Gaybutton

Why not? It sounds better to me every time I hear it . . .

Monday, September 22 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.73 Euro: 48.735 British Pound: 61.605 Australian Dollar: 27.90 Canadian Dollar: 32.04 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.72 Euro: 49.125 British Pound: 62.145 Australian Dollar: 28.0675 Canadian Dollar: 32.12

Something else on my "I Don't Get It" list stems from the very fact of Pattaya's existence in the first place. What began as a small fishing village grew into a mecca for adult fun and games, namely the bars, sex, night venues, Walking Street, etc. For the life of me, I can't understand why there has recently been a big push to change the paradigm so that Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm would find Pattaya an ideal spot to visit. That's not what Pattaya is all about and why Pattaya exists. Some might say they are succumbing to western pressure. I don't buy that argument at all. The only western pressure I've ever observed here has been the pressure to put the "whoa Nellie" on under-age sex. I've not aware of any other pressures exerted by western do-gooders. Somehow, I don't envision Pattaya becoming a haven for family-style tourism because of bar closings at 1:00am and a water park here and there, especially when they're to be located in areas where the residents don't want them and the majority of tourists aren't going to patronize. Maybe a few busloads of Chinese tourists will go, but that's about it. If that's really their idea of how to attract hordes of tourists and holiday makers, then I can foresee the day when someone mentions Pattaya and the response is, "Oh yes, I remember Pattaya. It's pretty much a ghost town now, isn't it?" Bases on the present tourist numbers, some businesses might say it's already getting to be that way.

Yes, it certainly is there. Based on what was written and knowing your writing style I do believe it is not your post. I hope you have informed the moderators.

It's just more fodder for my "I Don't Get It" list. First, the areas they're talking about are nowhere near the areas where tourists usually go. Second, the local residents in those communities are opposed, but that doesn't seem to matter to the Powers-that-Be. Water parks and cultural exhibitions? That's going to attract an influx of tourists to Pattaya? Where do these people come up with their ideas? Don't they understand that the two major complaints common to tourists are the very things Pattaya has lost? The night venues and feeling perfectly safe no matter where you are in Pattaya. Pattaya is famous for the bar and entertainment scene. That's the one thing you never hear them talking about, other than raids and enforcing absurd forced closing times. 1:00am closing times for night venues ; gay, straight, and whatever, and the crime against tourists and cheating tourists is what is ruining Pattaya's tourist industry. If they would do something about those, that's when the tourists are much more likely to return to Pattaya rather than seek holidays elsewhere. Pattaya is famous for the nightlife, but these people think they can turn it into a wholesome, family oriented city and still attract a major tourist industry. To me that makes about as much sense as trying to turn Las Vegas into a religious training center. That's simply not the reason why people go there and water parks and cultural exhibitions are definitely not the reasons people come to Pattaya. Water parks and cultural exhibitions? Give me a break. "If they build it, they still won't come." The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Further Meeting Discusses Sustainable Tourism Here in Pattaya On Thursday afternoon at Pattaya City Hall a further meeting took place to discuss plans to expand the Tourism Industry to sub-districts around the Pattaya and Banglamung area to allow for the area to become fully self-sustainable with regards to Tourism. The proposals were initially put forward by an organization called DASTA, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, who were present at the meeting. The idea is to develop areas such as Pong Sub-District and Huoy Yai Sub-District to accommodate Tourist attractions and facilities such as water parks and cultural exhibitions. The meeting discussed objections from local residents and business owners which have been raised and the need to improve the local infrastructure before any such plans could be put into action. Delegates were told to rethink some plans and a further meeting will be held soon.

What happens when you try to use the link I provided?

I just had a look and I don't see any posts there under that name. The moderator just posted a message saying he banned a problem poster. Maybe that problem poster was the person who hijacked your name. He did not say who it was.

I also just tried it again and the link worked perfectly.

I agree with buaseng. I would not recommend Koh Samui as much of a gay destination, if that's what you're seeking. He's right about the cost and right about the response of farang. Koh Samui does have a gay scene, though, although it's not much. You might want to check these two web sites: http://www.gaykohsamui.net http://www.utopia-asia.com/thaisamu.htm I agree that if you want to go to southern Thailand, with the gay scene in mind, you're much better off in Phuket. If it were me, and I just had to see Koh Samui for myself, then I would plan the bulk of my time in Phuket and two days at the most in Koh Samui.

What happened to me took place on the expressway between Bangkok and Pattaya. The left lane is dominated by trucks, most of which are moving much slower than the speed limit. Trucks have a different speed limit from cars, which makes driving in the same lane with them very difficult, especially when there are three vacant lanes to the right of them. That's what I did and got pulled over anyway. Maybe I have the wrong idea about how I am supposed to drive, but I do think I was unfairly fined. Be that as it may, even if I'm absolutely right and can prove it, I'm not about to get into an argument with the police unless they are asking an outrageous amount of money. Right or wrong, corrupt or not, I'd much rather pay a small fine and be on my way. Most of the time, when the police have set up road blocks, I'm waved on through without incident. I do quite a bit of driving between Pattaya and Bangkok, along with driving to other destinations. I'm rarely ever stopped, maybe two or three times in a year, so I'm really not complaining, although when I do get stopped I'd at least appreciate being stopped for having done something wrong rather than stopped to line the pockets of police officers. Still, this is something you just have to accept if you are going to do much driving in Thailand. It's going to happen, so you either have to live with it or give up driving. There's a letter-to-the-editor in this week's PATTAYA MAIL regarding highway police in Thailand that some of you may find interesting. Nothing like what this gentleman describes has ever happened to me, but I believe him: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/letters.shtml#hd6

Certainly not in the USA.

Details are now in this week's PATTAYA MAIL. Click the link to view the article: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd5

Roughly it's pronounced "pahk," but make sure you say it with a low tone. If you change the tone you also entirely change the meaning of the word.

As a matter of fact, I do know one. I look forward to meeting you.

I had exactly the same thing happen to me the last time I returned to Pattaya from Bangkok. I was stopped and told I have to drive on the left. That, of course, makes no sense at all, but for 200 baht I didn't argue. I gave the police officer his 200 baht and off I went. I doubt there is really some kind of a regulation that says you must drive in the left lane, especially when the highway has four or five lanes and plenty of cars occupy them all. I think it's just another way for the corrupt police to extract some money from people, but it's not worth it to me to get into an argument with them. To me, weighing 200 baht against the problems that you can end up facing by arguing with them, I think I'd rather pay the 200 baht and be on my merry way. Don't forget, if you get them angry they can make up any charge they wish. What could you do about it? For me, it's pay the 200 baht and go away looking as happy as I can.

Neither do I. From what I understand, the Pattaya Immigration office wants proof of address because they've caught a lot of people cheating. There are a hell of a lot more farang living in Pattaya than there are out in the provinces, so I would imagine the Immigration office would encounter a lot more problems as a result, which is the reason why they want the proof. I also don't understand why people would want to lie about their address, but apparently there are a number of people who do lie about it, for whatever reasons they have. Of course, if someone really is trying to cheat, he can always go elsewhere to submit his address report.

If we had another four years of Bush, I don't think there would be an America.

This morning was my turn to see for myself. I submitted my 90-day address report. A friend was with me to do the same thing. We both were asked to show proof of residence. I walked in with several documents, but the Immigration officer looked at only one, the one on the top of the little stack I had, which happened to be my Internet service bill from MaxNet. I had made a copy of the bill and the officer kept the copy and attached it to the report. She was interested only in seeing that you have at least something that documents where you live. The officer wants to see the original and wants to keep a copy, so go in with both. She did say that one document, such as a bill in your name, is acceptable. You must bring your document and a copy of the document each time you submit an address report from now on. This applies at the Pattaya Immigration office. I have no idea whether other Immigration offices in Thailand are asking for documentation.

Friday, September 19 Round 3 Rates (Sorry, I was busy this morning and didn't get a chance to check the opening rates): US Dollar: 33.96 Euro: 48.22 British Pound: 61.22 Australian Dollar: 27.235 Canadian Dollar: 31.8075 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.98 Euro: 48.20 British Pound: 60.92 Australian Dollar: 27.315 Canadian Dollar: 31.8025

bump

More details and photos can be found on the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS web site: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000007280

Thursday, September 18 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 34.01 Euro: 48.715 British Pound: 61.725 Australian Dollar: 26.84 Canadian Dollar: 31.71 _____ US Dollar: 33.95 Euro: 48.865 British Pound: 61.77 Australian Dollar: 27.18 Canadian Dollar: 31.795

Is there a difference between that and the senator?

I would imagine anyone not from the USA might have a little problem with it. If you happen to be one who doesn't understand, click the following link: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/22/santorum.gays

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Pattaya Ginjai Festival Press Conference. On Wednesday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Itipon, the Mayor of Pattaya led a press conference to officially announce this year’s Pattaya Ginjai Festival which is a Chinese-inspired Vegetarian Event which lasts for 10 days where followers abstain from eating meat during this time. This year’s festival will begin on 28th September and will include a parade starting at 9.19am from the Bali Hai Port to the Sawang Boriboon Foundation headquarters in Banglamung where local chefs will prepare a large pan of noodles with vegetables for those taking part in the Parade. The Parade will take in all of Pattaya and will split after it leaves Walking Street. On the final day of the Festival, activities will take place at Lan Pow in Naklua. For further details on the event please call the Pattaya City Call Center on 1337.