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BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) Former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay person elected to Congress, died early Saturday at Boston Medical Center, several days after he collapsed while walking his dog, his husband said. Studds fell unconscious October 3 because of what doctors later determined was a blood clot in his lung, Dean Hara said. Studds regained consciousness, remained in the hospital, and seemed to be improving. He was scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation center, but his condition deteriorated Friday and he died at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Hara said. Hara, who married Studds shortly after gay marriage was legalized in Massachusetts in 2004, said Studds was a pioneer who gave courage to gay people everywhere by winning re-election after publicly acknowledging his homosexuality. "He gave people of his generation, or my generation, of future generations, the courage to do whatever they wanted to do," he said. Studds was first elected in 1972 and represented Cape Cod and the Islands, New Bedford, and the South Shore for 12 Congressional terms. He retired from Congress in 1997. In 1983, Studds acknowledged his homosexuality after a former Congressional page revealed he'd had a relationship with Studds a decade earlier. Studds was censured by the House for having sexual relations with the page. He acknowledged having sex with a 17-year-old male page in 1973 and making sexual advances to two others and admitted an error in judgment, but did not apologize.

Well, GayThailand, if this regulation comes into effect, let's go to a liquor store together and see if either of us get carded

Before everyone gets too excited about it, this visa will not apply to most of us. It is a business visa and it applies only to foreigners who are in Thailand to conduct business. For those of us who are on the one-year retirement visa or the non-immigrant Type "O" visa, this is not a visa for which you will be eligible.

Last year, one of the most severe droughts in Thailand's history. This year, so much rain that the worst flooding in sixty years is occurring in Thailand. So far Pattaya has been spared, with the exception of a few isolated areas; areas at which tourists are rarely present. We keep reading about the severity of the flooding in both Bangkok and Chiang Mai, two major gay tourist destinations. I think many of us would appreciate it very much if those of you in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and elsewhere can give us some first-hand information as to the flooding you have seen. How bad is it? Is the flooding occurring in the tourist areas? Which areas are safe and which are areas to avoid? What about transportation? Any information you can provide would be of great help to those planning to be in those areas over the next several weeks.

The following appears in the Pattaya City News: _____ Spectacular Press Conference Announces Pattaya

Ha ha ha . . . . I know just what you mean, Hedda. With some boys, I think it's more appropriate to answer a phone call with "Tao-rai" instead of "Hello." "Tao-rai" means "how much?" I have one "farang" friend who actually carries two mobile phones. One holds the phone number for his friends. The other is for the number he gives to the Thai boys. His reasoning is obvious, although a little extreme. Nevertheless, that's how he deals with it. But even then some of the boys don't take no answer for an answer.

I'm not an economist. I really do not understand the implications of the following article, but here it is. I think many of us would be grateful if someone familiar with economics can explain what, if anything, this is likely to mean for "farang" as well as Thais. __________ BANGKOK, Oct 13 (TNA) Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula on Thursday revealed the ministry would emphasise the implementation of the monetary and fiscal policy by adhering to the sufficiency economy principle. Delivering the performance policy to the ministry

Just so there is no confusion, the price I mentioned above does include the "happy ending." No additional fees or tips are expected.

That's because it is no longer called Adam & Eve. Now it's Madame Ed's. It's the same place. The address is 42/10 Sabaijai Village, a soi just to the south of Central Road (Pattaya Klang) on Sukhumvit Highway. If I remember correctly, the price is about 1400 or 1500 baht, including the "tip for boy." I have attached a copy of their business card for you and taxi instructions are written in Thai. I have never tried it, but people who have always told me they thought it was wonderful and well worth it. If you decide to go, please let the rest of us know how it all works and what you thought of it.

You made the reason clear within your post when you said you relented with one of the boys and gave him some money. They have nothing to lose by trying. Most likely the reason why you are suddenly being inundated is because they have to come up with their rent money or lose their room. Many share a 2500 baht to 3000 baht room with two to four other boys and they still can't come up with the rent. Part of their survival system includes helping each other out when one or two have some money and the others don't. I see nothing wrong with helping boys you know personally when the need arises. Some people think they spend their money on discos and karaokes and send the rest home to their parents, and some do, but for a great many of these boys, their lives consist of nothing more than going to work in the bars, coming home and going to sleep, and then doing nothing much other than sitting around or hitting the beaches trying to find "farang" until it's time to go to work again. That's their life. Some people are also under the impression that these boys are taken "off" every night, so there is no reason why they shouldn't have some money. But that is not usually the case. Most of them average two or three "offs" per month unless they have an unusually lucky month. Even then, there are "farang" out there who try to get away with tipping them as little as possible, so they still often end up with next to nothing even when they do get taken "off" because of people like that. In any case, if a boy asks for money you might ask him what he needs it for. If he says he can't pay his rent (or at least his share of the rent), then if you want to make sure the money is used for the purpose you are being told, you can offer to come over to his apartment and pay them directly. That way, if you are willing to "lend" the money, you'll at least know it was used for a positive purpose. In the instances when I've helped boys that's the sort of thing I'll do. First, I want to know what the money is to be used for. Second, I want to know why they boy doesn't have enough money on his own. Third, I won't "lend" it unless I can personally verify that the money is going to be used for a legitimate purpose. I do not give in to the sick grandmother or dead water buffalo routines even if I know they are telling the truth. I won't help them take care of family problems, but if it involves a boy I know and like, and I also believe his story, then I don't mind helping once in a while if I can. I also make it clear that I'll help only the one time. After that, he's on his own.

Dear Pattaya Area American Citizens, The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to inform you of an upcoming Embassy consular visit in Pattaya. Consular staff will be available to provide consular services on Friday, October 27, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Dusit Resort on Pattaya Beach Road near the dolphin circle. The outreach will be held in Dusit Rooms 5 and 6 in the upstairs lobby. The following consular services will be available during the visit: *Passport renewal applications (US $67.00 or baht 2,680 for adult passports

What makes it even worse is the infants and babies almost never have helmets. Meanwhile, despite the fact they are carrying small children, so many of the motorcycle drivers still drive as if they've lost their minds, taking incredibly dangerous and unnecessary chances with the lives of their own children. It amazes me to see it and to see so much of it.

BANGKOK, Oct 11 (TNA) The water level in Thailand's Chao Phraya River as it is flowing through the upper central province of Nakhon Sawan has hit its highest level in the 60 years such data has been recorded, posing a flood threat to the kingdom's lower provinces, including Bangkok, the capital. Waters being collected from the Chao Phraya watershed are converging on Bangkok, even as the capital is experiencing additional torrential rainfall and localised flooding. Royal Irrigation Department director-general Samart Chokanapitak said the river's level in Bangkok is now at 2.02 metres now and won't cause flooding in the capital at present. However, he said, he is concerned that the waterflow at Nakhon Sawan has increased to 5,145 cubic metres per second, surpassing the highest measured speed and volume of 4,800 cubic metres recorded when the worst flood occurred in 1995. The increased water level in the Chao Phraya at Nakhon Sawan was caused by waters pouring in from from the flood-soaked Yom River carrying runoff from the North, he said. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, 17 provinces nationwide are now fully engaged in combating floods. The meteorological department forecast that rainfall will decrease in the North, the Northeast, the East, and the Central regions, but more heavy rain is expected in the South particularly, in the upper south. Local residents in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon should brace for heavy rains, flash flooding, and forest run-off. (TNA)-E004

It's been so long since I cashed travel checks that I don't recall the exact figure, but it is very nominal. It is a per-check fee, depending on the demonination. Perhaps someone else knows the fees. If you are going to use travel checks you will probably get a better rate by doing a bit of shopping around and checking the private exchange houses. They usually give a better rate than most banks. TeePee, if you happen to read this thread I think I recall that you have an exchange house that you recommend. Is that right?

I had a look at the Elite Card web site. There was nothing there about a price reduction. I've never really understood the point of owning the Elite Card. I don't see how the privileges are worth the price of the card. I remember when the card first came out there was some talk that the card would allow foreigners to own property in their own name in Thailand, including houses, and that might have been a consideration, but I have never seen anything on their web site that indicates any validity to the idea of property ownership. If you want to check the web site, the URL is: http://www.thailandelite.com/index.php

I don't know what we can do about it. This web site program does not have a spell checker, so unless some sort of modification can be made to the basic program I don't see how one can be added. Until and unless the programmers can come up with something, then the solutions I outlined are the alternatives. I'm sorry, but for the moment that's the best we can do.

Certainly if you want to tip more that's fine and I'm sure they would be delighted to accept, but the 500 baht figure is what the managers and the boys themselves tell me that they want. That is what I was told in several massage parlors I've personally checked in Pattaya, and I've checked as recently as this very week. I too was somewhat surprised, but that's what they all are telling me. Apparently that is the going rate. Go ahead and check for yourself. I'd be very interested to know if they are telling other people anything different from what they are telling me. Besides, you are putting words in my mouth that I never said. I never said anything about having one's way with a boy for as long as you want. You get your hour and that's it. If you want more time then you have to pay for more time. I don't make these things up out of thin air, TR. I published the price because I checked it out and that is what I was told by four different gay massage parlors.

Note from GB: This appears to be a preliminary news report. Quite likely a much more detailed report will be available within the next 24 hours. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Thailand Deplores North Korea's Nuclear Test Thailand deplored Monday the North Korea's underground nuclear test saying such provocative act posed a serious threat to the regional nuclear nonproliferation as well as international peace and stability. The foreign ministry issued a statement after Pyongyang launched the nuke test on October 9 that the kingdom regretted that secretive state ignored the spirit of the six party talk to end the problem peacefully. The government called North Korea to abide by the principles of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. "Thailand, at this time, urges all the parties concerned to exercise restraint and expresses its hope that the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula will be resolves peacfully, through diplomatic negotiation by the earliest resumption of the six party talks," the statement said.

Well, maybe I'm wrong about that one. I forgot. Thaksin got rid of all the corruption in Thailand. He did that the day after he ended all the poverty in Thailand.

The last time I even heard anything mentioned about the casinos was about a year ago. Even then, I clearly remember the recommendations being that no casinos be allowed in the beach resort areas. At the moment it seems to be a non-issue. I'm not saying the whole thing won't eventually come up again, but at least for now Thailand seems to have a few other priorities. Besides, the new construction in Pattaya is so rampant that even if casinos are eventually allowed, where would they put them? There's not all that much space left.

The USA is trying to impose its version of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq. Working great, isn't it?

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Protest Against US Planned Tuesday A group of university lecturers, government officers, university students will submit an open letter to the US Embassy on Tuesday asking the US government to stop intervening in Thailand's domestic politics. "We thank the US government for its concern over the situation in Thailand. However, we ask the US government to stop voicing its opinions and actions that are intervening to Thailand's internal politics," read the letter. "Please also be respectful to Thai society for we are mature enough to find solutions through the democratic regime under the Monarchy which is different from American Democracy," The US government has been vocal since the coup took place on September 19. It has suspended the military assistance worth USD 23 million and has pressured the coup makers to remove the emergency decree. The Nation

I don't know dekdek, or at least I think I don't, but I'd like to add, for those unfamiliar with the Yensabai condos, that it is located within very easy walking distance of Sunee Plaza. The condo has good security guards. I think the price dekdek is asking is quite reasonable and a very good deal. If you are coming to Pattaya for the length of time he specifies I think it will be well worth contacting him for further information.

Well, just a little bit more. Unless the circumstances are highly unusual, you don't have to worry about being placed on some sort of persona non grata list. After all, you might have simply forgotten to take your passport with you when you left your hotel that day. The police aren't going to destroy your ability to return to Thailand because of something simple like that. And while you are photocopying your passport, don't forget to also photocopy your entry stamp and your departure card upon your arrival in Thailand.

I understand your concern, but it's highly doubtful that you will have any problems. First, bar raids are rare and it's even more rare for the police to bother the "farang" patrons unless drug use is suspected. Most of the time the raids are for the purpose of rounding up under-age boys, foreign boys, such as Laotians, working in the bars, and that sort of thing. The chances of being caught up in a raid are quite remote and the chances of the police demanding to see your passport are even more remote. As I said, even then the worst that is going to happen will be inconvenience and a fine. On the other hand, if something happens to your passport then you'll have to go to your embassy in Bangkok for a replacement. I don't know about other countries, but for USA citizens you would have to go to Bangkok with as much identification documentation as you can gather up, along with a police report and new passport photos in hand. You then will have to fill out a 'lost or stolen passport' replacement application and a detailed narrative of how you came to lose the passport is part of the application. The fee for a replacement passport is US $100. Then you have a decision to make. If you need an emergency issue passport, and a typical reason for that is to have documents with which you can cash travel checks, continue to travel, or at least get home, it requires a second trip to the embassy because it takes three days for the embassy to have the emergency issue passport ready. That passport is not a full validity passport. It's good only for one year. Your other choice is a full validity passport. It takes two weeks for the embassy to receive it, which also means a second trip to the embassy to pick it up once they have it. Once you have the new passport, whether it's the limited or full validity passport, you'll then have to go to the Immigration Police office to obtain a new departure card. They will have all of your information in their computers and will be able to print up another one for you. You will have to produce the new passport and the police report. Another little problem: You might not be as close to Bangkok as you are in Pattaya in the event of a lost or stolen pasport. Suppose, for example, you are in Chiang Mai or Phuket. You'll probably have to travel to Bangkok on a bus. You won't be able to fly. Why? Because you have to produce a passport in order to board domestic flights in Thailand. Airlines might accept a valid police report in lieu of the passport, but I don't know about that and I wouldn't want to be forced to find out the answer the hard way. You'll have to make your own decision, of course, but weighing the choice between a couple hours inconvenience at the police station and a nominal fine in comparison with going through obtaining a new passport, my choice would be the police station and the fine. In most circumstances the police will accept the photocopy of your passport, provided it contains everything I listed in an earlier post on this thread, without any problems or at worst an on-the-spot fine of about 500 baht. It is highly unusual for a "farang" to be taken to the police station at all, if he is carrying a photocopy, unless there is suspicion of criminal activity or suspicion that you have over-stayed.