List of Important Websites for Gay Thailand

[Guest]

The other small issue I have is that this is very much a UK-based charity. I fully accept it does magnificent work but its bank account (as advertised on the site) is in the UK, donations are to be made to a UK account (unless I have missed something, in which case please do correct me), and tax-deductabliilty is only for UK tax payers. I have no idea about the charity tax laws here in Thailand, but I suspect there is some tax relief for charitable donations, perhaps over a certain amount. So if that charity is going to be included, then I think in fairness one or two other Thai-based charities must be included - with bank accounts in Thailand so it is easier for readers of this site to contribute if they so wish.

 

I totally disagree with you on the linkage from a gay site to the street kids site. I do not see any problem there at all. And, in the end it is not my decision.

 

As far as what you quoted above, I totally agree with you. I have never understand why it is a UK based charity and when I inquired, they said taxes in Thailand were too high for them to be based here. That is their decision in the end.

 

I also agree that other charities need to be listed. I would LOVE to see ANY charity for the gay community in Thailand that is legit and registered as a charity and active in our community. Those are the ones I would donate to.

 

Last year I did a bike ride from Chiang Mai to Phuket. There were 2 choices to give the money raised. One was Operation Smiles (tax deductible in USA) and the other was The Thai Blind Institute. I chose the Institute as I wanted the money I was donating to go to charity IN Thailand. That was important to me. I am not really sure why it was but it was.

 

I think there is a great need in the gay community for someone to organize a charity that benefits the gay community here. I'll jump on the bandwagon. But, only if it was an organized charity and the books were open for an accountant to see.

 

I know the Pattaya Street Kids project is a fantastic charity. My understanding is that it is based on mission from a religious organization. I forget the name of the group. While that may be great and the members of that group are happy to take money from gays, I hate giving money to any religious organization. I am sure I'll get blasted for this but it is the way I feel.

 

Maybe there shouldn't be any gay websites. Maybe we should stay hidden. Can you imagine - someday gays may even want to marry and adopt children. Homos are not equal to heteros.

 

Those damn gays. They want all the rights now. What ever happen to knowing their place?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I have no objection to a linkage of the kids charity to this website. What I do think is unwise is to have pics of little boys come up when clicking onto the website.

[Guest fountainhall]

I know the Pattaya Street Kids project is a fantastic charity. My understanding is that it is based on mission from a religious organization. I forget the name of the group. While that may be great and the members of that group are happy to take money from gays, I hate giving money to any religious organization. I am sure I'll get blasted for this but it is the way I feel.

Not by me, for I am in agreement. If this is a Buddhist organisation, then it is less of a problem. But if it is run by a Catholic, Protestant, Mormon or whatever organisation, then I certainly have some concerns.

 

But the question really is: should this charity be listed? My view is that it is OK, provided firstly that photo is changed. As I said, this is about perceptions and sensibilities. And second, other Thai charities are also listed.

[Guest fountainhall]

I have never understand why it is a UK based charity and when I inquired, they said taxes in Thailand were too high for them to be based here.

Re-reading your post, there is something really strange with this comment from the Pattaya Street Kids Charity. The fact is there are no taxes for registered charities in Thailand! I know because I am involved with one. So how can they be too high when they are zero?

 

I suspect it is because they are not - or are not prepared to be - registered locally with local Thai leadership, since with any Thai charity, most of the Board must understandably be Thais. If that is the case - and I stress very heavily the "if", because I am not totally sure of my ground here - then I am just a little concerned at putting this particular charity up at the start. I suggest it needs a little more investigation on our part to make 100% sure that it meets all the regulations regarding its operations in Thailand. I am sure it must, but let's not take anything for granted.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I would like to know more about this charity; Where do they get the bulk of their money? How much do they collect per year? How is their money distributed? Are background checks made on the workers and people who visit these kids?

[Guest MonkeySee]

Maybe I am over reacting, but I don't think it is appropriate to have pics of young boys posted on a gay website.

I will have to agree with you....you are over reacting!

[Guest fountainhall]

I will have to agree with you....you are over reacting!

We are all entitled to our views - and I appreciate yours, even though I may not agree with them.

[Guest beachlover]

I will have to agree with you....you are over reacting!

 

In my opinion, it's no problem to have it on website for the gay community. But I don't think it should be on a website with any sort of porn, or explicit discussion.

[Guest fountainhall]

In my opinion, it's no problem to have it on website for the gay community. But I don't think it should be on a website with any sort of porn, or explicit discussion.

So you'd have to rule it out as far as gaythailand is concerned, then. One of the recent topics which has attracted quite a lot of attention is, you'll recall, "The importance of Porn on the internet".

[Guest Astrrro]

Those of you who enjoy games might like Nong Noi The Babrboy Game.

 

http://www.nong-noi.com/

 

OK, ir says bargirl game but just use your immagination.

 

The boys can set their asking and minimum prices for offs.

 

Some find the game addicting.

[Guest YardenUK]

Are background checks made on the workers and people who visit these kids?

 

Maybe we in Europe have gone too far - I personally think not - but the fact that they do not seem to have a very robust and thorough child protection policy (including background checks etc), makes me feel very uncomfortable indeed.

 

I am also with fountainhall, IF for whatever reason the powers that be on GT think that this charity is an appropriate link for GAY THAILAND, then at least go so far as to include Thai charities.

 

On that point, if this site is going to add charities to its USEFUL LINKS page, in fairness it should either list ALL charities operating in Thailand, or simply charities benefitting gays/lesbians. Each of us has our own particular charitable cause(s), and in my experience that can be as diverse as cancer research to Karen/Burmese refugees to protecting endangered orchids! It does seem unfair just to list a handful operating in and around Pattaya.

[Guest]

I know the Pattaya Street Kids project is a fantastic charity. My understanding is that it is based on mission from a religious organization. I forget the name of the group. While that may be great and the members of that group are happy to take money from gays, I hate giving money to any religious organization. I am sure I'll get blasted for this but it is the way I feel.

 

I have been told that this is totally incorrect by a poster here that I trust. I was under the impression that the Pattaya Street Kids Project was in some way connected with Mercy. I have been told this is not the case. My apologies if I was wrong in this.

[Guest fountainhall]

I have been told that this is totally incorrect by a poster here that I trust. I was under the impression that the Pattaya Street Kids Project was in some way connected with Mercy. I have been told this is not the case. My apologies if I was wrong in this.

Not so wrong. There is clearly some connection, as this is from their website (including the misspelling of "parties" as "paries" and the grammatical error "give a few weeks notice" instead of "given a few weeks notice" - slightly odd for an English website written in English) -

 

If a sponsor who is visiting Pattaya expresses a wish to meet their sponsored student this can generally be arranged give a few weeks notice. The visits are organised locally by the Mercy Centre and to make all paries feel more comfortable, especially with the barrier of the language difficulties. there will aways be a Thai/English speaking member of the Mercy staff and often also a teacher from the child's school present during the visit.

 

This makes the child feel more relaxed having a familiar face present and it enables the sponsor, through the Mercy staff member to communicate with the child.

Despite this, it is clearly essential that there be some Thai/English speaker at such meetings.

[Guest YardenUK]

Yes there is a connection (as fountainhall has clearly pointed out - it is mentioned very clearly on the Street Kids website), and I guess that is what personally bothers me. Mercy are one of their local partners in Pattaya, and for any of us to apply to work for Mercy (and i got this from the Mercy website):

"The successful applicant will have:

a personal and vibrant Christian faith"

 

Mercy is also upfront in saying that in the Pattaya area their mission is (and i quote fronm their website), to "Find and train disciples in each slum area where MERCY is active, to carry on the work"

 

Now I know that Christianity is by its very nature a missionary/proselytising faith, but as most of these kids are Buddhist, ie from a a non-proselytising faith, this is probably what concerns me the most.

 

Like GT, my own personal preference is not to give (indirectly or directly) to religious organisations. Merely personal preference, not some rabid anti-missionary bent!

 

I am sure the street kids project is exceptionally well-meaning, but why they use an overtly Christian organisation as their local partner beats me, as I was under the impression that in Thailand much of the traditional 'charitable' work in Thailand was undertaken by or through the temples/monasteries

[Guest beachlover]

Those of you who enjoy games might like Nong Noi The Babrboy Game.

 

http://www.nong-noi.com/

 

Some find the game addicting.

 

Heh... Good idea. That looks fun. But I can't be bothered to register.

 

I liked this one: http://www.lordofwarthemovie.com/ga.html

 

Yes there is a connection (as fountainhall has clearly pointed out - it is mentioned very clearly on the Street Kids website), and I guess that is what personally bothers me. Mercy are one of their local partners in Pattaya, and for any of us to apply to work for Mercy (and i got this from the Mercy website):

"The successful applicant will have:

a personal and vibrant Christian faith"

 

Well them rules out for many people...

 

I read somewhere that they chose to register in the UK because the charity laws and checks there are much more stringent and transparent so this would make them more trustworthy.

[Guest fountainhall]

Now I know that Christianity is by its very nature a missionary/proselytising faith, but as most of these kids are Buddhist, ie from a a non-proselytising faith, this is probably what concerns me the most.

As it does me. Sorry, but I am now against this charity being included.

 

I read somewhere that they chose to register in the UK because the charity laws and checks there are much more stringent and transparent so this would make them more trustworthy.

Somewhere? Come on! You just read that on the pattayastreetkids website question and answer page!

[Guest YardenUK]

 

I read somewhere that they chose to register in the UK because the charity laws and checks there are much more stringent and transparent so this would make them more trustworthy.

 

All that UK charity law states is that annual accounts must be submitted to the charity commission. They only audit and investigate charities who they are suspicious about - they most certainly do not audit every charity's accounts (the commission simply doesn't have the manpower) - but they do require them to be submitted.

 

I don't have any quibbles about their honesty with financial accounting, my issue is simply that they choose their main local partner in a predominantly Buddhist country, to be an openly "missionary" organisation - and frankly, I think poor Thai people need something more substantial than being encouraged to convert to christianity. So even if the street kids project categorically state they themselves are secular, it simply doesn't make any sense to my brain to use Mercy as an implementing partner.

[Guest fountainhall]

Maybe there shouldn't be any gay websites. Maybe we should stay hidden. Can you imagine - someday gays may even want to marry and adopt children. Homos are not equal to heteros.

You have been silent since your contribution. Have you changed your opinion on the inclusion of the Pattaya Street Kids website in the light of more recent posts?

[Guest beachlover]

Somewhere? Come on! You just read that on the pattayastreetkids website question and answer page!

 

LOL. That's somewhere isn't it??!

 

Actually, I read it when it was posted on some forum. But I don't know whether the post was (1) written by or quoted off one of the people involved, (2) quoted from their website or (3) someone who happens to know... Good of you to clarify.

 

I don't have any quibbles about their honesty with financial accounting, my issue is simply that they choose their main local partner in a predominantly Buddhist country, to be an openly "missionary" organisation - and frankly, I think poor Thai people need something more substantial than being encouraged to convert to christianity. So even if the street kids project categorically state they themselves are secular, it simply doesn't make any sense to my brain to use Mercy as an implementing partner.

 

I agree. Perhaps they just felt it was the best alternative and felt the upsides were greater than the downsides (you point out above) and decided to just weather the downsides.

[Guest YardenUK]

Perhaps they just felt it was the best alternative and felt the upsides were greater than the downsides (you point out above) and decided to just weather the downsides.

 

Alas, this unfortunately doesn't go anywhere close to answering my concerns. In fact it a classic fudge.

 

You are either a secular charity (as they SHOUT about on their wesbite) or you aren't. By using an openly Christian missionary charity as an implemeting partner they are tacitly supporting this Christian mission. I cannot see how anyone can argue otherwise. I for one, find Christian missionaries operating in a non-Christian country, leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth, all the more bitter because the beneficiaries are young impressionable kids. For that reason and for that alone, I could not in a million years, donate one satang, which is sad because the poor street kids of Pattaya deserve a much better life without having to listen to interpretations of the Christian Gospel.

 

St Paul certainly has a lot to answer for

[Guest]

I truly am confused. What is the connection between Pattaya Street Kids and Mercy?

[Guest YardenUK]

I truly am confused. What is the connection between Pattaya Street Kids and Mercy?

 

 

I copy and paste from the FAQ section of their website:

 

Q. As you are based in the UK how is your scholarship scheme administered in Pattaya?

 

 

A. In the early days of the project we arranged with MERCY, who are based in Pattaya and work with families and children from the slums, to administer the scholarship scheme on our behalf. Mercy has Thai speaking staff and work with all the local authorities so they are ideally placed to be our eyes and ears on the ground. We are in touch with MERCY every day (and often 3-4 times) a day to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the children.

[Guest]

I copy and paste from the FAQ section of their website:

 

Q. As you are based in the UK how is your scholarship scheme administered in Pattaya?

 

 

A. In the early days of the project we arranged with MERCY, who are based in Pattaya and work with families and children from the slums, to administer the scholarship scheme on our behalf. Mercy has Thai speaking staff and work with all the local authorities so they are ideally placed to be our eyes and ears on the ground. We are in touch with MERCY every day (and often 3-4 times) a day to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the children.

 

Thank you YardenUK. That does clear things up for me. I do appreciate that. I just needed that thump on the head to get it to sink in.

[Guest beachlover]

You are either a secular charity (as they SHOUT about on their wesbite) or you aren't.

 

I totally agree. I would classify them in my mind as non-secular due to the partnership.

 

Even though they disclose their partnership with Mercy quite openly on their website, I think it's slightly deceptive to say they are secular. Perhaps they are, in theory, but not in practice.

[Guest fountainhall]

At the risk of overdoing things, let me just make one further observation. The FAQ makes two additional points:

 

Q. How are the running costs of the charity met?

 

A. All the running costs of the charity are met by the trustees (four at present). The trustees are also responsible for meeting their own travel and accommodation costs when they visit Thailand.

 

Q. I live in Thailand so do you have a Thai bank account that I can transfer money into?

 

A. No. For us to have a Thai bank account we would have to have a physical presence in Thailand as a registered foundation or charitable organisation. It costs a great deal of money and can take many years to establish a registered charity in Thailand and we would also have to employ local staff. This would immediately make it impossible for the trustees to meet the running costs of the charity and thus reduce the amount of money that is used for the kids.

Noble and generous though all this is, I have one question. The Trustees pay for their own trips to Thailand out of their own pocket. Similarly, they also pay for the administration. The 2010 Annual Report makes clear that 4 Trustees visited during the year. I have no idea how they travelled (economy or business class), how they were accommodated or how long each visit lasted. But I have a feeling that if all that money was donated by the Trustees instead of being spent, it would go a long way to providing a basic administrative framework here in Thailand, one that would not require any link with MERCY.