Gaybutton

What makes you so sure you'll get one?

That's the point. There isn't that steady supply anymore and so far I don't see any signs of a major return of that supply. While the go-go bars may be what many consider the better option, you're looking at it from the customer's point of view. From the point of view of the boys, things might be a little different. The way I see it, the handwriting is already on the wall. Consider the number of gay go-go bars that exist today compared to number that existed only five or six years ago. Until recently, I've never seen so many go-go bars with "For Sale" signs on the doors. Look at the numbers of posts from people saying they've been in the bars and were virtually the only customers. There was a time when there were a lot more bars and you could expect all of them to have a good share of customers - customers spending much more money than they're spending today. Add to that the numbers of posts complaining about the rise of drink prices, the off fees, the music volume, pushy mama-sans, the lack of the number of bars that are really fun anymore, etc. Between police harassment and a dwindling number of customers, the whole reason why boys choose to work in the bars is becoming problematic. They work in the bars because they make their money by being taken off. With fewer and fewer customers, the offs for many of the boys are becoming fewer and further between. Couple that with the numbers of posts you see on the various boards coming from people looking for the smallest amount they can get away with when it comes to tipping the boys. Regarding English, that's not a problem for too many of them. They learn at least some English in school and the least of their problems is finding someone to help them communicate on the personals and chat sites. If there is a good potential for making money you might be surprised at how many become very quick learners. Add all of the factors together and I see a rapidly developing problem for the bars. In my own case, while I realize that living here is vastly different from being here on a holiday, I go to the bars a hell of a lot less often than I used to. The way I see it, why should I spend my time and money in bars I don't enjoy, dealing with the prices, the mama-sans, the indifference of the boys, the music volume, and everything else that goes with it when I can find all the boys I want by spending a few minutes on the Internet? I'm by no means alone in that. One argument is that in the bars you can see what you're getting. That is true, but you also need to consider that in the individual bars there are usually 20 to 30 or so boys to choose from. On the Internet there are hundreds. And willing boys can be found online at any hour, any day, 24/7, 365 days a year. I'm not saying that I believe the Internet is going to replace the go-go bars, at least not any time soon, but I can see the competition becoming a significant problem for the bars in the foreseeable future. That's why I believe the bars need to start finding ways to compete with it. Sometimes it seems as if the only people who are unaware of the complaints posted on the various boards are the bar owners. They need to pay attention to these complaints and start doing something about it. They need to realize that for many, boys and customers alike, the Internet is becoming more attractive than their bars. While I believe the majority still prefer the bars, the number of people that prefer the Internet as an alternative is steadily growing and is quickly reaching a point of true significance. I can't help but wonder how many farang who do prefer the bars are also looking for potential hookups on these personals and chat sites. It's about 6:30am in Thailand at the moment. I just got on Gay Romeo and counted the number of boys live, online, at this hour in the Pattaya section alone. I counted 28 and even had one chime in on me while I was counting to try to get me to hook up with him. That tells me something . . .

Don't despair just yet. If the rumor KhorTose heard turns out to be true, maybe they will return with an even better show. Let's hope so.

Are you an attorney? I checked all this out with my own attorney years ago and was clearly told that as long as the source is properly cited, then it is not against the law and not a copyright violation. If you believe that it is, can you post the section of the copyright laws that backs up what you are saying? Meanwhile most of the web sites do things this way and always have. There has never been a problem. Are you trying to cause one? Do you have some personal objection? If GT wants to consult an attorney about it, that's up to him. Until then, we'll just leave things status quo or maybe I'll post links instead of the articles. Links are fair game, aren't they? You may be familiar with another web site on which nearly everything posted is copied news articles, along with their usual put-downs and flames directed toward GT and me. Take those away and that site would be rather empty. You might want to let them know too, although if you're right it would pretty much finish off that particular site.

For your reservation please call : Restaurant Poseidon (038) 303-300 or 081-983-4182 (Kim) Restaurant Pattaya Casa Pascal Daily Breakfast & Lunch Buffet 08:00 ~ 13:30 Whole Buffet 145 Baht only Small Breakfast Buffet 110 Baht ( Bakery,Butter, Jam & Honey, 2 Eggs and Coffee only ) Fresh baked Croissants Waffles with Maple Syrup Cinnamon Danish English Toast Assorted Bread (Pig's Tail, Batard, Rustico, Swiss Farmer Style Bread) Delicacies Smoked Fish, Herring, Ham, Salami, Bierwurst, Mushroom Lyoner Vitamins Coleslaw Salad, Potato Salad, Corn Salad Tomato Salad, Cucumber Salad, Lettuces For the Hang-over Pumpkin Soup Thai Egg Soup with Pork Balls Hot Dishes & Cooking Station Bacon, Ham, Sausages, Pork Escallops Eggs of your Choice Farmers Potatoes(Potato, Onion, Sausages & Egg) Mushrooms in Cream Sauce Röschti Potatoes Mixed Vegetables in Cream Sauce Fried Rice and Fried Noodles Sweet & Beverages Yogurt, Fresh Fruits and fresh brewed Coffee / Tea, Juices __________ Weekend B.B.Q Dinner Buffet Every Friday & Saturday Night) Whole Buffet 444 Baht only Appetizers Rock Lobsters, Prawns Smoked Salmon with Condiments Crab Meat Salad Beef Carpaccio Roasted Beef & Roasted Pork Tomato Mozzarella Salad Thai Chicken Salad Coleslaw Salad, German Potato Salad Cucumber Salad, Tomato Salad Mixed Lettuce, Greek Salad Soup Pumpkin Cream Soup Hot Dish Fish Filet in Dill Cream Sauce Pork in Oyster Sauce Chicken with young Ginger Fried Rice Egg, Mashed Potatoes Roasted Potatoes with Onions & Bacon Char Kway Teow Green Beans, Glazed Carrots Turnip in Cream Sauce Mixed Vegetables in Oyster Sauce B.B.Q Sirloin Steaks, Pork Steaks, Sausages Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs, Prawns Desserts Pancake Station, Crème Caramel, Fresh Fruits Merry Berry, Crème Brûlée, Tira Mi Su

You posted this just before 2:00pm. Now it's just after 4:00pm. Did you get the call?

Asia Air has an office on the ground floor of the new Central Festival shopping mall. If you are in Pattaya, you might be better off just going over there personally.

Yes, all valid points indeed. But the thing is that a lot of boys are discovering that they can make as much money, and often quite a bit more, by getting on Gay Romeo, Camfrog, etc. As more and more boys discover this, I can't help but wonder how this might eventually cause problems for the bars. If I was a boy and realized I could make more money by spending a little time on the Internet as opposed to working for several hours in a bar, appearing in my underwear in front of total strangers, most of whom don't take me off, I don't think I would have too much of a problem deciding where to spend my time. Have a look at these sites during the times the bars are open. You'll find a good number of boys who otherwise might be working in the bars spending their time online instead. That's why I'm saying the bars better give serious thought to start coping with this. I believe the Internet has plenty of potential to cause real problems for the bars.

Clint Eastwood to New York taxi driver: "How many stores named Bloomingdale's are in this city?" Taxi driver: "One. Why?" Clint Eastwood: "On the way over here we passed it twice." Taxi driver (with 'I got caught' sheepish smile): "It's still $3.95, including luggage fee." Clint Eastwood: "Here's $4.00, including tip." - 'Coogan's Bluff'

Congratulations. Now, if nobody minds let's return to the subject of this thread. If anyone wants to continue this discussion with Voldemar, please start a new thread to do it.

Don't forget to let us know where you do decide to publish it.

Your predictions? "As for my predictions, I do not practice Vudu science or have a Cristal ball." That is what you wrote, isn't it? As long as you don't violate the posting rules, why would we delete your 'manifesto'? After all, if the Unibomber can write a manifesto, why can't you? I'm sure yours would be at least equally coherent. You're actually allowed to express your own opinions here despite the fact that some accuse me of deleting posts that disagree with me. I suppose if a lie is repeated often enough people start to believe it. The only posts GT or I ever delete are posts that violate the rules or are just totally inappropriate and unacceptable. As long as you remain within the posting limitations, I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to post your opinion, your manifesto, or whatever you want to call it.

Which happens to be perfectly legal provided the source is cited. I wouldn't know any better than anyone else would. So far, neither side seems to be willing to compromise at all. But now we're starting to see grumblings from the Yellow-Shirt side. Whatever the outcome is, I still see the country being split right down the middle. If the Red-Shirts prevail, the Yellow-Shirts are likely to start up again. If the Prime Minister prevails, then the Red-Shirts will keep at it. If some sort of agreement is not reached that both sides will abide by, then the only two peaceful solutions I can see will be the next elections or agreement from both sides to binding arbitration from a neutral, outside source. Other than that, it seems like this is just going to go on and on and on. My personal opinion is that all the smiles, mutual respect, and friendliness we're seeing on television during these meetings is all hype. I think the reality is that both sides would love to strangle each other.

I have not watched her show. But that has nothing to do with my response. I'm simply pointing out that I bought my car on credit and I have no regrets about doing it that way. But I'll watch her show at some point to see what she says. Do you know the days and times?

Even if that's exactly what they mean, the idea of having to climb steep flights of stairs just to get to the sauna and massage areas is not very appealing to me, especially since that kind of tile is slippery and some of the flights don't even have handrails. Somehow, the idea of slipping on that tile and ending up with broken bones doesn't add to the enjoyment of the experience there. I'm not saying it's bad or that others wouldn't enjoy it, but I am saying that based on what I saw, it's not my cup of tea. Again, I think if people happen to be in the area, they ought to have a look for themselves and make their own decisions.

My guess is she's got the cash. I'll bet if she didn't, then she'd be singing a different tune. My interpretation of that is anything you want to buy, then pay cash. Great. If we go strictly by that philosophy, then having credit at all would be superfluous. I can't afford to buy a car for cash, so I'm using credit and I'm doing just fine. I could also have saved up to pay cash for the car, which might have meant I would save money in the long run, but I would also be without a car until I accumulated enough cash. That's how I actually do most things. The only item I have ever bought on credit in Thailand is my car. I'd much rather have the car than save the money I'm paying in interest.

A few months ago I asked the Toyota dealership if it is still true that farang cannot get financing. The person I spoke with said now a farang can get financing, but he has to put 50% down.

That is the way I see it too. As for the Thai boys entering free, I don't see much of a reason for that either. Maybe they mean if you bring a Thai boy with you, he gets in free, although I really don't know what they would expect you to do there with a Thai boy other than using the place as a short time room or something. Unless I truly missed something, I don't foresee Thai boys going there on their own.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Dissolution Call is a Ploy to Help Thaksin : PAD By THE NATION Published on March 30, 2010 The yellow-shirt People's Alliance For Democracy (PAD) yesterday opposed political talks about a parliamentary dissolution. It said the solution proposed by the red-shirt protesters had a hidden agenda to help fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. PAD coordinator and secretary general of the New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila, said the red shirts were not qualified to negotiate with the government as they were not representatives of a majority, but just Thaksin's proxy. "The government's recognition of the red-shirt group is equivalent to recognition of a Thaksin regime - which we regarded as the root cause of the current political crisis," he said. The PAD called a meeting of its key members yesterday to take a stance in opposing the red-shirt proposal to end the on-going political stalemate. Dissolution is a normal practice in the parliamentary system, but the red-shirt proposal aimed only to help Thaksin get amnesty for his guilt, the PAD said in a statement. The red-shirt group, who are political rivals of the yellow-shirt PAD, should not use street protests, violence and innocent people as bargaining chips to achieve their goals, the statement said. The PAD strongly opposed any move to rewrite the military-sponsored Constitution since it was not the root cause of the crisis, it said. "We don't oppose changes to the Constitution as long as that is done for public benefit, rather than the personal benefit of politicians," the PAD said. Political reform was the only real solution that could get the country out of the political crisis, it said. Instead of negotiating, the PAD called on the government to enforce the laws to punish wrongdoers and end the illegal protest as well as bring peace to the country, it said. The PAD called for its supporters to exercise utmost restraint and not to confront the red shirts. The PAD would soon call a meeting of its network to seek a solution to lead the country out of crisis, the statement said.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Peace Talks End in Stalemate Again Published: 29/03/2010 at 08:53 PM The second round of talks between the government and the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) ended in stalemate on Monday night as they could not agree on the time frame for dissolving the House of Representatives. The two-hour negotiation began around 6.20pm at King Prachadipok's Institute. It was broadcast live on national television and radio. The government and red-shirt teams were unchanged from the first round of talks. On the government's side, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was accompanied by his secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu and Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Chami Sakdiset. On the red-shirts' corner were UDD chairman Veera Musikhapong, opposition Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan and political activist Weng Tojirakarn. During the early stage of the meeting, Mr Veera asked Mr Abhisit whether he will accept the UDD's demand to dissolve the House of Representatives within 15 days. The prime minister again rejected their demand, reasoning that the country would not benefit from a House dissolution at this time. Mr Abhisit, however, said he could dissolve the House within nine months or by year's end after the draft of the fiscal 2011 budget, the disputed constitution amendments and the political climate are settled. The meeting then discussed other issues from the past political protests to the role of deployed soldiers around the red-shirt's main rally site near Phan Fa bridge. Both sides tentatively set to meet again on Thursday when the prime minister returns from Bahrain. The overall atmosphere of the meeting was friendly or nonbelligerent like the previous talk on Sunday even though no progress was made.

I didn't notice the apostrophe. Another addition to my "I Don't Get It" list is the fact that so many Thai businesses print signs, menus, posters, etc, but rarely check spelling and grammar with a native English speaker. There are certainly plenty around. Why is that?

Today I received the following in an Email from the same source as the first post on this thread. The Email was longer than this, but this is the relevant part: _____ "I can now confirm that Kevin Quill was transferred to the Wandsworth prison in England last Wednesday as you previously posted 19th March on your site."

Even if the bar is operating legitimately, how much needs to be paid each month to the various BIB . . . you know who I mean, the ones who are not corrupt . . . ? However, it's certainly a promising investment with regard to "location, location, location."

Of course! When the bars start closing for the night a lot of the boys head right to an Internet shop and get on Gay Romeo, Camfrog, etc. I've had more than one Internet shop manager tell me they do some of their best business between midnight and 3:00am.

I bought my car at the Toyota dealership. At the time I bought, Thais were required to put 50,000 baht down and pay for any options up front in full. I forget the interest rates for financing, but they were reasonable. The dealership arranges financing through legitimate agencies such as banks, reputable lending companies, etc. Before financing is approved, in most cases the lending institution will check the ability of the client to be able to pay back the loan, and that includes a personal visit to the client's residence. If the client does not meet the requirements or if it is a farang, then the client will have to come up with an acceptable Thai guarantor. The car will be in the guarantor's name until the loan is paid off. So, if a guarantor is required then you need to make sure it is someone you can be certain you can trust. If the guarantor lets you pay for the car and then refuses to let the client change it over to his own name, or at any time before the loan is paid off, the guarantor can take the car and there wouldn't be a thing you could do about it because it is in his name. You would have to be very careful about that. The guarantor also has to be careful about you. After all, if the person defaults on the loan, is late with payments, or whatever, it will affect the guarantor's credit status or he could end up being stuck with the car or be the one facing the consequences of a repossession. But for these kinds of questions, wouldn't it make more sense to just go to a car dealership and ask?