Gaybutton

Today, Thursday July 24, I stopped off at Pattaya's Immigration office and asked. 1. Yes, you are required to produce documents that show evidence of your actual address in Thailand. Someone on another board wrote that he just did his 90-day address report, but was not asked for any documents. From what I was told, that was an oversight and you can expect to be required to show proof. 2. You will have to show similar proof every time you do your 90-day address report from now on. Two questions that had not occurred to me until later are: 1. You can submit a 90-day address report at any Immigration office in Thailand, no matter where you live. Given that, do other Immigration offices also have a proof-of-address requirement? If yes, then you better take your proof along with you if you are going to be out of town, but still somewhere within Thailand, when it's time to do an address report. 2. If other Immigration offices do not require proof-of-address, but see that your address is a Pattaya address, will they require proof? I don't know the answers to either question.

Ok, you've all convinced me that you're right. While I see nothing wrong with being a mama-san or go go boy, I thought this organization's purpose was to try to prevent under-age children from being involved with prostitution. Based on what everyone is writing, now my opinion has changed. I still believe the group does want to help the street kids, but I also believe what PattayaMale, GayThailand, and buaseng are saying. To me, the questions are: 1. Can this organization really accomplish anything? 2. If they can, is it really worth the price? Based on my interpretation of these posts, that price would mean jumping out of one frying pan right into another fire and, quite frankly, I don't know which situation for these children would be worse.

Am I missing something? I see nothing sinister about this organization. To me, something like this beats hell out of the idea of trying to organize boycotts. If anyone actually contacts this group and checks it out, let us know who and what is behind it.

I disagree with you. I don't get an interpretation like that. They're trying to help prevent children from turning to prostitution. What's wrong with that?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcb_china/20080722...ksoftheolympics The 'Eight Don't Asks' of the Olympics Posted by Tim Johnson Posters are appearing around Beijing guiding locals about how to interact with the (few) foreigners coming for the Summer Games. The posters instruct residents on the “eight don’t asks” when chatting with foreign guests. Here’s a rough translation, courtesy of the Peaceful Rise blog: Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does. So what is one to ask? Maybe the relative merits of fencing versus marathon swimming? Now, for the foreigners out there, here’s the No. 1 dud question to ask a Chinese person. It’s a question that will draw a blank, non-comprehending stare: “Hey, pal, tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?”

I think so too. On several boards people have made suggestions and asked the central question: What can the gay community do to help rid Sunee Plaza of so many under-age boys? For those who wish to take an active roll, maybe involvement in this project is a way to start. My guess is it's probably too late for an organization like this to do anything about the under-age boys already working in the bars, but sooner or later those under-age boys won't be under-age anymore. Perhaps a project like this can help prevent, or at least reduce the number of "new" under-age boys appearing on the scene.

Here is the accompanying flier:

And a tip-of-the hat goes to . . . (wishes to remain anonymous) for alerting me to this article, which appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Hope for Pattaya's Children Education and Guidance Can Help Keep the Young off the Streets Story by PICHAYA SVASTI and Photo by SOMKID CHAIJITVANIT Deh, a 14-year-old boy, carries a heavy sack of cement in the hot sun while most children his age are at school. He is not alone as a child worker in the thriving resort city of Pattaya. "I work from eight o'clock in the morning to five o'clock in the afternoon every day. I carry and mix cement and lay floor tiles. Sometimes I suffer back pain," Deh said, squinting his eyes in the sun. The boy is paid 180 baht a day and gives all the money to his grandmother because he wants to help her. "I have been in this job for about one month and will continue because it's better-paid than collecting garbage," he added. Deh Chanrasmi has been living in Pattaya since his early childhood with his parents and grandmother. His parents collect garbage while his grandmother stays home because she is old and unwell. According to Deh's grandmother, Thongkham Chomklin, 64, the family depends on the boy's additional income to make ends meet. As garbage collectors, Deh's parents earn only about 30 to 100 baht a day. Deh added that his father rides a motorcycle to collect garbage from dawn till dusk every day, while Deh and his younger brother, aged eight, take up the evening shift. The boy and his family live in a shabby shelter they rent for 700 baht a month. The cramped and small hut is full of garbage waiting to be sorted. Whenever it rains, the water leaks through the damaged zinc roof, making it almost unlivable. However, the grandmother has a bigger worry. "Drug problems are serious in our neighbourhood," she said. "Boys aged 15 and 16 like smoking, and that can lead to nastier things." Deh, she said, used to smoke a whole packet of cigarettes a day until he developed coughing problems. Now, he is trying to quit, and has cut the number of cigarettes he smokes to one an hour. "I want him to stay away from drugs that can land him in terrible situations," said his concerned grandma. She recalled that Khru Taen ("Teacher Taen"), or Sudjai Nakphian of the World Vision Foundation of Thailand's Street Children in Pattaya Project, tried to enrol Deh in a school, but the school had refused, claiming he was too old to study with little children as it was feared he might bully them. Therefore, the project has been encouraging Deh to enter a non-formal system. But Deh has to wait until the age of 16, as is required by the school. "The teacher has promised to send me to the non-formal school," Deh said with hope. Deh's younger sister and brother, Mint and Bew, are more fortunate. They are studying at Wat Thamsamakkhee School. The foundation pays for their education, textbooks, uniforms and learning materials. The foundation believes one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of street children in Pattaya is to identify high-risk children and give them proper support. Deh and his siblings are among the children under its support. According to volunteer Pastor Sudjai Wangsa, from the Phra Siri Church, the programme has presented opportunities for children in difficult situations, such as Deh, providing a variety of activities, ranging from summer camps and group activities to anti-drug orientation and counselling. Deh's younger brother, Chartchai Chanrasmee, or Bew, in second grade, said he plays fun games, prays and sings during summer camps. His half-sister, Piyachat Thongyang, or Mint, in grade four, added that she enjoys the camp activities that make her realise the dangers of drugs as well as teach her English. Like Deh, Mint said she wants to be a police officer when she grows up because she wants to arrest drug dealers. According to Khru Taen, the children eligible for help from the foundation's programme must be under 18 and reside in one of five flagged Pattaya communities - Thepprasit, Kor Phai, Nong Prue, Wat Thamsamakkhee and Pachajeen. Their parents must also meet risk criteria, such as not having permanent addresses, ineligibility for public utility services and insufficient income which forces their children to enter child labour. The project has about 250 children under its care. The children are classified into two groups - homeless children and street children. The first applies to children who migrated to Pattaya with their families and have no permanent address in the resort town. Meanwhile, street children are usually from broken homes and have run away because their parents don't care for or understand them. "A lot of street children hang around in Sunee Alley, which is notorious for child prostitution. Many of them offer themselves to the sex trade," Khru Taen said. The foundation has tried to help these youngsters by operating a day centre named Little House in a Big Forest. The centre provides counselling for those in trouble and arranges medical treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases. It also offers art and music therapy. Every evening, a number of children drop by to sing and enjoy the music in addition to taking Thai and English language classes. The teaching is aimed at decreasing the children's communication problems with their employers and foreign customers to prevent them from being taken advantage of. "Also, we guide them for career changes in the future. We always tell them that their jobs are short-lived. And there are tendencies for them to become mama-sans or pimps when they are older," she said. According to her, the number of the centre's users has grown from five or six to 20 or 30 a day, with new faces showing up all the time. Among the visitors was Parn, a 14-year-old street girl. She escaped from home at the age of 10. She worked as an independent child prostitute in Sunee Alley from the age of 12 until six months ago. "Parn entered and left our shelter so many times that we told her we could not help her if she was still doing so, but she said she didn't want to be locked up, wake up early in the morning and follow orders," Khru Taen said. At last, however, Parn made a very important decision to change her life. Parn reportedly stopped selling her body and has been staying at the foundation's shelter for six months. According to Khru Taen, it is estimated that Pattaya has more than 500 homeless and street children who are at risk of falling into prostitution and drug use. "Here in Pattaya, there are neither preventive mechanisms nor safe zones for children. From Na Klua to Jomtiem lies a long stretch of karaoke and beer bars. Children see strippers dancing and bar girls drinking with foreigners everywhere. There are even beer bars near schools. Where are the safe zones for youngsters?" she questioned. "Some mama-sans and drug dealers have sent children to join our project as their spies. We knew that but still wanted them to listen to our message. Some of these children changed. They are now waiters or waitresses or still working at nightspots but no are longer prostitutes," Khru Taen said. Despite the odds, it is important to show high-risk children there are other choices in life, she said. "That's basically what we're doing, giving them choices. It's up to them to decide which way to go." The project needs volunteers to help the children with art, music and sports activities. For more information, call Sudjai Nakphian on 08-6042-5040.

Unfortunately, for me the problem just happened again. Nikom, if you are reading this I know you sent me a PM. I can't retrieve it. When I try, the problem happens again. You will have to send your message to me by Email. I thought the problem was solved because I did receive a PM from GT and was able to retrieve it. Meanwhile, Nikom sent me a PM and I cannot retrieve that one. So, whatever the problem was, it still exists. Folks, at least regarding me, PLEASE don't send me a PM. I can't retrieve them. If you wish to contact me, please do so via my Email address: gaybutton@gmail.com . Otherwise, I'm not going to be able to see your message.

Can you tell us a little more about it, such as some of the food items? So far we know they serve pizza and Italian food, but you didn't say anything about what kind of Italian food. Don't they also serve Russian food? If yes, what kinds of items are served there?

Send a PM to me. I'll receive an Email telling me a PM is waiting. I'm one of the people who was having a problem, so if you send a PM to me, I'll be able to tell you if it has cleared up, at least for me.

I just had a look, registered, and posted. Congratulations. The board seems to work just fine and it's always nice when a new effort is made to bring improvements to the gay community.

Yes, of course. That's what I always do and I almost always get it wrong, "as usual". What did you expect? As a matter of fact, I can't even remember a post on which I got anything right. I think people are much better off relying on what you have to say than on any information I get from an experienced mama-san who is right there every night, and has been there every night for years. I don't see how what I wrote has anything to do with what you wrote, but have it as you wish. You write what you want and I'll continue to do my writing based on what I witness for myself or based on the information sources I know quite well tell me, despite the idea that you think they are unreliable. You don't have a clue who my sources are, but you've decided they are unreliable. Good thinking. We'll just let the readers here decide for themselves who is correct.

Cambodia informs U.N. on alleged incursion * Story Highlights * Cambodia tells U.N. that Thai forces have intruded into its territory * Cambodian general: Thai troops have deployed an artillery piece near temple * Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the 11th century temple PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodia has sent a note to the U.N. Security Council alleging that Thai forces intruded into its territory near an ancient temple. Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Sunday that Cambodia's mission in New York submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border." He said that Cambodia was not asking for United Nations intervention and hoped to solve the territorial dispute peacefully. Hundreds of troops from the two countries are facing off on disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple for which Cambodia was granted World Heritage Site status earlier this month. The two countries are to hold peace talks Monday. Meanwhile, a Cambodian general has said Sunday that he has little hope that upcoming talks between his government and Thailand will resolve the border dispute. Cambodian Brig. Gen. Chea Keo said Thai troops have deployed an artillery piece about half a mile (one kilometer) northeast of Preah Vihear temple -- the latest escalation ahead of Monday's meeting aimed at averting a military confrontation. "Regarding the talks tomorrow, we have little hope about the outcome," Chea Keo said. He said the reason for his pessimism stems from a recent counterclaim by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that the area around a Buddhist pagoda near the historic temple belongs to Thailand. Thai troops have been stationed at the pagoda since Tuesday. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to Samak on Thursday saying relations had been "worsening" since Thai troops "encroached on our territory," and asked him to pull them back. Responding to his Cambodian counterpart, Samak said the area around the pagoda referred to in the letter "is within the Thai territory," according to a statement Saturday from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While urging both sides to exercise restraint, Samak's letter said the settlement of Cambodians in that area constitutes "a continued violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Despite their pledge to hold talks Monday in Thailand to try to defuse the tensions, both Cambodia and Thailand have massed troops at the site. "We continue to be on alert at all time. And at the same time, we keep instructing our soldiers to be patient and avoid being blamed for starting a war," Chea Keo said Sunday. The conflict over territory surrounding Preah Vihear temple escalated when UNESCO recently approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai activists fear the new status will undermine Thailand's claim to nearby land since the border has never been demarcated. Troops from the opposing forces were on the brink of a shoot-out Thursday night, which was avoided when Cambodians retreated from a site occupied by the Thais. But opposing commanders and their troops have otherwise tried to defuse tensions, sometimes even sharing meals, snapping photographs and sleeping within easy sight of one another. The dispute has taken a toll on tourism in the area, with the Thai side closed to visitors. It also is starting to hurt economic relations between the two neighbors.

During a very recent conversation with an experienced Sunee Plaza mama-san, I asked the question: Why Sunee Plaza all the time? We do hear about raids elsewhere, but it seems like there are at least a dozen raids in Sunee Plaza for every raid we hear about elsewhere. The mama-san said it's very simple. The police know the same thing everyone else knows about several of the Sunee Plaza bars and under-age boys. She said the reason for more and more raids is because there have been less and less customers. The bars have to pay certain members of the local constabulary in order to avoid these raids. If they don't pay, or can't pay, then they raid. Since there are not as many customers as there have been in previous years, the number and frequency of raids is on the rise. She said they don't confine themselves to raiding only the venue that didn't cough up. If they raid one, they usually raid them all, whether money has been paid or not. I pointed out that if those particular bars would obey the law, then the raids wouldn't produce results and they would likely end or be far less frequent. She said it will never happen. Just look around. Which bars are getting the majority of customers? You guessed it . . . the bars with under-age boys and the bars that put on naked shows. She said those bars are making money, even with the raids and pay-offs. In other words, a wee bit of corruption seems to be behind it all. Also, I asked about the CCTV cameras and talked about the fears some people have expressed about them. She simply laughed and said that, at least, is something nobody has to worry about. She has yet to ever be asked for any tapes. She said they are ignored.

The following appears in PATTAYA TODAY: _____ Pedophiles Face Arrest Back Home Sex tourists who seek out underage kids abroad will face charges in Britain under new laws coming into force this month. At present, abusers can only be prosecuted in UK if the offence is also a crime in the country where it occurred. But under the concept of “dual criminality” anyone having sex with a person under 16, which is the age of consent in Britain, could face charges even if the law in the other country is different or even more lenient. Thailand’s laws on child sex are complicated with one age of consent being set at 15. However, this cannot apply if one partner has used financial inducements in connection with the illicit activity. Nor is the law entirely clear about prosecution in the case of a person downloading child pornography, unless it is for profit and intended distribution. Under the new rules, it matters only whether British law has been broken. In some countries the age of consent is between 13 and 15 including Spain, Italy and several Baltic states. The new law will bring the UK into line with the European convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation. Penalties have also been increased. Sexual activity with a child under 13 could mean a life sentence and with anyone under 16 a maximum of 14 years. Rules about taking indecent images of children are extended to children up to 18 rather than 16. A Thai police spokesman said, “We are aware of the EU regulations. Whilst most sex offenders here will continue to be prosecuted in Thailand, there are some cases where prosecution in the home country would be appropriate. In such cases, the alleged offender’s visa would be canceled prior to deportation.” So far this year, a crackdown on child sex in Pattaya has led to 15 arrests of foreigners. Most of these cases are currently with the public prosecutor’s office and the Thai courts. British home secretary Jacqui Smith also announced that convicted pedophiles would have to hand over their e-mail addresses to the police who would send them to social networking sites for blacklisting. The new law stipulates that if such a person is detected using such a site, or is using an unregistered email address, the maximum sentence for this offense is five years. “We now have some of the strictest controls in the world on sex offenders,” she said.

An article in PATTAYA TODAY confirms this: _____ Pattaya immigration 90 day rule change PATTAYA immigration, Jomtien soi 5, has announced with immediate effect that long stay foreigners needing to report their address every 90 days must now bring written proof of their address. In the past, they have simply filled in a form confirming their present address and this was acceptable to the immigration officer. In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc. Only one such paper or document is required to show the immigration officer. The new rule has been brought in because, in some cases, foreigners at the 90 days check-in have apparently been giving an address at which they were no longer resident. "It is important that foreigners give us their up-to-date address where they are actually living," said one officer. The main people affected are one year visa holders and those possessing a work permit, but the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is up to 2,000 baht.

This story has hit Pattaya's English language newspapers. Click on the links below: http://www.pattayaone.net/news_19_07_51.html http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000006647

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ One-Two-Go Forced to Suspend Operations for Nearly Two Months By Suchat Sritama The Nation Published on July 19, 2008 Low-cost carrier One-Two-Go will suspend its operations from July 22 to September 15, making it the first airline victim of record oil prices. Founder and CEO Udom Tatiprosongchai said the unrelenting rise in oil prices had forced the airline to shut down temporarily. During this period there will be a reorganisation to prepare for a return to business. "The company has been losing money for months, and we cannot continue like this," said Udom, adding that One-Two-Go would resume operations when the situation improved. Two of its rival, Thai AirAsia and Nok Ai, are still in service but facing the same cost pressure. Both have revised their business strategies and rescheduled some routes. Udom said One Two Go had been operating based on actual costs while other players had different strategies. In a statement, One Two Go said high oil prices were hurting the global airline industry. Airlines world-wide have cut 30 per cent of their flights and raised surcharges to stay in business. One Two Go was the country's first low-cost airline, starting its service in December 2003 with a Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight. It ran into trouble when one of its planes crashed in Phuket, killing 90 passengers. Rumours abounded that it could face regulatory problems due to its safety record. Udom declined to comment on this issue. Relatives of the victims in the Phuket crash have started a web-site, www.investigateudom.com, to campaign for an investigation into Udom's business conduct. It was alleged that Udom had misled pilots into flying unsafe planes and paid bonuses for those who worked beyond the legal maximum of flying hours. Chaisak Angkasuwan, director-general of the Civil Aviation Department, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Our dear friends and guests, Please be informed of our new Gourmet Set Menu serving from July 16 through 31, available at Casa Pascal Only Weekly Set Menu serving from July 22~August 4 available at both Casa Pascal and Poseidon. July 16 ~ 31. Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2004 Pigeon & Celeriac Terrine red Cabbage Salad *** Avocado Cream Soup with Sesame Shrimp *** Live imported Mussels in white Wine Butter Sauce *** Raspberry Sherbet *** Red Wine Sea Horse Bay, Shiraz, Australia,2006 Lemon Sole Filets in white Wine and Chanterelles Mushroom Cream Sauce or Flamed Veal Kidneys in Pommery Mustard Sauce Gratin Potato *** Rhum Baba with red Wine Plums or Selection of premium international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,450 Baht net, Menu with Unlimited Beverages 2,900 Baht net <Weekly Special July 22 – July 28> APPETIZER Home-made Chicken Terrine with Port wine reduction and Waldorf Salad SOUP Tomato Cream Soup with Basil Chiffonade and Croutons MAIN COURSE Thai Sea Bass marinated in Olive Oil and fresh Herbs, Wine Potatoes or Grilled Pork Chop Served with Noodle or French Fries and Pepper Corn Sauce DESSERT Sour Cherry Sabayone or Coffee or Tea <Weekly Special July 29 – August 4> APPETIZER Fresh Mussels Seaman Style SOUP Mushroom Cream Soup with Sun dried Tomatoes MAIN COURSE Lemon Sole Fillets pan – fried or poached with green Asparagus and Parsley Potatoes or Pascal’s Grand Ma’s Apple Tart French Fries & mixed Salad DESSERT Passion Fruits Parfait Coffee or Tea WINES White Wine : Monte Vino Bianco, Italy Red Wine : Monte Vino Rosso, Italy Food only 3-Course @ 580 Baht net 4-Course @ 680 Baht net Food & unlimited Wine 3-Course @ 950 Baht net 4-Course @ 1,300 Baht net *** All prices are including 7% VAT. Service tip is at your own discretion *** For reservation at Casa Pascal (038) 723 660 Fax (038) 723 659 For reservation at Poseidon (038) 303 300 Fax (038) 303 336 E-mail: info@restaurant-pattya.com For more information : http://www.restaurant-pattaya.com

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: (see http://www.pattayaone.net/news_18_07_51_2.html for photos) _____ New Parking Regulations on Walking Street Angers Business Owners and Confuses Tourists There is controversy on Walking Street at this time and it does not relate to the unfinished Walking Street sign at the Northern Entrance. Recently new road signs were installed along the street following changes to parking regulations along the entire 750 meter stretch of the street. Between the hours of 9am and 7pm parking is not permitted on one side of the street depending if it is an odd or even day. If it is an even day parking is not permitted on the left side of the street as you look down the street from the entrance and on odd days parking is not permitted on the right side. From what we saw, many seem to be disregarding these new parking regulations. We are highlighting this change for the benefit of the foreign residents who may park their vehicles on the street during the day as the signs are in Thai language only. We understand that a petition has been signed by every business owner along the street, who are not happy with these new regulations and want parking on both sides every day. We would also like to confirm that the street is closed to all traffic between the hours of 7pm and 3am.

Neither can I. As far as I can tell, most of what comes out of City Hall is nothing but a lot of bluster. My guess is that thought applies to most city halls throughout the world. As a driver, I have no objections to the bah buses stopping to load and unload passengers. It doesn't take long and they can't always pull over to the kerb if parked cars and motorcycles prevent them from doing so. My objection is when they careen over lanes of traffic, without warning, to pick up passengers and also damned near run over pedestrians. I also object to the attitude of some drivers. It seems as if it is "either-or." Some baht bus drivers are good, polite drivers and are pleasant and helpful. Some are quite honest and have even returned full wallets to the rightful owner when they have discovered them left behind on their bus. Some have gone to a great deal of trouble to do so. Then there are the others, the ones who are rude, have a nasty disposition, try to cheat their passengers, and act as if they own the roads and nobody but themselves should drive on them. I don't know what, if anything, City Hall can change, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

You're right about that. Remember when I said we don't close a thread unless it becomes a problem? This is it. Now it has become a problem. Name calling and personal attacks have begun. Thread closed.

Not one bit. There almost never is. We hear about the arrests and usually that's all we ever hear.

Perhaps. Have a look at the article for yourself: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1