Gaybutton

Many of you are familiar with the Olé Restaurant in Pattaya, especially those wonderful buffets at such a reasonable price every Wednesday. Yesterday (Saturday), Ernst, the owner, suffered a massive heart attack. At first we were told he had died. That, thankfully, turned out not to be true. Our latest information is that he is in Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital, in bad shape but at least alive. I don't have any more information beyond that, at this point. When more information becomes available I will let you know.

I'm sorry you went through heartbreaks, but I'm delighted that you enjoyed your stay in Thailand. I hope you will be able to return soon and stay longer.

To me, the question is not whether a school is available, but whether he wants to go. Is continuing his education his idea or yours? If it is his idea, then I would suggest letting him be the one to seek out where he can go. He'll be able to find the right school without much trouble and he won't need your help to find it. On the other hand, if going back to school is your idea, and not his, and if he has shown any reluctance, then you're wasting your time and efforts. In nearly every case I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty, a well-intentioned "farang" trying to get a boy to go to school, if the boy doesn't really want to go, is an exercise in futility. In most cases the boy will actually attend a few classes. When it begins to get difficult he'll quit. I've even seen cases in which the "farang" pays the school, returns to his home country, and the boy manages to get a refund from the school, pocket the money, and then quits. It's a sad situation. I'm sorry to be negative about it, but over the years I've seen too much to be able to be anything else. We all know the value of a good education, but try to convince a reluctant Thai boy. I have yet to ever see a reluctant Thai boy complete even one course. An education has to be something he truly wants, not something a "farang" is trying to force on him. I don't know whether your boyfriend wants to further his education or not. You didn't say. If he is the one asking for help to go to school, then I would be in favor of doing everything you can to help him do it. If you are the one trying to get him to go, then my advice would be to forget it.

All too often there are reports about a "Farang" losing large amounts of cash as a result of either theft from his boyfriend or girlfriend or from a burglary. It goes beyond me why anyone would keep large amounts of cash at home or in a hotel room rather than in a bank, but some people choose to do that. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Thieves Clean out Foreigners House At around 9:00pm on Monday night police from Pattaya station were summoned to a house in Suksabai Villa, located near the Land Office, to investigate reports of a robbery. On arrival they found the house of 60-year-old American national Mr Wayne Edmisten had been broken into and ransacked. Mr Edmisten was not home at the time of the robbery, which had been witnessed by one of his neighbours. The neighbour had called security guards but by the time they had responded the thieves had made themselves scarce. Police were able to make contact with Mr Edmisten who claimed there had been up to 300,000 baht in his safe, which had been forced open and the contents emptied. Police also believe computer and electrical equipment had also been stolen. The house was dusted for fingerprints but have little else to go on.

On Monday night there was a major police raid in Pattayaland. It wasn't just the gay bars. The raid included the go-go girl bars too. I was not there, but those who were tell me that no "farang" were harassed in any way or checked for ID. The raid was limited strictly to license checks and all of the bar workers were subjected to urine tests. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: for photos see http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_05_06_50_4.htm _____ Police Check Pattayaland Bars. On Monday night police and Banglamung district officers launched a series of checks on bars in Pattayaland Soi 1 in south Pattaya. The street is a little gender confused with gay bars and girlie bars operating side by side and officers had the opportunity of seeing both sides of the fence without having to leave the soi. The checks concentrated on bar licenses as well as making sure all employees were over the age of 18. In this regard the police and district officers reported that all bars in the soi were operating with correct licenses and all employees were at least 18 years or older. Urine tests on the employees of the bars saw three test positive for the presence of illegal substances in their systems.

I am very happy to be able to report that Geezer will be returning to Pattaya tomorrow (Monday, June 4). He is very happy to be able to get back home and do his recuperating in his own surroundings. He expects to have to stay at home most of the time for the next several weeks, but at least that's where he'll be . . . home.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Wednesday Night Massacre The nine judges also found two Thai Rak Thai executive committee members guilty of illegally hiring small parties in the April, 2006, election - Gen Thammarak Issarangkura na Ayudhya and Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn. "The Thai Rak Thai's crimes are very dangerous to democracy," Judge Krairerk Kasemsant said. Analysts were subdued and worried. "It's a big surprise because banning more than 100 people will make the political game unfair. It's negative for the country's political climate, which needs checks and balances," leading financial analyst Thanawat Patchimkul said. "It's a political massacre," said Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, head of a leading brokerage. The order disbanding Thai Rak Thai contrasted with the earlier decision to allow the Democrat Party and its executives to continue in politics. Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisaeng, who took over after Mr Thaksin went into self-exile after last year's coup, sat on the edge of his seat during most of a late-night verdict, which ended not long before midnight. The dozens of party members who waited for the final verdict at 11:42 p.m. appeared stunned. There were no signs of the violence that some had predicted. Mr Chaturon said he was "not worried for myself, but I worry about the country." He had pledged to accept the Tribunal's verdict, which cannot be appealed. Judges said that disbanding a political party was a serious matter. Thai Rak Thai won elections in 2001 and 2005, they said, and had 14 million members. Ordering the party dissolved would cause economic problems. But the verdict laid much of the blame for shaky Thai Rak Thai political deals on the back of founder and then-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, still in foreign exile. The judges said Mr Thaksin had used the party for his own benefit, and Thai Rak Thai had no political ideology beyond its leader's ambitions. The immediate fate of Thai Rak Thai, the country's most popular party, was not known. But Mr Chaturon and other executives could immediately apply to form a "new" party, perhaps even using the Thai Rak Thai name. Worries of violence after the verdict had long faded by the time the announcement against the party was made. But even at the height of public interest on Wednesday afternoon, no more than a few hundred peaceful supporters of both parties were gathered in three spots in Bangkok - at the court and at the two parties' headquarters. The government had amassed a security force of 13,000, none of whom was needed to keep order. A huge media corps of 700 outnumbered all political supporters from all factions. In his speech broadcast live on TV after the verdict, Mr Chaturon said the verdict is against everyone's expectation and obviously unfair, alleging that such verdict reflects the military-back ruling government's influence. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ Constitutional Tribunal Disbands Thai Rak Thai Former premier and Thai Rak Thai ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, responding to the ruling against the party, told BBC: "We have to respect the rules of the game. That is, the rule of the law. If the rules of the law are observed, we have to respect it." Thaksin said he would "definitely" come back to Thailand because "it's my home country. I love my country. I love my people." Caretaker Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang said last night that the Constitution Court's verdicts disbanding his party, along with two others, was "highly unexpected", and expressed his worry over "setbacks" towards the development of democracy in Thailand. He called on more than 14 millions party supporters to respect the verdicts, and not protest or resist them. "Exercise your tolerance and wisdom and be calm," he said in a brief interview outside the courthouse. Chaturon said he was confident that he would offer good ways out to "go forward together" with party supporters, who he said, still had faith in him and share the Thai Rak Thai ideology. At party headquarters, party supporters and party MPs cried and consoled each other, before giving themselves applause and reading a poem grieving the verdicts. An official party statement will be released at 11 am Thursday. Caretaker Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang vowed on Wednesday night to fight on after the Constitution Court's verdicts disbanding his party. Speaking emotionally at his party headquarters, he said the verdicts had proved that who controlled the state power could make anything right. "Although the power is achieved through the gun barrels, it's still the right thing." He said the public could not accept the verdicts. "This is not acceptable. The country is now ruled under dictatorship," he added. He continued his verbal attacks before his speech was take over by a newscaster. Chaturon said earlier at the courthouse that he was "highly unexpected", and expressed his worry over "setbacks" towards the development of democracy in Thailand. He called on more than 14 millions party supporters to respect the verdicts, and not protest or resist them. "Exercise your tolerance and wisdom and be calm," he said in a brief interview outside the courthouse. Chaturon said he was confident that he would offer good ways out to "go forward together" with party supporters, who he said, still had faith in him and share the Thai Rak Thai ideology. An official party statement will be released at 11 am today.

Unnnnnbelievable! If you are correct, then what's the point of being able to report your address online? The whole idea, so I thought, was to avoid having to personally go to the immigration office. I also thought, from their standpoint, it would make their own job easier and would mean a lot less people crowding the immigration office. But from what you are saying, you would still have to personally go and pick up the receipt. It wouldn't save any time or trouble at all. Here's another one I'm going to add to my "I Don't Get It" list.

I agree with lvdkeyes about that. The last time I was there was about four years ago, but I don't recall anything particularly interesting about the restaurant other than the show. However, for those in Pattaya without their own transportation, it's within easy walking distance of most of the popular gay hotels. I think Thai House is much better, but also much more difficult getting there without your own transportation. If you don't mind motorcycle taxis, then it's no problem. If you won't use the motorcycle taxis, then you'll have to get there by baht bus. Take a baht bus north on Second Road. Go to North Road (Pattaya Nua). If you're lucky, the bus will turn right on North Road. If not, then you'll have to take a second baht bus, going up North Road in the direction of Sukhumvit Highway. You'll spot it on the right side of North Road, shortly after you pass the first traffic signal.

I spoke with Geezer today and again I am posting this with his full knowledge and permission. First, he wants to thank everyone for all the kind words and thoughts. He has seen the threads on the various message boards. Yesterday he did have the drain tube inserted. It's a bit uncomfortable, but so far it's working. He still has no idea when he will be able to be released from the hospital, but he says he's fine with that. While he would rather be in his own apartment, at least he's now getting the food he likes. Other than that, there's not much to report.

Now I have the answer. It's no. Today I was really curious about this and I stopped by the Immigration Police office to ask. I was told the programmers are still working on it, but for the time being you still have to personally report to the Immigration Police office to submit your address report. I asked if anybody had any idea as to when online reporting would become available. Nobody knows. I also asked about how the required receipt will be done. I was told that's one of the things the programmers are working on. Oh well . . . At least we know online address reporting is coming. As for just when, ask Nostradamus.

A friend alerted me to the following URL for those who hold long-term visas and are required to report their address every 90 days. Apparently, now you can do the address report online. I have not tried this and I am somewhat reluctant to be the first one who tries doing it this way. Has anyone tried it and made sure it is acceptable? If yes, whenever you personally report your address, they staple a receipt into your passport that shows you have made the report, includes the signature of the immigration officer, and tells you when the next address report is due. How do they handle that part if you submit your report online? They can't E-mail you a receipt because nothing on the online submission includes your E-mail address. Does the receipt come up after clicking the 'send' button? http://www.pattaya-immigration.org/dform/form_tm47.php

It depends on what you're looking for. Many people recommend the open-air restaurant on Second Road, right by Pattayaland Soi 2. Many recommend the Leng Kee restaurant on Central Road (Pattaya Klang). If you like seafood, most of the seafood restaurants on Walking Street are excellent and the prices are quite reasonable. At the Bali Hai Pier end of Walking Street, many people love the Vientiane restaurant. There is a second location for the Vientiane Restaurant at the junction of South Road (Pattaya Tai) and Soi Korpai. It's about 150 yards before you get as far as the Big-C on Pattaya Tai. If you have access to a car, the seafood restaurant at Bang Sare (pronounced "bahng sa-LAY") is a great place, right on the water with a panoramic view of Pattaya. To get there you would go south on Sukhumvit Highway and look for the right turn about a mile beyond the Nong Nooch park. Several people recommend the P.C. Kitchen, just off Second Road, near Central Road. If you are coming from Pattayaland, look for sign on the left. If you want a choice between Thai food and "farang" food, both the Amor restaurant and Cherry's include Thai menus, and are popular with the Thais. You can view the menu for the Amor on their web site at: http://www.amorrestaurant.com . If you would like a traditional Thai dancing show along with your dinner, I recommend the Ruen Thai restaurant, next door to Casa Pascal. An even better one, in my opinion, is the Thai House restaurant on North Road (Pattaya Nua). The prices are on par with most other Thai restaurants. You don't end up paying a lot more for the show. Outside of those and recommendations others may post, in my opinion Thai food is Thai food. To me, the average Thai restaurants are pretty much the same as most other Thai restaurants.

Also, if you are going to be at the beach, some of the vendors have them. If you are in Pattaya, you should be able to find them at the Wat Chai market, across the street from Center Condo. I think I've seen them at the Mike Shopping Center, near Pattayaland.

I certainly will, but don't forget what I wrote above. He can view the messages and receive PMs right from his hospital bed.

You might be right about that. I'm not sure. From what I've seen, the waiters in the restaurant work only in the restaurant and the waiters at the bar work only at the bar. If they exchange places, I haven't seen it.

I would like to preface this by making it clear that I am posting this with Geezer's full knowledge, permission, and at his own request. A few people who think it's appropriate to post personal business and personal affairs about others might want to bear that in mind. ____________________ Many of you know the gentleman who posts here as "Geezer." Many of you also know that he has been in Bumrungrad hospital, in Bangkok, for the better part of two weeks. He had to undergo an angioplasty and heart valve replacement. I speak with him every day and he wishes for everyone concerned about his health to know that he feels just fine, is in no pain, and is in excellent spirits. Because of the length of time he must spend in the hospital, he is occupying himself by watching movies on DVD. His beloved boyfriend is with him constantly and takes wonderful care of him. He says the hospital staff couldn't possibly be more caring and attentive to his needs. There have been some minor complications. For a few days there was a problem with arrhythmia, but that seems to have been taken care of and that problem seems to be over. The current problem is that fluid has formed around his heart. They have been trying to take care of that with medication, but it doesn't seem to be working. He says he will probably have to undergo a procedure to drain the fluid, but he is told that is routine and should not cause him any pain. Food has been a problem too. Many of you know that Geezer is, shall we say, particular about what he eats. He won't eat the hospital food. He has been living on food from the McDonald's in the hospital lobby. The doctors have put the kibosh on that. They sent a nutritionist to him and now he is getting the kind of food he likes and what the doctors approve. He has no idea at this point how much longer he will have to be in the hospital. He also anticipates that once he is released he will be asked to stay in Bangkok for a week or two, to make sure everything is ok before he returns to Pattaya. He does have Internet access, so he will be able to see any responses to this post and will be able to receive PMs. If there are any significant changes, I will post here, but only if Geezer knows about it in advance and wishes further information posted.

My preference is the Bank of Ayudhya web site. They update the rates several times each business day and I have always found them to be accurate. http://www.krungsri.com/thai/exchange01.aspx

I don't know, but it could give a whole new meaning to the Door-2-Door service . . .

Nope. I won't do that. Very sorry, but I'll be the one who decides what I wish to discuss and when I wish to discuss it. I didn't say I won't discuss it further under any circumstances, but I won't discuss it on this thread. I don't feel that this is the appropriate thread for that discussion. I really don't see much value in going through this same old debate again, with the same people posting the same positions they held the last time, and the last time, and the last time, but if you want to bring it up on a separate thread, feel free. We can get involved in yet another debate about it on that thread.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Soi Chayapoon Bars Targeted as Crackdown Continues Bar Owners around Pattaya are now coming to terms with the fact that a Bar Crackdown is underway. With initial threats of 60 day closure notices, many are checking their licenses and employees to make sure they fully comply with the law. We joined a team of Banglamung District Licensing Officers who were backed up by Pattaya Police Officers and civil volunteers as they conducted a spot check on bars in Soi Chayapoon in Central Pattaya. A total of 20 establishments along the street were checked. Licenses were checked and ID cards of employees and patrons were checked to ensure that employees were over the age of 18 and patrons were at least 20 years of age. At the end of the inspection we were informed by Police that 10 venues required further action to be taken by Licensing Officers. Failure to show a valid license and expired licenses were some of the offences uncovered in the inspection. We urge all bar owners to check their licenses and ensure their bar fully complies with the law at this time, otherwise your business could experience a forced 60 day closure or worse.

Not really. Clubber's.

Considering the number of times this has been discussed over the years and the number of times I've made my stance clear and my reasons for it clear, I'm not going to get dragged in to another discussion of it. Sorry.

Here's something I didn't know until last night. It had never even occurred to me that you might be able to take a boy "off" from a restaurant. I was eating in a gay-owned restaurant. One of the waiters was flirting with one of my friends. My friend asked the waiter what time he finishes work. The boy said 1:00 AM, but that's not a problem because he can be taken "off" just like the bars. I asked him if he was serious. He said yes and that several gay-owned restaurants allow it. Neither of us asked him how much the "off" fee is, but I would imagine it would be in par with the "off" fees charged in bars when someone wants to "off" a waiter.

Tell that to the people who object to the idea of giving even as much as 1000 baht (about US $28) to a boy in Thailand they've taken "off."