Gaybutton

FOX actually reports news? Great! When did they start doing that? Whenever I look at FOX, what I'm seeing isn't what I would call news, that's for sure. The sainted Mr. O'Reilly somehow comes to mind . . . Yes, RichLB. Look bar used to be called Y2K. Only the name has changed.

Lately several parking regulations changed at various places. At both the Big-C and Lotus stores on Sukhumvit, if you were in a car for years they handed out parking cards upon arrival and you had to give it back to a security guard when you were leaving. Now both stores have stopped handing out anything. Royal Garden Plaza has always charged to park, as far as I recall. At The Avenue, where Villa Market is, there are parking charges unless you purchase something and get your parking ticket validated. I forget the time limit before they start charging even with the validated ticket. The Big-C in North Pattaya used to be free. Now they charge even if you make a purchase. The first 20 minutes is free. The Lotus on North Road (Pattaya Nua) still hands out parking cards (at least they did last time I was there), but there is no parking fee. The car park at Dongtan Beach used to charge 20 baht. Now it's 30 baht. I don't drive a motorcycle, but I know they used to charge 5 baht for motorcycles. I think someone told me that now it's 10 baht. Friendship Market charges to park unless you buy something. I got out of it once, though, when I went in to buy something, but they didn't have whatever it was in stock. The security guard tried to charge me, but when I explained that the store didn't have what I was looking for he let me leave without charging me. Oh well, '5-Baht Mary' and '10-Baht Tui' still charge the same fees at the beach if you have to make a tinkle . . . Fortunately one bit of modern technology that hasn't appeared yet, and I hope never does, is parking meters.

I don't think there is a new rule. The article doesn't say that the dancers were of an illegal age. It simply says that 14 of them were younger than 20. That is not illegal. I don't know why the article was written that way. It is misleading. Also, did you notice that the article also still calls the bar Y2K? How long has it been since the bar was renamed to 'Look'? A couple years now? Whoever wrote the article, he's no Walter Cronkite.

Note: Since there is an ongoing debate on another thread about venues being named, I want to point out that if it has been reported in the media, now naming the venue is fair game. That is consistent with what I have said all along. The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: for photos, see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000009788 _____ UNDER AGE DANCERS, DRUG USE UNCOVERED IN PATTAYA GAY BAR RAID Pattaya, July 20 [PDN] : On the evening of 19th July 2009, acting on a tip off, Pattaya police raided a gay bar in central Pattaya and found 14 boy dancers under the age of 20, many of whom tested positive for drugs. At 11.00 pm, a police team together with a volunteer team paid an unexpected visit to the Y2K boy club, 273/109, in Soi Sunee plaza or Gay Soi, South Pattaya, following information received that the bar employed underage dancers and that drugs were being used on the premises. When the police arrived, they were greeted by the sight of 25 boys, wearing only underpants, dancing on the floor. Many tourists were drinking and enjoying watching the boys. Police showed their ID and switched the music off. 14 of the dancers tested positive for drugs. Initially, police arrested Mr. Suwirat Praditkai [21], the club manager, who told police that the owner was Mr. Burin Katthong [47], residing at 120, Moo. 2, Mae Sarieng, Mae Hong Son. The owner was not on the premises at the time of the raid. All the boys and the manager then were taken to the police station for further investigation and processing. ______________ Another Note: Often the question comes up as to what happens to farang who are in these bars at the time of a raid. The answer is nothing happens to them, other than being told to leave. Simply being present in the bar is not illegal. You are only in trouble if you are caught engaging in sex with an under-age boy. Notice that the article does not say that any farang customers were arrested.

Father Karras: I think it would be helpful if I gave you some background on the different personalities Regan has manifested. So far I'd say there seems to be three. Father Merrin: There is only one. - The Exorcist

I hope they never have to find out the hard way that they should have. I've already said my piece about the rest of your latest post. However since you ask me to "speak to that," I'll respond to that portion of your post. I have no idea what you mean by a second income. Yes, I do quite a bit of work for this web site, some local businesses, and people who request my help. I do not charge for it and never have charged for it. I receive no money at all for any of it, including the work I do for this web site. All of these things that I do, I do because I enjoy it, including moderating this message board. If you truly believe I'm paid for it, then you're dead wrong. If you are going to try to say that I do get paid for it, fine. Now prove it. What was that you said about admitting when you're wrong? You're wrong about this. Are you going to admit it?

Not quite yet. I've said my piece, but to be fair I think others should get a chance to say theirs, if they wish, before we close off the thread. For those who do wish to get in their say, it seems that some are getting quite upset about this, so please remember that personal attacks are also verboten. Discuss the issue or vent your spleen about terrible ol' me if you wish, but leave personal attacks out of it.

Sheeeesh! Even my avatar bothers you? Very sorry. I happen to like my avatar. As for me never being wrong, while you are suggesting I re-read your post, I suggest you go through this board and start re-reading mine. I have been wrong many times and have openly admitted it just as many times, which is more than most posters ever do. So don't try to say that I'm never wrong and never willing to admit it. That is blatantly false. Disagreeing with your position doesn't make me wrong. As for my attitude here, that is not going to change. As for Lawrence, I couldn't care less. He broke the rules, was warned, and persisted anyway. I don't put up with that and if that offends people, then they're going to just have to be offended. I make no apology for that. I'll agree with one thing you said: It's very hard to moderate a board. That's because no matter what I do, somebody doesn't like what I do. I learned a long time ago to stop taking that into consideration. I do what I think is fair and the right thing to do. Some agree with me and some don't. That's the nature of the game. I have no problem at all about wearing the black hat when I think it's necessary. Regarding this issue, I have tried to make it very clear. I don't know how to make it any more clear than I already have. Maybe my command of English isn't good enough, but I'll say again that if someone posts a message that can place this board or me in legal jeopardy, then that post will be deleted, period. 800 pound gorilla or not, overboard or not, that's the way it's going to be. Once again, tell me how if it was you, you would do it differently. If you truly believe that permitting libelous posts is so important that I should allow myself to be placed in jeopardy, then you're barking up the wrong tree, my friend. You find the way I come across to be offensive. I find it even more offensive that you are asking me to place myself in legal jeopardy for the sake of those kinds of posts. I guarantee you that as long as I am a moderator here, that is not going to happen. And yes, I am intentionally coming on very strong about it because I'm not about to allow anyone put me in that kind of position, no matter who dislikes it and is offended.

Famous last words . . . As long as there really are plenty of parking spaces, fine with me. But if it ever gets to a point at which enough people who are not mall customers start parking there and end up depriving genuine customers of a place to park, that's where the trouble will start.

Do we really have to have this kind of debate? Very sorry, but I don't see it the way you do. If you don't see how GT's post is entirely different from the types of posts not allowed, then I can only say your interpretation of things is different from mine. In any case, what is and is not allowed on this board is up to the moderators and I'm not going to get into this kind of debate every time someone else thinks a post should or should not have been permitted. Since the moderators, especially me, are the ones at risk, we're going to be the ones who make the decisions about it. When I feel a post places the board or me personally at risk, I'm deleting the post and that's all there is to it. If there is any question about it, or if someone is not sure how far he is pushing the envelope, anyone is free to submit his post to me by PM prior to posting to ask whether I'm going to allow it. I'm sorry if you disagree with me, but I'm the one at risk and, quite frankly, I'm not going to let opinions of others, who are not the ones at risk, place me in jeopardy. You can tell me all about how if it was you, you would do it differently, but I have to call 'em the way I see 'em. On our policies statement we clearly say, "The determination of violations is the sole purview of the Gay Thailand Management." I emphasize "sole purview." If it makes you feel any better, very few posts on this board are ever deleted.

That's good. I think they have a right to take steps to see that people who park there actually are shopping in the mall, rather than parking there and heading off to somewhere else. I generally avoid the mall on weekends because so many people do just that. I think they have a right to charge people who do that and they need to come up with some sort of system to check. I think I, as a shopper there, should at least be able to find a place to park instead of finding spaces taken up by people who park and go elsewhere without bothering to even enter the mall.

Would you mind translating that post into English? I don't have any idea what you're talking about.

What you're not allowed to do is write posts that under Thai law could be construed as libelous, is an obvious vendetta posted by someone who has a personal grudge against a business, or is a post designed to attempt to hurt a business. I've said it before and I'll repeat it now. I'm the only moderator on this board who is a permanent resident in Thailand. When I see a post that can harm my ability to live here or can cause a libel suit to be levied against me, I'm getting rid of the post, even if others think I'm being inconsistent about it. If I thought GT's post met that sort of criteria, I would have deleted it even though he's the boss. He could always fire me . . .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Catch the Solar Eclipse Published on July 20, 2009 Telescopes will be provided for stargazers and those interested in watching the solar eclipse on Wednesday at a major observation site in Pathum Thani and eight other locations around Thailand. National Science Museum scientists will also explain at the site about the natural phenomenon, which will occur from 7am to 9.30am. A thousand tinted pairs of spectacles will be provided for free. A total solar eclipse cannot be observed within entire Thailand, and the time it begins will vary depending from where it is observed. Call 02 577 9999 extension 2102 or 1835 for more information. The National Astronomical Institute of Thailand (NAIT) said the duration of the eclipse will be exactly from 7am to 9.19am. Countries and areas where a full eclipse can be seen are India, China, Japan and the South Pacific. After the total eclipse in Thailand in 1995, this solar ecplise will set a record as the longest so far in the 21st Century, with a duration time of six minutes and 39 seconds. It will last the longest in Chiang Mai - two hours and 12 minutes - as well as be the largest eclipse, with 69 per cent of the moon's shadow covering the Sun. Bangkokians can see it from 7.06am to 9.08am and can view the moon's shadow at a coverage percentage of 42.2 at 8.03am. The NAIT is cooperating with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and eight universities and colleges in other parts of the country to arrange observation sites from which people can view the eclipse.

Since it's not a "happy ending" massage, I think 100 baht would be appropriate . . . maybe a little more if the masseur is your concept of outstanding.

There's nothing to test. It is not yet available.

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd2

I just returned from several days out of town and did not look at the Internet during my absence. I'm very sorry to come back only to find this news. Allen and I go back a long way. For many years we advised and consulted each other in dealing with the message board issues. Several years ago we even had a "summit meeting" at my home involving myself, Allen, and other message board owners and we came to several agreements regarding issues and operation of the various boards. Allen, David-in Pattaya, and I shared many experiences together and were in constant touch regarding the message boards. Many of you, I'm sure, fondly remember David-in-Pattaya. Allen did more for the gay community in Thailand than most of you will probably ever know. He deserves much better than what he has already gone through and what he is likely to go through. I hope his remaining time will be pleasant for him. He has earned at least that. When his time comes, if there really is such a thing as Heaven, Allen is certain to be there.

I always had the greatest respect for Walter Cronkite. I'm a hell of a lot more upset over his death than Michael Jackson's.

Many would say that's where any similarity between Mr. Rooney and I ends . . .

I'll go even better than that. Many car dealerships don't issue real "red plates" at all. They issue plastic ones that have no technical validity whatsoever. Some give you a choice of true registered red temporary plates, but at a fee. They don't charge anything for the plastic ones until the permanent plates come in, provided you return them. Even in your home province, if you're driving around with the plastic plates, you're technically illegal. But then again, prostitution is technically illegal too. The police seem to look the other way at both. Just about everyone, Thai and farang alike, use the plastic freebie plates without any problems.

That's my point, exactly. It could not be clearer . . . to us. Why isn't it also clear to them? It all has its designated spot on my "I Don't Get It" list.

I also can't figure out why the bars and hotels are doing things this way. What seems so perfectly logical and obvious to us apparently makes no sense to them. I'm trying to understand what does make sense to them.

With that length of time and also going into next year, I don't think any of us can give you an answer upon which you can truly rely. I suggest you to to the Immigration office and ask. They'll be happy to tell you. Then, it would be helpful if you would let us know what they tell you.

Are you sure that's even possible?