Gaybutton

In my unfortunate case I don't have to wait for Siberia. I already do . . .

What about hotel restaurants? What time do they open for breakfast?

Ok, we'll go in mid January. Talk about getting cold-cocked! Maybe we'll open a go-go bar there. That way the boys will have an excuse to get on the stage and just stand there. They'll be frozen solid. That, alone, will remind us of most of the go-go boys in Pattaya . . .

California High Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- The California Supreme Court upheld Tuesday a ban on same-sex marriages that state voters passed in November, but it allowed about 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before the ban to remain valid. The split ruling was met with chants of "shame on you" from a crowd of about 1,000 people who gathered outside the court building in San Francisco. "It's nice that my marriage is still intact, but that's not the point," said Kathleen White, who married her partner in 2008. Opponents of the ban argued that the controversial Proposition 8, which state voters passed, 52 percent to 48 percent, in November, improperly altered the California Constitution to restrict a fundamental right guaranteed in the state's charter. But the court -- which had allowed same-sex marriages in a 2008 decision -- found the measure was narrow enough to pass legal muster. Attorneys for the opponents also said the proposition, which removed the "marriage" label from same-sex unions, effectively deprived same-sex couples of a fundamental right guaranteed them under the equal-protection clause in the U.S. Constitution. The passage of Proposition 8 made California one of several states to ban same-sex marriage in the November 4 elections. But unlike others, California had been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the state Supreme Court ruled in May 2008 that the unions were legal. Four states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. A Vermont law making such marriages legal will take effect in September. On May 6, same-sex marriage became legal in Maine as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state Legislature approved it. In April, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously that it is illegal to discriminate against same-sex couples by denying them the right to marry. The first gay marriages in the state took place April 27. The District of Columbia voted May 5 to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, though it does not itself give marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In April, New York Gov. David Paterson introduced legislation to make same-sex marriage legal in his state. New Hampshire's move to legalize same-sex marriage hit a road bump Wednesday after that state's House of Representatives did not agree to legislation changes made by the governor. Both the House and Senate already had approved allowing gay couples to marry. But Gov. John Lynch, a three-term Democrat, said he would sign a same-sex marriage bill only if it provides "the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions." The House on Wednesday fell two votes short of approving Lynch's language. The chamber then voted to send the legislation to a committee to be considered further.

No happiness in Siberia? Damn! There goes my holiday plans . . .

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. Get two accounts. Make sure he has access to only one of them. That way, from your other account you can keep whatever amount you want in it and transfer whatever amount you're going to give him online from any computer in the world. You'll still be in full control over how much he gets. I think that's the best idea. If you put 30,000 baht into an account he can access, I give it less than two weeks before every baht of it is gone. Maybe it's a pain-in-the-ass, as you say, but unfortunately it's also the best available alternative.

Of course, tip amounts are an "up to you," but other than drink prices the off fees and other prices remain the same.

That's where, in my opinion, you hit the nail right on the head. I think there is a great deal of difference between a Thai boyfriend who wants to go as opposed to a boyfriend who is talked into going. The idea is for it to be a positive, enjoyable experience for all.

Then I stand corrected. A Holiday Inn and a Hilton? That's impressive. Next time I'm in the area I'll try to see if I can spot exactly where the Holiday Inn will be.

I can understand thaiworthy's position. After all, how much fun would it be to take anyone, whether it's a Thai boy or someone else, on a holiday to the very location he wants to get away from and never see again? Not exactly my idea of a thrill either. And he would have to spend a fortune to do it too. Now, if he takes his Thai boyfriend to Disneyland or Las Vegas, or somewhere that might be a hell of a lot of fun, and not a reminder of the place he despises, that could be a very different story.

I could be wrong, but I believe it will be connected to the new Central Festival shopping mall. If anything else is under construction in that vicinity, they're doing a great job of keeping it well hidden, at least from my eyes.

Oogleman has posted a very good set of photos from The Venue on the Gay Ting & Tong board. http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4594

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: For photos see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000009320 _____ Manhattan Restaurnt Shot at by Motorcycle Maurauders Early in the morning of 25 May 2009, Manhattan Restaurant, on Tappraya Road, one of Pattaya’s fine dining venues, was shot at five times by two teenage youths riding by on a motorcycle. The restaurateur, Mr. Dave, was reportedly shocked by the incident and said in all the time the restaurant had been open, he had never had any problems with anybody. At 03.00 am, Pol.Lt.Col. Tanagrit Lapittisan, Pattaya Police Investigator, was notified that a man had fired his gun at Manhattan, a very popular restaurant located on the ground floor of a six-storey condo at 482/1-57 Moo. 12, Tappraya Road, and duly sent a police team to investigate. Arriving at the incident location, police found the restaurant front windows had been shot through, leaving three bullet holes in the glass. The restaurant name sign had also been shot at, leaving one bullet hole. Police found 5 cartridge cases on the ground in front of the restaurant, which were kept as evidence. Mr. Nattapol Bumroongrat, [21], a motorbike taxi driver, who was the only eye witness, told the police that the incident had happened while he was waiting for a passenger at his taxi-station in front of the condo. He said two young men had approached him, riding a motorbike along the Tappraya Road from the direction of Jomtien and when they were passing the restaurant, the pillion passenger had drawn out a gun and fired about five pistol shots at the restaurant. The two then sped away in the direction of South Pattaya. The restaurant owner, Mr. Dave, was closing the restaurant at the time of the incident. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Police broadcast a radio alert to police patrols in the area in an attempt to apprehend the suspects, but they manage to escape. Mr. Dave told the police that the restaurant had been operating quite some time and neither he nor his staff had ever had any problem with anybody. He said he was shocked by the unexpected incident. Police presume the suspects were teenagers, armed with their own gun, intent on creating problems for people just for kicks. The police are currently following up the case and are confident of bringing the culprits to justice soon.

There are visa "service" companies in Pattaya and elsewhere that advertise they can obtain new visas for farang without the farang having to leave the country or otherwise comply with certain regulations. All for a fee, of course . . . a hefty one, usually to the tune of 10,000 baht on up. It's not a good idea to try to circumvent visa regulations, especially with use of these companies. I have a feeling that after reading the following, anyone tempted to try one of these "services" will definitely have second thoughts. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Woman Arrested by Immigration Police Accused of Offering Fake Visas to Foreigners On Friday Mr. Gaven Horst aged 34 from South America went to the Immigration Office in Jomtien to check the authenticity of a visa which was stamped in his passport. He explained to Police Captain Achib that he obtained the visa through the Visa 2 Company based in Soi 13 off Pattaya Second Road and paid 13,500 Baht for the service which did not require him to leave the country but only hand over his passport to the company who would do the rest. It was determined that the visa was fake and an Immigration Police investigation began into the company. Khun Bat-tamaporn aged 40 from the Visa 2 Company was contacted and explained she used another company called Property 4 U based in South Pattaya to make the visa. Khun Natarin from the Property 4 U Company explained that they sent the passport to Khun Narinee aged 43 who could make the visa. An arrest warrant for Khun Narinee was obtained and she was arrested on Friday Night and taken to the Immigration Office. She confessed to providing the fake visa service and was charged with producing counterfeit government documents. She will appear in court next week. __________ The article doesn't say what ended up happening to Mr. Horst's 13,500 baht, but I'll give you three guesses.

I think it depends on the individual boyfriend and his personal preferences. I've met many who don't want to leave Thailand at all, not even for a holiday, and some who would love such an opportunity. Also, I think it depends on what he'll be doing while there. If you're going to be with him at all times and take him around to different places, that's one thing. But if it is to be the type of holiday in which all he gets to do is lounge around the house, waiting for you to come home from work, do you really think he would enjoy that? If he takes you to his home town and leaves you there alone for hours while he is off doing something else, do you really think that would be a pleasant experience for you? The same goes for him. Another factor is food. Many of the Thai boys know their Thai food and that's about it. Some are quite finicky and won't even try other kinds of foods. I'd make sure about that too before thinking about bringing him over for a holiday. You might also want to make sure he brings along his spices, much of which might not be available where you live. After all, he might starve to death without them. In other words, you want to make sure he is really going to enjoy it and would jump at the chance to come again. You also need to make sure, in your own mind, who the holiday is for. Is it really something you are doing for him or in the end is it really for yourself?

Also, Trongpai knows that area quite well. If he sees this post he will probably respond or you can send a PM to him. If anyone would know what's available in that area, he would.

For their long-haul flights, they use primarily Boeing 747s and 777s. I think you'll find most of the information you seek at: http://www.seatguru.com

You're talking about only 5 days. I doubt that you're going to succeed in finding a condo for rent for such a short period of time. Condos normally require a minimum of one month, or at least require you to pay for a minimum of one month. Unless there is some reason why it must be a condo, you're probably better off staying at either the Pinnacle Hotel or the Malaysia Hotel, both of which are close to that area, are gay friendly, and are reasonably priced. The Malaysia Hotel is the cheaper of the two. Their current price is 800 baht per night. Price-wise, I doubt you're going to do better than that, even if you can find a condo willing to rent a room to you for a short stay. If you decide upon the Pinnacle Hotel, don't book directly with the hotel. Book through Jimmy, an English speaking Thai whose office is on the 13th floor at the Pinnacle. You will get the room at a substantial savings through Jimmy. Also, if you are unfamiliar with the area, Jimmy is a wealth of information and recommendations. The way it works is that you book your room through Jimmy. Then, when you check in at the hotel, you tell the desk clerk that you made a reservation through Jimmy. The desk clerk will let you check in, probably charge you a key deposit, and give you your room key. At some point you go to Jimmy's office and pay him, not the hotel. He's usually there from about 10:00am to 3:00pm. If he isn't there, you can simply put the money in an envelope, write your name and room number on the envelope, and slide it under his door. When you book through Jimmy, you're going to have to call him. He almost never responds to Email. He answers his phone between 10:00am to 3:00pm, Thailand time. The number is 081-859-6585. The Pinnacle Hotel has a web site at: http://www.pinnaclehotels.com/lumpinee/index.html The number for the Malaysia Hotel is 02-679-7127 Their web site is: http://www.malaysiahotelbkk.com

Regarding the roads being torn up, at least they're doing it during the lowest part of the low season, but it's anybody's guess how long it will be before they complete the road construction. It seems to be dragging on forever. Sometimes weeks go by without any work being done on the roads at all, despite the fact that they tore it all up. As for Continental Bakery, at least they have other locations where you can get the same breakfast, but it must be terribly difficult for all the businesses along the torn up areas. You can still get there easily enough on a baht bus or motorcycle taxi, but for local people who have their own transportation it is very difficult, let alone trying to find somewhere to park. So, their business is definitely going to suffer since there are so many other places to go for breakfast, including making your own if you're a resident here or if you're on a holiday and renting a room with kitchen. Since there are so few tourists right now, that makes it all the more difficult.

It's a very sparse low season. Several bars have closed, changed hands, or are up for sale. The most popular bars still get plenty of customers, but not nearly so many as before. Also, I think part of the problem is that Pattaya is not really lacking too much for tourists, but they're just not spending as much money as before.

I don't know what difference it makes who the owners are. I would think most people are interested in the bar and the show itself and couldn't care less who owns the place. Last night I did see part of the show and I think it is quite elaborate (definitely too loud for my ears, though) and well done. People who enjoy cabaret shows are certain to enjoy The Venue. I like the fact that the seating is table seating rather than the usual bench seating found in most bars. I also like the colors and the lighting. I've always hated it when strobe lights give me a direct hit in the eyes, or a support pole blocks the view. There is none of that at The Venue and they are drawing a crowd for good reason. Again, if you like cabaret shows, then I think it's definitely worth heading for Jomtien Complex and seeing the show at The Venue.

I think we may be getting it through the back door. For the past couple months my net income has been about US $30 more than it had been. I've been told that's how it's being done - less tax pulled from your monthly income. I don't know for sure if that's correct, but it would account for the additional money each month.

Today I went with a friend to a Bank of Ayudhya (yellow) ATM. He pulled money with his foreign ATM card and was not charged the 150 baht fee. So, as far as I know the yellow Bank of Ayudhya ATMs are the last ones that are not charging the 150 baht fee.

Now I have. The way I'm hearing it, the police were rounding up the street kids and checking them for drugs. I do not know whether the police entered any of the bars.

I'm not sure why you dredged up a thread nearly a year old already to make this point and I'm not sure who your source(s) of information are when you say "I was told," but yes, it is common knowledge that certain bars pay for such "security." I have had more than one bar owner freely tell me that they pay and how much they pay. That just seems to be a part of how things work here. Not all bars pay, but when police raids occur none of them seem immune to me, whether they pay or not. There have been no major raids for months now, but when the raids do happen the usual target is Sunee Plaza. Pattayaland is pretty much left alone. I know of only one major raid that took place in Pattayaland. What was that, about a year or two ago when farang caught up in that raid were ordered to produce their passports? If I remember correctly, if a farang had his actual passport or had a good copy on his person, he was sent on his merry way without further incident. I also seem to remember that a very few farang were actually taken to the police station, but all were later released. I don't remember whether they had to pay fines, but I suspect they did. Anyway, that's the only Pattayaland raid that I recall at all. On the Ting & Tong's Gay Thailand board, Oogleman posted that one bar in Sunee Plaza was raided Wednesday, this week. I haven't heard about it personally, but you can read what Oogleman has to say about it at: http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4583