Gaybutton

I do know, at least when it comes to central and northern Thailand. Many smaller cities have such resorts, especially in areas where there are no appreciable hotel facilities. I have stayed in such places a few times, but I was staying as a traveler and not as a short-timer. Some of these places are very nice, spotlessly clean, conveniently located, and are usually quite inexpensive. I remember one, for example, in Chainat that was much nicer than some hotel rooms I've been in. It was in a beautiful setting. It's been a couple years, but if I remember correctly the room had an air conditioner, television, and may have had a hot shower. I'm not sure if I'm remembering that correctly or not, but I do remember the room was about 400 baht per night. It never occurred to me that these places might also be used as short-time rooms, but now that you mention it, that's most likely true. I have been told that many paddy boys and buffalo tenders out in the rural boondocks are perfectly willing to make themselves available for a few hundred baht. I've never attempted it, but several Thai boys have told me that it's true. They don't expect a lot of "farang" to come driving up making offers, but locals often partake. That's what I've been told, anyway.

It's the same location as the Nok Nok bar used to be.

What you say makes sense and is entirely logical, which is exactly why I doubt it will ever happen that way.

The home delivery of newspapers certainly seems promising. I don't think I've ever seen that sort of service in Thailand. I also like the dog walking idea. I have spotted a dog grooming businesses in Pattaya and they seem to be doing quite well. Something else included with that could also be pet feeding. Many people have pets or would like pets, but can't take pets with them when they travel. That sort of service could solve that problem. Something else you mentioned to me, but did not include in your post, is a shopping service. Door-to-Door has grocery store items available for delivery, but it is quite limited. I have a feeling that there might be enough people who don't want to be bothered with shopping, but know what they want and from which stores they want it that such a business idea just might work.

Perhaps now they do just that. As far as I know, this is the first time bars have been closed or otherwise penalized on the basis of the off-duty behavior of their employees, so there was no precedent. Quite frankly, I doubt that prior to this incident any of the bars really gave a damn about whether the boys were druggies or not, as long as they behaved themselves during working hours. I don't know which boys from which bars were caught. Maybe those boys really were fired as a result. As far as whether bars are going to be routinely closed whenever their employees are found to be on drugs, that remains to be seen. There have been no raids since this incident. We'll have to wait and see what happens next time there is one. What really amazes me is the fact that it was well known that the police often do perform drug tests during raids and arrest anyone found to be on drugs. While no bars were ever closed before as a result, everyone in Sunee Plaza knew this raid was coming at least a full hour ahead of time. The under-age boys got out long before the police showed up. Your guess is as good as mine as to why some of the boys on drugs didn't also disappear.

For those of you following the Burmese uprising, I suggest this web site: http://english.dvb.no

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm wondering why these phones are locked solely to AT&T in the first place. Why isn't that a violation of anti trust laws?

Aside from the helmetless motorcyclists, who would even notice?

Apparently bars are being held responsible for the behavior of their employees even when they aren't there. As a result of a raid a few weeks ago several boys from various bars tested positive for the presence of drugs. Now, because of it, some bars are being forcibly closed for as long as three months, according to what I have been told. Kaos has closed as a result. I understand that a few other bars are set to be closed as well, although I also understand that they have not yet closed because they are trying to fight it. I don't blame them. This is yet another one I'm adding to my "I don't get it" list. These boys aren't doing drugs in the bars. They're doing drugs elsewhere, probably their own rooms wherever those might be. Would someone explain to me how that becomes the responsibility of the bars? Are they supposed to drug test their entire staff, at about 200 baht per test per person, every night? If they have to do that, then you better expect drink and "off" prices to dramatically rise. By that logic, then anyone working anywhere would force the management to close if they are caught testing positive for drugs. Can you imagine the police raiding somewhere such as Big-C, testing all the employees, and then forcibly closing Big-C if any of the employees are on drugs? I fail to see how it makes any more sense to close a bar because some of the employees are on drugs. Nevertheless, that's what's being done.

No comment. You just have to see this one to believe it . . . http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000003897

The same thing is happening to me, so I assume it's happening to everyone. I have no idea what has happened or why that box has disappeared. I sent a message off to Stef, who is in charge of the programming. Hopefully the problem will be quickly fixed.

Until now, if someone managed to get your ATM information and clean out your Thai bank account, there was little you could do about it. The bank might tell you they're sorry it happened, and that's about all they would do. If you felt that your money should be restored by the bank, you first needed to give them a few minutes to have their little laugh before they made it clear that they would not be responsible. Now a landmark court ruling has changed things. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Banks Tighten Screws on Fraud Landmark Court Ruling on ATM Fraud Could Force Changes at Banks DARANA CHUDASRI Local bankers are reviewing their security procedures in light of a precedent-setting court ruling last week on ATM fraud. The Sukhothai lower court last week ordered Siam City Bank to repay a 71-year-old customer 180,000 baht that had been withdrawn from an ATM in Songkhla. The customer testified that he had not been in the southern province at the time of the withdrawals and that his ATM card remained in his possession. The court agreed that the theft was not the responsibility of the customer and directed the bank to repay the missing funds. Members of the Thai Bankers' Association met last week to discuss the growing problem of electronic fraud and potential liability in light of the court ruling. ''The SCIB case is one that all banks are monitoring very closely. It's the first time that a bank has been ordered to repay a customer in this type of case,'' one banker said. The customer acknowledged having shared his PIN code, the secret password used in electronic transactions, with his wife and children to allow access to ATM withdrawals from his account. Bankers said that the fact that the customer revealed his PIN to a third party but was still found not liable for potential losses would have profound consequences for the industry. ''If revealing one's PIN to a third party is held to be acceptable, then many types of banking services, such as internet banking, could be affected,'' the banker said. Pongsit Chaichutpornsuk, a senior vice-president and head of the fraud management division at Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), said he did not believe the case would necessarily create a new standard for the industry. But financial institutions are undoubtedly faced with greater challenges related to electronic fraud. Fraud can come in various forms, from computer hacking of internet accounts to credit card theft and ATM theft. One increasingly common method is for a thief to install a fake ''mask'' at an ATM to capture data from an ATM magnetic strip and record the PIN code. The thief can then fake the customer account data and use the captured PIN to withdraw funds. Local banks have issued warnings to customers urging caution at ATMs to prevent eavesdropping and to ensure that a keypad or card reader is genuine. Most banks also impose restrictions on internet banking and phone banking accounts, with transfers permitted only to previously approved accounts verified in person at a branch. ''I think that the [sCIB] court decision will help push banks to work even harder to investigate unusual transactions and communicate with customers on safe use of ATMs,'' Mr Pongsit predicted. He said that for SCB, losses incurred from ATM fraud were promptly repaid to the customer once an investigation is completed to ensure that the account holder had no complicity in the crime. ''Of course, there have been some cases where the bank has refused to refund the customer, as we found that the customer revealed a PIN to a close friend and that it was the friend who made the withdrawal,'' Mr Pongsit said. In the SCIB case, the court noted that the customer promptly alerted the bank about his loss and co-operated fully in the bank's investigation, even to the point of revealing that he had shared his PIN code with his family members, even though this could have weakened his case for a refund. The court said SCIB had failed to prove that the customer was culpable in the crime and thus ordered a full refund.

(AP) Marcel Marceau, who revived the art of mime and brought poetry to silence, has died, French media reported Sunday. He was 84. France-Info radio and LCI television said the family had announced the death of Marceau. No other details were released. Wearing white face paint, soft shoes and a battered hat topped with a red flower, the world-famous Marceau played the entire range of human emotions onstage for more than 50 years, never uttering a word. Offstage, he was famously chatty. "Never get a mime talking. He won't stop," he once said. A French Jew, Marceau survived the Holocaust - and also worked with the French Resistance to protect Jewish children. His biggest inspiration was Charlie Chaplin. Marceau, in turn, inspired countless young performers - Michael Jackson borrowed his famous "moonwalk" from a Marceau sketch, "Walking Against the Wind." Marceau performed tirelessly around the world until late in life, never losing his agility, never going out of style. In one of his most poignant and philosophical acts, "Youth, Maturity, Old Age, Death," he wordlessly showed the passing of an entire life in just minutes. "Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?" he once said. Marceau was born Marcel Mangel on March 22, 1923, in Strasbourg, France. His father Charles, a butcher who sang baritone, introduced his son to the world of music and theater at an early age. The boy adored the silent film stars of the era: Chaplin, Buster Keaton and the Marx brothers. When the Germans marched into eastern France, he and his family were given just hours to pack their bags. He fled to southwest France and changed his last name to Marceau to hide his Jewish origins. With his brother Alain, Marceau became active in the French Resistance. Marceau altered children's identity cards, changing their birth dates to trick the Germans into thinking they were too young to be deported. Because he spoke English, he was recruited to be a liaison officer with Gen. George S. Patton's army. In 1944, Marceau's father was sent to Auschwitz, where he died. Later, he reflected on his father's death: "Yes, I cried for him." But he also thought of all the others killed: "Among those kids was maybe an Einstein, a Mozart, somebody who (would have) found a cancer drug," he told reporters in 2000. "That is why we have a great responsibility. Let us love one another." When Paris was liberated, Marcel's life as a performer began. He enrolled in Charles Dullin's School of Dramatic Art, studying with the renowned mime Etienne Decroux. On a tiny stage at the Theatre de Poche, a smoke-filled Left Bank cabaret, he sought to perfect the style of mime that would become his trademark. Bip - Marceau's on-stage persona - was born. Marceau once said that Bip was his creator's alter ego, a sad-faced double whose eyes lit up with child-like wonder as he discovered the world. Bip was a direct descendant of the 19th century harlequin, but his clownish gestures, Marceau said, were inspired by Chaplin and Keaton. Marceau likened his character to a modern-day Don Quixote, "alone in a fragile world filled with injustice and beauty." Dressed in a white sailor suit, a top hat - a red rose perched on top - Bip chased butterflies and flirted at cocktail parties. He went to war and ran a matrimonial service. In one famous sketch, "Public Garden," Marceau played all the characters in a park, from little boys playing ball to old women with knitting needles. In 1949 Marceau's newly formed mime troupe was the only one of its kind in Europe. But it was only after a hugely successful tour across the United States in the mid-1950s that Marceau received the acclaim that would make him an international star. Single-handedly, Marceau revived the art of mime. "I have a feeling that I did for mime what (Andres) Segovia did for the guitar, what (Pablo) Casals did for the cello," he once told The Associated Press in an interview. In the past decades, he has taken Bip to from Mexico to China to Australia. He's also made film appearances. The most famous was Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie": He had the only speaking line, "Non!" As he aged, Marceau kept on performing at the same level, never losing the agility that made him famous. On top of his Legion of Honor and his countless honorary degrees, he was invited to be a United Nations goodwill ambassador for a 2002 conference on aging. "If you stop at all when you are 70 or 80, you cannot go on," he told The AP in an interview in 2003. "You have to keep working." Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Pilot Sent 'Mayday' to Tower Second One-Two-Go Plane has Crash Landing By Achadtaya Chuenniran and Thai News Agency The chief pilot of the ill-fated One-Two-Go airliner sent a distress signal to the control tower just before it crash-landed Sunday, said Pornchai Ua-aree, director of Phuket international airport. The pilot used a ''mayday'' signal to ask for help just before the plane veered off the runway and crashed into an earth embankment. Meanwhile, another One-Two-Go flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai yesterday had a minor crash landing, but the pilot managed to control the aircraft. One of the plane's lights and air-conditioning control panels fell on top of a passenger and oxygen masks also dropped down, airport officials said. One passenger suffered bruising. The incident took place less than a week after 89 passengers were killed and 41 injured when One-Two-Go flight OG269 from Bangkok veered off the runway and crashed at Phuket airport. Sqn-Ldr Pornchai, who briefed a delegation from the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) transport committee about last week's crash, said airport controllers had warned the pilot about gusting winds and rain. He said the controllers received information [from the pilot] that as the aircraft was about to touch down, its wheels were out, but they did not touch the ground. He cited the taped conversation between the air traffic controllers and the pilot. ''The chief pilot shouted 'mayday' repeatedly to ask for help until he lost contact with the control tower,'' Sqn-Ldr Pornchai said. The NLA committee, led by Bannawit Kengrien, yesterday travelled to Phuket to compile information about the crash and visit the injured at Bangkok Phuket hospital. On long-term measures to cope with emergencies at the airport, he said the airport needed better quality foam to extinguish fires. The foam used to douse the fire last week was not good enough to put the fire out completely, Sqn-Ldr Pornchai said. He also suggested large, better-equipped hospitals be built near Phuket airport. Currently, the closest hospital is Thalang hospital, a small hospital that cannot serve many emergency patients, he said, adding the large hospitals are situated far away from the airport. He said another 50 CCTV cameras would be installed in and around the airport, in addition to the 50 cameras already in place. The NLA panel also called on the airport to make sure its equipment is well maintained and staff properly trained, he said. Adm Bannawit said improvements must be made to the airport's rescue capability. He said the airport still lacked an efficient rescue team and there were no rescue helicopters available. He said he would pass on complaints about shortcomings in airport rescue work to various agencies. Adm Bannawit expected all airports under the supervision of the Airports of Thailand to finish installing security cameras by the end of the month. As for the data recorders which were sent to the United States, he said, the information on the cause of the crash should be made available in a month. Udom Tantiprasongchai, president of Orient Thai Airlines, operator of the One-Two-Go budget airline, said he had received a report on yesterday's incident which said the pilot had to make a crash landing on the runway to ensure the wheels firmly touched down. He said it was ''a normal situation'' which happened occasionally and did not suggest the plane was of sub-standard quality. He said officials of the Civil Aviation Department investigated the cause of the accident and had found nothing wrong with the plane. He said the department had allowed the plane to get back into service.

I believe it will be. When it comes to trying to describe things, I'm afraid I'm no Charles Dickens. I don't think my description does the place justice. Nevertheless, it is truly something different and I think it is at least worth a look. I agree with you. It may not be something that everyone is going to like, but as always it's best to try it and experience it for yourself rather than relying on the opinions of others.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Plans to form Transsexual Association of Pattaya discussed at City Hall Meeting. Khun Wootisuk, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya chaired a meeting at the VIP Room at Pattaya City Hall attended by a group of Transsexuals who were supported by Khun Nayanar from the Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. They would like to set up a transsexual association in Pattaya which will allow them limited powers to “Police” themselves. The meeting was convened in response to a number of media reports detailing the arrest of transsexuals by local Police Divisions. It was mentioned that not all transsexuals who reside in Pattaya engage in illegal activities and the purpose of this new association would be to register transsexuals who resides in Pattaya who abide by the law. This would give the association members more respect in the local community and would allow them to disassociate themselves from those who break the law. They would require support from Pattaya City Hall. The association is in the planning stages and further meetings are required before the association is formed.

Pattaya has long anticipated the opening of a branch of Bangkok's famous Villa Market grocery store. Many of you are familiar with it in Bangkok and now Villa Market will open in Pattaya, according to my information, on Friday, September 28. The location is the new Cineplex shopping Center on Second Road, very near the Lek Hotel. What's so special about Villa Market? They carry a large number of imported goods and products quite difficult, often virtually impossible, to find anywhere else in Thailand. Many people, especially those who are now expats living in Pattaya, have many items they miss from 'back home.' Villa Market will solve much of that problem. I have heard, but have never checked, if there is something in particular you want, but they don't carry it, they can special order it for you. I don't know if that's true, but we'll soon find out. In any case, now Pattaya is going to have its own Villa Market and there will be plenty of items that you can't find elsewhere. Some products may be pricey because they're imported, but they will be a lot less expensive than having items shipped from other countries. I intend to have a look soon after they open. If there are items you have been looking for, let me know before September 28. I'll be glad to check to see if they can be found at Villa Market and how much they cost.

Early next week, possibly as soon as Monday evening, Pattaya's newest gay go-go bar, Jungle Boys, will open in Sunee Plaza. This evening the owner invited me for "the grand tour." This is going to be a bar like nothing you've ever seen in Pattaya, or anywhere else in Thailand for that matter. It is a totally innovative concept. The bar is owned by the same people who own the Don Plaza Hotel and the Clubbing Clubbers restaurant. You'll realize you're in for a whole new experience the moment you walk in the door. The bar has loads of private little cubicles, where you can watch the go-go boys and/or have a boy sit with you. There is no stage. The boys will be moving from position to position, some on tables in close proximity and some at more of a distance. There will even be "display" boys who won't be dancing at all, but will be readily available. Every privacy area will have its own ceiling fan to enhance the air conditioning. The air conditioning will be plenty powerful. This won't be one of those bars at which you'll walk out the door sweating. The interior decor is beautiful. It reminded me of the Babylon Sauna in Bangkok. The seating will be quite comfortable and each privacy cubicle will have its own unique features. They are paying special attention to the 'little things' too. I didn't think to ask whether smoking will be allowed inside, but I have a feeling there will be no smoking. We'll see. But the music will be subdued. The owner told me he's just as tired as many of us of the bars where you have to shout just to be heard at all. I was assured that every boy will be at least 18 years old. They are recruiting boys who have not worked in Pattaya before. They want a "fresh crop." I wish I could describe it better for you. I don't know how. However, I think most people will be very pleased with this bar and will understand what I'm talking about when I say you've never seen anything like it in Thailand. I'll try to be there the night they open and report more of what I see and experience. So far, I must say that I'm truly impressed.

I think the 32,000 baht is the fees charged for the hospital stay of two nights.

I'd love to come, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass. I'll be too busy writing posts.

Why what a surprise . . . another unprovoked snide remark from Smiles, the man whose major contribution to this web site is keeping score on the number of posts I write. That really bothers you, doesn't it? Tough luck. The answer to your question is: until the end of my lifetime or the end of yours, whichever comes first.

The question remains unanswered. How long should I wait before it's not 'bitchy...er, quick.'?

Sure. There is a costume shop that probably carries those kinds of things located on South Road (Pattaya Tai) just west of the Third Road traffic light. If that doesn't fit the bill, ladyboys are not exactly difficult to find in Pattaya. Ask them where to shop for those kinds of things.

Quick? Ok, how long should I wait?

Well thanks a lot! You were supposed to be keeping that a secret. If Topman wants to consider me a b****, that's perfectly ok with me. He's not alone in that opinion, that's for sure. As long as I'm being a b****, do we really need to have certain words replaced with asterisks? Considering the kinds of ads that appear on this web site, covering up words seems to be kind of ridiculous, doesn't it? I think the software probably has a simple option that can be checked or unchecked to prevent the asterisks, if you so choose. Certainly, bring the 8 boys. But you'll have to share . . .