Gaybutton

I'm not all that familiar with the Bangkok bars and I'm sure you will receive better responses than mine, but as far as I know all of the bars have boys within that age bracket. As for which bar is best, that's an extremely difficult question to answer because it is a matter of opinion. In the Suriwong-Patpong area most of the bars are within easy walking distance from each other, many right next door to each other. Try a few one night and try a few the next night. I think most people would agree, however, that if you are looking for muscle boys, then the Tawan bar is probably the place for you to go.

The next PGF (Pattaya Gay Festival) dinner will be hosted at Bruno's Restaurant on Wednesday, May 2. Details and the menu can be seen at: http://www.pgreport.com/100407/brunos_dinner%5B1%5D.jpg

Remember the brouhaha over the possibility of entertainment zones within Pattaya? Remember that the idea simply fizzled out and vanished? Well folks, the idea has been resurrected. At least they're also talking about residential zones. A common complaint in Pattaya is that someone has bought a beautiful condo in a quiet neighborhood, and then some schmuck opens a karaoke, a loud one, that blares music far into the wee hours of the morning, right into the ears of those who actually try to sleep at night. They ask the karaokes to turn down the volume, but it never happens. They call the police and nothing is done. Maybe establishment of residential zones will do something to solve that problem for those plagued by it. Here's the article, from the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Meeting Discusses Plans to Create Zones here in Pattaya An interesting meeting now from Pattaya City Hall chaired by Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya. The meeting discussed plans to create zones around the City. Entertainment, Residential and Educational Zones will be clearly defined, however, although the idea for zoning has been approved the exact boundaries of each zone has not yet been agreed upon. This could well have an impact on the lucrative late night entertainment industry here in Pattaya which would be affected by these zoning plans. The plans are in the consultation stage for now and despite previous plans to zone Pattaya failing, the meeting is hopeful that these plans will eventually be put into operation.

Thank you. The entire BANGKOK POST article is as follows: _____ Mafia in Khaki Prey on Bus Passengers Tourists, Migrants Searched, Held, Forced to Part with Money to Secure Own Release By Amornrat Mahitthirook and Manop Thip-osod Ekamai and Southern bus terminals are known as hunting grounds for "mafia in khaki" who prey on foreign travellers and illegal aliens. The mafia extort money from foreign tourists and illegal migrant workers who lack proper immigration documents. They arrest the migrants, and demand money in return for their release from custody, say bus terminal officials and witnesses. The Transport Co, operator of the terminals, admits the problem is rampant at the state-run bus terminals. An official at the Southern bus terminal said: "Mafia extortionists have been roaming the terminal for almost two decades. The practice is blatant and people working at the terminal, including officials and shopkeepers, know about it." The mafia, claiming to be policemen, work in gangs, along with bus staff, taxi and van drivers who tip off the extortionists about the arrival of their targets, mostly Burmese and Lao workers travelling from Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, and Songkhla. The "mafia in khaki" approach the workers, search their belongings and ask for immigration documents. Any illegal immigrants are told they must pay at least 5,000 baht to walk free. Anyone without money or valuables is forced to seek refunds for their tickets to get cash, or face being locked up until friends or relatives find money to pay the fines. The terminal official said the gangsters claim to be officers from Taling Chan police station, the 191 emergency unit or police from other areas. They work in uniforms or plain clothes, often in the dark, from evening until 4am. A shopkeeper at the bus terminal, located on Pinklao road, said no one dare interfere with the extortionists for fear of retribution. The practice differs at the Ekamai terminal for east-bound buses on Sukhumvit road. An Ekamai employee said officers claiming to be officers from Thong Lor police station had boarded buses to accost foreigners for the past seven months. They scattered their belongings in drug searches. If any drugs were found, money changes hands. "The practice hurts the country's tourism, especially when innocent foreign travellers become victims of intimidation by people claiming to be state officers," the employee said. More frequent police searches might stem from heightened security to prevent terrorism, he said. But that might also be the work of extortionists. He said many bus operators are upset because the searches delay departure schedules. "The mafia has escaped the hand of the law," the employee said, citing the recent closure of a terminal's radio station after it alerted high-level terminal officers to look into the mafia activities. Wuthichart Kalayanamitr, acting president of the Transport Co, admitted mafia extortionists are rampant. He said the Crime Suppression Division had been asked to patrol the Southern terminal and crack down on the mafia. As a precaution, warnings have been issued on the public address system and more closed-circuit cameras will be installed, he said. Renovation is under way at the Southern terminal to seal off the terminal area, so it is accessible only by passengers and officials, he added. Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Supisal Pakdinarunat said police patrols and undercover agents have been sent to investigate, especially cases involving possible police misconduct. Pol Col Supisal advised victims and witnesses to contact the police complaint centre, the Prime Minister's Office hotline or the media. He also urged victims to file charges against the gangsters.

Actually, according to http://www.thai-language.com , there are three words for it. I've never heard any of those words actually used . . .

Just because I enjoy it doesn't mean that you have to also enjoy it. I haven't had such experiences, so I have no reason to feel as you do. Meanwhile, you might feel a little better knowing that your misery has company. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: for photos, click: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_14_04_50_4.htm _____ Safety Concerns as Songkran Starts Early Here in Pattaya. Despite the fact that the official day for Songkran here in Pattaya is 5 days away the festivities have already begun in some areas around the City. We went to Soi

In Pattaya some of the Songkran water tossing and powder puffing has begun. Today (Friday) I saw several pickup trucks, loaded with people and water barrels, cruising through the city. However, they were dousing only each other and leaving everyone else alone, although a few motorcyclists and pedestrians were caught in the crossfire. Collateral damage . . . I was not on Second Road or Beach Road today, but I've heard that the water works have greatly escalated in those areas and right now that's the area where you are most likely to receive a dousing. Right now, Pattaya reminds me of a ghost town when it comes to the presence of "farang." Many have already made their escape and more will be doing so throughout the week. Some have already gone into hibernation in their condo or hotel rooms. The beach, restaurants, and gay venues are not exactly bursting at the seams with customers right now. There really hasn't been all that much Songkran activity yet due to the weather. We've had quite a bit of rain, along with flooded streets, lately, so not that many people are out there with their water shooters. Maybe they're afraid they'll get wet . . . This year, the city is forbidding water tossing along Sukhumvit highway and the police are out there enforcing that. The reasons are to cut back on accidents and to allow a traffic flow. I'm glad of that. In the past the revelers would shoot water at motorcycles passing at high speed and that caused many serious accidents and injuries. However, the real test of whether such enforcement is really possible will be next Thursday, the main Songkran day. So many "farang" really hate the Songkran holiday and all the revelry that goes with it. Not me. I truly enjoy it. Aside from myself, though, I know of only one other "farang" who truly enjoys it all and intends to be right here in the thick of it. Are we the only two?

I'll just let the story, which appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS, speak for itself. Photos can be seen at: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_13_04_50_3.htm As for the final outcome and whether the case was officially logged, well . . . that's the part where you get three guesses. _____ Sleepy Police Officer Causes Traffic Chaos on Pattaya Third Road Here

Both the PATTAYA MAIL and the CHIANG MAI MAIL have published the official lists of Songkran activities. For the Pattaya list, click: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1 For the Chiang Mai list, click: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd4

I agree with that. I hope you will be able to overcome your anxiety. I think if you give it a try once or twice, the anxiety about it will disappear.

Gee whiz. Gosh darn it all anyway. Judas priest! It just gets me friggin' PO'd. Oooooh, it gets me so mad I could just spit. Well, maybe if you ask GayThailand and/or Stef nicely, they'll turn off that feature and let people swear to their hearts' content.

There are all kinds of ways to 'hit on' someone. I wouldn't advise just walking up to just any stranger on the streets and inviting him to your bed, but there are all kinds of ways to let someone know you are interested in ways that are subtle enough so that there will be no embarrassment on either side if you are going to be rejected. There is no standard way to do that. Many good suggestions have been offered on this thread. You have to do what works best for you. Even if you just use the broad smile method, if the other person is interested then believe me, he'll let you know it. One thing is certain: If you are too shy to at least do or say something, then nothing will happen at all. If it were me, and I was not in a gay venue where I would be sure, then I would usually try the broad smile and see if if get one back. If I do, then I would try to talk with the person. If he responds, even if you can't speak any Thai and he can't speak any English, but he's friendly and I'm getting the right 'vibes,' then I might invite him for a drink, or hand him a card and ask him to give me a call, or ask to exchange phone numbers, or something similar. Even if the language barrier is total, you'll find ways to get the message across and so will he.

That's exactly what I intend to do. Of course, one of my friends pointed out that I have a car and don't have to get soaked unless I want to get soaked. I'm wondering just how many of you who can be in Pattaya for Songkran will be in Pattaya for Songkran. Other than myself and one other friend, just about everyone I know has either already made his escape or are getting ready to make his escape. The beach is getting "deader" by the day. Not only have a great many "farang" left, but many of the boys who constitute the daily eye candy have also left, but not for the same reasons. They want to be with their families during Songkran. I read somewhere that there was even a juvenile prison break, motivated by the desire to be home for Songkran. Is there anyone other than my friend and I who intends to be in Pattaya for Songkran? Out of that number, is there anyone who intends to be out there rather than hiding out in his hotel or condo room?

Let's just hope none of these drink spikings end up turning into murder. It sounds awfully dangerous to me and unfortunately there are people out there who seem to be willing to do anything to steal from others, whether they are aware of what could happen to their victims or not. As I said, there is no way I'll ever have a drink with a stranger in my room. I wouldn't even pull the old 'switch the glasses' trick. I'd be stuck with a thief in my room, hopelessly passed out. Of course, he'd have some explaining to do when he wakes up, and he'd be doing that explaining to the police.

Perhaps you should. What a set of coincidences! You're not alone in that. Robert Lincoln, the son of Abraham Lincoln, was in the White House the night his father was assassinated. He was present and an eyewitness to President James Garfield's assassination. He was present when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was present when New York City Mayor William Gaynor was shot during an assassination attempt. Sounds like a similar set of circumstances is happening to you.

One common occurrence is the spiked drinks. I don't know about you, but the reason I take a boy to my room isn't for having drinks, that's for sure. There is no way I would have a drink with a money boy in my room and I wouldn't let him have one either. One question in my mind . . . what are they spiking the drinks with? It seems that whatever they use, it keeps people asleep for many hours. For one of those long-haul international flights, that might be just the thing. What do they use and where do they get it?

Here are the latest details: _____ BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) Thai police have not concluded that a bomb outside a Bangkok shopping and cinema complex Monday night is related to the New Year's Eve bombings in the capital, but they believe it was designed to raise the level of fear and apprehension in an already troubled time. Police said they believe that the latest bombing at Major Ratchayothin complex was apparently aimed to cause fear among the public. Visiting Phaholyothin police station to seek details in the case, Assistant National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Jongrak Juthanont said the attacker apparently worked at night when the site was clear of casual passersby, and therefore did not intend to kill anyone. The small and low-powered bomb was aimed to threaten the public and possibly to cause panic rather than kill passersby. Police are gathering evidence and questioning witnesses. The small bomb packed in a plastic bottle was placed in a phone booth in front of the shopping and cinema complex, and caused no injuries. Major Ratchayothin was one of nine locations in Bangkok and Nonthaburi, bombed on New Year's Eve. Three people were killed and nearly 40 people were wounded in the New Year's incidents, including nine foreigners. (TNA)-E004 _____ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Police Question Taxi Driver over Bomb Attack at Movie Theatre Police are questioning a taxi driver who parked his vehicle in front of a Bangkok movie theatre just minutes before a bomb exploded there on Monday night. The blast that took place just before midnight at Major Cineplex Theatre Ratchayothin destroyed three street-side public telephone booths but injured no one. The theatre was one of the sites attacked by bomb explosions in Bangkok on the New Year's Eve, killing three people and wounding more than 40. The taxi driver, Wirat Jansa, turned himself at about 9.20 am but denied that he is not involved in the attack. He claimed that he tried to get customer at the spot but a police officer booked him for parking at the prohibited area. The officer ordered him to go to the police station to pay for the ticket. With the officer in his car, he was driving to the police station when he heard a boom behind him. The officer then got off his taxi to investigate the scene, he said. Later his taxi centre radioed him to report himself with police. "I think that it is all about the booking but it turned to be that police wanted to question me about the bomb attack," he said. Meanwhile Deputy Police Chief Lt Col Jongrak Jutanont who visited the site said that there was no no claims of responsibility for the explosions, which police believed was not meant to cause fatalities. "It was meant to threaten and cause confusion," Jongrak said. He described the bomb as a "noisemaker" packed with gunpowder but no nails or other sharp objects. He said police are investigating, but they have not yet been able to pinpoint a motive. Prakit Prachonpatjanuk, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said that initial investigations indicated that the bombing might have been the result of a personal conflict and did not appear to be linked to Muslim insurgent violence in Thailand's deep south.

Details, so far, are sketchy, but here's the story, from THE NATION: _____ Bomb Explosion at a Bangkok Theatre Bomb explosion damaged public telephone booths and injured no one at a theatre on Monday night. The blast destroyed three telephone booths in front of Major Cineplex Ratchayothin at about 11.30 pm. There was no report of injuries. The theatre was one of ten targets attacked by bomb explosion on New Year's Eve.

Most of you are aware of the Songkran holiday in Thailand. In Pattaya the major water tossing festivities will take place on Thursday, April 19. Some "farang," including me, love the holiday and fully intend to be here in Pattaya for the entire event and enjoy getting soaked (while watching all those boys getting soaked as well). It seems that most "farang" avoid Pattaya and anywhere else in Thailand where the water tossing takes place. In Pattaya it has already begun. Today I began to notice a few children out there with their squirt guns already dousing passers-by. It will escalate over the next several days until it reaches its peak on April 19.

You're using logic making sense. That's precisely why I wouldn't be surprised if they do go ahead and pass this bill. In Thailand it is not at all unusual for the powers-that-be to come up with something that makes no sense at all and defies logic.

The part about bars being forced to stop selling alcohol is probably what caught your attention more than the rest of the article. The final two paragraphs of the following article state: "The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices. "That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said." I don't know how many bars in Pattaya would fall within the 500 meter limitation, if this bill passes, but it could happen . . . The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Asian Tourists Vote with their Feet Bangkok (Agencies) Official statistics show that tourists from the region have begun turning away, prompting concern the neighbours are avoiding Thailand because of continuing insecurity and political woes. The number of tourists arriving from East Asia dropped by 7.3 per cent in the first two months of the year, compared to the same period in 2006, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said. "Sensitive Asian tourists, from Japan for example, have been scared away from Bangkok due to security concerns," said Pornthip Samerton, managing director of travel agent Destination Asia. The TAT numbers showed a general drop-off in February among tourists from around the world, as overall arrivals fell six per cent from January. Arrivals were still slightly up from the year before. Pornthip said that many tourists may have reconsidered their travel plans following the deadly New Year's Eve bomb blasts in Bangkok that killed three and injured dozens. Since then, several foreign embassies have upgraded their travel warnings for Bangkok, citing the threat of more blasts. Meanwhile, a separatist insurgency in southern Thailand has sharply escalated, and the military that took power in a coup last September has threatened to invoke a state of emergency in Bangkok over political protests. "After the bombs, the political situation and the insurgency in the south have added to tourists' concerns. Meanwhile, changing regulations regarding foreign investments have had an impact on business arrivals," said TAT spokesman Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya. Foreign investment has dropped off since the Bangkok of Thailand imposed tough currency controls in December, and the government in January proposed tightening foreign business rules. "Those factors led to a decline of arrivals, and those from Asia fell short of our targets," he told the AFP news agency. Tourism is a key money spinner for Thailand, generating about six per cent of gross domestic product. Las Vegas-based tourism consultant Globalyis said that Thailand could still expect to see an 8.0 per cent increase in overall arrivals this year to 14.9 million -- assuming there is no more political turmoil. "Any further incident in the country's capital or another popular tourist destination could trigger panic and drive away many tourists who may be concerned for their safety," the consultancy said in a recent paper. "Traditionally in the region, tourism revenues are directly correlated with political stability," Globalyis warned. "Reduced foreign investment could see Thailand lose out on tourism development in the coming years in favor of its competitive neighbours in the region," it added. Southeast Asia has seen increasing competition for tourist dollars, especially among Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong. Tourism groups have also warned that Thailand could see its annual expected tourism earnings of 800 billion baht ($22.85 billion) slashed by 10 per cent because of a proposal to tighten rules on alcohol sales. The new bill, which is awaiting approval from the military-installed parliament, bans alcohol sales within 500 metres of schools, temples and government offices. That would prevent many bars and restaurants from selling alcohol, which means tourists might spend less money or just pack up for a neighbouring country, the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations said.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Hundreds of Ethnic Karen Flee Burma Amid fighting Fresh outbreaks of fighting between Burma's ethnic rebels and armed forces loyal to the country's junta have led to more than 200 ethnic Karen fleeing to Thailand, Thai border officials said Sunday. The fighting began Saturday between a pro-junta militia and the rebel Karen National Union (KNU), forcing the civilians to cross the border into the western Tak province, said Thawal Pattanacharoen, regional border police chief. "The fighting went on all day long until early Sunday morning, and has forced more than 200 Karen to seek refuge in Thailand," Thawal said. Most of the ethnic minority Karen civilians had now returned home, he added, with only 60 left in Thailand, most of whom were women and children. He denied local media reports that up to 30 rebels from both sides had died in the fighting, which has pitted Burma's pro-government Democratic Karen Buddhist Army against the KNU. The KNU is the largest rebel group fighting Burma's armed forces and one of the few remaining ethnic insurgent groups yet to sign a peace deal with the junta. Burma, under military rule since 1962, has signed ceasefires with 17 other ethnic armed groups. Up to 150,000 Karen refugees already live in camps along Thailand's border with Burma. Many of them have been there for more than 20 years. Burma began a bloody offensive against the Karen a year ago. Human rights groups say the crackdown has forced thousands of civilians to abandon their villages and flee into the jungles. Agence France-Presse

Gentlemen, I don't think it is proper to bring a dispute someone may be having with one board to another board. I also do not think it is proper to post someone's PM, no matter what the reason may be. Nothing personal, pete1969, but your dispute is with the Sawatdee forum and this board is not the place to take it up. Quite frankly, if I had spotted this post in time it would have been eliminated. I do not set board policy here, but I think GayThailand would agree with me on this. I am locking the thread and will remove the thread if the owner of the Sawatdee Forum requests it.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ INTERNET ROW YouTube Says It Is Ready for Compromise Offers to 'Educate' Authorities on Blocking Individual Videos Rather than Entire Site YouTube said yesterday it would offer to "educate" authorities in this country about how the popular video-sharing service works. Such an offer, if accepted, would enable the blocking of individual videos rather than the entire site. The YouTube site was banned in Thailand on Wednesday after a user posted videos mocking His Majesty the King. Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr called on the government to take drastic action. "Blocking the website is not enough. We must find and punish the wrongdoer," Alongkorn said. He called on the government to request the cooperation of YouTube owner Google in tracking the culprit down. Alongkorn did not explain if his call for retribution meant taking legal action against the user who posted the video clip deemed offensive to the monarchy and, if so, how such action might proceed. YouTube spokeswoman Julie Supan said the company had spoken to Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom about the ban and made the offer to "educate" authorities. "Minister Sitthichai reported his government is inflexible on the blocking of individual objectionable videos and that the ministry's technical people have difficulty understanding how to block individual videos," she said. "While we will not take down videos that do not violate our policies and will not assist in implementing censorship, we have offered to educate the Thai ministry about YouTube and how it works," she said. "It's up to the Thailand government to decide whether to block specific videos, but we would rather that than have it block the entire site," she added. The ministry is still deciding how to proceed. It is willing to consider censoring individual videos rather than the entire site. "We insist that the clips considered offensive must be removed from the website," said ministry spokesman Vissanu Meeyoo. "We will look into the technical possibilities of blocking individual Web pages without blocking the entire site," he added. The difficulty for censors blocking individual videos became increasingly clear as new clips continued to be posted this week. The site, accessed from Bangkok via a foreign server, now has at least 10 clips connected to the controversy. Although the user who created it has removed the original clip, some others are similar, showing pictures of His Majesty that are considered offensive in Thailand. But some were simple videos of individuals expressing concern about free-speech issues raised by the ban, part of a fierce debate that has erupted on Internet message boards here and around the world. Media-freedom watchdogs have condemned the ban, saying it underscores the military government's effort to censor political dialogue on the Internet. Thailand has blocked some 45,000 websites, according to the group Freedom Against Censorship Thailand. Most are believed to be pornographic, but the government has also banned sites linked to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as online discussions of the insurgency in the South.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: see: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_07_04_50_4.htm for photos. _____ Major Police Crackdown on Criminal Elements here in Pattaya. Early on Saturday Morning, a major Police offensive to crackdown on known criminal elements here in Pattaya began. A group of over 200 Officers from Pattaya Police, Pattaya