Gaybutton

Oh man! That one is as bad as most of mine! Well, I've heard another rumor, that in order to keep Thailand from being overly disappointed another even greater hero is coming in his place. I've posted his picture . . . And, here is some sage wisdom from him on the environment: "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." Now, don't you think listening to more of his remarks would be even more worthwhile than listening to the sainted Mr. Gore?

Sounds like he doesn't know whether he's cumming or going. Maybe he found out that Number 23 at Tawan has already been taken "off."

It was certainly difficult to figure out . . . I suppose if we do start entering into another ice age, then all we have to do to prevent it is to drive our cars and keep the factories going. I could also simply talk. According to some, that would provide all the hot air the planet needs.

You're quite welcome. If someone wishes to check with you about renting a room, what is the best way to contact you?

July 29 is "Asanha Bucha Day," a major religious holiday in Thailand just before the beginning of Buddhist Lent. I understand that several Bangkok bars have announced they will be closed. I have not yet heard anything about the Pattaya bars, but I have a feeling they might be closed for at least one of those two nights. Anyway, I have not heard anything official as yet. Both Sunday and Monday, July 29 and 30, are public holidays, which means that all banks and government offices, including the Immigration office, will be closed. Everything will re-open on Tuesday. ATMs will, of course, be working, but bank exchange offices will probably be closed. If you are in Thailand using travel checks, you might want to make sure you have enough cash to get you through Sunday and Monday. Usually, when holidays that mean bar closings come up, we get questions to the effect of, "I'm here on a holiday. If the bars are going to be closed, where can I find boys?" There are plenty of places to find boys besides bars. There are certainly alternatives. The bars might be closed, but I haven't heard anything about the saunas being closed. If they're open, in Bangkok there is the Babylon Sauna and in Pattaya there is the Sansuk Sauna. If the bars are closed, the massage parlors will probably also be closed, but it can't hurt to check. We've talked about Saranrom Park in Bangkok before. This might be a good time to try it. Take a look at these two threads for information about Saranrom Park: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom In Pattaya the beaches will be open and there are always plenty of available boys at the beach. I don't go to Bangkok very often. Perhaps some of you who know Bangkok quite well can suggest alternatives. I understand that just outside Robinson's, at Silom, there are still plenty of boys to be found, but I've never even tried looking there. I have no idea. If the bars are closed you can make prior arrangements with boys before the days the bars will be closed. In Pattaya, even if the bars are closed, other alternatives include simply walking through the gay areas. You're sure to find boys looking for customers. Several freelancers hang around the lobby of Howard's Hotel. You'll find available boys working as waiters in restaurants too. You might be able to make arrangements during their non-working hours. At the Clubber's restaurant in Sunee Plaza, some of the waiters are even available for "off." At night, on the Beach Road side, there are usually a few boys freelancing right at the entrance to the Royal Garden shopping mall. You can also get online and look for boys on some of the web sites. Gay Romeo, Gaydar, Cruising for Sex, Thaiboy.net, among others are popular. I don't look at the "hook-up" sites very often, so maybe others here can make some recommendations as to other web sites to check. I always recommend caution, however, when hooking up with someone you find online. Most of the time everything is just fine, but there are some criminals looking for victims too. Just be careful. Anyone else who has suggestions for where to find available boys besides the bars, please post.

That Clubber Hotel is actually called Don Plaza. It depends on which area of the city you wish to stay. If you want to be in the Pattayaland (Boyztown) area then I too would recommend either the Ambiance or Le Café Royale. If you want to stay in the Sunee Plaza area then I would recommend the Don Plaza, but it's a much more luxurious accommodation and has higher rates, although I understand they are offering very good off-season rates. Another very popular choice is Howard's. Nearly everyone who stays there loves it and are repeat customers. I don't know the rates offhand, but I believe it's somewhere between 600 to 800 baht per night. If you want to stay at the gay beach area, then I would recommend Tui's Place. It's right there in the heart of the gay beach area. If you are looking for something higher end, at the 2500 baht per night range, then I would recommend the Rabbit Resort. There is also Bondi, in the Jomtien Complex. You didn't say how long you plan to stay, but another consideration is the condos. If you are going to stay a month or more, those are good choices. Even if you are going to stay less than a month, you might want to check into the rates you can find. It might still be a better deal to pay for a month in a condo even if you won't be staying that long. Condo rates are usually half the cost of hotels. As Gaythailand says, Center Condo is quite popular, but you better start checking and reserving right now if you expect to find anything available in March. In the beach area you can find good deals at View Talay. In the Sunee Plaza area, many people love the Yensabai Condo. One of our own board members, TOQ, can help you with Yensabai Condo. I have some friends who have rented from him and thought it was the best deal in town. You might want to check with him.

Actually the post is accurate. Notice the word "on" at the end of the first sentence, and then taking you directly to the link. I'm guessing that most people who read the post probably miss that on an initial reading. However, the title of the thread and the posting itself, whether intentional or not, is quite misleading. If that was intended to be funny, the joke probably backfired.

The following appears ion THE NATION: _____ Al Gore to Meet Surayud in Bangkok Next Month Former US vice president Al Gore will discuss global warming issues with Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont during his trip to Bangkok next month. Vachara Phanchet, vice president of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), said Gore's visit to Thailand has already been confirmed by his staff agency. He will arrive on August 8 by a private plane. Gore will meet Surayud and the energy minister to encourage the Thai government to become more concerned about the problem of global warming. The meeting will be held at Government House at 4pm. After the executive meeting with the prime minister, Gore will deliver a talk at the Oriental Hotel at around 7pm and then spend an hour in discussion with the 300 participants. Gore will leave Bangkok on August 9. "We hope Mr Gore's speech will be of benefit to PBEC's members and Thai society. We also would like to encourage people to adopt a business policy which shows more concern about environmental issues," said Vachara. The dinner talk will focus on global warming and its impact on Thai society. The event is open to PBEC members and specially invited guests. Most of the participants will be govern?ment officials, scientists involved in environmental issues and representatives of the business sector. Vachara said Bangkok will be the first place in Asia where Gore will be speaking on global warming issues. The organiser hopes Gore's speech will have a positive impact on the people in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The event is sponsored by PTT, DNM Strategies, Siam Commercial Bank, Thai Beverage, IBM, the Government Savings Bank, Green Spot, the British Dispensary (LP) Co, and the Nation Multimedia Group. Surong Bulakul, executive vice president of international trading at PTT, said Gore had decided to visit Bangkok because the Thai government has implemented sound environmental policies such as the use of natural gas in cars and in public transport vehicles. Moreover, Gore's speech will enhance Thai government policy. PTT has started an environ?mental campaign to use unleaded petrol and a reforestation project, launched 10 years ago, to honour His Majesty the King. After Gore's speech, PBEC will publish a brochure to dis?seminate his comments along with information about global warming. Anond Snidvongs , a climate-change expert at Chulalongkorn University, who has been invited to join the event, said it was an opportunity to ask Gore about his support for global warming projects conducted by Chulalongkorn University and his support for Asean countries in improving their capacity to monitor the global warming impact in this region. "I would like to know what Gore will propose for Thailand and what support he will give to Asean. I think his visit will be a hot topic in the short term but I urge the government to be concerned about longterm policies that will provide sustainable solutions to global warming," he said. by Pongphon Sarnsamak The Nation

BANGKOK, JULY 24 (TNA) A connection between outsted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and last Sunday's violent anti-coup protests is highly possible, Thailand's junta leader said Tuesday. "Based on an analysis of their preparation process, we are fairly sure that there is a connection between Mr. Thaksin and the violent protests," Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said on Tuesday in an exclusive interview with Modernine's morning news programme. However, during the TV Channel 9 broadcast he did not confirm wide speculation that Mr. Thaksin was the main financial supporter for the protest. "There have been many news reports suggesting that the former PM provided them with financial assistance," Gen. Sonthi said, "but there has not been any confirmation." Violence erupted last Sunday when anti-coup protesters clashed with police in front of the Bangkok residence of Privy Councilor president and Senior Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda. The demonstrators demanded Prem's resignation from his post, because they believed he had supported last September coup that overthrew Mr. Thaksin's administration. The demonstration was led by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), whose leaders were key figures of the now-defunct former ruling Thai Rak Thai party. Gen. Sonthi -- who also serves as army chief -- added that the CNS would hold a special meeting with the cabinet, at which he will report on security issues. "The situation is now under police control," the CNS chief said. "It is therefore unnecessary for the army to take part in (Bangkok) security operations." "The army now serves only as a backup for the police," he said. "We will take action if the protest goes out of control and an Emergency Decree is declared. Public sentiment is the most important factor that leads to an emergency declaration," Gen. Sonthi said. From now on, strict enforcement of the laws will be imposed against the demonstrators, said Gen. Sonthi. (TNA)-E002

I think that's an excellent idea and I've added it to my phone listings. I've also added a dash and a name to the ICE listing. That way anybody calling the number will know who he's calling. Now all I have to do is hope that if it ever becomes necessary someone will call that number instead of stealing the phone.

A video showing the outbreak of violence in Bangkok is available at: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...s&cateid=13 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Protesters Clash with Police Outside Prem's Residence Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda was barricaded inside his house late last night as anti-coup demonstrators threw a barrage of rocks, chairs and debris into the compound. In the first major outbreak of violence since the anti-coup movement started in September, protesters from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DADD) clashed with police outside Prem's home. Police fired teargas and the protesters damaged some public and private properties. There were some reports of injuries. It was not immediately known if anyone was seriously wounded. The situation returned to normal around midnight, as protesters retreated to Sanam Luang. But the clash had prompted fears of bigger violence and intense speculation that the military junta would declare a state of emergency. Council for National Security chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin said before midnight he was keeping a close watch of the situation, when asked to comment on the possibility of state of emergency. Also at midnight, the police were said to be prepared to issue warrants for the arrests of eight leaders of the anti-coup movement who led the protestors to Gen Prem's House. At around 10.40, Anti-coup (Nor Por Kor) group destroyed glass of the guard house in front of Baan Si Sao, the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda. The gruop also threw many objects at the army's wives club's shop and the Army Shop. They also threw the objects into Baan Si Sao, and the army officers' cars parking around the area. At around 11pm, the protesters seized a Por Or 3 air-conditioned bus Por Or 3 and parked it on the road. They also parked around 10 tuk-tuks at Tewet intersection to obstruct the traffic, heightening concern that the government would employ the force to control the mob at midnight. Overall, several thousands of people kept up the barrage of missiles for about three hours as Prem was reportedly taking shelter inside. Television footage showed a number of people were injured, but police late last night released no figures, but some reports said an officer had his leg broken. It is the first major violence since the anti-coup movement started last September. The clash began at around 9.05pm when a number of riot policemen climbed onto a truck to arrest protest leaders who were speaking against the junta. The policemen retreated without arresting anyone after the numerous protestors on the truck pushed them back down. The officers also came under a heavy barrage of missiles thrown at them by members of the roughly 5,000-strong protest. The officers were then pushed further back behind their own barricades, which were later seized by the protesters. The protestors later destroyed a nearby police box and vowed to stay at the site until Prem resigned. The protesters clashed with police at Makkhawan Bridge yesterday morning and later charged through a police blockade near the headquarters of the First Infantry Division by driving a municipal garbage truck they had seized through the police line. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee said the protest's leaders would be charged, some with assaulting officers and others with destroying government property. Meanwhile, a joint pro-government and pro-order movement calling themselves the Yellow Shirts Group, gathered in Lumpini public park for a peaceful demonstration. They also gave alms to 999 Buddhist monks before dispersing in the evening.

Everything is relative. I clearly remember back in the 1970s I was having a conversation with a colleague when gasoline prices went up to US 80 cents per gallon. He said, "I just don't know how we can live with this." I responded with, "What scares me is when 80 cents per gallon will look good." According to the following article, Thai businesses want to see the baht stabilize at 35.60 to the US dollar. A couple of years ago, that would have seemed terrible. Right now, that would be great! The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Buoyant Baht 'A Bane' Poll Plumbs Woes of Local Business Community Published on July 21, 2007 Respondents in a recent poll said the strengthening of the baht was the biggest obstacle hindering their business growth this year. The Chamber Business Poll of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) found that 85.8 per cent of respondents felt the rising baht was the biggest obstacle for their business, followed by oil prices and political instability. Other negative factors cited included high interest rates and terrorism. Forty-five per cent of those polled said their income had fallen because of these five negative factors, 41.3 per cent said their income had remained unchanged, and 14.3 per cent said their income had not been affected by these factors. The poll was conducted from July 14-17 with responses from 808 business operators nationwide. The results were announced yesterday, a day after Thai Silp Southeast Asia Import Export again shut down its plants, due to a range of problems, among them the strong baht. The poll showed that respondents were also concerned that the five negative factors would affect tourism, slow down investment and domestic consumption, and lead to a drop in exports. Respondents also asked the government to stabilize the baht, which has been a key factor in delaying new investment this year. They urged the government to cut the policy interest rate by 50-100 basis points if current measures fail to produce the desired effect. Respondents also expected the minimum lending rate to be 6.5-7 per cent. Thanawat Polvichai, director of UTCC's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, said that lowering the policy rate by 25 basis points had not had any impact on the economy as a whole, as the measure was too small to stimulate other commercial banks into lowering their rates. "The government should consider cutting the interest rate 50-100 basis points soon, because that would control the rising baht," he said. The centre predicted that if such a cut were implemented, the baht would weaken to 34.50 to the US dollar within the next three months. Respondents were most concerned about the unstable exchange rate, as it was a factor beyond their control. "Business people have already adjusted their operations to maintain their competitiveness. They now want the government to take concrete action to help prevent the baht from appreciating [further]," Thanawat. Other areas in which they sought government action include stimulating domestic consumption, setting the date for the national election soon, and solving problems in the deep South. In addition, most respondents said they have no idea whether businesses in their sector had been shut down. However, more than 11 per cent said they believed many enterprises had been closed down because of the impact of the stronger baht, the unstable political situation and rising oil prices. About 17 per cent believed that many businesses lacked liquidity, and 7.4 per cent said businesses were laying off workers. Yajai Chuwicha, head of UTCC's Business Poll, said more than 35 per cent of respondents said their sales had dropped gradually because of the firmer baht, while 30 per cent said their profits had also decreased for the same reason. Respondents shared the view that an acceptable exchange rate for the baht for businesses was 35.60 to the dollar and that for companies to survive, it should not be stronger than 34.90. Petchanet Pratruangkrai The Nation

I've never heard of such a thing either. I've also never had a tout discuss drink prices with me and I've never overheard a tout discussing drink prices with anyone else. I've also never had anyone tell me they have had that happen, so I don't know where that is coming from. One thing is certain: If a tout ever tries to tell me that drinks are 300 baht, that's one bar I wouldn't patronize. There might be good looking boys in that bar, but there are also good looking in plenty of other bars where you don't get ripped-off like that. I can't speak for bar owners, but if I was a bar owner and I found out that any of my employees were ripping-off my customers, that's one employee who wouldn't be working there anymore. If anyone out there does feel that he was ripped-off, whether by a tout, a waiter, a dancer, a mama-san, or anyone else working in that bar, then I would take the problem to the bar owner. If I don't get a satisfactory response, as I said there are plenty of other bars. In any case, I'm glad the pricing policy at Wild West Boys has been made clear.

BANGKOK, July 18 (TNA) Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said the law, implemented for the first time on Wednesday, to counter cyber crimes, will not affect the public's use of computers or Internet services and was only designed to combat crimes involving national security, lese majeste, medical and pornography offenses. The ICT minister said the new law will by no means violate individual freedom to surf cyberspace or deny normal public access to Internet and E-mail services, which they have been widely using though content considered detrimental to national security and the monarchy or violating the medical ethics and pornographic controls will be scanned and tracked to those who may have generated it. Controversial content may be logged in files for future probing by the authorities during a 90-day timeframe. Penalties for individuals who may have committed such offenses, including those who live overseas, will be severe, according to the ICT minister. However, he said, under the 2007 Computer-related Crimes Act, the authorities cannot seize any computer system, personal or corporate, on such criminal charges without court orders. The cyber content to be controlled by the law does not only refer to messages in the computer but also pictures, sounds and files purveyed to an individual's websites as well as short-message and multi-media systems currently available with cellular phones. (TNA)-E008

It doesn't come as a major surprise to me that Wowpow and I would be getting conflicting information from the very same office. Based on who Wowpow talked to compared with who I talked to, I think the safest thing to assume is that Wowpow's information is probably correct. I also think it is probably correct because imposing this new regulation makes the least sense. Boxer may be right too . . . maybe additional fees will be charged. I don't suppose anyone knows where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is . . . For those of us living in Bangkok or Pattaya, having to find this ministry and get the stamp probably isn't much more than an additional inconvenience. But many "farang" live great distances from Bangkok and if this regulation does indeed go into effect, then they'll have to make a trip to Bangkok to get the stamp. The silver lining on the cloud may be "The ministry emphasised that applicants need journey to Bangkok to do this only once and not annually." That seems to me that you will be able to use the same proof-of-income statement multiple times. As it stands now, you are allowed to use the same statement for five years, at least at the Pattaya Immigration office. We'll have to see how many years they'll allow the same statement if and when this new regulation takes effect.

Thailand's Prime Minister has vowed to prevent the baht from reaching 30 to the US dollar. As of 3:25 PM, Wednesday, July 18 the exchange rate is: US Dollar: 33.27 Euro: 45.835 British Pound: 68.165 Australian Dollar: 29.0225 Canadian Dollar: 31.79 For the dollar, that's better than we saw just a few days ago when it nearly got into the 32s. Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe this trend will continue. Since the Prime Minister has pledged to intervene, maybe some of these speculators will decide that it's time to profit-take. If they do, that would force the baht down and the dollar up. We'll see. _____ BANGKOK, July 18 (TNA) Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday reiterated that the baht volatility would proceed only for the short run, saying that state agencies concerned are in position to cope with it. Commenting on a recommendation by some parties that the problem of the surging baht be put as a national agenda, he said the Finance Ministry had worked together with the Bank of Thailand in dealing with the baht fluctuation all along. The central bank is directly responsible for overseeing the baht movement and adjusting its management of the currency while the Finance Ministry had a duty to monitor the overall picture and coordinate efforts. As a head of the administration, Prime Minister Surayud said, he had acknowledged the matter and closely monitored it all along. The premier said he saw no need to elevate the problem as a national agenda because it is not beyond the ability of state agencies concerned to cope with it. Asked whether the ministry and the central bank had informed him of measures to help rein in the baht volatility yet, he said Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras will meet Thursday to discuss measures with parties concerned. The deputy premier will discuss with the prime minister the next day if he believes the measures should go before next Tuesday's cabinet meeting. Regarding an expectation by some analysts that the baht would further appreciate to 30 to the US dollar, Gen. Surayud said his government does not believe the currency would surge to that level. "Should that happen, it will cause severe repercussions," the prime minister said. "So, we have already prepared measures to prevent it." The government believed the baht would strengthen to a certain extent and that state agencies concerned would effectively attempt to maintain its stability. The premier also defended Bank of Thailand governor Tarisa Watanagase, who is under heavy criticism by many parties for the central bank's untimely solutions to the baht volatility, saying the governor had done her best to cope with the problem. "Now, it is time for us to help each other to weather this difficult time. We should not 'pass the buck' to anyone else, but we should respect one's performance. Otherwise, no one will want to accept the job (in the future) because he or she is afraid of being verbally attacked when doing something wrong. "What we should do now is to give useful advice or ideas to those responsible for supervising the currency movement.," the prime minister said. "It is not useful to criticise without giving any advice because it undermines the morale of performers," he said. (TNA)-E00

It doesn't work for me either. Stef?

I doubt that could be the reason because applicants must show the original document from their respective embassies, complete with embossed notary seal. So unless an inordinate number of people are capable of forging such a document and would do so even if they could, then that's not it. In any case, today I went to the Pattaya Immigration Office and asked. I was told that they know nothing about this and none of their offices have said anything about such a requirement coming up. That's just about what I thought they would say. For whatever reasons, either this is something simply under proposal or the PATTAYA TODAY reporter is either mistaken or is privy to information that even the Immigration Office knows nothing about.

The following editorial appears in the BANGKOK POST: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Jul2007_news16.php _____ Unprepared for Strong Baht The sudden emergency over the value of the national currency displays deep and alarming problems in both the political and economic establishments. Ten years after the 1997 devaluation triggered a regional recession, the reversing fortunes of the baht threatens a similar result. A large factory has slammed the doors on its workers, and thousands of small businesses are said to be on the edge of insolvency. Ministers are rushing between meetings and press conferences. Most lamentably, taxpayers are once again seen as the only way out of a problem that was foreseeable and mostly preventable. Once again, authorities and the business community seem to have turned a possible opportunity into a deep crisis. The lack of preparation for a rise in the value of the baht is particularly stunning given the fact the currency has been on a steady increase for well over two years. In July of 2005, the value of the baht was hovering at around 42 to one US dollar. Figures show that the value of the baht has increased gradually and without drama. Through political crises and a military coup, the baht kept rising. Yet now, authorities seem flabbergasted to discover that the national currency has ''suddenly'' climbed in value. Phongsak Assakul, president of the Thai Textile Manufacturing Association, claimed that the garment industry could lose 300,000 of the one million existing jobs. Hundreds of important companies could be ruined. Mind you, this is the same association that warned in 1997 that the baht devaluation could cost half the industry jobs because the cost of importing raw materials had risen too fast. The public must be forgiven if it is sceptical about this. What seems to have happened is that a highly profitable business refused to adjust to reality and plan for the future. The fact is that in 1997, textile moguls and economists alike widely criticised the garment trade as a sunset business. The Thai textile industry was founded more than 30 years ago with the strategy of high-intensity assembly lines staffed by tens of thousands of low-paid workers. Hundreds of thousands of poorly educated workers, primarily young women, put Thailand on the world map as the producer of low-cost pants, shirts, socks and coats for countries around the world. Since then, little has happened. A handful of bright young business people have moved their factories and workers up the evolutionary chain. Their educated, motivated workers and managers produce high-class goods, and receive salaries and bonuses accordingly. Most factories, however, have stuck stubbornly to their old ways. Their workers are still low-paid, their production is unimaginative and mostly unattractive. Technology, modern marketing and quality control is so bad that Thailand is being replaced by other countries able to produce such low-quality goods at even lower prices. Vietnam, Cambodia and China are among the nations eager for the work. As unprepared as a grasshopper in the rainy season, the textile business now is crying crocodile tears. The baht is rising, all is lost. Last week, a Bang Phli factory locked out 5,000 workers and then came running to the government for help. Everyone conferred and helped the company raise 500 million baht for the sake of those workers. This is no way to do business. Nor can taxpayers afford to support tens of thousands of workers victimised by basic business errors of their bosses.. Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn, effectively this government's economic tsar, has been relaxed in this crisis. The Bank of Thailand, especially Governor Tarisa Watanagase, has appeared perplexed and puzzled about just how to proceed. But Mrs Tarisa is also right. The country cannot afford to try to fight the world's currency market trends. The US dollar has continued to fall, and the baht is destined to rise, along with most other world currencies. Since 1997, successive governments have ignored warnings to ease dependence on exports. Industry has refused to move up the quality supply chain, or to put up provisions for the inevitable rainy day. It is disappointing, to say the least, that the country is being let down so badly by both our political and business leaders.

Yesterday, the PATTAYA TODAY newspaper published an article that basically says that as of October, applicants for the retirement visa, whether new applicants or people renewing, who use a proof-of-income statement from their embassies, will be required to obtain a confirmation stamp from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While this would be inconvenient, it probably wouldn't be much of a problem unless you would have to travel a long distance to Bangkok from wherever you reside in Thailand. I am somewhat skeptical about this article because I have not been able to find anything about this in any other publication in Thailand, including the immigration bureau's own web site. If there is anything about this at all in other publications in Thailand, then it's well hidden. I have not been to the immigration police office to check this out. Perhaps someone can find out more and inform the rest of us if you happen to be going to the immigration police office. There is discussion about this on the Thaivisa web site at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=130954 The PATTAYA TODAY article reads as follows (see http://www.pattayatoday.net/index.php?acti...s&id=2406): Changes to Retirement Visas Heralded The Thai ministry of foreign affairs has indicated that, effective October 1 this year, foreign applicants for the one year retirement visa, or those renewing, must take their embassy letter guaranteeing their income to the ministry of foreign affairs in Bangkok for a stamp of confirmation. They then return to the local immigration bureau with the letter and process the application as now. The ministry emphasised that applicants need journey to Bangkok to do this only once and not annually. The letter they take to the ministry must be an original from the embassy and must not be more than 12 months old. This means that most applicants for a retirement visa, or a renewal, from October 1 this year will need a new letter from their embassy concerning his or her income. Immigration sources stressed that all applicants for one year visas, whether retired farangs over the age of 50 or those with a Thai spouse or dependants, will need to register as a one-off with the ministry if they need an embassy letter as part of the process. “It’s just one extra step and the immigration bureau will handle the applications as now provided that the embassy letter has been stamped by the ministry,” a senior police official said, adding that no other regulations have been changed. The exception to the new rule are those foreigners, aged 50 and above, who keep at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank and can show it has been there for three months prior to the application or renewal. These long stayers do not need a letter from the respective embassy to apply for the yearly visa and thus do not have to appear at the ministry of foreign affairs in Bangkok. However, only a small minority of retirement visa holders keep such a sum in a Thai bank for the requisite period, most relying on a combination of pension income in their home country and a lesser amount in the Thai bank. Holders of one year visas, whether retirement or the married man’s variety, are asked to note the new regulation for the time being. Nearer the starting date on October 1 2007, there will be leaflets in English and Thai available at immigration bureaux, including currently ambiguous matters such as foreigners who are unable to travel long distances because they are incapacitated.

Since I'm a moderator here, and I'm the one who does most of the moderating, the Complaint Department is me. I suppose I could be strict about which posts are appropriate on the gay forum and which posts ought to be on the "beer bar" forum, but I haven't moved any of them for two reasons. One is that different people have different ideas as to what belongs on the gay forum. It has not been our policy to restrict the gay forum to posts regarding only gay venues and boys. Our policy is that the gay forum includes posts and news items that are of interest to the gay community. In my opinion, there may be a few posts that would have been better placed on the "beer bar" forum, but by and large most of these posts are of interest to the gay community as a whole. The second reason I haven't moved any of them is because I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. If I move them, then I end up criticized for being too restrictive and being a "control freak." If I don't move them, I end up criticized for leaving them alone. Since no matter what I do, somebody doesn't like what I do, then I'm leaving the forum placement of posts mostly to the discretion of those who write the posts. It wouldn't hurt anything for people to re-read the posting rules, but I just don't see this as an issue important enough to start creating a new fuss about it.

This evening was the latest PGF (Pattaya Gay Festival) for Heartt 2000. The dinner was held at Manhattan's, one of the finest steak houses you will ever enjoy. Between the hosts, Tom and Michael, along with the always brilliant and entertaining MC, Jim Lumsden, of the Ambiance hotel and Boyz Boyz Boyz bar, over 155,000 baht was raised. Bruno, of View Talay could not be there, but he sent an extremely generous donation of 50,000 baht. This was quite an unforgettable evening. Upon arrival unlimited champagne, excellent champagne, and wonderful canapés were served in the cocktail lounge. The dinner was just magnificent. If you missed it you can see the menu at: http://www.pattayagayfestival.com/program07.htm Some of the local notables included Richard Burk, of the Amor Restaurant, Freddi, of Bruno's Restaurant, Rob Astbury, of Pattaya Properties and Ocean 1 Tower, Phil Graham, of Spice Magazine, the owner of Bondi (please forgive me for forgetting his name. By the way, he just sold Bondi and is opening a new bar on Thappraya Road, just about next door to the Mignon restaurant), the owner of the Flamboyant Restaurant in Jomtien Complex, and several others. A wonderful time was had by all. If you are fortunate enough to be in Pattaya when these PGF dinners are held, they're a "don't miss." But reserve your tickets early. These dinners are always completely sold out.

I haven't been there, but a couple of my friends gave it a try. They said the price range is toward the 800 to 1000 baht level. They said the decor is quite elegant. I've seen the decor from the outside as I drive by, and I can concur with that. It is definitely elegant and softly lit. They also said the food was very good, but not all that impressive. If they commented about the service, I've forgotten what they said. I don't feel comfortable saying any more than that until I try it myself. I know that one or two people who visit this message board have been there. Perhaps they will write a better review than I am yet able to provide. The only other review I've seen is in the online version of Sticky Rice Magazine at: http://www.stickyrice.ws/?view=hans There is a photo ad on the Pattaya Mail web site at: http://www.pattayamail.com/ad/hans/index.shtml The owner, Hans Spoerri, I believe was the manager of the Siam Bayshore Hotel before he branched out on his own with the restaurant. For all I know, he may still be connected with the Siam Bayshore, but I haven't tried to check into that.

If it really happens and it also really works, then you can add that to the Wonders of the World list.

Probably the same people who decided what the new Seven Wonders of the Wold list ought to be.