Gaybutton

I don't know about the embassy, but apparently you might be able to get a proof-of-income statement from Barry Kenyon, the British Consul in Pattaya. About two months ago, if I am remembering this correctly, a friend from the UK discussed this with Barry and was told he doesn't need much, but he does want something to substantiate your income statement. If anyone knows more about this and/or knows if Barry is authorized to issue proof-of-income statements, please inform us.

My "How to Obtain the Retirement Visa" article is the most popular article I've ever written. The last time I revised it was in 2005. Since I revised the "How to Obtain the Thai Driver's License" article yesterday, this morning I sat down and revised the retirement visa article too. There have been a hell of a lot of rule and procedure changes since the last revision. If you don't already have the retirement visa, but want one, I urge you to read the article. If you already have the retirement visa, but have concerns about how to renew it or want to be familiar with the latest rules, I also urge you to read it. Rather than making you send an Email to me to obtain the article, I have placed it below and you can download it in either HTML format or PDF format. Again, any of the gay media is perfectly welcome to publish my articles, free of charge, provided they cite me as the author and include the URL for this web site.

The two most popular articles I've ever written were the "How to Obtain the Retirement Visa" article and the "How to Obtain the Thai Driver's License" article. Today, May 8, I have revised the driver's license article. Much has changed since the last revision, a year ago. Also, any of the gay media is perfectly welcome to publish my articles, free of charge, provided they cite me as the author and include the URL for this web site. _______________________ I just edited this and placed the article online for you in both HTML and PDF format, rather than making you send a request for it:

Remember a few months ago when Interpol requested public help in tracking down "the swirl"? Now Interpol is requesting public assistance in tracking down another one. Full story and photos are on: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000005898

I received confirmed information today that the land on which the Ocean Blue Condos was to be built has been sold and a deposit was paid yesterday. My source tells me the buyer is a land speculator, not a builder, and is only buying the land, but not the ongoing project. It is my understanding that the Ocean Blue project will not go ahead. That means those who have paid deposits for condos will need go to the estate agents to confirm this and get their money back, if possible, if there will be no condo construction after all.

Thank you very much, but that will no longer be necessary. I finally was able to get my people to understand what I want. Whew!!!

Nikom, do you have any recommendations regarding donations to disaster relief organizations that can be relied upon to see that the money is actually used to help the cyclone victims? I think many who read this message board would like to help, but nobody wants to donate money that will end up in the pockets of the junta instead of going to help the victims.

That would apply to just about anywhere, wouldn't it? For example, in Pattaya items are usually more expensive in Villa Market than anywhere else, but I have also found items there that are less expensive than elsewhere or often the same price. The same thing happens in plenty of other stores too. Some of the mom-and-pop shops have items less expensive than department stores and sometimes vice-versa. About six months ago I was looking for a washing machine. The one I ended up with was 1500 baht less at Big-C than the same machine at Lotus. Some items at Lotus are less expensive than Big-C. It does pay to shop around.

I'm in the process of doing some major home improvements. One of the things I want to do is to create a 'hanging garden' on my patio. In Chiang Mai, I usually stay at the Come-On Place. If you have ever been there, you would have seen exactly the kind of thing I want to do, just outside of your room. They have a hanging garden made of chain-link on some sort of angled supports. I've been trying my damnedest to explain what I want to the people who are doing the work at my house, but I can't get them to understand what I want to do (even with the help of a Thai neighbor who speaks fluent English. She doesn't understand what I want either.) What I need to do is show them some photos. I've looked on the Internet and so far I can't find any examples of what I want. There are several photos of the Come-On Place on the Internet, but not one of them are photos of the hanging garden. If anyone happens to have some photos of the hanging garden at Come-On Place, or if you happen to be in Chiang Mai and it would be convenient for you to get a few, I would be eternally grateful. If you can help out, my Email address is gaybutton@gmail.com .

I don't know much about cheese except for what I like, so I'm asking this question seriously, not tongue-in-cheek. Why "shave" the cheese and why is there an expiration date at all?

From Gayaffairs: _____ A celebration of the life of Robbie Ruiter will be held at Le Cafe Royale on Friday May 9th. at 1 pm. (13.00hrs.) Everyone welcome. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. This information is from Mick at Le Cafe Royale

I promise you, I really do not make these things up. see http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_05_05_51_3.html for photos. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Reconstruction Following Triple Murder of Police Volunteers in Laem Chabang On 12th April a triple murder took place in Laem Chabang which claimed the life of three Laem Chabang Police Volunteers. Local Police have been working hard to locate the suspected shooter and over the weekend, they announced the capture of Khun Chairat aged 22 who confessed to the murder and took part in a re-enactment of the chain-of-events leading up to and including the fatal shooting of the three Police Volunteers. The original incident on 12th April occurred in a local Pub and involved an altercation between the suspect and a group of men, one of which used a gun and held it to the head of Khun Chairat who waited outside the Pub for the men to leave. Khun Chairat thought the men had left the pub in a White Mitsubishi Lancer and accompanied by a friend who is still on the run, he followed the car and pulled up beside the vehicle and shot and killed three occupants who were later found not to be part of the group who were involved in the incident inside the Pub. Khun Chairat has now been charged with 3 counts of murder and is awaiting a court appearance.

Ok, good news. All the bars will be open today (May 5) and will be serving alcohol. You can also buy liquor again in stores. Speaking of buying liquor in stores, in Thailand stores are only allowed to sell liquor between the hours of 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and then from 5:00 PM to midnight. I'll let you decide for yourself what that's supposed to accomplish. I was never able to figure it out.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ New Theatrical Group Announces their First Three Productions to Take Place Later this Month At the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Khun Pichit, Director of the Hosptal, made an announcement of a new Theatrical Club called the Pattaya Players who intend to organize regular shows at the Hospital. The announcement of their first three productions was made by Mr. Chris Parsons, Board Member and Productions Director and Miss Debbie Cavanaugh, President of the Board. Between 16th and 18th May, an evening of one-acts will take place. Three plays will be performed called The Monkey’s Paw, The Last Leaf and Final Dress Rehearsal. There will be two evening performances and a Matinee performance on 18th. For ticket information you can log on to their website, http://www.pattayaplayers.org

I understand there is a rumor floating around that the Birdcage bar has closed. That rumor is incorrect. The Birdcage is open and operating normally. The Birdcage will be closed tonight (Saturday, May 3). The Sunee Plaza bars will also be closed tonight. The Pattayaland bars will be open, but serving only non-alcoholic drinks. Again, the Birdcage is open and operating normally.

My latest information is the Pattayaland bars will be open, but will not be serving alcohol. I haven't heard anything about the Sunee Plaza bars yet.

Monday, May 5 is Thailand's Coronation Day, a holiday celebrating the anniversary of His Majesty, the King's ascension to the throne. So far, I have heard nothing about bar closures. I don't know, as of this writing, whether the bars will be open or not. If I am able to find out, I'll let you know.

You're probably right. Unfortunately, these kinds of people always manage to lure children one way or another, and they get away with it until someone turns them in or parents finally get suspicious. If the allegations against this man are true, and he's lived here for 17 years, you can imagine how long he did manage to get away with it. One of the thoughts that bothers me is the number of pedophiles in Thailand who get away with it and never get caught. Every time I see this kind of news item I can only reiterate what I've said so many times before: IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK!!!!!!!!! The trouble is, these guys think with their crotches instead of their brains (which don't seem to be working properly in the first place).

I keep saying that the majority of these arrests have nothing to do with farang taking boys off from the bars, although that does happen. Most actually occur because of farang residents who seem to think a really good idea is to fool around with the neighborhood kiddies. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Italian Resident of Pattaya Arrested and Charged with Sexual Assault of a 12 Year Old Boy Acting on arrest warrant 65/2551, Police Colonel Kanisorn, from the Provincial Police Woman and Child Protection Unit based at Pattaya Police Station arrested an Italian National on Wednesday Afternoon who was accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a boy aged 12, Mr. Ruggero Costa aged 59 from Italy who has been living here in Thailand for the last 17 years. He was arrested at the Satitman Apartments in Soi Bongai 1 in South Pattaya. He fully cooperated with officers and was taken back to the Police Station where he denied all allegations of sexual assault brought against him, despite physical evidence found by doctors on the 12 year old boy. Police also tell us that they were aware that he was often seen with other young boys and girls of the same age but Police were unable to collect enough evidence to charge Mr. Costa with other incidents of sexual assault of a minor. Mr. Costa has been charged with sexual assault of a minor under the age of 15 and will be processed in accordance with Thai Law.

They didn't mention it and it did not occur to me to ask. However, even if you still have to park on Third Road, it's still a shorter walk to the restaurant than from most parking lots to a store entrance.

He will, I believe, be in management. Nothing has been said about menu changes.

And I thank you for posting about your experience. I'm delighted you enjoyed your first trip to Thailand. I think your post probably just convinced many others who have been trying to decide whether to really make that first trip, or just dream about it, to go for it. Next time, come and visit us in Pattaya too. If you want to let me know you're coming I'll be happy to show you around personally. As for airfares, I would like to suggest, if you're trip originates in the USA, that you contact Rhonda at Norcross Travel before you commit to a price. I used her for years and she always was able to get airfares for me at prices far less, sometimes several hundred dollars less, than any other source. The number is 1-888-888-7157. Make sure you are talking with Rhonda, not another agent.

As many of you know, tonight (Wednesday) is the closing night for the Symphony Brasserie, but it's not closing night for Hugh. Beginning May 12 Hugh will join the Poseidon Restaurant, in the Jomtien Complex. I hope I speak for everyone in wishing Hugh the best of luck. Kim and Pascal will be very fortunate to have him and we all are very fortunate that Hugh will remain in Pattaya.

I don't have any soap. The post is there because many gay gents enjoy a good sauna whether it's gay or not. Being gay doesn't limit you only to gay venues. To quote Laurence Olivier, in 'Spartacus,' - "I like both snails and oysters. I went back out there for a couple hours today and gave it a try. There are some cute boys working there, but you're on your own as to whether they are approachable. Meanwhile, for your 150 baht you get access to all the facilities, along with a large pitcher of ice water and even fresh, cold watermelon. The various massages range in price, depending on what you want. I like foot massages. Those are 250 baht. They also have many more food choices than are listed on their flier, most of which are 70 baht.

This evening I had a look. The soi is not marked with a name or number, but you can't miss it. It's directly across Third Road from the X-yte Disco, the same soi where you will see the Taj Indian restaurant. It's a short block and the restaurant is just up the soi, at the end of the block, on the right. The venue is under renovation. It is completely gutted and the workers are working to try to meet the goal of being able to open by mid May. Frankly, I don't see how they can manage to have everything done and ready that quickly, but we'll see.