Gaybutton

Quite right, Wowpow. I checked this morning's exchange rates at 8:40 AM, Thailand time. There were already three rounds of exchange. The rates as of this moment are as follows: US Dollar: 35.70 Euro: 46.65 British Pound: 69.455 Australian Dollar: 27.6975 Canadian Dollar: 30.735 These are significant changes since yesterday and for the first time in months, the change is moving in favor of foreign currencies. Apparently this wil be quite an interesting week. I suppose we'll know soon enough where this is going. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ BAHT CRISIS BOT Bid to Limit Currency Dealings 30% of Big Cash Sums will have to be Deposited in Banks, it Says Foreign investors bringing in cash worth US$20,000 or more (approximately Bt700,000) would need to park 30 per cent of the amount in financial institutions. The money would be fully returned if the cash was taken out of the country after one year, the Bank of Thailand announced yesterday. The 30-per-cent reserve requirement on capital will take effect today. Thus, foreign investors who bring in more dollars than the amount would only be able to exchange 70 per cent of their money into baht. The reserve would be returned to them after 12 months. Tarisa Wattanagase, the central bank governor, said at a press conference yesterday the measure would help curb speculation that has made the baht volatile and appreciated above its fundamental level. "We think this measure will help slow down the short-term inflows as it would increase costs for speculators," Tarisa said. Yesterday's move is the most stringent since 1997 to counter baht speculators, who have brought in billions of dollars in the past few months and pushed the baht to a level that has damaged Thailand's exports. Last month, there were short-term inflows of US$300 million per week - that had tripled to $950 million per week this month, she said. Yesterday, the baht shot up to a nine-year high - Bt35.06 - 16 per cent stronger than the value of the baht at the beginning of this year (Bt41). The Thai unit opened at Bt35.21 to Bt35.25 to the dollar before closing at Bt35.30 to Bt35.35 after news of the BOT's new measure. The measure will not apply to foreign direct investment (FDI), as the reserve would be returned to investors as soon they arrive in the Kingdom. Exporters and Thai investors paid out of their foreign investments would also be exempted from the move. Foreign investors who bring in more capital than the criteria level and take it overseas before the end of one year would only be entitled to two thirds of the 30-per-cent reserve, or they would be charged 10 per cent of total capital inflow by Thai authorities. The central bank has threatened to introduce more measures if the baht speculation persists. The speculative inflows have pushed the Thai currency up by 16 per cent so far this year. Tarisa said the 30 per cent was calculated from profits expected to be generated by speculators. She said the new measure would effectively discourage speculative inflows and reduce baht volatility. However, the central bank would closely monitor the baht after the measure is launched today. She said the central bank might cancel the measure, change the reserve amount, or change the time limit depending on the situation. As a result, it is uncertain how long the measure will last for. The governor also ruled out tax moves to tackle baht speculation, saying there was no need. Such moves too much time to introduce and were less flexible than the reserve measure. Under the measure, financial institutions that withhold the reserve from foreign investors must submit the sum to the central bank on the 7th of every month. The BOT would make use of the capital to generate further returns. Tarisa said the move may also affect the debt market but the BOT did not want to see speculative inflows in the debt market either. Tarisa said several countries had implemented this measure to curb currency speculation. Chile used the 30-per-cent reserve for capital inflow for less than six months before cancelling the measure. She insisted it was not against development of the capital market. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said before the BOT announcement that the new measure was positive news for exporters and investors. He admitted that the baht had been far too strong. Anoma Srisukkasem The Nation

It sounds like it would actually be safer without those, especially if pedestrians assume they are safe to cross. I drive through Pattaya every day and was not even aware of them until your post. I've never noticed them at all. While we're on the subject, it's a good thing Pattaya has no laws against jaywalking. If there were such laws, then it would be difficult to cross streets at all. There are pedestrian bridges at several intersections along Sukhumvit Highway, but within Pattaya the streets are too narrow to make them practical.

Not to be confused with the Ritz, of course . . . Khun Rit, of the popular Rit's Beach concession at Dongtan Beach in Pattaya, is hosting a free Christmas Day barbeque on Monday, December 25, at 1:00 PM, as his Christmas gift. The barbeque is sponsored by the Panorama Pub. There is one catch. You need a ticket. Although it's free, the tickets that have been given clearly state, "Please bring this card." If you'd like to go, then you'll need to ask Rit or one of his workers for a ticket. I'm sure he'll be glad to give you one. The reason for the ticket is because this is being hosted in the afternoon, when the beaches are full. He cannot accommodate hundreds of people who happen to be strolling by. So, get your ticket and join Khun Rit at the barbeque.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Justice to Amend Law to Make Alcohol Test Mandatory for Drunk Drivers The Justice Ministry is pushing for a traffic law amendment to force suspected drunk drivers to take an alcohol test and to permit police to detain those who refuse the test. Permanent secretary for Justice Charan Phakdithanakul said Monday at the launch of the "Young People Against Drink Driving" campaign the ministry had drafted two amendments to the Land Transportation Act 1979. The proposals would be presented to the Cabinet before being submitted to the National Legislative Assembly. They should be in effect for the next Songkran Festival, which is notorious for its annual road carnage caused by drinkdriving. The first amendment would force suspected drunk drivers to take a breath or a blood-alcohol test. Anyone who refuses can be automatically considered by police officers as being drunk, punishable by up to three months in jail and/or a fine of up to Bt10,000. Currently, refusal to take a test draws the lighter penalty of obstructing police, punishable by a fine of Bt1,000 compared Bt4,000 and a year in jail for drink drivers. The second amendment makes it mandatory for all involved in motor accidents to submit to alcohol tests instead of leaving it to a police officer's assessment, Charan said. Later, a fund would be established to help victims of drunk driving accidents. The Nation __________ Here's an example of why the new laws are considered necessary: The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Drunken Motorbike Taxi Driver Injures Passenger in Late Night Crash on Third Road We urge you to take care when employing the services of a Motorbike Taxi Driver here in Pattaya, especially late at night. The drivers will sometimes wait for long periods of time between customers which can tempt some to consume alcohol to pass the time. This crash which Police tell us was caused by a drunken Motorbike Taxi Driver took place in front of the Pattaya Fire Station on Pattaya Third Road in the early hours of Sunday Morning. It involved a motorbike driven by Khun Gitisuk aged 25 who was taking Khun Apon aged 37 from South Pattaya to her home in Central Pattaya. As the bike passed this location, the driver clipped the side of the pavement and crashed. Both the driver and passenger were injured but not seriously. Inside the bike were 5 whisky bottles hidden under the seat which were taken into evidence by Police. It appears that Khun Gitisuk

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: To view the photos that accompany this article, see: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_18_12_49_2.htm _____ District Governor Orders Military Assistance as Pattaya

How about this one: Ear Wig = He's not a "TOTAL SHMUCK." - He's a . . . . (oh well, I can't think of anything else.)

I'm not sure of the source of that information, Wowpow, but today there were 12 rounds of exchange rates posted. Usually there are four or five. The currencies closed today as followis: US Dollar: 35.18 Euro: 45.95 British Pound: 68.565 Australian Dollar: 27.3475 Canadian Dollar: 30.235 There was also this: _____ Baht Appreciation Begins Affecting Thai industry BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) Thailand

Thank you. And people keep telling me I have no sense of humor. I don't know why. I laughed once in 1972.

My goodness. Apparently you think I was joking. . . .

You know, I never even thought to pay attention or ask. I didn't see anything particularly noticeable to account for the name. Next time I go I'll take a closer look.

And I have an apology for you. The last time I was in your pool, I was also buck naked. I apologize for not returning to help clean up after everyone finished vomiting.

Yes, he most certainly is. The above post certainly demonstrates it quite adequately. I can't help but be touched by your postings supporting this wonderful, wonderful man. I believe we should all include, in our New Year's resolutions, to try much harder to consider both him and you to be our role models.

I suppose it was bound to happen. Naturally, just in time for high season too. The baht has strengthened to the point that it is now in the high 34's. At the time of this writing, the exchange rate is 34.96 baht to the US dollar. The present rate for other currencies is: Euro: 45.65 British Pound: 68.185 Australian Dollar: 27.1375 Canadian Dollar: 30.0375

Thank you GayThailand and Stef. To my mind, there is one person who owes GayThailand, you, definitely me, and everyone else who visits this web site an apology. There has not been one and I do not foresee one forthcoming, especially in light of his statement, one that I resent seeing more than any of them: "This is fun." Baht-Stop has punished him by public admonishment and probable suspension. In my opinion, the fact that he has managed to ruin his own credibility is punishment enough for a personality type like that. The problem now is that none of his future posts are likely to be taken seriously. That will probably include the bragging, name dropping, claims of hundreds of daily E-mails, claims of spies, and other forms of self aggrandizement so common in his posts. Even when future posts are the result of his own research and observations and are absolutely true, few are likely to believe him anymore. It really is sad. I don't know what else to say other than " Humpty Dumpty had a great fall."

Assuming "your moderator" refers to me, then I agree with you. You're right. I should have searched for the actual article and I did not. Obviously I have lived to regret not having done so. That was a failure on my part. I admit it and I apologize for it.

That just brings tears to my eyes. Whatever faults I have, they do not include deliberate deception. If that makes me a pompous drama queen, then I'm a pompous drama queen. If you want to justify that behavior, that's your affair, but I have a feeling there won't be many people sharing your view. I see no justification at all in trying to cause people to believe something that simply isn't true. You are entitled to feel that I am guided by prejudice, and I'm glad to see that you stated that as an opinion, but you can rest assured that I would feel the same way, and say so, no matter who had pulled a stunt like that. I've been wrong many times. When I feel I am wrong on the message boards I always publicly admit it and apologize for it, which is more than I can say for a few other people who post here. In this case I do not share your opinion and I also do not resort to name calling, referring to people as "drama queen" and "pompous." I'm surprised that you do. I thought you were above that sort of thing. I'm disappointed to see that you are not. Snowkat, I appreciate your addendum and there is no need for an apology.

Sorry, but I disagree with you. First, this article was not published in 'Pattaya Mail.' It was published in 'Pattaya People.' Second, I see nothing in the article that says this is a press release. Are you suggesting that the Ear Wig post is a plagiarism of another plagiarism? Even if it is, now that the article has been pointed out, it seems clear to me that an attempt was made to present this information as a result of his own investigation, and not as a result of what he read in an article. If that was not so, then why the deceptive changing of wording? An illustration of that is as follows: from the PATTAYA PEOPLE article: "Pattaya People Newspaper & TV exclusively asked Police Colonel Sutin Sappuang . . ." from the Ear Wig post: "My contacts asked Police Colonel Sutin Sappuang . . ." If Ear Wig was attempting simply to present information, then why would he not have copied and pasted the article and also have cited the source? Why would he have changed wording in this manner? Perhaps he did nothing illegal. I don't know. But it does seem to be perfectly clear what kind of attempt was made here. Again, I'm sorry, but I have been adamant about the unfairness of accusations without evidence. I still feel that way. Nothing has changed about that. However, the evidence seems to me to be quite clear. All this time Ear Wig could simply have said that his information came from the 'Pattaya People' article. He chose not to do so. To my mind, the truly sad thing is the destruction of his credibility as a result of this. I would have been happy to see him do the same thing he advises others to do, and that is to "be a man" about it and own up to it. I would have retained my full respect for him had he done so. Instead, I am now seeing nothing but trying to somehow justify this by posting claims that Hedda also plagiarizes and therefore there is no reason why he should not. However, I have never seen anything written by Hedda that was copied and left un-cited, and also an attempt to present the work as his own. What I do see, in Ear Wig's responses, is similar to what I hear from children when they are caught . . . "But he did it too." I believe Ear Wig is dead wrong this time and I also believe he ought to assure us that he will not repeat this sort of thing.

Not to me it isn't. I'm feeling betrayed. When someone destroys his own credibility, then I think fun time is over. Part of the title you created for this thread was "At last the truth can be told." I believe that is exactly what has taken place.

Considering it was discovered and posted by KhunPA, I see no reason why an apology is owed to you, but acknowledgement is certainly owed to KhunPA for taking the time to find this and bring it to light. However, it does turn out that you were proven right and I certainly do acknowledge that as well since there is no longer any question about it and no way to deny it. That's the first solid evidence I've seen in all these weeks. Your opinion is now a confirmed fact and the article was copied, but not cited, and it does indeed seem as if Ear Wig attempted to post this as if it was his own writing and his own discovery when it clearly was not. Ear Wig, would you care to explain?

The following is an excerpt from an article that appear in the BANGKOK POST. The entire article can be seen at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/161206_Business...c2006_biz88.php To avoid confusion, most of you probably are more familiar with "Kolkata" when it is spelled "Calcutta." ____ As part of its inaugural offer, Jet Airways has introduced a special return air fare of 7,800 baht on the Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok sector for a two-month period while economy-class fares start at 11,000 on the Bangkok-Delhi-Bangkok sector. The return airfare for Club Premiere (business class) for the Bangkok-Delhi-Bangkok sector ranges from 38,770 baht while on the Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok sector it is around 30,130 baht, but business class will have a complimentary companion ticket. These fares are exclusive of taxes and are only for a three-month ticket.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Celebrities Seek Action Against Burma (Agencies) Actors and musicians - Tim Robbins, Peter Gabriel and others - have called on the UN Security Council to approve its first resolution on Burma, whose military regime has waged a brutal offensive against ethnic minorities. The appeal came in letters sent to the office of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan after nearly 500 activists gathered in New York earlier in the week to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Burma, the human rights group Witness said. "It is past time for the issue of Burma to be addressed by the UN's most powerful body," the letters said. "In eastern Burma, over 3,000 villages have been destroyed, forcibly abandoned or forcibly relocated in the past 10 years." The United States is circulating a draft Security Council resolution to press Burma's military government to change policies that constitute a threat to international peace and security. The letters said the council should approve the resolution before the end of the year. Celebrities who signed also included Kate Pierson of The B-52s, Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, Nile Rodgers of the band Chic, Grammy-nominated Benin singer Angelique Kidjo and American singer Suzanne Vega. Human rights groups say government troops have torched villages, killed civilians, raped women and herded villagers into military-controlled zones in an offensive against the Karen ethnic minority in eastern Burma. The government, which denies committing atrocities, has waged a nearly year-long offensive to suppress an insurgency among the Karen. The Thailand Burma Border Consortium, the main aid agency caring for tens of thousands of refugees along the Thai-Burmese border, estimates that the violence has forced 82,000 people from their homes this year. Since 1996, more than 3,000 villages have been destroyed or abandoned in eastern Burma, and more than 1 million people have been displaced, according to the agency's most recent report. Abuses have also occurred in other ethnic minority areas. The US and other countries have also urged the junta to free political prisoners including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest. The US , which has slapped economic sanctions on Burma, faces a struggle in getting the Security Council to take tough action against the country. China and Russia strongly oppose putting the country on the agenda, and both are veto-wielding members of the Security Council. The junta took power in 1988 after crushing the democracy movement led by Suu Kyi. In 1990, it refused to hand over power when Suu Kyi's party won a landslide election victory.

Can you be more specific? What kind of information do you need? If you need information about how to obtain the retirement visa, please feel free to send an E-mail to me at gaybutton@gmail.com . I have an article that tells you how to get it, step-by-step, and I will be happy to send it to you if you want it.

It doesn't matter what we believe. It only matters what can be proved. You claim it came from a newspaper article, un-cited. It appears to be so and common sense also tells me that at least part of that is so. But I made no accusation and relying on common sense is not evidence. Since you did, all you need to do now is point out from which news article the post was plagiarized. Then you'll be proven right instead of asking people to simply assume you're right. For weeks now I've been reading post after post accusing Ear Wig of lying and cheating people out of money. I have also been asking that somebody, anybody, show proof or at least a shred of evidence of even one lie or one instance of him cheating people out of money. I've been asking that even one person who was the victim of being cheated for money post something and say so. And not a single one of the accusers has come up with anything at all. Nothing. I've been saying all along, if you are so ready and eager to accuse someone of lying or cheating, then post the evidence. Post something beyond the hearsay and innuendo. And nobody has. That is what I oppose.

Like hell it is. I'll be the one who decides who my 'favored few' are, thank you very much. And it's no cop out. You think I'm defending him? Not so. I'm opposing attacks, whether directed at him, coming from him, and any attacks coming from or directed toward anyone at all. I don't care whether every attacker is right or wrong. The attacks don't belong on the boards in the first place. Is that what you think these boards are for? As far as I'm concerned, that's the issue and Ear Wig is only a part of the issue. If Ear Wig stopped posting right now and never posted again, how long do you think it would be before someone else becomes the next object of flames and hate posts? This sort of thing has been going on for years. Are you under the impression that Ear Wig is the first? There have been many more before anyone ever heard of him. The first attack on this thread was posted by none other than you. As far as I can tell, your attack was not against the content of the post. It was because Ear Wig was the person that posted it. I think enough is enough and these boards ought to get back to what they were designed to do instead of all this crap. Do you disagree?

I'm sure we all appreciate you pointing out the PATTAYA MAIL warning to us. Actually, it's been on their web site for the better part of three years and I, among others, am well aware of it. I do not make accusations or assumptions about others unless there is evidence. The idea that some may not believe Ear Wig is capable of posting anything coherent or that nothing he posts is credible is not a fact. It is an opinion. Unless someone can provide evidence that Ear Wig's post is a plagiarized post, then yes, I consider it valid. It does not matter what you think, what I think, or what anyone else thinks. What matters is whether there is supporting evidence for your negative assumption and there is none. Quite frankly, I'm sick to death of reading these continual attacks against Ear Wig. I don't like attacks against anybody at all. That's not what these boards are for and I don't believe this is why GayThailand invested his time and money in creating this web site. This childish war serves only to diminish the quality of the message boards. While I do think there have been posts by Ear Wig that provoke such attacks, there are people who are attacking anything and everything he writes, no matter what it is. Is this going to continue until there are no posts at all other than flames and hatred? I've seen posts from Ear Wig that challenge his detractors to meet with him personally when he returns and discuss your problems with him face-to-face. Why don't you do that? Hell, if there are enough people willing to attend such a meeting, maybe Niddy's Nook will cater it. If you and others are trying to convince GayThailand to ban Ear Wig, it is not going to happen, so you might as well forget it. Personally, I don't much care who likes him and who despises him. If you dislike him so much, then put him on "ignore." Then you don't have to read anything he posts. This nonsense has been going on far too long. What I'm seeing is personal hatred slowly but surely taking over this message board and also Baht-Stop. I don't always like what Ear Wig posts, but that's just too bad. He has as much right to post as anyone else and he will continue to have that right until and unless GayThailand decides otherwise. Perhaps this is the moment to remind everyone that this is GayThailand's web site and his message board. His money pays for it and it's up to him to decide who can and cannot post here and what posts are acceptable and what posts are not acceptable. I suggest that those who have a problem with that contact him by PM and discuss it with him rather than continuing this public war that is doing nothing but going around in ceaseless circles. If you don't like Ear Wig's manner, spelling, grammar, punctuation, or whatever it is that causes such hatred, then I suggest either leaving the board or, as I said, placing him on 'ignore." I'm seeing this whole thing is even causing people who have been personal friends to end up becoming enemies, and not just message board enemies, but true enemies in real life. WHY? I fail to see what purpose is served. As far as I'm concerned, this is the most ridiculous, childish garbage I have witnessed since the inception of any of the gay Thailand message boards. It goes on and on and never stops. I can't speak for others, but I've seen enough of it. I think everyone is familiar with the phrase, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes." Maybe we should add, "and attacks on Ear Wig." Why not? We've got plenty already, and we'll see plenty more tomorrow as well. It's become a given. My opinion is that these message boards ought to be here to provide information and discussion relative to the gay Thailand community. I do not think these boards ought to be here to provide a place for people to post hatred. I have opposed that for many years and I still oppose it. It's ruining these message boards. I wish all of you would call a truce. How many more hate posts do we have to see?