Gaybutton

Maybe that explains why, in the musical, her son only appears occasonally . . .

One place that not many "farang" go is Saphan Kwai. Ask the driver to take you to Pradiphat, Soi 20. There are some gay venues there and at least one gay go-go bar there. The bars are not exactly the quality you would find in Soi Twilight, but I enjoy them. Some people say that those venues are primarily for other Thais and "farang" are not appreciated there. Horse hockey! I've been several times and I've been given marvelous trreatment, service, and attention each time. If you change your mind, there is a hotel right there called The Embassy. The rooms are old, but quite suitable and they charge 700 baht per night. I'm sure that hotel is often also used as a short-time hotel. There are some other gay go-go bars in Saphan Kwai. Any of the gay venues can tell you where they are. Saphan Kwai is in the north part of Bangkok, quite close to the Chatuchak market. If you've never been, give it a try. I hear also that the Lumphini Park, near the Pinnacle Hotel, is a good cruise area. At least it used to be. Whether it still is or not, I don't know. I've never tried it. Perhaps another poster can enlighten us.

I agree with every word GayThailand wrote. I also plead not guilty to having locked any threads and I also do not know who did. I can assure everyone that I will never lock a thread without first discussing it with GayThailand. Nothing on the moderator end shows who locked a thread. It doesn't matter. The moderators will respect each other's wishes whether an explanation is provided or not, leaving the ultimate decision up to GayThailand. One thing also needs to be made clear. If a person creates a new thread in order to continue what was being discussed on a locked thread or continues the discussion on a thread that is not locked, I do intend to delete those posts.

People need to remember that they are taking a perfect stranger to their room. In most cases they know nothing about their 'guest' at all. The only security you have to protect your valuables is your room safe and little of what you probably purchased when shopping will fit. I always put whatever I can into the safe. If it won't fit, then it goes into my luggage and the luggage gets locked. I do that before going out any time because of the chance that I may not return alone. I also have the boy leave his ID card at the front desk and the front desk is instructed not to return the ID card unless I am personally present or they have called my room and spoken with me first. Even then, you need to make sure the ID actually belongs to the boy. Take a close look at the photo. I have heard of scams in which a boy gives his ID card to another boy. That boy is now carrying an ID that is not his own. If a "farang" takes him to his room, he waits until the "farang" is asleep and then makes off with whatever he can, not even bothering to retrieve the ID card. The first boy reports his ID card as lost or stolen and has little trouble getting a new one. If the police question him he can say he already reported that his ID card was stolen and whoever stole it also stole from the "farang." If the police bring in the "farang" to identify the boy, it's not the same boy he had taken to his room. Then the two boys split the profits.

If you are going to make accusations, yes. I give up. Now you accuse me of calling you a liar. Please quote the post on which I called you a liar. I accept your apology for accusing me of taking a freebie. I now apologize to you for accusing you of being the first to hijack this thread.

In the post just above your latest I believe I did point out that it was 'khaolakguy' who first went off topic and said going off topic also applies to 'LetMeTellU.' I believe I do have my facts correct, thank you very much. I did not say you were the first. Maybe 'khaolakguy' and 'LetMeTellU' went off topic, but at least they also post a hell of a lot of positive comments. As far as I can tell you are the only poster on this entire message board who never posts anything except complaints, bitterness, innuendo, and paranoia. I'm waiting for you to post something positive for a change. I don't think I owe you an apology at all, but I do think there are a number of people owed an apology by you. You can start with me for having accused me of accepting a free meal at Niddy's Nook in return for my comments. Wrong. I hate to disappoint you, but we paid for our food. No offer of anything free was made and no request for a post was made. You say I accepted a freebie in return for my post? Prove it. Prove even one accusatory post you have made. I'll settle for at least some factual evidence behind any one of your accusations. Just stop making accusations. Can't you come up with anything else?

I know what does work with you, but I doubt you would want that to come from me . . . .

Have you been able to find out just when Manhattan's will open?

Just one? Sure, no problem. Will that be Mercedes, BMW, or GI Joe? Can I have a bottle of Paco Rabanne? (Thai pout to follow . . .)

Pangolins are an endangered armadillo-like animal, native to Malaysia. They were on their way to China to be used as food! They will be sent to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, about a 45 minute ride from Pattaya. If you have never been to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, it is well worth the trip. You can hire a baht bus to get you there at very reasonable prices. You might want to contact me. I'm usually quite willing to go and I've got a car to get you there. The Si Racha Tiger Zoo is also well worth a trip, and it too is about a 45 minute ride from Pattaya. _____ BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) Police seized more than 200 pangolins smuggled in a ten-wheel truck in Bangkok and the driver was arrested for further investigation. Uthai Kaewpatima, 36, was arrested when police were tipped-off about pangolin smuggling. The police searched his canvas-covered truck and found 214 pangolins in 41 plastic containers. Mr. Uthai said he was hired for Bt70,000 baht to drive the truck from the southern province of Surat Thani to park at a market in suburban Bangkok. However, he said he didn't know what was in the truck. Police believed that the pangolin smuggling gang gathered protected animals from the forest in Surat Thani to deliver to China as an exotic delicacy in specialised restaurants. Some gourmets like to consume pangolin as people believe that the animals are as good as aphrodisiac. The seized pangolins will be later sent to Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand's eastern province of Chon Buri. (TNA)-E004

Also, their web site shows there are several more locations in Bangkok. Yesterday I was in Carrefour. Representatives from the Blue Elephant were there and giving out samples. I was not familiar with Blue Elephant, but just the samples were just incredible. The next time I am in Bangkok I will try both Anna's and Blue Elephant. If Blue Elephant's food is anything like the samples they were handing out, then that is a definite "don't miss" restaurant. I'm looking forward to trying both Anna's and Blue Elephant. Blue Elephant is not only a restaurant, but also a cooking school. Their representatives spoke excellent English. Their web site is http://www.blueelephant.com . Click on their link for "Royal Thai Cuisine" and then on their link for "Bangkok." Their location information is: 233 South Sathorn Road Skytrain Station: Surasak Telephone: 02-673-9353

I think your point is well taken and I also think it is in everybody's interest to ensure that that mud could not be thrown here, but that is not under my control. I would like to see threads remain on topic rather than so often turn into a mud slinging contest, and yes, that goes for LetMeTellU and anybody else. Actually, the first post on this thread to go off topic and start this latest round of who is posting as who was yours, wasn't it? My main point is that this thread began as a thread about Muay Thai and now look what it has become. If this was the first time I wouldn't complain, but it is happening far too often for my taste, no matter whose fault it is. The solution to this is very simple, in my opinion, if posters are willing to cooperate about it. Stick to the topic of the thread. If someone wants to post about something that has nothing to do with the thread topic itself, then start a new thread and bring up the problem, complaint, who is posting as who, or whatever on that seperate thread. That way the thread topic can continue and those who wish to post about something entirely different can still have their say. The moderators here have the ability to pick up off-topic posts and move them to such a thread. I have no intention of doing that unless GayThailand wishes to do things that way, but I think all these accusations, innuendos, mischief-making, etc. are detrimental. My opinion is that if you can't prove your accusation, then don't make the accusation. People are being hurt by it, the message board is being hurt by it, businesses are being hurt by it, and none of it is necessary in the first place.

That's right. That's just exactly what it is supposed to be. But you don't do that. The trouble is that you keep turning everything into accusations, innuendo, and being about you, and not about the topic. Can't you see that? It is not my place to ban people. I don't want to see you banned anyway, but I would like very much to see you post about the subject at hand instead of constantly making accusations and complaints. This thread began as a set of postings and responses to the Muay Thai article I originally posted. I posted it because I thought some of the visitors to this forum would be interested. Next thing we know, here comes Papa David with more accusations that two people. That was the first item you posted on this thread. You have yet to post anything on this thread that even remotely has to do with Muay Thai. That, my friend, is thread hijacking. Do you truly see your posts as something beneficial to the thread or the forum itself? You've done it to me too. On the Niddy's Nook thread you accused me of accepting a free cheeseburger in return for my comments. For what possible reason would you post such a thing when you have absolutely no proof or even any evidence whatsoever? And yet you can't understand why people are so negative toward you. Can't you see what you are doing? You continually make baseless accusations against people, accusations that you cannot prove or even provide evidence for, and then you go on the defensive when people retaliate. Every time we see a Papa David post, we know before reading it that it will be something like that. You're the one who starts this in every instance. You have been the one who starts attacking people and then you get upset when people start attacking you right back. If you don't post attacks then you won't get attacked. Why don't you just stop it? Just once I'd like to see you post something positive. There are others on this board who also post accusations, to be sure. But they also post positive comments. As far as I can tell, not a single one of your posts has ever been something positive or has provided useful information about anything. How about this . . . why don't you just stop the accusations until you can actually prove what you say or at least support what you say with evidence? Innuendo is not evidence. Once you can prove your accusations, then I and others won't have any cause for complaint.

A thread about Muay Thai is going to be turned into yet another set of Papa David accusations and paranoia? That's three threads you've managed to hijack so far. Are you planning to go for a record? Why don't you give it a rest? We all already know everything you write is absolute, unbiased, indisputable fact. We all already know that you are right and everyone else is wrong or being bribed into disagreeing with you. We all already know that people have registered under several names just so they can attack you. We all already know that anyone who attacks you or disputes you in any way is a moron and/or a lunatic. We all already know that you post complaints not to be mean, but to be helpful through constructive criticism. How many more times and on how many more threads do you need to say the same thing? Believe me, we have all grasped the idea.

While the currency exchange rates may not exactly be favorable for most "farang" currencies right now in Thailand, for those of you who own or rent motorcycles and cars, the fuel prices have been falling. While that probably is not much consolation, at least that's something. Gasoline, for the first time in eight years, is now less expensive than Diesel. By the way, the exchange rate opened today at 37.22 baht per US dollar, 69.565 baht per pound, 47.215 baht per Euro. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Petrol Price Dips Below Diesel The price gap between domestic petrol and diesel is set to widen further this week, due to easing petrol demand against higher demand for diesel around the globe. Caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban said Thursday that domestic petrol prices could fall further by the end of this week. If gasoline prices are to be cut and diesel prices to remain the same, the gap between them will be widened. Thursday marked the first time in eight years that petrol prices are lower than diesel, following a 40 satang-per-litre gasoline price reduction. Octane91 gasoline is now sold at Bt26.89 per litre, compared with Bt27.14 for high-speed diesel. Another 40 satang-per-litre price cut would bring down the octane95 gasoline price to Bt27.29.

I appreciate that. After so many years of running my own message board, if I didn't learn anything else I learned this: Either you control the board or the trolls will take control of it. As soon as you concern yourself with who likes the way you run your board and who doesn't, you just lost control and it is extremely difficult to regain it.

Before you plan that trip to Hat Yai, you might want to read the following article: _____________ SONGKHLA, Sept 7 (TNA) Police have tightened security in Hat Yai, the Thai South's largest and busiest commercial and shopping hub, following intelligence warnings of insurgent attacks expected September 16

Where is anyone getting the idea that I'm going to close down anything? I never said that. I think the insult trading contest has gone far enough and I said so. I still think so. Hardly anybody else agrees with me on this one, so this time tough luck for me. I think I'll manage to survive even if this thread continues until the Second Coming, and it looks as if it will. If that's what people want, then that's the way it will be. Besides, this is not my message board. It's Gaythailand's message board. I have the ability to close down threads, but I have no intention of exercising that ability without first discussing it with the other moderators and Gaythailand. The ultimate decision is Gaythailand's, not mine. Most people posting here seem to think I was wrong to suggest that this thread has gone far enough. If that's the way everyone feels then I admit I was wrong and life will go on. As far as I'm concerned the majority rules. That doesn't mean that I intend to impose my own opinion on everyone else. I have no such intention.

Oliveer, is it next to Mike's or Royal Garden?

No rules or guidelines have been broken. It is a suggestion on my part and nothing more. My view is no more 'powerful' than anyone else's and I am not trying to imply that it is. The only view that really matters is Gaythailand's view. I don't think I said that 4 pages is too long. What I meant was that I think it's been enough and I see nothing to be gained by dragging it on ad infinitum. The thread, in my opinion, has become a contest of insults. I think part of the role a moderator ought to play is to point out when he thinks things are beginning to go further than necessary. That's what I think. There is nothing that says anybody has to agree with me or that anyone has to abide by anything I suggest and I do not wish for anyone to feel that they have to. However, I am not going to be a participant on this thread any longer. If people wish to continue the thread, they may go right ahead and do so. I do, however, recognize the fact that this thread has had more than double the number of hits than any other.

You know something? I haven't even met anyone who has beent to Hat Yai. I, for one, would be very grateful if you would post about your experience there once you return.

I don't agree with you on this one, TR. The article doesn't specifically say, but I got the impression that the girl was employed by other Thais. However, I can certainly agree that whether Thai or not, so far it is a set of allegations, yet to be proved. I do agree, though, that it is highly doubtful that this sort of thing is a common occurrence, but I must say that this is not the first time I have read about such abuse. Although it is hardly the same thing, it was within the past year that a large number of Thai laborers went to work in another Asian country. Was it Taiwan? I don't remember. But their living conditions and treatment was also only just a step above slavery and it became so intolerable for them that they finally rioted. I just don't understand the mentality that causes some people to treat other people as if they are cattle and their lives mean nothing. We also see articles quite often about human trafficking. Here we are in 2006 and yet this sort of thing still goes on.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Not in Chains, but Slavery all the Same Imagine if you can withstand these working conditions: Work hours: from 4am till midnight. Job description: cook three meals a day for a family of five, wash the bosses' cars, clean the house, do the laundry and do whatever household chores the bosses tell you to. All this for 2,000 baht a month. No days off. No, this is not how some Thai households are mistreating desperate migrant workers. This is what happened to a 13-year-old Isan girl from Buri Ram while she was working in Bangkok. And you have not heard the worst yet. The girl's bosses allowed her to cook rice only once a week. This would be divided into small portions and kept in the fridge. She could only have one portion per meal, eaten cold. Warming the food was not allowed. On a good day, the girl could have two meals a day. Only one if the boss was cross with her. What she had with her rice were the bosses' leftovers. If there were none, then it was cold rice with chilli dip. Her employers prohibited her from going out of the house as well as from contacting her parents. When the bosses were angry with her slow work, the underage girl was hit with an iron rod, a wooden chair or a belt on her body, back and head. Her body was black and blue. Her knees were swollen. Her back suffered infected wounds. There were also several wounds on her head. If you think she was sent to the doctor's, you are a hopeless optimist. The bosses instead repeatedly hit the same wounds, reopening them. When the wounds became seriously infected and the girl, in a feverish state, was unable to work, the bosses decided to send her home. That ended her one year of misery. To cap it off, she did not receive even a single baht of her salary throughout her hellish year. Is this slavery? Ask the police and they will shake their heads. Since the child was not chained, it cannot be classified as slavery, they say. It sounds ridiculous, but the deep mental association of slavery with chaining which the police have is why the anti-slavery law, which carries severe punishment, has never been enforced. The police always say that since there are no precedents in the use of the anti-slavery law, they don't know how to use it. The offenders would therefore be charged only with inflicting injuries on others, which carries a far milder punishment. And with some money changing hands, we can imagine how the charges could easily be reduced to help the offenders. Most poor families, too, cannot afford to go through the lengthy and costly court procedures to get justice. That is also why many employers feel free to treat their workers like slaves. The Buri Ram girl slave case in 2004 might change all this. Supported by the Child Rights Protection Foundation and the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women, the girl's family is taking the employers who abused her to court under the anti-slavery law - the first case of its kind in Thai legal history. Should the girl win her case, other victims of child slavery and countless immigrant workers stand to benefit, says human rights lawyer Siriwan Vongkietpaisan. Many migrant workers are now routinely locked up and paid peanuts for their drudgery, or cheated, coerced and paid nothing at all. The authorities mostly look the other way, and we know why. The public generally doesn't care how the poor and the non-Thais are treated. Have we ever asked ourselves why? Such a soul-searching question is crucial. Rights groups are trying to use available laws to bring about justice. But it takes the same belief in human rights and dignity from legal practitioners within the judicial system - and public outrage against inhumanity - to make things happen. Are we ready for such a moral challenge? Sanitsuda Ekachai is Assistant Editor, Bangkok Post.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Increased Airfares Approved The Transport Ministry's civil aviation committee has approved increases to domestic airfares averaging 12 percent, due to the increased cost of fuel. Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said Wednesday that operators of small aircraft with fewer than 19 seats, flying over distances less than 200km and with poor land transport connections may increase fares by Bt20 per km. Other types of aircraft may adjust their fares by no more than Bt17 per km. Airlines with services covering more than 200km are allowed to increase fares from the current Bt8 per km to Bt10 per km, while aircraft carrying agricultural products will be allowed to increase their charges by half the current rate. "So far, these are approved charges. The [actual] increases depend on the airlines," Pongsak said. The Nation

I'm not much of a breakfast eater, but when I do I like the Lek Hotel's breakfast buffet, the eggs benedict at Le Cafe Royale, and the Continental Bakery. Here's one with which you may not be so familiar: Linda's. Have you tried Linda's? RichLB first brought Linda's to my attention. It's on Tappraya Road (the road leading to the beach), directly across from the Jomtien Complex (opposite the entrance for the Hot Stone Grill). Linda speaks excellent English and her food is also excellent. Try her Scandanavian breakfast, made up of several incredible Scandanavian open-face sandwiches.