Gaybutton

Have times changed? I almost never take boys off from bars anymore, so perhaps I'm behind the times. Until now I've never heard of a bar preventing boys from being taken off due to their nationality or their age. Lao and Cambodian boys work in the bars and they're taken off regularly. I see that for myself constantly. Until now, I've never heard of bars refusing to let under-age boys be taken off unless they are very under-age. That's why we've had so many posts over the years advising people to make sure to check a boy's ID card to make sure of his age. Has something changed right under my nose and I've missed it?

That brings up a whole new issue. I read and hear far too many times about indentured servitude and slavery in Asia, and that does include Thailand. Some of the fishing boats, for example, are notorious for virtually shanghai-ing a crew, forcing them to work, sometimes for months, with little or no pay at all, kept in the most appalling conditions, and if they cannot, or will not, work any more due to lack of decent food, water, illness, and exhaustion, they're tossed overboard to drown. If any bars are engaging in indentured servitude by finding ways to force the boys to remain on premises until a debt is paid off, in my opinion that is as reprehensible as it gets. If I know a bar is doing that, I would never go to that bar again. I am aware that some bars pay for foreign boys to come to Thailand to work. I am also aware that even Thai boys have been known to work in the bars when their parents got into debt and an agreement was reached for the bar to pay off the debt on the basis the boy would work in the bar until the bar had recovered the money - and then some. It seems to happen to girls more often than it happens to boys. They'll prey on the most rural, uneducated, poverty stricken people they can find - right up there with politicians buying votes in return for a big sack of rice. I don't know how often this sort of thing occurs, but I do know it does occur. Maybe that sort of thing is acceptable in some Asian cultures, but that doesn't mean it has to be acceptable to me. And it isn't.

DragonMaster has now posted the explanation. See: http://www.gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5633

Which McDonald's are you talking about? In Pattaya there are several. As for which of these clubs is "hottest," that's a matter of opinion. They're all "hot" and you might as well go to them and judge for yourself rather than relying on the opinions of others. As far as I know, there are no recent newcomers.

Have you seen the Michael Moore film, "Sicko"? In it, he says if a foreigner wants free medical attention, all he needs to do is go to England. Not only will he receive full medical attention, including operations, long term care, etc, but when he goes to the cashier, he won't have to pay a thing and will actually receive money. That makes no sense to me, but is any of that actually true? He says the same thing about Cuba, completely free medical care, although they don't give money back.

I've always kept mine sorted, even when was living in the USA I always kept my money sorted. I'm even more compulsive about it than that - if the note corners have become folded, I straighten them. A close friend had an experience similar to baobao's. He took a 20 baht motorbike taxi ride. It was after dark and he thought he had pulled a 20 baht note from his wallet and had given it to the taxi driver. He didn't realize until the driver had sped away like greased lightning that it wasn't a 20 baht note. It was a 1000 baht note! Whoops! Ever since he keeps his 1000 baht notes folded to make sure that little mistake won't be repeated.

Sometimes you don't even have to do that. I know of a few times when a farang didn't get the answer he wanted and later returned to the very same branch, spoke to someone else, and did get what he wanted. Welcome to Thailand, folks . . .

Now I know of a bank that requires a work permit . . . Is that their only type of savings account? Also, above ReneThai couldn't open a savings account with K-Bank (yes, K-Bank is short for Kasikorn Bank) because he didn't have a work permit. He went to another branch and got the same story. Meanwhile, many of us were able to open an account with K-Bank without a work permit and had no trouble at all. When I opened mine, a work permit wasn't even mentioned. I was in and out in ten minutes and, as I said in an earlier post, my online banking was even in place by the time I went home. Go figure. Since many of us do have accounts with K-Bank, then it's yet another case of getting different answers at different branches. Why is that? Why does one branch tell you one thing and another branch tells you something entirely different? Obviously you can open an account with K-Bank without a work permit. Maybe different branches get to set their own policies. Maybe the branches ReneThai went to were simply mistaken. Maybe the branches that did allow farang to open an account were mistaken. Who knows? It's clear that something is screwed up, and it isn't just K-Bank. The same kind of thing happens to people at just about any Thai bank. You could always call K-Bank's main office and ask what the requirements are for a farang to open a savings account. The number is 02 888 8800. If the representative tells you a work permit is not necessary, then if you're in a branch where you're told it is necessary, if it were me I'd call that number again, right then and there, and let them work it out. This is why I keep urging everyone who is a regular visitor to Thailand, especially those who anticipate retiring in Thailand or spending lengthy amounts of time in Thailand, to open at least one Thai bank account while you can. Many use their foreign debit cards at Aeon, where that 150 baht fee is not assessed. Meanwhile, can you really be certain they won't eventually change their policy and also start charging the 150 baht fee?

ChristianPFC's post is a perfect example of why to do that. In the past, with some banks it was difficult to open an account if you didn't hold a non-immigrant visa, but this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone being asked for a work permit. These days you can open an account at most Thai banks even if you are in Thailand only under the 30-day privilege. As far a I know, every bank will open an account for you for a minimum deposit of 500 baht. For years I have been urging people who are regular visitors to Thailand to open a Thai bank account. You never know if regulations are going to change and the day may come when you wish you had an account. Yes - all of them. I know of no bank that requires a work permit. I opened my account with K-Bank at their branch in Central Festival without any problem whatsoever. They made a copy of my passport's face page, but were not even interested in what kind of visa I held and nothing at all was mentioned about a work permit. IRS requires you to report any foreign accounts that held the equivalent of greater than US $10,000 during the tax year. You might wish to read the following: http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/FAQs-Regarding-Report-of-Foreign-Bank-and-Financial-Accounts-%28FBAR%29---Filing-Requirements

I wasn't aware of that. Does that apply only to K-Bank? After reading your post I logged on to my online banking with K-Bank. I can't find where or how to do that. How is it done?

For simply holding a bank account for deposit and withdrawal purposes, I think just about any Thai bank will do, so you might as well go with one of the recommendations above. K-Bank seems to be getting the most votes. I have an account with K-Bank too. All of these banks offer online banking. When I opened my K-Bank account, they arranged for my online banking right then and there. They told me the account would be accessible online in about three hours. By the time I arrived home, about forty minutes later, my online banking was already in place. If you have online banking, you can check your account from any computer. However, if you wish to do any transactions online, then you must have a Thai mobile phone. When doing most types of transactions, these banks will send an OTP (One Time Password) to your mobile phone. You cannot do a transaction without that OTP, which is why you would need a Thai mobile phone number. Of course, you can also do most transactions at ATMs without a mobile phone, but other than withdrawing money, it would have to be an ATM for your bank. One convenience is at ATMs or via online banking, you can top-up your mobile phone. All of these banks offer top-ups at 50 baht increments, starting with a minimum of 50 baht on up to 1500 baht. Until recently, most Thai banks were charging a 20 baht fee for withdrawing money at ATMs other than their own. Lately, I have not been charged that fee even when withdrawing money from another bank's ATM. Also, many of these banks permit transactions or just checking your account via your mobile phone. Having a smartphone or iPhone with internet access is a big help. If you anticipate that your future needs will require additional services, you might want to check to see which banks offer what you'll eventually need. For example, many expats receive pension funds via direct deposit, which means you would need a Thai bank that has a branch in your home country. As far as I know, Bangkok Bank has more international branches than any other Thai banks. For their listing see: http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/InternationalNetwork/InternationalBranches/Pages/default.aspx To the best of my knowledge: Kasikorn Bank has a branch in Los Angeles, but not in any other western countries. Siam Commercial Bank has a branch in Hong Kong. Bank of Ayudhya has a branch in Vientiane.

Everything in your post is incorrect - starting with a cross-ban policy. That's not quite the way it worked. I won't say anything more about that aspect of it. I've already said I was wrong to do it, but I'm not going to spend the rest of my life apologizing either. Please let me know if you've never done anything in your life that you later regretted and wished you had never done. As for banning people, there are many ways to do it. The only time I've ever used IP addresses for banning purposes was trying to put a stop to the phony Russian bot registration attempts. I banned the IP addresses from those sources, but have since figured out other methods and stopped using IP addresses entirely. That's because "collateral damage" started happening when that method was also causing legitimate board members to inadvertently become banned. As for the other methods, sorry - you'll just have to take my word for it. I don't see any reason to post "trade secrets" that might help people intended to be banned figure out ways around it. Obviously people can simply register again under a new name. If people really want to be part of a board where they're not wanted, that's their choice.

For the record, I have never given a "tip" to this board about banning anyone. Also I, and to my knowledge no other board, has ever exchanged IP numbers or any other form of personal information. Scooby runs a clean, honest board. When Michael owned this board, so did he. Before you try to attribute anything that takes place on this board to anything coming from me, try knowing what you're talking about first.

I had a look at the photos to see if I could find any that are my type. You know which ones are my type? ALL of them . . .

You want yuck? Try balut. Look up some photos for yourselves. It's too disgusting for me to even post a photo.

As far as I can tell, in far too many cases no matter how much you spend on or give to the boyfriend, it's never enough.

I've already seen Argo and greatly enjoyed it. While some of it is contrived to make a better movie, the actual history and series of events are accurate. I won't reveal anything about it, but one actor who plays a small part as an Iranian airport security guard - in my opinion he steals the whole movie.

J.J. Abrams has written and produced many hit TV shows. He also directed 'Super 8' - a fantasy film I enjoyed. I think he's a good choice and has that "Spielberg Touch" that adds to movies. Also Kathleen Kennedy is producing and George Lucas is one of the writers, so potentially it has an excellent chance of being really good. Let's hope so.

Neither one. Martian . . .

Messing with other boards? If the owner of this board ever requests that I stop posting here, I will. If the owner tells me he feels that I'm "messing" with his board, I'll comply with whatever his wishes are, Until then, very sorry, but I have just as much right to post my opinions and views as you do. I'll let you guess for yourself how much I care whether you like it or not. You say, "I just hate this short period of time and, as I mentioned before, cannot avoid it." Ok, now we all know what you hate. Now we all know you hate Russians, hate long lines, and the rest of your hate list, along with apparently hating me too. Congratulations.

I have no idea. There are many more Russians and Middle Easterners coming to Pattaya than ever before, but I have never had a problem with any of them. That's not to say others haven't had problems, but so far none of them have been any kind of problem for me at all. In any case, if there is a city I dislike, then I don't go to that city. Some complain consistently about Pattaya, and yet many of the complainers come to Pattaya and often Pattaya is the only city in Thailand they go to. I see posts regularly - "I don't like the beach." "I don't like the restaurants." "I don't like the traffic." "I don't like the baht buses." "I don't like the bars." "I don't like the boys." "I don't like the farang." It goes on and on - "I don't like this. I don't like that." And many are sure to say, "And I especially don't like Gaybutton." Ok, again - for those who dislike Pattaya so much, then why come to Pattaya? Seems like an easy decision to me - if you don't like Pattaya, go somewhere else.

I haven't tried Don Joe yet, but most people I know who have been there gave it excellent reviews. One Italian restaurant that the local media has given rave reviews is Pasta Pasta at the Ambassador Hotel. Several of us tried it. We won't be back. We all agreed that while the restaurant has nice atmosphere and very good service, the food was not good at all and very overpriced. I can't think of the name of it, but one we do like is the Italian restaurant across from Pan Pan in the little shopping center where Food Mart and the buses to Suvarnabhumi Airport are located. The owner is Italian and we like the food there and the prices are inexpensive. I would not say it's the best in Pattaya at all, but it's the best we've so far found in the Jomtien area.

For those who dislike Pattaya, I have a solution to suggest - go somewhere else.

It is valid only if you are also carrying a valid driving license from your home country. You are required to have both. People can say what they want, but I learned a long time ago - if you drive in Thailand, you might as well expect to periodically be a victim of these scams. You can raise hell, use flawless logic, prove you are correct about the law, prove you did nothing wrong, or anything else you want to try. You know where it will get you? Nowhere. You're not going to get out of it and if anything, you'll only make things worse. Do what you want, but my advice is just pay it and go on and don't even try to argue about it. You're either going to have to accept it as part of living in Thailand or, if you can't, then you're better off following painai's advice and refrain from driving in Thailand at all. That's just the way things are, folks.

"The Dark Side" is a local term for everything on the east side of Sukhumvit in Pattaya. Technically, it's not part of Pattaya at all. The major roads leading off of Sukhumvit are Soi Khao Tolo, Soi Khao Noi, Soi Neurnplabwan, and Soi Siam Country Club. It is an up and coming area. When I first moved to "The Dark Side" there really wasn't much of anything. Now it's all kinds of housing developments, markets, bars (no gay bars yet, though, that I know of), restaurants, banks, ATMs, a couple trillion 7-Elevens, Family Marts etc. - you name it. The only thing that isn't out here yet is a shopping mall. There are baht buses out here, but none that run to and from Pattaya. If you do stay out here, unless you have your own transportation, you're on motorbike taxis. However, if you decide to stay at the Eastern Grand Palace Hotel, since it's a large hotel perhaps they have some sort of transportation service to and from the city, although I don't know whether they do or not. If not, there is a motorbike taxi stand at the hotel entrance at Soi Khao Tolo and it seems to be manned 24 hours a day. It is a nice hotel, yes, but I wouldn't give you two baht for their restaurant, though. Fortunately, there are plenty of good restaurants just up the road a bit.