Gaybutton

BANGKOK, Jan 22 (TNA) Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen has threatened to reshuffle the management of the Airports of Thailand should it fail to accelerate the examination of reported taxiway cracks at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The minister on Monday said he had urged the company's board and management to probe and deal with the cracks initially found in 60-100 spots of almost 10 areas of the airport. An initial examination found the problem might stem from the filling and levelling of taxiway areas with sand that does not meet the standard. However, he said he would wait for details of the examination. Should there be any irregularities, an investigation would be made. Those involved in the irregularities must be punished. Regarding a contractor's plan to seek compensation for a claim from Dhipaya Insurance Plc by citing taxiway cracks resulted from major flooding last year, Adm. Thira said he needed to heed the reasons given by many parties. He could not judge based on information given by a particular party. The minister said he would go to inspect the taxiway by himself late this month. Should there be any obstacle to taking off and landing of aircraft, it would be closed for repair. Whether the taxiway would be partially or entirely closed for repair would be determined again. He conceded taxi-way and run-way cracks would be used as one of reasons for his decision on whether the Don Muang International Airport would be reopened for some flight services. Adm. Thira admitted he remained unhappy with AoT's efforts to solve the problems that Suvarnabhumi Airport is facing. He said he had already urged the tackling of the problems through the board, but it seemed the management was slow in coping with them. Unless its performance improves, he said, the board had authority to reshuffle it. (TNA)-E005

I'm trying to think of every possible avenue. Have you tried contacting the US Embassy? Perhaps if you explain the situation they can be of help or at least provide advice as to anything that can be done that hasn't already been thought of. Also, GP has been of great help to Dr. Philippe over the years. Perhaps he can give some advice. Is he a member of the Expat's Club? Maybe there is something they can do.

I think you may be mistaken about that. As far as I know, it is actually someone else, not Smiles, who seems to have the objection to wearing socks with sandals, but only if they're white socks. I always found that amusing since the party in question has often been seen wearing socks with sandals himself, but his are black. I guess that makes it ok, especially considering that whether one wears socks with sandals at all is a major issue of our times.

Most of you are probably aware by now that due to serious health problems, Gaypattayan, of http://www.pattayagay.com will be unable to continue publishing his "Weekly Report." The report, however, will continue. It will be handled by close friends of Gaypattayan, most of whom are stationed within Thailand. A new web site for the weekly report is presently being established. The URL will be www.pgweeklyreport.com . There will also be an E-mail address, webmaster@pgweeklyreport.com . That is the address to use if you have information or other items you can submit for the "Weekly Report." The report may begin weekly publication as soon as next week if those who are handling it have everything ready by then. The "Weekly Report" has become a vital and reliable source of information for a great many people within the gay community. It has dealt primarily with Pattaya and often Bangkok. Those who are continuing the report for Gaypattayan would like to be able to include information about Chiang Mai and Phuket as well, considering that both are also major gay destinations. The continued success of the "Weekly Report" depends on help from all who can contribute information. It is an enormous task and requires a tremendous amount of work. The following is part of the E-mails that have been sent out to the interested parties: _____ If you have photos to contribute, it is asked that the format of photos and graphics - definitely be .jpg or .gif format, preferably up to no more than 200 dpi resolution, and picture size maximum about 6 inches square. Contributions can be in any format - .doc, .txt, or whatever. But preferably no handwriting (!!!). It is not intended to enter into any editorial of the content, other than to ensure that it complies with Thai and other countries acceptable standards. What would be a great help, immediately, would be for the friends of Gaypattayan to advise business friends and associates that if they have material for inclusion in the "Weekly Report" they can begin sending as soon as the new E-mail address is up and running. We will announce it on this forum once the new E-mail address is working. __________ * a duplicate of this message is also posted on the Baht-Stop forum *

Another possibility for obtaining funds is through Niddy's Nook. As many know, despite the fact that Niddy's Nook has been sold, he still runs his funds transfer business at a very nominal rate. He is close friends with GP and can be fully trusted. I wouldn't be surprised if he offers to do this and waive his usual fee in this case. Another thought is to obtain Ken's (GP's boyfriend) bank account information and simply transfer funds into his account directly. He takes care of GP and they have been a couple for years. Ken can be fully trusted too. Can you give us some idea of how much money is needed?

Don't confuse the K-Boy Karaoke with Sunee Plaza'a K-Boy bar. They are two separate things. The K-Boy Karaoke is located on the soi between Tuk Com and the Flamingo Hotel, right next door to the Blue House gay massage. I noticed their "for sale" sign and thought I'd pass it along in case anyone is interested in making the investment.

I see you had a wonderful time in this bar. Despite that, I suggest that people give it a try and judge for themselves. In any bar, if you have complaints about the toilet, or anything else, I think the best thing to do is bring it up to the owner or the mama-san. If nothing has been done by my next visit, then that would be the last time I would patronize such a place unless, of course, the boys are so irresistible that I would find the conditions to be the lesser of the evils and a factor I could disregard. So far, I've never been in a bar at which the boys are fantastic enough for me to ignore an unsanitary toilet if I feel the need (especially if that need happens to be number 2). I agree with Butterfly and he brings up a good point that really applies to any venue. I did not use the toilet facilities when I was in 69, so I never saw the conditions. However, if a bar, or any other venue, can't maintain a decent toilet for the customers, then I'd like to know the reason why. I don't see much excuse for it. Also, the boys use those same toilets. If the toilet facilities are atrocious, then at least for me, I wouldn't want to make physical contact with any of them. That's also when I start wondering about the cleanliness of the glass in which drinks are served and the cleanliness of the hands of the bartender who makes the drinks and the waiters who serve them. Another factor is that a great many people in Thailand, including me, normally wear sandals rather than shoes. I don't particularly like to have to be afraid of what I may have stepped in and splashed all over my feet. In many bars, the toilet facilities are immaculate. I can't understand why some bars don't seem to care if the toilet facilities are abominable. If a toilet is in need of maintenance or repair, it's not like it's a major expense hiring a plumber in Thailand. As a matter of fact, it's quite inexpensive. It probably wouldn't cost more than two to four thousand baht to fix it up. After all, the majority of customers are "farang" and the bar owners ought to know by now that "farang" demand clean facilities. It would be difficult to convince me that a bar owner can't afford to provide reasonably decent toilet facilities.

69 is the name of Pattaya's newest gay go-go boy bar, opening less than one week ago. This is another "off-Sunee Plaza" bar, but not off by much. It's a stand-alone bar just off Sunee Plaza on Soi 17. To get there, simply go to the White Night buffet restaurant. On the other side of the street, almost directly in front of the restaurant, that's soi 17. As soon as you enter the soi, you'll spot the bar. The bar is small, but has the most comfortable seating I've yet discovered in the Sunee Plaza area. There were twelve dancers when I was there, all of whom are obviously age 18 or more, but it still doesn't hurt to check the ID of any boy you may want to "off," to be certain. The boys wear black shorts and black scarves. The boys are not quite typical of many of the Sunee Plaza bars in that every one of them are quite "butch." If you're looking for effeminate or lady-boy types, you won't find them at 69. Also, while the music is loud, the volume is not overly loud. For me, the volume slightly pushes the envelope of being able to hold a normal conversation. The mama-san, Lek, is not pushy. He appears to be in his late thirties and is quite accommodating and helpful. His English is very good. Drinks at 69 are 100 baht, less expensive than most Pattaya bars. 69 is easy to find, but also easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Give 69 a try. It's a little different from most of the Sunee Plaza bars and I think you're going to enjoy it.

After announcing that the Thaksin interview will be aired in Thailand, now the satellite TV company, UBC, has given in to pressure and will not broadcast the interview after all. I do not know whether the interview will be available in Thailand via other sources. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ UBC Bows to Military Pressure, Agrees to Censorship Bangkok Post reporters The Thaksin Shinawatra interview with CNN on its weekly Saturday Talk Asia show will not be seen in Thailand. Thailand's main pay-TV provider said yesterday it would block an interview with deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that CNN plans to run this evening. UBC spokeswoman Kantima Kunjara told the AFP news agency that they will not air it because of a request by the Council for National Security (CNS). "Since the CNS has asked for cooperation from the broadcasting media not to broadcast statements from former prime minister Thaksin, UBC will cooperate and will not broadcast his interview," she said. The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) plans to replay the interview at the clubhouse on Monday. In a letter sent to members yesterday, the FCCT expressed "deep disappointment" with UBC's decision to block excerpts of the interview, made in Singapore on Jan 15. The FCCT decided to send a letter of concern to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Jan 16 because it considered UBC's action "regardless of on whose direction it was taken," to be "unnecessary and improper interference". In the letter to Gen Surayud, FCCT president Ian Williams noted that the prime minister "made much of the importance of an open and responsible press" during an address to the FCCT on Nov 7. "We hope that you will take steps to uphold this position, and also do everything in your power to promote a balanced debate in all the media about Thailand and its present situation," he added. The FCCT president said the "attempt at censorship casts the Thai authorities in a poor light, and is in many ways pointless" as the interview had been reproduced in a number of publications and on several websites, and was available on YouTube. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said: "Censoring or blocking news or information carried by any media does not prevent the information's existence, and those who want to have access to it usually succeed."

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ NEW YEAR'S EVE BOMBS Military men arrested Close aide to CNS heavyweight claims detentions are a sham Police and the military yesterday rounded up 13 people suspected of being involved in the New Year's Eve bombings in Bangkok. The suspects are both military and civilian. The raids took place at nearly 20 locations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Lop Buri. Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singha Na Ayuthaya said police are examining arms and other evidence confiscated from these places. Three of the suspects were identified as Lt-Colonel Suchart Kudseung-nern and sergeants Sommai Tarabhumi and Jessadaporn Fongjamon of the Army's special warfare unit based in Lop Buri. Police and military officers investigating the bombings also arrested Pipop Jungreung-on of Bangkok and Songdej Saengprateep of Lop Buri. Other suspects were not identified but police and Army sources said another three suspects were also "men in uniform" arrested at an Army camp in Bang Khaen district of in Bangkok. The New Year's Eve bombings killed three and wounded 40 more. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont declined to comment on yesterday's arrests. "I don't want to go into details because investigations are under way and all are suspects only," he said. Earlier, the prime minister had said the attacks were not related to violence in the South. Police sources said Pipop, a Bang-kok mini-van operator, had been implicated in last year's plot to assassinate then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. However, a close aide to key Council for National Security member General Saprang Kalayanamitr dismissed the arrests as "pre-arranged" events to save national police chief General Kowit Wattana from the sack. "General Saprang was informed two days ago that police would do this. The work appears to be lacking credibility. It is intended just to help the national police chief," said the aide, who requested anonymity. Surayud had earlier urged Kowit to speed up investigation into the attacks.

Yes, they will have it. There is a tour called the "Temple Tour." That sounds like the one you want.

Construction has indeed begun for the bypass. It will run parallel to the railroad tracks. The work crews are out there creating and leveling the road bed. As for where access and exits will be, for the time being your guess is as good as mine.

I think the best thing to do, for those who do wish to be of assistance, would be to contact him directly.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Traffic Concerns Discussed at Pattaya City Hall Meeting A meeting now from Pattaya City Hall chaired by Khun Sonti, a member of the Pattaya Council who summoned representatives from the Traffic Police Division to discuss traffic problems around Pattaya. The first location causing concern is Walking Street where Khun Sonti informed the meeting that the one way system in place on the street is being disregarded and is causing danger for tourists and others who use the street. The second problem brought up in the meeting was the blocked intersection with Soi Neun Pleub Wan and the Sukumvit Road. Although this intersection is now blocked, some motorbike drivers are still using the old intersection to cross the Sukumvit Road. The Traffic Police responded to these and other more minor traffic problems brought up in the meeting and promised to look into each issue as a matter of urgency. __________ What interests me most about this article is the blocked intersection with Soi Neun Pleub Wan and the Sukumvit Road. That seems to be something so typical of Pattaya. Soi Neun Pleub Wan is a major thoroughfare leading east from Sukhumvit Highway. The reason I find it interesting is because less than a year ago the city spent quite a bit of money to build that intersection and install traffic lights there. It all seemed to be working just fine. Then, about a month and a half ago that intersection was suddenly blocked. The only traffic that can now legally use it are vehicles making a U-turn from the southbound lane of Sukhumvit highway. That, of course, means nothing to motorcyclists who couldn't care less whether the intersection is blocked or not, but that's another story. Meanwhile, my question is: If the city spent the money to install the intersection, and since the traffic signals were actually working perfectly, then why is it now blocked? Welcome to Pattaya . . .

I'm sure most of you who read the gay Thailand web sites also read, and probably have come to rely upon, Gaypattayan's "Weekly Report" on http://www.pattayagay.com . Today Gaypattayan sent out an E-mail to those closest to him informing us that due to health problems, the "Weekly Report" cannot be produced until further notice. Unfortunately, his health problems are serious enough that he may be unable to continue the "Weekly Report" again at all. He is presently trying to find someone capable and willing to take it over for him, if need be, but that will not be easy. It's an enormous task and, until these recent health problems developed, Gaypattayan never missed getting his "Weekly Report" published on time in all these years. Probably the best alternative to the "Weekly Report" can be found on the http://www.suneeplaza.com web site . Gaypattayan has done more to help the gay community in Pattaya than most of us could ever hope to achieve. John F. Kennedy once said, when addressing a group of Nobel Prize winners who had been invited to a White House dinner, "This is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." With regard to his service for the gay community in Thailand, his kindness, and his talents I believe a similar statement would be quite appropriate for Gaypattayan. I hope all of you join with me in wishing him a speedy and complete recovery. _____ **A duplicate of this message is posted on the Baht-Stop forum**

I think it's appropriate right where it is. No problem.

Travelerjim, can you tell us where this information is coming from? According to what I see on their own web site ( see http://www.thaiairwaysusa.com/EN/News/News...tion.aspx?Id=15 ) it appears that precisely the opposite is true.

This is interesting, considering that during his CNN interview only a few days ago Thaksin stated that he is all through with politics. If that is the case, then why hire a lobbying firm? If he is not trying to remain in politics, then what is his purpose? Is he perhaps looking for a job? I doubt that. Why is he doing so much world traveling and why, if he is out of politics, would he seek to meet with government officials of the countries he visits? It seems that he is up to something, but what? Whatever it is, I hope it will be benign. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Ousted PM Hires US Lobbyist Firm Hong Kong - Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has signed up a firm of American political lobbyists to seek support in Washington, a report said Friday. Thaksin, who was unseated in a military coup in September, met with lobbyists from Barbour, Griffith and Rogers (BGR) in Hong Kong last week, the South China Morning Post reported. BGR describes itself on its website as America's "leading Republican government affairs and consulting firm" and has close ties with the Bush administration. Among the BGR team that met Thaksin was Stephen Rademaker, the former US assistant secretary of state for international security, said the newspaper, quoting unnamed sources. Also present was Ed Rogers, the firm's co-founder and previously a staffer in the White House of former presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush senior. He has denied having any further political ambitions but the junta has been infuriated by his travels to capitals across Europe and Asia since he was deposed. The Thai government has withdrawn Thaksin's diplomatic passport, and this week it issued a strong rebuke to Singapore for allowing him meet a top cabinet member there. Alan VanderMolen, Asia-Pacific president of Edelman, which Thaksin has recently hired as his public relations consultants, confirmed he had been in Hong Kong but gave no details on the purpose of the trip. "He was here last week. As far as I know, he was here as part of his travels around the world since he left office," VanderMolen told AFP. Thaksin Shinawatra, was in Tokyo on Friday, but Japanese officials said they had no plans to meet him out of concerns over relations with the current Bangkok government, according to Associated Press. Thaksin arrived in Tokyo late Thursday on his first visit to Japan since being toppled from office in a Sept. 19 bloodless military coup. "Now is time for me to relax, get together with my family, see my old friends,'' Thaksin said Thursday after arriving at Narita international airport outside Tokyo. Meanwhile Japanese officials said they were aware of Thaksin's visit but had no plans to meet the former leader. "There are no meetings scheduled between Mr. Thaksin and Japanese government officials,'' said Foreign Ministry official Masahiro Yoshida. "We have our relations with the current Thai government to consider. ... We are aware that the government is very sensitive about this issue,'' he said. AP quoted Chika Takada, an official at the Thai embassy in Tokyo, as saying Bangkok was aware of Thaksin's visit but had not plans to interfere. "His visit is purely private and does not concern us,'' Takada said. Thai media reported Friday that the former leader was scheduled to give a speech at the prestigious Tokyo University and receive an honorary degree there. University spokeswoman Kayoko Hayashi, however, said none of the school's main departments had plans to receive Thaksin. She said the university was checking with its professors about the reported visit. The former leader's private visit to Singapore earlier this week sparked a diplomatic row between Thailand and Singapore. Thailand's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday withdrew an invitation to Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo to visit the country and suspended an exchange program of civil servants following Thaksin's meeting with a top Singaporean official. Thaksin planned to stay in Japan for about a week, according to public broadcaster NHK.

And if all else fails, I have a pair of scissors you can borrow . . .

Thank you. I'd love to. Just send me a PM with the date and time, or give me a call.

According to an article in Today's PATTAYA MAIL ( http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd4 ), Pattaya's water problems should be resolved by March. Let's hope them mean March of 2007. Most people who are in Pattaya for a holiday would never notice a water problem. The tourist and hotel areas usually seem to be well supplied. However, water is being rationed in several residential areas, among them my own. When the drought finally ended, over a year ago, my area never experienced water shortages again . . . that is until recently. About two weeks ago my water tank had run dry and we were back to having to call water delivery trucks to fill our storage tanks. Apparently, in my area, they turn on the water once or twice a week now. When they do, my storage tank is filled. But twice now I've had to call a water delivery truck. I also understand even Center Condo ran out of water a couple days ago, although I don't know whether that had to do with water rationing or a problem that occurred at Center Condo itself. For a long time it was unusual to see any water delivery trucks. Now they're back, all over the place. That means there are many areas experiencing water shortages. I'm not sure why, considering that during summer and fall we had plenty of rain and also considering that Pattaya was boasting that there will be no more shortages for the next fifty years. Ok . . . . . .

Four million cameras? I wonder who's monitoring them all. If they need anyone to monitor cameras in gay go-go bars, I volunteer.

Perhaps, but the neighborhood "Welcome Wagon" is ever present.

If you have not yet recovered enough to be able to do much walking, just give me a call and I'll be happy to drive you over there myself. If it turns out they don't have one, we'll shop around until we find what you're looking for.

Well, why not? That way, whenever the USA is involved in a war, which seems like all the time, the prez could simply go and win it for us singlehandedly. The following appears on CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/15...gger/index.html _____ President Schwarzenegger -- A Potential Blockbuster POSTED: 2227 GMT (0627 HKT), January 18, 2007 By Bill Schneider CNN Senior Political Analyst WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Schwarzenegger -- how does that sound? Some people think it sounds pretty good. But don't we have enough people running for president next year? According to CNN's tabulation, four Democrats are already running. One is exploring. Seven others are thinking about it. The Republican list is even longer. Eight Republicans are exploring. Six are thinking. That makes 26 potential candidates. The editors of The Los Angeles Times think there's room for one more. "Why should Californians have their governor sidelined from the race?'' the Los Angeles Times asked in a January 14 editorial. "And why can't voters across the country be entrusted to decide for themselves whether the governor of California is sufficiently 'American' to earn their vote? It's insulting really.'' The reason is Article II of the United States Constitution which reads, "No person except a natural-born citizen . . . shall be eligible to the Office of President.'' It's in there because John Jay, the presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention, wrote a letter to George Washington in 1787 arguing that the commander-in-chief of the United States Army should not be anyone but a natural-born American. The Founders were worried about ambitious foreigners taking over the country; as in Poland, which -- at the time -- had just been partitioned between Austria, Prussia and Russia. That's not exactly a problem for the United States today. Yet the provision remains in the Constitution, barring naturalized citizens like Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright from ever becoming President. And Austrian-born Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Amending the Constitution to drop the provision has been proposed before. In the 1993 movie, "Demolition Man,'' about a police officer who was cryogenically frozen and thawed out in 2032, it was a joke. "Stop! He was president?" asked the incredulous officer, played by Sylvester Stallone, was when his lieutenant, played by Sandra Bullock, told him to go to the Schwarezenegger Library to gather evidence. "Yes," the lieutenant replied. "Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st amendment, which states that even . . . '' "I don't want to know,'' the officer interrupted. "President?'' But the Times canvassed California's congressional delegation to find out how many would support a Constitutional amendment allowing naturalized citizens to become President. Six out of eight Republicans who responded said "yes." Democrats were more closely split -- 9 yes, 7 no. Though politics is always partisan, this year, Gov. Schwarzenegger is reaching across party lines. In his January 9 State of the State address, Schwarzenegger promised to work with the Democratic speaker of the assembly, Fabian Nu