Gaybutton

I'm happy to stand corrected. If it's an official governmental organization, then that will make it even more difficult for these "gentlemen" to buy their way out of it. Good!

I'm sorry you were not able to be there, but you were there in spirit. So was George. George was so exhausted from all the work he has been doing, along with the preparations for the Meet & Greet that he simply was unable to attend. We were all saddened by that, but those who came had a marvelous time. I didn't so a head count, but it appeared to be about 25 to 30 people in attendance. It was nice to be able to put a face to some of the names. The prizes for the smile and sexy boy contest were duly awarded. TOQ was present and he was generous enough to donate his winning bottle of Chivas Regal prize to the boys who work at the Memories bar. Since George was not able to be there, his prize awaits him at the Memories bar whenever he wishes to retrieve it. The food was excellent and there was plenty for everybody. George was wise enough to make some amendments to the procedure, especially in light of the "gentleman" who last year was crass enough to help himself to Glenlivet scotch all night at Rainwalker's expense. A list of the drinks available free of charge was provided. Those who wanted anything not on the list had to pay for it themselves. Good idea. Also, a "last call" for free drinks was given just before 9:00pm, at which time the freebie drinks portion of the Meet & Greet came to an end. Access to the Meet & Greet was limited to those who had sent a PM to George as an RSVP. It was not open to just anyone who happened to wander by. We were all disappointed that George, who was going to provide entertainment, was unable to do so, but there was consolation. A young Thai magician provided the entertainment and he was a lot of fun. I don't know how he did any of those tricks. For some reason he kept picking me to be his foil, but I had a good time doing it. Aside from the lack of George's presence, the Meet & Greet was a true success and I think all who attended greatly enjoyed the evening.

It seems like a good deal to me, but you need to provide some details about contact information for those who wish to have a look and make reservations.

I think this thread can be safely unpinned now.

Van Johnson, Film, Television and Stage Star, Dies at 92 (CNN) -- Van Johnson, whose boyish looks and earnest manner made him a Hollywood heartthrob in the 1940s and '50s, died Friday in an assisted-care facility, a friend told CNN. Johnson, 92, died around 11 a.m. of natural causes at the Tappan Zee Manor in Nyack, New York, where he had lived for seven years, said Wendy Bleiweiss. Johnson's career stretched over six decades and across genres, from comedies and war films, such as "The Caine Mutiny" and "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," to Broadway musicals and television shows, including a guest spot as the Minstrel on the campy 1960s series, "Batman," according to Turner Classic Movies' Web site. The red-haired, freckle-faced actor's youthful charm earned him a huge teen following in his heyday. He became known as the "voiceless Sinatra," despite a singing voice that landed him roles alongside June Allyson and Judy Garland in "Two Girls and a Sailor" and "In the Good Old Summertime," according to TCM.com. Johnson was born August 25, 1916, to a plumber and housewife in Newport, Rhode Island. He was 16 years old when he left Rhode Island for New York City so he could forge a career in acting, Bleiweiss said. A few years later, he got his break from Lucille Ball, she said. "She saw this redhead kid and said, 'Let's give him a break. He seems like he can do some acting,' " Bleiweiss said. Johnson made his Broadway debut in 1936 in "New Faces of 1936" before legendary director-playwright George Abbott hired him as a chorus member and understudy to the three male leads in Rodgers and Hart's "Too Many Girls" in 1939. The next year, Abbott cast him as a chorus boy and Gene Kelly's understudy in Rodgers and Hart's groundbreaking musical "Pal Joey," according to TCM.com. His film debut followed in 1940 with a role in the chorus of "Too Many Girls." While en route to a screening in 1942, he was in a car wreck that left him with a metal plate in his head and kept him out of the military. But that didn't stop him from acting in war films. Two years later, he received top billing in "Two Girls and a Sailor." Other big roles included "A Guy Named Joe," "Brigadoon" and "The Caine Mutiny." In 1947, Johnson married former actor Eve Lynn Johnson, who had previously been married to a close friend of Johnson's, Keenan Wynn. The two did not have children and divorced in 1968, according to TCM.com Johnson had a daughter, Schuyler Van Johnson, by another woman, according to TCM.com. As Johnson entered middle age, his features grew heavy but he still managed to find offbeat roles in films including "The Bottom of the Bottle," an unabashed melodrama in which he played an alcoholic, and "23 Paces to Baker Street" as a blind detective. As film roles became scarce, Johnson filled the gaps with stage work. He appeared in "The Music Man" in London, England, in 1961 and returned to Broadway in 1962 for "Come on Strong." In Woody Allen's 1985 comedy, "The Purple Rose of Cairo," Johnson played one of the actors trapped inside the film screen in a parody of sorts of films from the 1930s. In 1987, Johnson was praised for his work in the Broadway production of "La Cage aux Folles." He last appeared on stage four years ago in "Love Letters" in a community theater in nearby Suffern, New York, but decided afterward that he would do no more, Bleiweiss said. "He said he had seen it and done it all and now he was just going to sit back and take it easy. Those were his words," she said. Johnson retained much of his youthful energy as he grew older, and became a frequent interview subject on the old days of Hollywood and his lengthy career, TCM.com said. Bleiweiss said she met Johnson when he moved into the home, where she was a case manager at the time. "He still was tall and striking," she said. "He was one of the all-time old actors." His ability to communicate was hampered by the loss of his hearing. Instead, he passed the time by painting, needlepoint and crocheting, she said. Though he didn't cook, he loved watching cooking shows and reruns of "The Golden Girls," she said. Bleiweiss said Johnson was estranged from his daughter and stepchildren for most of his life, but children brightened his day. "When he saw them, he'd smile and wave to them," she said. "It always brought a smile to his face." A private service will be held.

Especially in this day and age. Unless they've been living in some sort of shell, they have to be as aware as the rest of us that if the authorities want to track down Internet criminals, they can. That point should have been driven home when they were even able to track down "The Swirl." It's hard to believe that anybody would still think he can outsmart or outmaneuver the authorities if they're trying to find you. Maybe they have some sort of psychological wish to get caught. I believe there are probably a great many people who find themselves attracted to young under-age boys. The difference is most people know how to exercise self control. These people not only fail to exercise self control, but they actually spend their time and money going to places where they think they can get away with it and intentionally do these things. It's such a stupid thing to do, but they do it anyway. People like this hurt us all. They reinforce the stereotype that gays are also pedophiles and they reinforce the negative reputation of Pattaya. To me, the appropriate punishment for people like that would be to put them in a prison that has a full view of a school playing field. That would be exquisite torture for them. They would be so near, yet so far.

Is the cost of the bicycle factored into that price? If not, can the bicycle be rented or do you hve to buy one?

The articles do not say whether the latest protest threats would involve a renewed takeover of the airports, but if the voting doesn't go their way on Monday, then those of you traveling to and from Thailand need to be prepared for that possibility. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD Warns of More Protests SURASAK GLAHAN The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced yesterday it will renew its protests if Puea Thai, formed to accommodate MPs of the disbanded People Power party (PPP), returns to lead the next coalition. The Puea Thai party, struggling to take the lead in forming a new government against the Democrat party, hopes tonight's phone-in speech by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will reverse the political tide. Parliament will convene on Monday to vote on a new prime minister. The PAD, which staged a six-month protest against the PPP-led coalition, called off its demonstration after the Constitutional Court dissolved the PPP and its coalition partners - the Chart Thai and Matchima Prachathipataya parties - for electoral fraud on Dec 2. A group of former PPP MPs under the Newin Chidchob faction and most former PPP coalition partners have pledged to back the Democrat party in forming a new government. Having campaigned against Thaksin and the PPP, the PAD leaders said they would not accept a government with the Puea Thai party in it, no matter who was prime minister. "If our call is rejected or ignored, we will carry out moves appropriate to the situation," the PAD said. Although the PAD did not back the Democrat-led alliance, the group did not oppose the idea. It said it would monitor the switch of administrative power to see "whether there will be actions taken against the Thaksin regime". Core PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang declined to say if the group would again close airports if the Puea Thai party is in the next government. The PAD said it should be given the credit for bringing political change. Maj-Gen Chamlong denied, however, that his group always intended to help the Democrats come to power. The PAD does not support any particular party but what happened recently could be considered a result of its campaign, he said. If the Democrats succeed in forming the government, the PAD would not seek any favours from it. The group's demands include scrapping huge investment projects initiated by the Samak Sundaravej government. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ We'll Block Any New Thaksin Puppet : PAD By The Nation Published on December 13, 2008 Chamlong Says Movement Has No Plan for New Party The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday issued a statement threatening to revive street protests if the Pheu Thai Party pushed through a coalition alliance, in any shape or form, or managed to install a puppet prime minister. "The PAD absolutely opposes the installation of a Pheu Thai puppet prime minister or any prime minister allowing Pheu Thai to be part of the coalition government," it said in the statement. It lashed out at alleged attempts to offer monetary incentives for MPs to vote in favour of the Pheu Thai-led coalition. It also vowed to keep monitoring the situation with the aim of derailing any effort to pave the way for the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to politics. PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the incoming government should urgently tackle 13 issues. The issues include the prosecution of anti-coup activists, including former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair on a charge of lese majeste and reaffirmation that the charter rewrite will not veer off to whitewash Thaksin's wrongdoing. The government should expedite wrapping up the backlog of graft cases, including the alleged land scam in Buri Ram involving the family of faction-leader Newin Chidchob, in spite of his about-face to support the Democrat-led coalition, Suriyasai said. He also called for an immediate cancellation of the diplomatic passport issued to Thaksin and a speedy prosecution of culprits involved in the October 7 violent crackdown. PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang dismissed the speculation about forming a political party based on the sentiment generated by PAD-led street protests, arguing that the PAD could as it was pushing for changes that major parties were unable to accomplish. Chamlong said the PAD would try to keep alive its popular movement by holding a meeting about once a month so as to allow its supporters to keep in touch with one another. He said litigation relating to PAD-led street protests would proceed under prescribed procedures, dismissing concerns that the PAD would pressure the Democrat-led government to interfere with the legal proceedings. PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk said he suspected police might try to frame the PAD. It was, for instance, suspicious, that police had uncovered explosives at Government House several days after the PAD vacated and handed over the compound. PAD co-leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon said he anticipated no message of significance from today's phone-in by Thaksin. There is no point in hyping up Thaksin's remarks, he said.

At this point, all that has been said is whatever appears in the articles. The articles do specify that the ages of the boys are under 15 years old, but nothing more specific has come out yet.

Contest results will be announced at the Meet & Greet tonight and the prize will be given. Congratulations TOQ. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

Contest results will be announced and the prize given at the Meet & Greet tonight. Congratulations George. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

It certainly looks like you're having a great time! So far, my favorite part of the story was when you were expecting the cute bellhop and ended up with the 80 year old woman. Well, at least no one could accuse you of being a pedophile! I like that photo of the boy from the Tak Bike Club. Bring him back to Pattaya, willya? Is everyone who began the trip still doing it, or have there been dropouts? Also, how much would you say this whole trip costs?

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: (see http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008010 for photos) Somehow, I don't see them buying their way out of this one . . . . . _____ POLICE NAB FOUR FOREIGNERS IN PATTAYA PAEDOPHILE CRACKDOWN Police have arrested four foreigners, including two British nationals, one German and a US citizen in a crackdown on sexual abuse of minors in Pattaya, police said Thursday. Yesterday, [1 November] police Major-General Chaiwat said the Pattaya clean-up, conducted from November 17 to Thursday, had been assisted by tip-offs from the UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOPC). "There are foreign nationals and networks facilitating sexual abuse of minors in Thailand so we needed to crack down on the crime," said police Major-General Chaiwat Kaetworachai, commander of Thailand's Prevention of Crimes Against Women and Children police division. Netted in the crackdown were two British nationals, Malcolm Henry Payne, 59, and Robert Alexander Horsman, 45, were arrested at different locations between 6am and 7am. A 67-year-old German man, Fritz Dieter Battener, and 62-year-old American Robert Roy Lond were also arrested in Pattaya following a joint operation between the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the Royal Thai Police. All four men were arrested and charged with sexually abusing children under the age of 15. The arrests were made as part of operation Naga, which began earlier this year after CEOP identified an online network of suspected child abusers. Police also laid out a large amount of sexual paraphernalia which they said had been recovered during the raids. Officers said they had recovered hundreds of photos and videos of abused young boys. Also arrested was Thai national Saeng Kaetdee (30) (นายเอกนรินทร์ ชัยเจริญโชคดี หรือนายแสง เกตุดี ) on procurement charges. All five were brought to Bangkok Thursday to face charges and court cases. They have been freed on bail to await a court case. If they are found guilty they could face at least 20 years in jail.

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Pattaya International Mardi Gras Festival Announcement On Friday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Wirawat, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya chaired a preparation meeting to discuss plans for the Pattaya International Mardi Gras which is set to take place on 23rd January 2009. This will be the first ever Mardi Gras Festival here in Pattaya and will be based on Mardi Gras celebrations around the world. The highlight of the festival will be an Electric Parade which will take place in the evening. It will start at Pattaya City Hall and finish on Pattaya Beach close to the Central Pattaya Road intersection. Local Schools and Private Companies will be taking part in the parade which will be colorful and full of energy according to the organizers who are Pattaya City Hall and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Sponsors for the event include the Central Pattana Group and various Pattaya Tourism and Hotel clubs. ____________________ You know what I like best about the plan? January 23, 2009 is a Friday.

It's not just the US dollar. Today, with the exception of the Euro, all the major western currencies slid against the baht. I have given up trying to understand why. It would seem to me that in light of all the turmoil in Thailand and the residual effects, the baht would have fallen against other major currencies. Is there anyone out there who knows enough about economics who can explain it to those of us who don't understand? I was expecting the baht to be in the 36's against the US dollar by now. Instead, it's back in the 34's. What's keeping the baht so strong?

They may be able to buy their way out of it as far as their troubles with the Thai authorities are concerned, but that doesn't mean they're going to come out of this unscathed. If nothing else, it's going to cost them a fortune. I'm also not so quick to assume they can buy their way out of it at all. It used to be easy to do if you had the money, but now it's not so simple, especially if there has been publicity, and often enough you can't buy your way out of this kind of trouble no matter how much money you can come up with. You also have to factor in that a UK-based NGO is involved. That alone could spell trouble for these guys. The problem is there is rarely any follow-up to these news items, so it might be very difficult to discover what ends up happening to them. But one thing is certain, whether they can buy their way out of trouble or not. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes. The part that makes it to my "I Don't Get It" list is the fact that pedophiles still take the risk in Thailand. I find it very difficult to make sense out of it considering that so many have been caught and that it is so simple to find legal-age boys who look so much younger than they actually are. Whatever it is that makes them do these things, I just don't understand it. Once again, though, whether the charges against these men are true or not, their arrest had nothing to do with the bars. It is rare for arrests to occur when people take a boy off from a bar. In the vast majority of cases, it's people who are doing things with under-age boys elsewhere.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Waiting on Thaksin By Post Reporters The possible line-up for a Democrat-led government is emerging, but the Puea Thai party still hopes to break up this new alliance with a phone-in speech on Saturday by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The political gamesmanship is certain to intensify now that House Speaker Chai Chidchob has called a special session on Monday to elect a new prime minister. His Majesty the King has approved the sitting. The Democrat-led alliance, comprising four small parties and a powerful faction led by Newin Chidchob, has agreed in principle on the allocation of cabinet seats. The Democrats have agreed to give 5 or 6 seats, including the major portfolios of transport, deputy transport and deputy interior minister to the Friends of Newin faction. The faction's candidates for cabinet posts are Boonchong Wongtrairat, Supachai Phosu, Suchart Chokechaiwattana, Prachak Kaewkla and Sophon Sarum. The Democrats have agreed with Banharn Silpa-archa, the former leader of the dissolved Chart Thai party, that his new Chart Thai Pattana party will retain five cabinet seats. Puea Pandin, which is said to be bargaining hard, expects five portfolios. It also hopes to enlist five more MPs, from the dissolved People Power party, and will then negotiate for extra seats. Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana wants two seats - energy and deputy finance minister - while the dissolved Matchimathipataya party, which is looking to re-register as a new party, has proposed switching the natural resources and environment portfolio for the commerce minister's seat. A source in the Puea Thai party, formed to take in MPs from the dissolved PPP, said the party expects to take in at least 10 more MPs after Thaksin's phone-in. The party has been pushing, through Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong, for Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok to be prime minister. Natthawut Saikua, of Puea Thai, said MPs should listen hard to what Thaksin has to say. "They should also realise who had them elected as MPs in the first place," he said. Pongpan Sunthornchai said the Puea Thai party and people from Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana will hold a press conference on Friday. He claimed Pol Gen Pracha and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro have agreed to form a government with Puea Thai, after being approached by Thaksin. Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban admitted he is concerned about Thaksin's planned phone-in to the red-shirt rally. Thaksin still had a lot of political muscle to flex. However, he remained confident the alliance would hold together. The Democrats have asked their allies to be careful in picking candidates for cabinet posts, he said. They should all be well-respected and qualified. "The goal of the formation of the government is to serve the public's needs," he said. Details of the allocation of cabinet seats would be finalised after the selection of the prime minister. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was nothing more than the national interest in the deal between the Democrats and Mr Newin. Mr Newin had warned him there would be criticism about their public meeting on Tuesday, he said. "But after he decided to work with us, and was under great pressure, I thought I should meet him and deal with it straightforwardly," he said. Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong stuck to his plan to form a government of national unity, saying Pol Gen Pracha would persuade the Democrat party to change its mind and join the ranks. "If they want me to form a government, they should leave me to do the job. There must not be a phone-in or a red-shirt rally," he said. Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda admitted he had talked with core members of political parties over the formation of a new government. He reminded them to make decisions that would take the country forward and restore peace and order."We have security problems and society is counting on us to restore normality. Some issues have nothing to do with the military, but society is pinning its hopes on us," he said.

Friday, December 12 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 34.85 Euro: 46.095 British Pound: 52.185 Australian Dollar: 23.175 Canadian Dollar: 28.0825 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 34.78 Euro: 46.31 British Pound: 51.935 Australian Dollar: 22.7125 Canadian Dollar: 27.7975

If you have not yet voted in either of these contests, now's the time. The winners will receive their prizes Saturday night, December 13.

I'm not sure I would equate plain-clothes police officers with the usual type of raid. I have a feeling that it's more likely to be that one or more of the pedophile suspects they have been pursuing is still at large and they're trying to hunt him down. That's what it seems like to me, anyway.

Well, that's it then. If you want these Emails, just don't sign up for them. If you don't want these Emails, do sign up or them. Sounds like the embassy has been in Thailand too long . . .

I suppose that's possible, but if they are able to do that, it's going to cost them a fortune, not to mention the reception committee that will be waiting for them when they arrive back in their home country. You can't always buy your way out of these things. "Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, "Little Big Man"

What fees are charged for that service?

Thursday, December 11 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 35.16 Euro: 45.685 British Pound: 51.995 Australian Dollar: 22.975 Canadian Dollar: 27.8425 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 34.83 Euro: 45.80 British Pound: 52.11 Australian Dollar: 22.97 Canadian Dollar: 27.775

That would be correct if the airlines are still flying the same number of flights per day or per week as they were last year. I don't know if the airlines have cut back the number of flights they are running, but if they have, a full flight still may not mean as many people are making the trip as this time last year. Judging from the numbers of farang I'm seeing in town, in bars, and on the beaches, the tourism industry is in for a huge loss.