KhorTose

Old news--google it--short answer is that one of the high end Hollywood escorts went on a killing rampage because he felt he had been made promises that were not kept. One of his last, and apparent main targets was Versache in Miami, Florida.

I agree, and you can find examples of what you are saying in the American revolution, the French revolution, the Italian revolution, and the Russian revolution. Sometimes it takes generations, but it does happen. I do not think this one will be that long down the road, as things do move faster now-a-days. Of couse there are two ways to counter this kind of popular awakening movement. Compromise like the British, and the Germans did with their people in 1848, or total rule of the gun, similar to what Burma has. What kind of country do you want to live in?

Really????? One reason I have always been for the legalization of prostitution is so it can be regulated like any other business. I am sure that the top end of the escort business works fairly well for both the client and the escort. Of course we will have to forget about Versache and the deaths that were spawned by that tete-a-tete, but what about the lower end of the business? Drugs, AIDS, venereal disease, and pimps who brutalize their girls (boys) and introduce them to drugs to keep them under their control? I really do not think you have had much experience with this kind of prostitute, or you would know had sad and how bad their lives are. In the USA today, because we do not legalize and regulate prostitution, I am talking about the majority of the female prostitutes. I do not want to end prostitution but make sure the people who are in it are safe and are in it willingly. In Thailand today we have some clubs that recruit the boys from the farms and make them sign contracts to work as bar boys. Their parents are paid up front and the boys cannot leave until the contract is paid up. I know everyone here has had experience with boys on YABA, and I have listened to many Farangs complain about how listlessly the boys dance on the stage, etc. Does anyone ask why? Could it be that some of the boys really do not want to be prostitute, but economics leaves them no choice? No, while I am all for prostitution of the willing, I want to make sure it is the willing. Until all the boys and girls who are into prostitution are there because they want to be prostitutes, I will never call prostitution benign. For those who are willing, and there are many, viva la willing.

First off, I think Jason1988"s reply is rude as this is an important subject and there has been some very well thought out answers. However, this reply is for Maurice. Wow, a really great thoughtful answer, but I find myself in a strange position of basically agreeing with GB on this. I have always been in Thailand looking for a long term relationship with a younger man. Luckily, I have found one with a young man (28) who has never been a money boy and who has had only three other BFs, all of whom, where older men. He really does like older men, and I am very lucky to have found him. However, before I found him, I too played around in massage parlors and go-go bars, and I have to agree with you that prostitution is not benign at all, but PLEASEEE we are not the villains. The boys and girls who enter this profession (the worlds oldest by most estimations) willingly do so because they do not have the opportunities elsewhere in Thailand to make a decent living. If there is a villain in this picture it is conditions in Thailand, and not the farangs who admittedly take advantage of these conditions. Maybe the boys do not want to sleep with us old farangs, but my experience is that they like and need the money and often bargain hard for a decent tip. There are some real jerks among us, but most farangs treat the boys very well, and a minority does get taken out of the profession by farangs. Oddly, it has been my experience that many I have tried to have a relationship with, did not want to quit what they were doing, as many think they can do better as they expect some fabulously wealthy sugar daddy to come along, and they do not want to settle for the average Joe. Finally, like it or not, GB is correct that prostitution does not have the terrible onus in Thailand that it does in the west. You may dismiss this, but I definitely think it is an important factor in many boys and girls willingly deciding to enter and stay in this profession.

I do live in Thailand, in the beautiful home of Thaskin in Chiang Mai, and I am totally for the red shirts. These are not ignorant peasants, but people who wish to live in a country where the majority, and not the elite, rule. One thing that is going to happen is that we both get to see the results. Either Thailand is going to get reform and something that is really democracy, or it is going to go the way of Burma. If Thailand becomes like Burma, I guess you will be happy and at home as peace will be enforced by the rule of the gun, the non-elite will know their place, and there will be even more boys begging for you money and attention, as upward mobility will be stifled under some hair brain scheme like self-sufficiency. I am not sure I could live in such a country.

Sorry, Z909 I am totally with Bob on this. I do not think the protest has gone far beyond reasonable. Also, history is against you as governments and dictators around the world have arrested and killed protest leaders only to find they have made martyrs out of them, and seen the protesters turn to new, more violent leaders. The labor movement and other social reform movements are filled with examples of just this kind of tactic and the backfire that occurs. Only a complete dictatorship can succeed with this kind of tactic, and I am afraid that is where Thailand is headed. Would you be happy if Thailand became like Burma?

I can not agree more. I fly them direct to Chiang Mai (via Seoul) from the US, and I have received excellent service. Do give them a try.

I've had ten trips to Thailand and been retired here for 8 month now. I have driven in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai and once took the bike from Chiang Mai to the temple at Doi Suthep, and on another occasion through the mountains to Chiang Rai. I have had one minor scrape in Thailand and that was when I turned down a one way street and had to drop the bike to avoid a collision. I did not even scratch the bike, but I did scape my leg. Either I am lucky or 40 years of driving a motorcycle (Honda 250, 400, 750 and Yamada 1200) has taught me how to be carefull and how to handle the bike and how to look out for the road hazards. The only draw back my age now causes me (65), is that I get tired after awhile when driving the bike long distences, so I now make myself take frequent stops when that happens. I hope I never get to old to enjoy the freedom, fresh air, and the sites a bike allows you to witness that you would never see in a car. Oh my bike here is a Yamaha Nova 135cc and I bought it before I bought my car. By the way, one thing I take my hat off to is the accomplishment of GT, who has pedaled extensively in Thailand covering hundreds of Kilos. That seems far more dangerous to be then riding a motorcycle.

I too have both. Like RichLB I agree it is best to drive a car in the rain, or when it is hotter then..... I would also add that it is the only way to get around during periods of heavy traffic. Wear a helmet and stay alert and it is perfectly safe to ride a motorcycle.

I agree with what you say. However, what really turned me off to SGT was the fact that advertisers were made "protected" by spike as he really needed their money. For example, people who pointed out the questionable advertising and business associations of one advertiser were thrown off the board, even though what they said was clearly true. To my way of thinking this made the board a hypocritical farce.

I have no idea when you last used that exp​ression or how many times you have used it. My only way to find out would be to go through all of your post, or ask the question of the other boards and see if anyone knows of other instances. I do not have the time to do the former and no interest in doing the later. However, I have absolutely no problem with admitting I am wrong, and if you have not used this exp​ression since our discussions over Francois, then I do apologize for bringing it up again.

I have absolutely no idea what this sentence means. GT--I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree on this subject. Even without the post that was deleted it is clear to me that he did not start the name calling.

I went back and read this topic and I agree with DanT, and I do not care who he is on Baht Stop. I am surprised at many of my favorite posters who got caught up in this. To me, definitely a double standard and I only hope that it was caused by all the tension we are all going through with the current government situation. Yes, GB before you say it, I know if I do not like it, "don't let the door hit me in the ass", which is still your favorite saying. I will admit that GT's apology was appropriate and the right thing to do, and I do complement him on his ability to admit when he is wrong, but I do think other people need to add theirs.

Xian, your paper in Malaysia is better then what we get from our papers here. I too have found more information on this board then anywhere else. Yes, back to the topic. I have not contributed as I am busy on another project at the moment, but you all have offered some great comments and given me much to ponder.

Welcome, another good addition.

If stirring up controversy means you engage in an intellectual conversation with valid and well founded arguments, then Z909 must be guilty as accused. Even when I do not agree with him---which is very rarely--I find he has forced me to really think about his viewpoint. I only wish this Board had many more posters like him. Whoops, I do not mean to belittle anyone else on this board and freely admit there are many other fine posters here. Thank you again Z909 for taking on this often thankless task.

A very good choice and a great asset to this web board. While GB has been doing an excellent job. I am sure he could use some help and you have chosen one of the best to help him.

Powerboys has closed and locked their doors. There are rumors of a restart elsewhere, but nothing firm. As of yet, I have no information on the hotel, but I will check.

\ I agree. I have asked around the gay community and no one knows who this man is. There is one candidate that is married, but not sure of his last name. I am surprised at a 67 year old man taking yaba. He must be in excellent physical condition. Either that, or he is a dealer and not a user.

Great update and valuable information. Thanks. I think they will open soon and, as they are only 3+ years late, I guess they are doing well considering Thai time.

I am interested in Singapore. Can you be more specific about the things to do and see? Not interested in the sex as I am traveling with my BF

I wonder if he can reopen his case in an English court and get the sentence thrown out? It seems unfair that what a corrupt court can do, cannot be undone by English law.

Do you know his recipe for the spaetzle? I grew up near a large Swabian community that lives in Lodi, California and I love spaetzle mixed with cheese and pate, but it can be made many other ways. If you get a chance find out how he is making it for me. Tks

Back to Vietnam. They did not have the 1200 Bht I sent with the passport, that was stolen. The man I talked to at the embassy was so slimy he made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Many of my friends and members of this board have had a good time in Vietnam, but complained of the corruption. It is obvious to me that that corruption even extends to important government agencies.

You have turned out to be correct. They did lose it and they found it today. Of course, almost one month has passed since they signed for it and I have already replaced my passport with a new one at great expense. They are sure a fun group to deal with.