Gaybutton

Thank you, Jim. For those who enjoy Elvis impersonators, a very good one is also at the Captain's Corner restaurant, I believe on Wednesday nights. Maybe this is the same one who will be at La Cage, but I don't know.

The most popular SIM card is One-Two-Call, available at any phone shop. The time cards are available at any phone shop or convenience store throughout all of Thailand. Most people seem to prefer One-Two-Call because it works well just about everywhere and is the most readily available.

Most of these places have at least somebody who speaks enough English to understand what you want. If you can explain that you have a sore back, or whatever, you can ask that person to explain to the masseur that you want special attention given to the specific problem. I've done that and they do an excellent job. I didn't know about having something done at the hospital. That had never occurred to me. Personally, if it was simply a case of sore back after a long flight, I'd go to the blind masseurs first. I'd probably try the hospital if the problem was something more serious.

Of course, none of the Thai masseurs are doctors, but the ones that seem to be the most skilled are the blind masseurs. From where you are staying, the one that is probably easiest to get to, with an excellent reputation is TBMI (Thai Blind Massage Institute), located in the Jomtien Complex. If you are going to be in Bangkok, one of the most famous massages in the world is the massage done by the monks at Wat Po.

And to all a good night . . .

Sheeeeesh! I wonder who those people are. I also wonder how it is even remotely any of your business or anyone else's, other than GT and myself. However you asked for an honest answer and here it is: If I was being paid, I don't think I would have resigned. Now, if GT wants to start paying me, I wouldn't insult him by saying no, but he has not offered and I have not asked. However, you and your friends 'in the know' go right ahead and believe anything you want.

That is true and it never was the case. But if I had not come back you would have not done the Manhattan's dinner? Well then, if I ever resign again I guess I'll have to wait until after we eat . . .

Well, What can I say? That was certainly a short lived "retirement." Before people start posting that this whole thing was probably planned out between GT and GB just to draw attention or something, I assure you that was not the case. I resigned and I meant it. I really did not expect or intend to return. Meanwhile, much has been taking place behind the scenes. GayThailand and I have been in communication since I resigned. We have been working together to resolve the problems that caused me to want to resign. Those problems have now been settled to my satisfaction, to his satisfaction, and I think many participants on this message board will also be pleased with the outcome once certain aspects of it becomes apparent. GayThailand has asked me to return as moderator and I have agreed to do so. I thank all of you for these kind messages, well most of you anyway. For those who are disappointed that I have returned, that's life . . . I have many people to thank regarding my decision to return, but there is one person who I wish to thank publicly most of all. Rainwalker. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for Rainwalker's patience, understanding, support, and encouragement I never would have agreed to return. I owe him a debt of gratitude. I also owe GayThailand a debt of gratitude for considering my participation here important enough to resolve the problems, some of which were resolved in a way he probably did not wish to do, but did anyway. So, good or bad, I'm back.

I really appreciate all the kind comments. You are all making me feel like Johnny Carson on the day he retired. But I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here posting as always (whether you want me or not). I merely do not wish to be placed in the kind of position having official status places me in anymore. Other than retiring my official status, nothing is going to change.

Effective immediately, I am resigning as moderator for this message board. My reasons for this are many, but mainly I reached this decision because continuing as moderator is causing problems between me and too many of those who I consider to be my closest friends. I keep getting caught in the middle of disputes between others on these boards, disputes that have nothing to do with me and are beyond my control. Some of these disputes have become serious. I live here among my friends and I do not want to be forced to take sides. I have repeatedly asked that these disputes be kept off the message board, but that request continues to be ignored and quite frankly I'm tired of dealing with it and ending up caught in the middle of the very thing I keep trying to prevent. I fully intend to continue posting as always (although at the moment I'm unable. My Internet service has been out since Saturday and I'm still waiting for the technicians to show up to fix the problem. I'm posting this from a friend's apartment). Anyway, all I want to do is live my retirement life in peace and remain friends with everyone. It is no longer possible for me to do that in the capacity of moderator, and I have therefore decided to resign. I intend to continue to help GayThailand to the best of my ability, but not in the role of moderator.

Whatever the answer is, that ain't it. They want the boys to look alive? Great! When do they start looking alive? Most boys in most bars I've been do the "one-knee shuffle" and that's about it. If it takes music at that volume just to get the "one-knee shuffle," then I'd prefer no music at all and the boys can just stand there. That's pretty much what most of them do anyhow.

I heard the same thing, but I have no confirmation of that. Last night I and some friends ate dinner at Sammy's in Sunee Plaza. As far as I could tell, the only bar that was open was TopMan. I didn't go, but my friends did. I did not check any of the Pattayaland bars. Expect the bar scene to be the same next weekend as well. The nature of this alcohol ban has earned a place on my "I Don't Get It" list. At least regarding the gay bars, the clientele is virtually 100% "farang." "Farang" don't vote in Thai elections. A great many bar employees are too young to vote in the first place and for those who are old enough to vote, voting has ended for the day by the time the bars open. So, what's the problem? I don't get it. There is confusion from among the bar owners as to whether they are even allowed to open at all, provided they sell only non-alcoholic beverages. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Police Enforce Alcohol Ban During First Phase of Voting in General Election Pattaya Police were on the streets on Friday Night to enforce National Regulations relating to an Alcohol Ban during the first phase of voting for the General Election. Venues are not permitted to sell Alcoholic Beverages until Sunday Night at Midnight and any venue found to be flouting these regulations are subject to a possible 60 day closure notice. We joined the Police as they toured the City. Walking Street was very quiet with the majority of indoor bars deciding not to open. Many Beer Bars were open but were selling only soft drinks. Police did find some bars selling beer and spirits and the owners of the bars were arrested and taken to the Police Station for questioning and further action. Bar owners have been left confused as to whether they are allowed to open or not over the weekend, assuming they sell only soft drinks. There were reports of some Go-Go Bars being shut down by Police despite them selling only soft drinks, whereas other bars were allowed to remain open after Police checked them and found that no alcohol was beings served. The confusion is likely to continue over the weekend as holidaymakers and bar owners come to terms with the alcohol ban.

Last night (Friday) I received a call from a friend who was in Sunee Plaza. He said all the bars were closed. That means they probably will also be closed Saturday and Sunday night, at least this week. I have not yet heard whether the Pattayaland bars were open.

I have been very satisfied with MaxNet. Their office is on the top floor at Carrefour. Give them a try.

Villa Market and California Fitness are virtually next door to each other in the complex. To get there from Pattayaland, just take a baht bus north on Second Road. It will be on your right when you get to Soi 13. If you get as far as the Lek Hotel, then you just passed it. Don't worry, you can't miss it.

Thank you again for these posts. I think many have learned quite a bit from it, including me. If nothing else, we now know they give you a dressing down for not dressing up . . .

Hmmmm, wasn't he the Secretary of State for War in the UK during the early 60's . . . ?

Whatever it is, it must be something fairly new. I had the same kind of visa when I first applied for the retirement visa, but they dated the expiration date for the retirement visa 12 months after the date I first entered Thailand, and not a a year from the expiration date of the Type "O" visa. Ok, great! I'm glad you gents are getting lucky with this.

Literally any of the sois that take you to Sunee Plaza will do. Walking up Pattaya Tai and turning towards Sunee Plaza at the location of the old Hollywood Disco (especially right after the bars close. A large number of boys will be in that area, or headed for that area, eating at all those little mom-and-pop food stalls on Pattaya Tai), or turning at Soi Day-Night or Tuk.com. Also, continuing on Second Road, past the school toward the beach, just turn left any any soi you come to from the Pattaya Tai intersection to Soi V.C.

At my age, a prune juice or Pepto Bismol on the rocks would be perfectly adequate.

If you mean the Marina Inn Plaza, I've never seen any of the rooms and I don't know anyone who has actually stayed there, but I can tell you that at least their lobby is very nice. Also, Sammy's, Eric's new restaurant, is located on the ground floor and he's about to start offering breakfast on his menu. One plus is that if you want to be close to Sunee Plaza, you don't get any closer than that. Other choices in the same area include the Don Plaza Hotel, which is less than a year old and relatively high end and located right in the middle of Sunee Plaza. I believe their rate is about 2500 baht per night. There is also Howard's, located on Soi V.C, a very short walk from Sunee Plaza. I do know several people who have stayed at Howard's, some of whom are independently wealthy, and they prefer it to anywhere else in Pattaya. Howard's is what, about 600 or 700 baht per night? I forgot their price, but it's in that range. I don't have any idea what the rates are at the Marina Inn Plaza. I've never asked.

Thank you for your post. The way I see it, if they are giving you 15 months instead of 12, the last thing I would do would be to question it. While it is best to get the bank passbook update and letter from the bank on the same day you apply, that's not a requirement. They'll accept it as long as it's not more than a few days old. Your story about the dress code enforcement shows that it's hard to know what is a matter of policy or a matter of personal whim of the officer who happens to be on duty when you are there. I've seen plenty of people show up at the immigration office dressed in all kinds of bizarre outfits, but yours is the first time I've heard of anyone actually being refused service. Next time wear a tuxedo. I'm also wondering about the officer's suggestion about getting multiple proof-of-income statements from the embassy. That's a new one. Would the embassy even cooperate with something like that? Today, the US embassy is having an outreach session at the Amari Dusit. I'm not going, but if anyone who happens to read this message in time and is also planning to go, maybe you could ask them if they can do multiple proof-of-income statements and then let us know what they say.

Interesting choice of words . . . Villa Rouge is the new name of the former Kaos bar. Well, no matter what name they chose, all things considered I'd rather be there than Villa Torlonia, Mussolini's former residence.

This evening I finally made it to the newly reopened Happy Bar. Other than an entirely new wall decoration scheme (modern abstract art) you wouldn't know it had ever closed. It is exactly the same as before, including the upstairs and the "activities" that go with it. As a matter of fact, much of that same "activity" was also occurring downstairs. With the exception of one boy, all of the boys working there are new to Happy Bar and most are new to the Pattaya bars. At least, I didn't recognize any of them from elsewhere. I will say that shyness is not among their attributes. I think I'll just leave it to your own imagination to figure out what I mean by that. Drinks are still 99 baht. I didn't think to ask about the "off" fee, but I'll bet it is 250 baht. If you have no other reason to visit Happy Bar, I'll give you one. No mama-sans! Not one. Thank goodness. Happy Bar had no mama-sans before and they don't have any now. I hope they keep it that way. I'm not really sure why bars feel a need for mama-sans in the first place. There are excellent ones out there, but in my opinion they're rare. In my opinion, most of the mama-sans do more to drive away the customers than any other factor I can think of. I have yet to meet anyone who appreciates an aggressive mama-san, especially the ones who plop themselves down, uninvited, next to customers, try to get the customer to buy them a drink, and try to high pressure customers into calling a boy over, buying a drink for him, and taking him "off." Personally, I think most of the bars would be far better off if they get rid of the mama-sans, along with aggressive street touts too. In all these years, I still have never understood just what purpose the mama-sans serve. What, exactly, is their function? What are they supposed to do? What do they do that is so vital that the majority of bars have mama-sans, sometimes several of them? If their purpose is to cause customers not to want to return to the bar, then most are doing a great job of it. There are several bars I refuse to patronize, and in most cases it's because of the aggressive mama-sans, not the music volume or the drink and "off" prices. Fie on them, I say! The new owner is Michael, a gentleman from Germany. From what I was told, the previous owner, the one who closed the bar and left Thailand without paying his bills or the boys, returned to Pattaya, paid off his debts and also gave the boys their back pay. I have no idea how Michael became involved, but there he is. The only negative, in my opinion, is the music volume. Previously, the music volume was at a comfortable level. Now the volume is up. Not exceedingly so, but it is up to a level that causes you to have to speak loudly to be heard. That's my only suggestion to the bar. Turn down the damned volume. As a matter of fact, how about every bar in own following the same suggestion? The uncomfortably loud volume, and in some bars the dangerously loud volume, is something the customers don't want, and no matter what we say on the boards, as far as I can tell not one bar has ever taken the hint and reduced the volume. WHY? That's just one more item on my ever growing "I Don't Get It" list.

No need for an apology on this post. I hope anyone who reads your post and has that blood type will help out. If blood donations can be made somewhere in Pattaya, then if anyone with this blood type wishes to donate, but lacks transportation, if I am available I will be happy to personally drive donors to that location, wait for you to do the donation, and take you back again. Contact me by PM or email if you are of that blood type, wish to make a donation, and need transportation.