Gaybutton

If you're a work permit holder I wouldn't worry about it too much. If I had one baht for every time Thailand was discussing something, but nothing ever came of it, I wouldn't know what to do with all the money. I learned a long time ago: Don't worry until you have something to worry about.

September 01~15 Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2004 Serrano Ham & Ricotta Cheese Roll *** Spanish Gazpacho Soup with Condiments *** Flames Scampi in Puff Pastry and Lobster Sauce *** Passion Fruit Sherbet *** Red Wine Branciforti Nero D'Avola, Italy 2004 French Sea Bass Filet on roasted Fennel and Pernod Sauce -or- Roasted Duck Breast on Puy Lentils and red Wine Sauce *** Crepes Jubil

I agree. My friend and I must have gotten there shortly after you had left. The souvlaki wasn't very much like I remembered from Greece. Basically, what is being served here is a kebob and grilled pita bread. Also, the yoghurt sauce was missing. We asked about it. The owner said that he is not satisfied with the yoghurt he is able to find in Pattaya, so he is importing some from Greece. It should be here and ready to serve in about a week. So, I'll give it another try in a week or so. I think it is still a good bargain for the price, but I definitely would not call it a truly Greek restaurant.

Here's the "September Diary" for the La Cage bar:

All I know is this is what he told me after speaking to their representative on the telephone.

I just spoke with a friend of mine who needed some minor surgery done, but it was emergency surgery due to an accident. He has the BUPA Blue Cross and Medicare in the USA. The accident happened in Pattaya. According to his story, BUPA Blue Cross requires a separate form for each individual bill. There were 8 bills, and these are not quick, short forms. He was told that before his claim will be paid he has to make a claim through Medicare. He explained that Medicare won't cover him outside of the USA. They said they are aware of that, but before they can process his claim he has to receive a rejection from Medicare. He contacted Medicare. Naturally, they too require a separate form for each bill. By the time he gets the forms filled out, gets them sent to Medicare, receives a rejection from Medicare, submits another set of forms to Blue Cross,and finally gets his claim paid he'll be lucky if we're still in the same century.

I agree and what you wrote is correct if you are transferring money to a different bank. However, my experience is when you are transferring to a different account within the same bank, for example transferring from one Bangkok Bank account to another Bangkok Bank account, the service is available 24/7 and the funds are available instantly. I've done it at 3:00am and it worked just fine, and yes it does work during both bank and public holidays. However, if for example you want to transfer from a Bangkok Bank account to a Siam Commercial Bank account, then you are correct about the 6:00am to 9:00pm availability. If you make the transfer at 9:00pm, it will go through. If you try it at 9:01, you'll find that you have to wait until 6:00am the next morning. By the way, the same is true for online banking when it comes to making transfers. That's been my experience anyway.

The last time I was in Phuket was before the Tsunami. I hope they rebuilt Patong Beach Bungalows. If they did, it would fit exactly what Hans030 is looking for. If not, someone else will have to make a recommendation. I'm simply not familiar enough with Phuket to know where else to recommend, given his criteria.

A friend and I are planning to give it a try this evening. I'll post about it after we've been there.

I always liked Patong Beach Bungalows. http://www.phukethotel.com/phuket/patong-beach-bungalows.html

I seem to recall someone asking about Greek restaurants in Pattaya. I suppose this one is a start. Since some people on certain other boards seem to bitterly resent it when I write a restaurant review, I'll humor them by not writing one. I'll just refer you to someone else who did: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/showfeature.php?FeatureID=0000001382

A few days ago Jim told me he needs to have some surgery himself. Maybe that's why he's not responding.

Maybe they tell fortunes and communicate with the dead . . .

Yet another item for my "I Don't Get It" list. I can't imagine why it works just fine in Pattaya at any hour of any day, but in Bangkok you can't do the same thing. Welcome to Thailand.

But it wasn't a joke. It was a riddle . . .

Why not? You've learned whatever it is you've needed to learn and you've made decisions and changed your opinion. If you lose friends because of your post, then they weren't true friends in the first place. More likely you've gained friends from your post. If you are feeling that people will think the less of you for it, then that's the wrong feeling. You said that marijuana was fucking up your life. You finally realized that after having paid quite a price for much too long, but at least you realized it and now you want better out of life than you were getting. I think that deserves praise and I also think that you are taking the right steps so that you can discard the past and make a good new start and new life right here in Thailand. You'll be welcomed with open arms.

Don't laugh. In Thailand they don't drive cars, but I've seen plenty of them driving motorcycles.

I just put raw chicken into the laundry. It doesn't clean the clothes, but at least they smell like soup . . .

At 11:40pm this evening I deposited cash into my own account at a Cash Deposit Machine. I've done this many times before, putting cash into my own account as well as others. The Cash Deposit Machines are available 24/7. The money goes into the recipient's account immediately and the funds are available immediately.

Wouldn't it be a little easier to simply ask at one of those establishments?

That is precisely why the going rate is 500 baht at places like Saranrom. You almost never see older Thai men in bars taking boys off for 1000 baht up. There's no way. They go to places such as Saranrom Park and I wouldn't be surprised if many of them think 500 baht is quite expensive.

In my opinion, I'd say the numbers are based on two things: whim and the religious right.

Mark, what do you think of Lester1's idea about posting copies of the boys' ID cards either outside or in some sort of booklet available to customers? I think it's an excellent idea, but I'm curious what you think of it, from the point of view of a bar owner.

If anyone goes, fine with me. I wasn't trying to imply that the only updates need to come from GT or me. I'm merely saying that it's been the same for years and is likely to remain the same for quite some time. However, if anyone has his own individual experience, I'm just as interested as anyone else. I'm also interested in seeing people post about their experiences, or at least what they've heard about, in other cruising areas as well, anywhere in Thailand and surrounding countries.

Stork oil?