Gaybutton

If you are going to stay three weeks or more, then your best bet is to rent a condo. If not, then I would suggest either Howard's Guesthouse or Two Guys Guesthouse. Both are within easy walking distance to Sunee Plaza, are very good places to stay, and are far less expensive than most other popular gay accommodations. Howard's: http://www.howards-pattaya.net Two Guys: http://www.twoguysguesthouse.com The rates run from 600 to 700 baht per night. I don't think you can do any better than that.

In my case my home was burglarized. Since then I've taken a number of security steps. So far that hasn't happened again. However, when it comes to boys I have chosen to either bring home or to a hotel room when traveling (and that's getting to be quite a number now, thank God), I can honestly say I have never had anything stolen. I do take all the precautions I often post about. Whether those precautions are the reason or I simply have had only boys who are not thieves, I don't know, but to date I have not lost so much as one baht to any boy I have ever had with me.

No, I don't believe I'm raining on anything and I wish nothing but the best for Obama and the things he says he will do. I hope as much as anyone that he is able to accomplish everything. But the way I see it, inspirational speeches, promises, and rhetoric mean absolutely nothing. It's accomplishment that counts. I'm the type who prefers to wait until those accomplishments start actually happening before I'm ready to stand up and cheer and view a politician, any politician, as the savior of anything. I am not among the people who are delighted that now the USA has its first black president. That also means absolutely nothing to me. You know why? Because I don't give a damn about what color he is. I only give a damn about what he will actually accomplish, no matter what color he is. If I had to select just one USA politician, within my lifetime, for whom I so far have the greatest respect it would be none other than the late Senator William Proxmire. That doesn't mean I don't also have great respect for several others, but Proxmire is still number one on my list. As I said, nobody would be happier than I if eventually I can replace that choice with Obama, but only time will tell that. I reserve my judgment until a year from today. I hope on January 20, 2010 I will also feel thrilled with Obama as president. Today, my greatest thrill was watching 'Dubya' make his exit.

I guess the killjoy around here is me. Many people are acting as if Obama is tantamount to the Second Coming of Jesus, but I'm not buying it. Not yet. I also have the same hopes everyone has, but I don't believe a thing politicians say until they actually do what they say they're going to so. I realize that some are delighted to see Obama take office because they're so sick and tired of 'Dubya," and I count myself in that crowd, but I hope a year from now everyone is just as pleased, if not more pleased, with Obama than they are today. I hope he really does make differences, the right kind. But until he does, I'm still a "we'll see" person. One thing I do greatly respect and admire about Obama: According to news reports he writes his own speeches. He does collaborate with professional speech writers, but his speeches are primarily his own words and ideas. But inspirational speeches are not enough to satisfy me. I'm very happy to see Bush go. I'm half surprised he didn't have us in a war with both Iran and North Korea before he left office and I thank goodness he didn't. I also realize that Obama is stuck with the legacy of what Bush did to the country and to the world, but only time will tell just how good a president he turns out to be. I can tell you, though, nobody will be happier than me if he turns out to be the greatest president the USA has ever had. I hope that's what happens. It will be very interesting to see how Oliver Stone portrays Obama when he gets around to making a movie about him. I just hope that Michael Moore doesn't feel a need to make a movie about him in the middle of his presidency.

Normally they give you a claims ticket and have you come back the next day at about 10:00am. If the 800,000 baht is a problem, why not simply get the proof-of-income statement from the US Embassy? All you need is a valid passport. Then it doesn't matter what you have in the bank. You'll still need the letter from the bank, but that's routine. The bank letter is acceptable for one week. Based on what you have written, none of this appears to be any problem at all. I really don't think you're going to have any trouble. Just don't wait until the last minute. I suggest going in to get the visa renewal three days in advance of your trip out of Thailand. That way, if there is any kind of a paperwork problem, you'll still have time to deal with it. I also suggest bringing your airline ticket with you. I doubt you'll be asked to produce any evidence of when you're actually leaving, but you never know, so have it handy just in case you're asked. Remember . . . get the re-entry permit.

Sometimes I think that's precisely what's bringing on dementia. There are plenty of people out there who will tell you I became "demented" a long time ago. I'm told I definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic. The cheese fell off my cracker many moons ago! But yes, I do read the posts. Pattayamale says he sees a pattern between two posters. I hope he sends me a PM or Email and let's me know who he's talking about. I haven't spotted a pattern. But, as I said, if anyone out there is suspicious that someone is trying to cheat, please let us know and we'll certainly look into it.

Is that so? I can think of a few types of "physical confrontations" that can work out just fine . . .

You could also contact TOQ. He had been renting out a room at the Yensabai Condo for an excellent price. TOQ, if you see this message, do you still rent out that room?

Not maybe . . . it's definitely. And it does not shorten the validity period. The visa will be valid for the full year beyond it's current expiration date, even if you renew months in advance. I'm certain of that because that's the way it worked with two friends who had to renew early.

If someone really goes to that extreme to win, I suppose there really isn't much we can do about it other than check for IP address similarities. However, the number of eligible posters so far and the writing styles are good evidence that nothing like that is going on. Don't forget, I read every one of the posts, word for word, every day. I think with my experience on message boards, by now it would have become glaringly obvious to me if someone was trying to pull a stunt like that. Writing styles, the words that are misspelled (I usually go in and correct misspellings on these posts), use of grammar, use of punctuation . . . all of those are dead giveaways when the same person is using multiple handles. So far there is nothing that arouses my suspicions. However, if you, or anyone else reading this post, has suspicions, then I would appreciate you alerting me and the other moderators to it and we'll do what we can to check. In a way I kind of hope someone really is posting with multiple handles to try to win the contest. Wouldn't he feel like a damned fool when someone else's name is drawn out of the "hat"?

The article says, "Industry observers said those who buy the phones with no tied-in monthly fee, will sign up with different networks." But nothing is said about which networks will provide service or when such service might be launched. Whatever companies intend to provide service better get with it soon or True Move will have a virtual windfall monopoly.

I'm happy for you. I'm also sad for you.

It is definitely an excellent movie and it's a true story.

All that's there is the schedule, so it belongs in this forum. People do read this forum too, you know . . .

https - Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Socket Layer or HTTPS is a URI scheme used to indicate a secure HTTP connection. ... http - hypertext transfer protocol: a protocol (utilizing TCP) to transfer hypertext requests and information between servers and browsers

Yes, a graduate from the Dan Quayle School of Public Speaking

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Test of Marketing as iPhone 3G Mobile Phones Make their Debut Published on January 19, 2009 True Move's iPhone 3G mobile phones, which made their debut last Friday, got an overwhelming welcome from businessmen to hi-so people but it remains to be seen if True Move can meet the sales target. True Move executives showed mixed feelings of happiness and anxiety when not only those pre-registered for the phones went to pick up the devices at the launch event in Siam Paragon's Royal Paragon Hall, but also shoppers in the mall, who rushed to register and wait for the phones. This prompted True Move's chief executive Supachai Chearavanont to hurry to check if the availability of the iPhone 3G at the event is enough to serve the unexpectedly long queue, of enthusiastic teenagers to businessmen. Tech geeks, who registered for the phones since last December could pick up the devices from last Friday until today. One woman in the queue said she picked up the phone for her sister. "My sister told me that someone had reserved the phone for her and wanted to give it to her as a birthday gift," she added. True Move even set up a gift- wrapping booth in the hall, in anticipation that many people would buy the devices as a present. A "Learn" room was also set up for those who had the phones to learn about iPhone 3G phone applications from True Move staff. One high-society woman said she could not wait any longer in the long queue and would call her housemaid to come and stand in her place. A businessman named Krit Jiramongkol, who said he is an Apple fan, was the first person in the queue. He arrived at the venue at 3.30pm on Friday, well ahead of the launch time of 8pm. The reward for being the first in the queue was he was given the iPhone 3G accessories by Supachai himself, including the T-shirt, which had the words 'I Got the First iPhone 3G by True Move'. The first group of people in the queue were welcomed by continuous applause from 500 True Move staff when they were led to their seats in the phone receiving area. "We studied the iPhone 3G launch ceremonies in many countries and applied them to our own style," said one True Move executive. But he was silent on the number of people pre-registered for the phones. A telecom industry source said True Move had committed with Apple to sell around 100,000 iPhone 3G mobile phones per year for three years but True Move executives declined to confirm the report. True Move was in talks with Apple for more than three months to become the authorised cellular service provider for the iPhone 3G in Thailand. True Move will start retailing the devices at its shops on February 16 and will initially spend Bt50 million on the phone-marketing campaign. Supachai said the company spent Bt20 million on developing the applications for the phones. True Move has offered several iPhone 3G mobile-phone packages - some are tied in with a monthly fee. Industry observers said those who buy the phones with no tied-in monthly fee, will sign up with different networks. But Supachai believes they would sign up with True Move for better mobile applications and after-sale services.

I can answer that one. There is a landfill east of the city. That's where it ends up when it doesn't end up in the neighbor's yard . . . Some of it gets recycled. Not by recycling centers, though. Some people make their living or supplement their living by "garbage picking." The literally go through people's garbage cans and take out anything they can sell. Empty plastic water bottles are quite popular with them. I make it a little more convenient for the local garbage pickers around my house. I pack up the empty plastic bottles in a separate garbage bag for them. If you have a broken piece of furniture or an old appliance you're trying to get rid of, just put it outside. It will probably be gone within an hour.

There is some English spoken in most branches of any bank throughout Thailand, even in rural areas. You shouldn't have any problems communicating your banking needs at any branch, anywhere in Thailand, even the mini branches located in many shopping centers. It's not a problem. In Bangkok, you'll find the best English spoken in areas frequented by farang. Receipts are given at all ATMs and you will also get a receipt when a bank teller hands you cash. If an ATM is out of receipt paper, the machine will give you the option of canceling the transaction or contuing without a receipt. Whenever you make a withdrawal from a bank teller, they want your passport and bank passbook. The teller will give you a receipt and will also update your bank book. Also, most bank branches will have a machine at which you can update your passbook yourself and a great many also have machines at which you can deposit cash into your account (or anyone else's account if they have an account at that bank).

Here's the link buckeroo2 wanted to post: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Tourism-Mini...-V-t235697.html

Yes.

Actually, they do . . . upon request.

I'll bite. What is the "OP"?

I'm not surprised. It is definitely best to get the re-entry permit at an immigration office prior to going to the airport under any circumstances. Even if that sign is only going to be there temporarily, there have been instances when people have gone to the airport only to find that the counter is closed or whoever is supposed to be staffing it isn't there.

Policies do vary from branch to branch. That's why I always recommend going to another branch if you don't like what you are being told at one branch. Quite often you get precisely the opposite answer at another branch. Like so much else in Thailand, sometimes even banking seems to be "just make up your own rules." I'm glad several of you are able to open Thai bank accounts without too much trouble. Again, some banks make it very simple and some are a major hassle. I advise anyone who visits Thailand regularly to open at least one Thai bank account and make sure to get online banking. That's especially advisable if you are even considering retirement in Thailand. The banking rules seem to change quite often. If you don't already have a Thai bank account, I strongly urge you to open one next time you're in Thailand. Don't wait! Open the account while you can and while it's still easy at some banks. Those rules can change any time. It used to be that any farang could open a bank account at any Thai bank even if you were only here on the 30-day privilege. Back then, all you needed was your passport and 500 baht. Now it's not quite so easy, but most banks that will allow you to open an account will still also allow you to open an account with a minimum of a 500 baht initial deposit. They also charge 200 to 300 baht for the Visa Electron Card, which is actually an ATM card with the Visa (sometimes MasterCard) logo. You can use that card in major shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. You can even use it at ATMs in your home country or other countries you are visiting.