Gaybutton

I'm sure there must be a really logical reason for it too. Until a few hours ago, I could access YouTube any time I wished. As a matter of fact, I was using YouTube just a few hours ago. Guess what . . . now it's blocked!

Unfortunately, sometimes the whole thing is ruined when the boy starts trying to negotiate how much he'll get. You're right, that takes the joy and fun out of the whole thing. I know of one boy that works the beach and he's all over the potential customer and as lovey-dovey as it gets while still at the beach, making the potential customer feel as if he's about to have the experience of his life. Then, as soon as he and his customer get to the hotel room, he starts rattling off what he'll do and how much he expects to be paid for it. If a boy ever did that to me, he'd find his butt out the door and he'd be lucky to get even taxi fare. Don't forget, the amount the boy receives is considered to be a tip. People have to judge for themselves how much to tip for lousy service or no service at all. I know of another beach boy who happens to be very well built. I've had more than one person tell me that when they get to the hotel room he just lies there and does absolutely nothing. He expects you to service him. I think the smart thing to do is to let the boy know what you expect him to do and how much you're willing to give him for it before taking him "off." Doing that should avoid most potential problems that commonly occur and ruins the whole thing. If the boy is really good, then I'd give him more than I said I would. If he is lousy, I would still tip him the amount I said I would, but that would be the last time I'd ever take him. If he doesn't do what he agreed to do, or does it for about five seconds and that's the end of it, then he would get less than I told him he'd get and I'd let him know why. I also think that several people posting on this thread write as if they are mad as hell. I don't know why, but they sure come across that way. I think it is a mistake to turn the whole experience into a money issue. It should be an enjoyable experience for both the "farang" and the boy without worrying so much as to whether you should give him 800 baht or 1000 baht. Some of these people sound as if they would "off" a boy and essentially say, "Ok, now we're in the hotel room. Gimme my fuckin' blow job, make it good, and then get the hell out of here!" If that's your idea of a good time, so be it. Personally, I prefer that everyone ends up happy and the boy would be glad to go "off" with you again instead of having to think, "Oh no! Not this guy again."

To the best of my knowledge gay marriages are not legally recognized in Thailand, however many Buddhist temples will perform the ceremony and you can at least be married in the eyes of the religion, but the marriage will have no legal status of any kind.

Ok, here is what I can confirm: The raids did take place as Panai posted. The raids occurred in Pattayaland. I have no confirmation of anything occurring at all in Sunee Plaza. Both the Panorama Pub and the My Life for Happiness bars were raided and the customers were required to show their passports. I have no information regarding Serene. Both bars were told they have the wrong license. The license they have entitles them to remain open until 11:00 PM, but not until 1:00 AM. The foreigners who had no passport with them were taken to the street and given a stern warning, but no one was taken away. Wild West Boys and one or two other bars were raided as Panai described. By the time the police were done there were only two customers remaining. A copy of the passport was acceptable to the police. I don't know of any requirement for the passport copy to be laminated. People do that just to keep the copy from becoming ruined, I suppose. The police accepted copies that included the main photo and information page and the page showing the current visa. The size of the copy was not an issue. Today nearly all of my friends, and me too, were carrying our passports. I know of no other raids. Nobody knows what was going on or why, although there is speculation ranging from the police were looking for Russians who may have been involved with the recent murders of the two women (although there is no evidence that the Russians involved were gay or would be likely to be in a gay bar) to the police trying to impress the "Big Boss." None of us really knows what this was all about or whether to expect any more of it, however there is a story about it in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: (click the link for photos): http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_09_03_50_4.htm Immigration Crackdown as Police Hunt for Foreign

I don't think there's any way to do that because no matter what anyone recommends, someone always disputes it. However, my recommendation is 1000 baht for short time and 1500 baht for overnight. That's in Pattaya. In both Bangkok and Phuket you can add at least 500 baht to both.

If this is true, then as far as I know it's the first time something like this has ever happened. I'm always advising people not to carry their passport because of the possibility of loss or theft, but I agree that at least until we know for sure what's going on it might be a better idea to carry your actual passport, a copy of it in case of loss or theft, and a second copy of it in your hotel room. I have not yet been able to find anything about this in any of the local or national media. I would think such a thing would be headline news . . . a police station full of "farang," probably raising holy hell. Until we can be certain as to what happened and what is actually going on, all I know is I'll be carrying my passport with me at all times. Thai law specifies that foreigners must have their passport on their person at all times, just as Thai law specifies that Thai citizens must have their national ID cards on their person at all times. In the past whenever a foreigner is caught without carrying his passport, a copy of it has usually been acceptable. If the police wish to verify it, most of the time the foreigner has the actual passport in his hotel room and the police accompany him to the room to check it out. However, they do not have to do that. If they arrested a whole truckload of "farang" they might not even have the manpower to send a bunch of police officers out to various hotel rooms. They're too busy catching helmetless motorcycle drivers. In light of the recent publicity about how immigration officers at the airport are all being trained to be smiling and polite to foreigners, it would seem bizarre that after all these years there would be such a sudden crackdown without any warning, but bizarre seems to be a part of daily life in Thailand anyhow, so this sort of a crackdown would come as a surprise to me, but not much of one.

I think you are absolutely right and that you are not reacting too harshly. You may indeed be depriving yourself of a promising relationship, but on the other hand you may be saving yourself quite a lot of grief and expense. Ending it at the first sign of trouble may not be the best move emotionally, but after living here long enough, seeing it happen to so many "farang," and going through it myself, I believe it's the smart move. Not all of the Thai boys are like that, but enough of them are that I believe the wise thing to do is to proceed with caution and not be afraid to end a relationship if it becomes necessary. It gets much tougher if you've been in a relationship over a long period of time and suddenly realize that despite all you tolerated and all you did and all you tried to do, in the end it meant nothing to the boy and you simply had been used and abused all along without realizing it. It's happened to a lot of "farang" and it's happened to me. The trouble is that it's not always so easy to see the handwriting on the wall and it's usually not until some sort of major incident happens that you even realize that you were being manipulated. When you wrote, "I now end any relationship at the first sign of manipulation," that really hit home with me. I've been in situations when I should have done just that, but didn't, and ended up deeply hurt and traumatized in the end. Some people are able to pick up the pieces, put it behind them, and move on with their lives and some people end up becoming the next "flying farang."

Three stories have been published within the past few hours. Here they are: The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Robbery May Not Motivation of Killing Two Russians : Police Boss Acting national police chief Gen Seripisut Temiyavej does not believe the man arrested for the murder of two Russian tourists intended to rob them. Seripisut questioned on Saturday the man personally and said he disbelieved his claim that the killings had been the result of a robbery gone wrong. Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were shot dead around dawn on February 24 as they sat in chairs on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. Seripisut said Anuchit Lamlert, 24, was the killer. He was arrested on Thursday night. However, Seripisut was convinced that the suspect had not worked alone and that his motive had not been robbery. He was suspicions of Anuchit's claim because the victims had no valuables on them at the time except for a mobile telephone. The pair had gone to the beach for an earlymorning swim. "Police have arrested the suspect, but I am not satisfied. I believe there must be a motive," he said. Pattaya police will continue to search for accomplices, and Seripisut said he did not want a "scapegoat". On Thursday police recovered the murder weapon, a Chinesemade 9mm Norinco pistol. Anuchit told police he had attempted to rob the women but shot them when they screamed for help. Police Second Region commissioner and the senior officer investigating the killings, Lt Gen Assawin Khwanmueng, said Saturday a Bt550,000 reward had been paid. Anuchit has been denied bail. ____________________ The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS (Photos on the link) : http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_03_03_50_2.htm _____ National Police Chief

Here are some further updates. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Pattaya Tourist Killing Gun Found Police yesterday found the murder weapon used in killing two Russian women in Pattaya on February 24. The 9mm Chinese-made Norinco pistol was found in a pond pinpointed by a witness, who is a close friend of murder suspect Anuchit Lamlert and volunteered information to police about the weapon yesterday after Anuchit was arrested on Thursday night. The unidentified witness bought the handgun for Bt900 from Anuchit after it was used to kill Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, while they sat drinking in deckchairs on Jomtien Beach. He later threw it away in the pond near his home in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district after Anuchit failed to show up to buy it back as he had promised. The witness now faces a charge of possessing a firearm without permission but will have the offence dropped in return for his testimony in court about Anuchit selling the handgun to him, police said. Police quoted Anuchit as saying that he had merely wanted to rob the victims but had shot them dead after they yelled and screamed. He fled without taking anything. According to police, Anuchit has committed numerous crimes, mainly robbery and mugging of foreign tourists in Pattaya. He was temporarily released after allegedly shooting a South Korean tourist in January. Both Anuchit and the witness are in police custody separately, and acting police chief Seripisut Temiyavej will today arrive in Pattaya to question Anuchit. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Police Under Pressure on Russian Murder Case (TNA) Thailand's acting national police chief is going to Pattaya on Saturday to press local police to arrest all the accomplices of the murderer of two Russian tourists at Jomtien, a popular resort next to Pattaya in the eastern seaboard province of Chon Buri. National police chief Pol. Gen. Seripisuth Temiyavej on Friday told reporters that he was confident that the murderer's co-conspirators will be apprehended. Otherwise all local police officers

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS (Click the link to see photos): http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_02_03_50_3.htm _____ Suspect in Custody but No Motive Forthcoming in the Russian Double-Murder Case An update now on a story the world

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from, but my guess is that you're looking at a web site that publishes the offshore rates. Within Thailand, the exchange rate opened today at 35.47 baht to the US dollar.

Bear in mind that the B&B is an accommodation. The Enchanted Hut is a restaurant. The Enchanted Hut is located in the Jomtien Complex.

Welcome to the wonderful world of running a message board, Oogleman. There are some real psychos out there who will stoop to anything if they don't like the board, the moderator, certain posters, or Lord-knows-what. That's just one of the nut cases you'll end up dealing with. Rest assured there will be many more where that came from. If you're going to run a message board, the nuts are going to find it sooner or later. When I had my own web site, one idiot actually tried to blackmail me into doing his bidding because he didn't like the fact that I provided Hedda with a forum. The guy actually committed a felony to try to get his way. Of course, he did not get his way and I wasn't about to submit to a blackmailer, but that's just one example of how far some lunatics are willing to go. He didn't like Hedda, so he committed a felony. Some board owners, moderators, and even various posters have even been threatened with physical violence. I suppose some people fail to remember that these are just message boards, here for information and enjoyment more than anything else. In the scheme of things, on a list of what is really important, a message board would probably be way down at the bottom. But there are some people out there who literally make these boards the entire focus of their lives, as if they are vitally important in the first place. Guess what . . . they're not. I don't know whether hacking into a message board and planting viruses would be a misdemeanor or a felony, but I'll bet it is a crime. If it is, and if you can find out who it was, I hope you go after him with both barrels. That's exactly what someone who would do such a thing deserves. Unfortunately, these message boards often bring out the best in people, but they also bring out the worst in people and they bring out the lunatic fringe. Now, a message for the moron brigade: If you don't like a message board, the people who post on it, or the content of particular messages, you don't have to read it. You can actually spend your time doing something other than reading message boards that you hate. Isn't that an amazing revelation?

I don't wear socks with sandals either, but not because I think there is anything wrong with wearing socks with sandals. Would someone please explain to me what is so terrible about wearing socks with sandals? One poster regularly makes an issue of it, at least when it comes to white socks. I'm told that same poster wears socks with his sandals too, but he wears black socks. I guess that makes it ok. What on earth is the big deal about socks with sandals and/or the color of the socks? A person should actually come under criticism because he wears socks with sandals? I don't get it.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ THAI to Spend Bt10 million to Move Domestic Operations to Don Muang Thai Airways International says it will spend Bt10 million in moving its domestic operations from Suvarnabhumi Airport back to Don Muang. Chokchai Panyawong, executive vice president, said Friday that the airline was coordinating the return to Don Muang with Airports of Thailand and the traffic police. About 20 per cent of its ground-service equipment - including ramps, stair vehicles and power units - will need to be trucked over. "The company hopes to finish the transfer by March 20 and start service on March 25," he said. THAI operates 150-200 flights a day at Suvarnabhumi, of which 30 domestic runs will be shifted to the old airfield. It will operate a passenger terminal at the former domestic terminal building. The airline also plans to upgrade its IT system and X-ray machines at Don Muang. The three other carriers planning to revert back to Don Muang by its tentative reopening date on March 25 are One-Two-Go, Nok Air and PB Air.

Yes, that's certainly the truth. Of course, if he gives his permission or creates a profile, that's a different story. However, nobody out there has to cry or agonize trying to find him. There are plenty of boys around just like him. I don't know him, but apparently Stef does. Good! Now I can pass the buck to Stef. If someone out there is going to be heartbroken unless he gets to meet him, maybe if you ask Stef very nicely, and if Stef knows how to contact him, maybe something can be worked out. If he is a bar boy or works in a restaurant, or something like that, and someone spots him, then there's nothing wrong with posting which venue it is.

Sorry, but it would not be appropriate to give out someone's personal information without his permission, especially on a public message board.

This thread really interests me. I'm definitely taken by surprise. I never would have guessed that Jim Jimmy James and My Life would take the lead, but that's where this thread seems to be going so far.

It isn't just TV. If you think they get graphic on TV, take a look at the Thai newspapers! Why do they do it? Most likely because it sells.

Let's hope you never become yet another statistic. If you ever feel that way again, then come to us. While many members of the gay community can be quite bitchy on the message boards, when the chips are down and someone truly needs help, a lot of people within the gay community here really do try their best to help as much as they can.

Now we're cookin'! There had been quite a long stretch without any "flying farang" stories, but now we've got two. The one in the following story 'flew' from none other than Center Condo. I know I shouldn't make light of it, but there certainly has been a large number of "farang" over the years who decided to take a swan dive from Center Condo. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you live in Center Condo and look out your window long enough, sooner or later you're bound to see someone 'dropping' by. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Finnish Man Jumps to his Death in South Pattaya Condo A suspected case of suicide now from Center Condo just off the South Pattaya Road. At 3.30am on Thursday, Police Lieutenant Chanatat from Pattaya Police Station was called to deal with a suspected suicide victim who had apparently jumped from his 5th Floor Apartment. The victim is Mr. Pentti Eerik Paunamaa aged 55 from Finland. Security Guards took Police to his apartment and an apparent suicide note in Finnish Language which mentioned that his wife was currently in prison on drugs charges and he felt very alone. Mr. Paunamaa was a keen motorbike enthusiast and was known by fellow residents at Center Condo as a quite but respectful man. Everything inside his room was packed away in suitcases suggesting the suicide was pre-meditated and was not a spontaneous act. Police are confident that a third party was not involved in his death but are awaiting forensic reports before they close the case. The Finnish Embassy in Bangkok have been informed. __________ Now, in fairness, Center Condo is certainly not the only takeoff point for those who wish to fly without benefit of aircraft or parachute. Here's yet another story, excerpted from the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: . . . . Mr. Marco Quatrocchi aged 34 from Italy. He had apparently jumped from the ninth floor of the Yensabai Condo

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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ IMMIGRATION STAFF TO GET FRIENDLY Personality Training Aims to put a Smile on Surly Airport Workers' Faces Story by ANUCHA CHAROENPO Immigration officers are undergoing 'personality training' to teach them how to project a friendlier face at Suvarnabhumi airport. The Immigration Bureau has sent 1,200 immigration officers on the so-called Sawasdee Project following rising complaints that staff at the new airport are glum, unfriendly and sometimes just downright rude. They're hoping the sour-faced image of the uptight immigration officer flipping through the traveller's passport between occasional upwards glances will be banished to the past. The programme on personality development, which is being provided by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University's Human Capital Development Centre, aims to teach commissioned and non-commissioned police how best to conduct themselves when greeting visitors. ''The trainer tells us how to dress, stand, sit, keep our hair in place, smile and greet visitors as well as make a wai and say sawasdee to them when they use the airport so they will be impressed with our reception and our country,'' says immigration worker Vasinee Kaewpraphai. Pol Lt Vasinee, who joined the police only 20 months ago, says the course has been useful. She isn't offended by attempts to make her a nicer person. At Suvarnabhumi airport, she checks visitors as they leave the country. She also has to deal with problems including people who have lost their departure cards, overstayed their visas or missed their flight. ''Sometimes I don't greet every visitor properly. I forget to say 'Sawasdee' because there isn't always enough time when I'm busy,'' she says. ''But after the training I will try to do it much more often.'' The Immigration Bureau launched the Sawasdee Project last month after receiving complaints from tourists about immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi. The airport opened in September last year. Travellers have complained that immigration officers there are grumpy and unfriendly. The training course started at the beginning of the month and will last until March 3. The one-day course takes in 100 officers each time. When all of Bangkok's immigration staff have been given their personality check, the project will be extended to staff at other major airports across the country including Samui, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket. The bureau hopes the project will encourage its officers to adopt a positive attitude towards their service work and polish their tarnished image. Kantaya Permpol, director of the Human Capital Development Centre, says she understands where the stereotype of the surly immigration officer comes from because their work is not just about tourist reception, but also includes handling security affairs. As a result, it is common for them to be serious while working as they have to keep passports and other travelling documents in check at all times, she said. ''Our personality development course teaches them how to adapt themselves to their work, to make themselves happy while working and ensure their happiness rubs off on those they come into contact with.'' The course, which is also given to service staff in other businesses and industries, includes tips on reception, service and customer relations. ''After the training, the immigration officers will be more service-minded towards their work and more responsive to visitors,'' the director says. ''I believe that if immigration workers follow the course's principles, visitors will be satisfied with them. This atmosphere will also help boost tourism.'' And just in case the smiles begin to fade back into grimaces when the officers return to Suvarnabhumi, the centre says it will carry out follow-up evaluations every few months.

Once you find what you're looking for, don't forget to contact me when you're ready to model them . . .

Obviously one of the major topics of discussion on these message boards is the gay bar scene in Thailand. I'm curious as to whether people have particular bars they would call their favorite, whether in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or wherever in Thailand. I'm not really asking that people specify reasons why any one bar would be their favorite, although please feel free to say why if you wish. But I think it will be very interesting to see which bars people seem to like most of all. Do you have a favorite?