might want to start with the following two web sites: http://www.khonkaen.com http://www.khonkaen.com/english/forum/default.asp Also, a lot of the boys in Pattaya come from Khon Kaen. Just ask at any bar and I'll be you'll find several boys who can tell you everything you want to know.

One Dead, 10 Injured in Bombings, Gunshots at PAD Protest Site, Judge's Home BANGKOK, Oct 30 (TNA) The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protester's rally site at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnern Avenue was disrupted by a bomb, with 10 persons wounded, and one man was found dead near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters, nearby. Meanwhile, a second bomb exploded at Constitution Court judge Charan Pakdeethanakul's home causing minor damage but no injury. Witnesses said that at about 3 am, two suspects drove a motorcycle to the rally site where Peoples' Alliance security personnel had blocked the roads with steel fencing and car tyres. The two men threw a bomb at the protesters' volunteer security guard tent, injuring 10 men, with one being seriously injured and was sent to hospital. The bomb caused a small hole in the ground. Meanwhile, a man identified as Sangwean Rujimola, 46, was found dead on a footpath near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters not far from Misakawan intersection which was also blocked by the PAD. In the initial inspection, police found a bullet wound in the back of the victim's head, while a bulllet hole was also found in the wall of the police headquarters. Pol. Maj-Gen. Anan Srihiran, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, inspected the scene and said police would question Mr. Sangwean's relatives regarding why he went to the rally site. Gen. Anan added that the police did not conclude that the victim was shot by PAD's volunteer security personnel. The police general said witnesses reported seeing Mr. Sangwean drinking alcohol with friends. The victim appeared to be intoxicated before walking alone and verbally scolding PAD supporters. After that some 10 gunshots were heard during the night before he was found dead. At about midnight, a bomb was thrown into the residence compound of Constitution Court judge Charan at Soi Soi Preedee-Phanomyong 45 in Bangkok, causing minor damage, but no injuries. At the time of the attack, Judge Charan was in the house. The explosion caused a 30 centimetre wide hole in the lawn and some window were shattered. Forensic police were dispatched to collect evidence Thursday morning. (TNA) ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ 10 Injured in Bomb Attack Against PAD By The Nation 10 injured, an explosion damaged Constitution Court Judge Jaral's house, gunfire heard near Government House, one man found dead near Metropolitan police head office A grenade was lobbed against security guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at the Makkhawan Rungsan Bridge early Thursday morning, injuring ten of them. The PAD guards filed complaints with police that the attack at the Makkhawan bridge came at about 3 am. Pol Captain Pomphet Chotklang of Nangloeng police station said the bomb was an M26 grenade. A safety pin was found at the scene. The bomb caused a small hole on the ground. Six guards were rushed to the Vajira Hospital. One of them was severely injured. He is identified as Sathien Thapmaliphol, 43. Four other guards received minor injuries and received treatment by the PAD medics. PAD guards told police that the captured a man at 2 am after he carried a shirt soaked with petrol walking to the rally site at the Makkhawan Bridget. Shortly after the man was captured, a motorcycle arrived and the pillion rider threw the bomb at the PAD guards. Following the attack, the PAD stepped up security at the site. About an hour after the bomb attack, a few gun shots were heard near the Government House. At about midnight, a bomb was lobbed into the compound of the house of Constitution Court judge Jaral Phakdeethanakul, causing some damages. No one was injured in the attack happened at Jaral's house on Soi Pridi Phanomyong in Bangkok's Klong Tan district. Bomb disposal officers have yet to determined the type of the bomb. Police Sub-Lt Somchai Saraket of Klong Tan police station quoted Jaral as saying he heard something falling on the roof and heard an explosion two minutes later. The explosion caused a 50-cm-wide and 25-cm-deep hole in the lawn and shattered some window glasses as well as damaging an air-condition unit. At about 5:30 am, police said a man clad in black was found dead on the a sidewalk about 50 metres away from the Misakawan Intersection behind the Metropolitan Police head office. A policeman, who was stationed to keep security near the area, said he saw the man walking through the police line at 4 am heading to the Government House. The man, Sungwian Rujimora, 46, appeared drunk and was heard saying "fight them". He was found hundreds of metres away from the Government House. Police said he was shot and beaten with hard objects. ____________________ and this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Explosion at PAD Nine people were wounded, one seriously, when someone threw an explosive among anti-government protesters at Makkhawan Bridge near the Government House. The bomb was lobbed at around 3:30am from outside the gathering of members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who have been staging anti-government protests since May 25 around the Makkahawan Rangsan Bridge, site of the explosion. The target appeared to be a "forward post" used by internal security guards of the PAD movement, which has established its current headquarters inside nearby Government House. PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang blamed the attack on the government. He said that the attack would not stop the PAD from marching on the British Embassy in Bangkok on Thursday to demand the extradition of Thai former premier Thaksin Shinwatara. Khanit Sapitak, commander of the First Army region in and around Bangkok, described the explosive as a bomb, and denied any connection with the army. Lt-Gen Khanit said he has contacted the police to investigate. Army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, an outspoken anti-PAD activist, also denied any involvement in the bombing. He said, however that it is now time for the PAD supporters to leave Government House. He added that he believes the PAD faces "a group of enemies" who are adopting guerrilla techniques. He also said that PAD guards will die every day if the group does not withdraw from the Government House. Maj-Gen Khattiya said there are many groups that are unhappy with the PAD seizure and occupation of Government House, and its response against high-ranking officials who have came out to warn the group for the occupation.

If you are going to Vientiane there is a much less expensive, and in my opinion much more interesting, way to do it. Fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani. A few years ago I wrote an article about it. The information if probably somewhat out of date now, especially regarding prices, but maybe not. Someone else who has done this recently may be able to supply updated information. Here are the appropriate excerpts from that article: _____ The price (from Bangkok to Vientiane) would be greater than US $200 for the round trip fare. That’s when I was told by one of my Thai friends that a ticket to Udon Thani, which is not far from the Laotian border, is much cheaper. He said that the way to do it is to go to Udon Thani, and then take a bus to Nong Khai, the border crossing. Once I am there, he said, it is easy to cross the border, at which the Mekong River separates Thailand from Laos, and I would be in Vientiane. When I checked, the price of a round trip ticket from Bangkok to Udon Thani amounted to about US $75. That was the way to do it. The flight took fifty minutes, and now we were at Udon Thani. As soon as we exited the luggage retrieval area at the Udon Thani airport, just to the right we saw signs for a bus that leaves right from the airport to Nong Khai. The price of a ticket for the bus was 100 baht (about US $2.50) per person, and the trip takes about ninety minutes. We bought the tickets, boarded the bus, and the bus left immediately. Ninety minutes later, the bus stopped at Nong Khai, the border town. If you are traveling with a Thai citizen, he can enter Laos even without a passport. All he needs is his national identity card. There is a small, easy-to-find office right there at the bus terminal at which the Thai citizen pays a 200 baht fee, fills out some paper work, and is granted an exit permit. Once we finished the twenty minute process, we boarded another bus that takes us across the border. The bus makes a stop just before crossing the Mekong River. At that point, you go through a line at which the Thai customs officials take your departure card out of your passport, and they rubber stamp in your exit. Then, you re-board the bus and cross the river. If you happen to miss the bus, you can take the next one, which will come along in about ten minutes. Make sure you take your luggage off the bus you were riding just in case you miss it. Once you cross the Mekong River, now you are in Laotian territory. The bus stops at the Laotian customs offices. The first thing you have to do, assuming you don’t already have an entry visa for Laos, is to go to the window, which is clearly marked in English, that is the visa-on-entry window. The fee for foreigners, other than Thai foreigners, is US $30, which is payable in either U.S. dollars or Thai baht. You will first receive some documents to fill out. Then you submit the documents, along with your passport and fee. A few minutes later, you will receive back your passport, which will now have the Laotian entry visa. You will also receive an entry-departure card, not very different from the one you received in Thailand. Then there is a second series of lines. One is for Thai citizens entering Laos. One is for Laotian citizens returning to Laos. The third is for all other foreign nationals. You present your passport and entry-departure card there. A few more rubber stamps are entered, and now you pass through. At that point, there will be a table where customs officials will inspect your luggage, if they so choose. Most people, however, are merely waved on through without anybody bothering to inspect your luggage unless you somehow appear suspicious to them. Now, you have to pay an additional 10 baht entry fee, and receive a receipt for it. I have no idea why they don’t simply include that in the visa fee, but that’s the way they do things. Now you have to pass through one final line, at which the receipt for the 10 baht is taken, the entry portion of the entry-departure card is taken, the visa is inspected, and the departure card is stapled to the inside of your passport. Welcome to Laos. The whole process took about a half hour. ____________________ Once you are clear and are in Laos, there are taxis and tuk-tuks that will take you to your destination in Vientiane. When it's time to make the return trip, your hotel or even guest house, can easily make the arrangements for you to get back to Nong Khai and the bus back to the Udon Thani airport.

He doesn't. In the past eight months I've eaten there a grand total of once.

Awwwwww prunes!!!!!

The White Night Restaurant SUNEE PLAZA, SOI V.C., PATTAYA Diary for November. NEW!! AIR CONDITIONED DINING. You now have the choice of an air conditioned dining room or the Soi side terrace. NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST! Now open for a full breakfast service every day, except Mondays from 08.30 am. Hot Breakfasts start at just 50 B up to our Premier fry up at 195 B. We offer something for every appetite and budget, and our Pots of Tea and Cups of Coffee come with UNLIMITED REFILLS. The full breakfast service is currently available until 2 pm. Then we offer A Healthy Option and a Continental Breakfast along with Cake, Pie, Tea and Coffee thru until 6 pm when our famous evening Buffet is ready. THE BUFFET has been expanded and is now available every night of the week. With at least 18different items as well as a large salad selection there is something for everyone. The price remains at only 250 B. THURSDAY 27th American Thanksgiving Dinner. 8 pm. A very special Buffet Banquet for Thanksgiving to include: Complimentary drinks at 7.30 pm, Roast Pumpkin Soup, Asparagus Soup, Waldorf Salad, Traditional Roast Turkey with stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Rich Gray, a vast selection of seasonal vegetables and deserts to include Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie and much more. All served “Family Style” at the long table in terrines and on platters so you can help yourself without leaving your seat. This very sociable Buffet banquet is remarkably only 590 B per person. Reservations essential. Call Mike on 0894028741. The White Night Restaurant, Sunee Plaza, 273/97 Soi V.C. In between Top Man and Bar La Cage. RESERVATIONS 0894028741 http://www.white-night-pattaya.com

BAR LA CAGE SOI V.C. PATTAYA Diary for November. Every Day. Happy hour until 9pm. BOGOF! Buy One Get One Free! (Beer Chang = 32.5 baht! House Vodka & Tonic = 40 baht!) Every Sunday. Chill out with popular Classical Music until 9pm. Wednesday 5th . Guy Fawkes Night. Celebrate the Gun Powder Plot on this very English of Nights. Sadly no Bonfire or Fireworks but we will have a Guy! Olde English Bangers and Mash as a special bar snack, only 95 Baht!! Special promotions on Merry Down English Cider, Gordon’s Gin and much more yet to be dreamt up! Saturday 8th. Concert. The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra’s new season of concerts kicks off with a program that includes Sibelius: Finlandia and Beethoven: 7th Symphony. Ticket price just 300 Baht. Share of mini bus about 420 Baht. We depart from the bar at 12.30 and get back around 10 pm. Limited to a maximum of 12 people. Contact Mike. Wednesday 12th. Loi Krathong. The La Cage Boys will be very busy making Krathong and a prize will be awarded for the best one before they go on sale at 9 pm. We will be closing the bar at 11 pm and Baht Busses will be provided to transfer you to Dontang beach, Jomtien. At the orange chair plot No. 24. Nan & Jo will provide a Thai buffet and Bar. Float your Kratong, light your Korm Fai and party all night on the beach. Thursday 27th. American Thanksgiving. All things American as we celebrate Thanksgiving in conjunction with The White Night. American Cocktails including Manhattans, Martini’s and many more as well as Californian Wines and many other promotions. Bar La Cage (Mikes Bar). That popular little bar next to the award winning White Night Restaurant and Top Man. Soi V.C. 273/98. 0894028741 All our ‘special’ nights are charity fund raisers for The Mercy Centre, And this year to date, you have helped raise over 35,000 baht. Thanks. http://www.lacage-pattaya.com

Based on what my English speaking neighbor told me. Also based on the following URL, which uses them interchangeably: http://www.learningthai.com/time.html . According to that web site, 'bai see' falls into the category of "usually used." 'See mong yen' falls into the category of "sometimes used." Also based on the following excerpt from the James Higbie book, "Essential Thai," page 101, which doesn't even include 'sii mong yen' among the options: I still think it's easier to just have the guy meet you at 5:00 . . .

My experience is different from yours. I've never heard Thais refer to it as anything else. I never hear "mong yen" come into it before 5:00pm. It really doesn't matter very much. If you are trying to verbally communicate 4:00pm, people can try it your way or mine. If the Thai person doesn't understand, then try the other one. One of them will work. If neither works, one can always try "sip-hoke nah-lee-KAH." If none of those work, then meet the guy at 5:00.

I'm not concerned about official transliteration. I'm concerned that readers will get the pronunciation right. Official transliteration is about as misleading and confusing as it gets. Quite a bit of it causes farang to mispronounce a hell of a lot of Thai words. My favorite transliteration is whenever I see the word 'porn.' I think we all know how many would think it would be pronounced, but the fact is the Thais pronounce it as 'pawn.' If you pronounce it the way it looks, then the Thais won't know what you're talking about. My personal favorite farang mispronunciations of Thai are when I hear 'fa-rang,' as if you rang a bell. I also hear 'fair-rang,' and worse still, with the emphasis on the first syllable instead of the second syllable. I frequently hear this city pronounced "pa-TAY-ya." I also hear Jomtien, which is roughly pronounced 'jawm-tee-en,' pronounced as 'jahm-shun' instead. Also, if you really want to nitpick about it, 'bai see' for 4:00pm is correct. Yours is also correct. The Thai language has more than just one phrase for that one. You can use them interchangeably, whichever you prefer. Just to be certain I'm not mistaken, I checked that out with a Thai woman who lives on my street, who speaks English fluently. Krap-pom . . .

Not necessarily. If you can reserve an aisle seat on an exit row you'll have plenty of leg room. You might want to have a look at the following web site for seating: http://www.seatguru.com Once again, if traveling from the USA I always recommend contacting Rhonda at Norcross Travel before committing to anything else. Even with the best prices you can find, Rhonda can very often beat the price by hundreds of dollars. It certainly can't hurt anything to give her a call and check. Just make sure you ask to speak to Rhonda. The toll free number within the USA is 1-888-888-7157.