Gaybutton

This little get-together has even managed to make CNN news (via Reuters): http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/...reut/index.html _____ Bangkok Banquet Raises Eyebrows POSTED: 0451 GMT (1251 HKT), February 8, 2007 BANGKOK, Thailand (Reuters) -- A $29,000-a-head gourmet dinner in Bangkok is making some Thais feel a bit sick. Fifteen international high-rollers from the world of real estate, casinos and shipping have already booked seats for Saturday's black-tie dinner, which comes with a price tag of 1 million baht ($29,240) -- plus 17 percent service and tax. "It's an absolute waste of money," said 48-year-old Sommai Promjan, who makes a living selling ice-cream from a street cart near the neoclassical State Tower that will host the event. "You could buy a house with that." Organizers of "Epicurean Masters of the World II", designed to promote Thailand as a destination for the mega-rich with profits going to charity, are not naming their guests. Six three-star Michelin chefs from France, Germany and Italy, and some of the world's finest wines, were flown in specially for the 11-course extravaganza at the rooftop Mezzaluna restaurant. However, locals think the gourmets are being taken for a ride, saying everybody knows the best food in Thailand costs just 30 baht and is cooked in a wok welded to a street cart and served at a fold-up metal table on the pavement. "It's all the same. Chicken is still chicken, pork is still pork. They may have lobster, but we have prawns," said Pornpilai Chareonsimaporn, who runs an eatery in State Tower's shadow. "The only thing they're paying for is some fancy table decorations," the 42-year-old said, ladling out helpings of spicy green curry onto a plate of steamed rice. Mezzaluna manager Deepak Ohri defended the all-European menu and said it was impossible to start making price comparisons. "We are not selling a meal -- we are selling the whole experience. You cannot put a value on the experience," he said. However, many locals are unhappy, especially because of the dinner's apparent clash with the philosophy of moderation espoused by revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej which the leaders of last year's coup against billionaire Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra promote heavily. To counter such criticism, Ohri said all profits from the dinner would be going to Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Chaipattana Foundation -- a rural development charity set up by the king to promote his "sufficiency economy" way of life. That 1 million baht, 11-course menu in full: Creme brulee of foie gras with Tonga beans 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal

I'd love to be one of the waiters. Can you imagine how much the tips must be? Well, according to an article in today's BANGKOK POST, the dinner is already fully booked. You missed your chance, guys. I wonder, if someone can't finish it all, if it's appropriate to take the rest home in a bag. Here's the article: _____ Million-Baht Dinner is Booked Out (BangkokPost.com, AFP) Foodies are flying in to Bangkok from far-flung corners of the world this weekend to experience a scintillating 11-course gala dinner - with a one-million-baht ($29,000) price tag. And there won't be a hint of Thai food on the fine china. Only the most well-heeled food and wine connoisseurs are expected to take a seat at the exclusive table in the Thai capital, where the feast will be prepared by six Michelin three-star chefs from Europe. "We limit at 40 seats, and right now it's fully booked," said Kanokrat Petchpornprapas, a spokeswoman for Mezzaluna, the 65th floor restaurant holding the event at the luxurious The Dome at State Tower Hotel on the Chao Phraya River. Diners are coming from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East to feast on dishes concocted from some of the priciest ingredients in the world, she said. Alongside the foie gras, Kobe beef, Beluga caviar, black truffles and guinea fowl, the restaurant will serve a different wine with each course, including a 1955 Chateau Latour and a 1967 Chateau dYquem. Notably absent from Saturday night's menu is Thai cuisine, renowned for its fiery flavours. Organisers say that is because they are hoping to inspire Thai chefs with the best food from other parts of the world. Among the chefs whipping up the cuisine are Heinz Winkler from Germany, Antoine Westermann from France and Annie Feolde from Italy. Much of the proceeds from the extravagant meal - which costs more than twice what the average Thai office worker earns in a year - will go to aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and Thai development charity the Chaipattana Foundation, founded by His Majesty the King

The following article doesn't tell us which provinces are expected to be drought-plagued this year: _____ Severe Drought Forecast for 18 Thai Provinces CHIANGMAI, Feb 8 (TNA) Thailand's Department of Water Resources has forecast that 18 provinces across the nation will face drought, or at least a severe shortage of water, particularly in areas outside the irrigation service, according to Director General Siripong Hungspreug. Mr. Siripong said that after the department evaluated the water situation all over the country, it estimated that during the coming dry season, the areas outside the irrigation service in 18 provinces would experience the water shortage and drought. The affected provinces would scatter all over the country including the provinces in the southern region which had never face water shortage before, he said. However, he expected that the degree of harshness would be similar to last year crisis, the Director General said. After the floods over vast areas last year, many weakened dams and reservoirs were repaired in time to restore greater volumes of water for use during the dry season. To prepare for the crisis, the department is coordinated the agencies concerned to distribute water to areas experiencing water shortfalls and launched a campaign to promote the more efficient use of water resources, he said. (TNA)-E003

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Democrats: Why Did Thaksin Hire Firm? Democrat Party executive Korbsak Sabhavasu yesterday called on the United States to clarify its position on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who has recently hired a powerful lobbying firm, in which former Secretary of State James Baker III is a senior partner, to monitor Washington's policy towards the military-backed government. The lobbying registration on the US Senate website confirmed that Thaksin had hired Baker Botts LLP, with an effective date of December 11, 2006. Baker was the US Secretary of State during the Bush Snr administration. American Ambassador to Bangkok, Ralph Boyce, downplayed the hiring of the firm, saying lobbying firms and the US government are two separate entities. "Anybody has a right to hire a lobbyist. It is a transparent system in the US. It has to be registered. So far, this has nothing to do with the US government," Boyce said. Other officials said Thaksin's hiring lobbying firms in the US might be a big news story in Thailand, but in Washington DC, such a move is a "non-issue". According to the registration, Baker Botts was hired to help "develop and implement a strategic approach to the various international legal and political issues that confront Dr Thaksin as a result of the coup of September 19". "The firm will monitor the evolution of US policies towards the interim government in Thailand or the Administration's position regarding attempts by Dr Thaksin to return to Thailand and may subsequently undertake contacts as necessary to ensure that such policies remain consistent with those currently in place." Speaking to the media, Korbsak questioned Thaksin's true intention with the hiring of the Baker Botts lobbying firm. In the registration form under "general description of client's business or activities" Thaksin was described as "the freely elected Prime Minister of Thailand". Thaksin's lawyer in Bangkok, Noppodol Patama, was quick to remind Korbsak that he had left out the word "deposed" in reference to Thaksin. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinond, meanwhile, said the government was not in a position to call on Baker Botts to deny their service to Thaksin. "It is the right of an individual to hire a lobbyist," Kitti said, adding, "I believe that the US will continue its good relations and co-operation with Thailand." Thaksin has jolted the political leaders in Bangkok with his relentless attacks against the military-backed government and the junta that ousted him. Besides Baker Botts, Thaksin has also hired Barbour Griffith and Rogers LLP. According to the US Senate lobbying registration, the firm was hired to "Provide guidance and counsel with regard to Mr Thaksin's interest in Washington, DC, and abroad." He has also enlisted Edelman, a public relations firm, to handle his international publicity, resulting in numerous interviews with the international media, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Time Asahi Shimbun, the Kyodo News Agency and a string of others. Thaksin earlier this week said he would give interviews to the Thai media but reversed his decision yesterday, his lawyer Noppodol said. Thai publications had been considering whether to dispatch senior reporters and editors, especially those critical of Thaksin, to interview him. Noppodol did not explain why Thaksin has reversed his decision. In an interview with Al Jazeera television network broadcast on Tuesday, Thaksin called on the junta to end their rule. "They have to return power to the people. They cannot hold power forever," Thaksin said. The former premier said the coup had divided the Thai people and he vowed to help reconcile their differences. Thaksin, who led Thailand for six years, was accused of being grossly corrupt and divisive.

I use Firefox most of the time. Whatever the problem is, it's not Firefox. I just tried the bankofamerica site and got through immediately. If it helps anything, I use TT&T's "Maxnet" as my Internet Service Provider, which can be arranged in their shop on the second floor of Carrefour. It costs 1000 baht per month for their 1024/512 speed service. I never seem to get as much speed as that, but I do average over 800 most of the time.

I certainly wouldn't. The advertised price is $29,000. I say it's not worth a dime over $28,000.

Well, one thing is clear: If you really do need root canal treatment, then the hospital sure has plenty of experience . . .

http://www.xbiz.com/news_piece.php?id=19494 _____ Bahraini Lawmakers to Punish Porn Downloads With Jail Time By Michael Hayes Tuesday, February 6, 2007 MANAMA, Bahrain

BANGKOK, Feb 6 (TNA) Thailand's government in its weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday agreed to reopen the former Don Muang airport for both domestic and international flights, making it an additional international airport to supplement the problem-plagued new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet resolution to let Bangkok have two international airports is to cater for growing number of passengers. During this time Don Muang airport must be readied as another international airport, the prime minister said, without giving further detail. The former facility was decommissioned as Bangkok's primary airport in September when Suvarnabhumi was opened with a capacity of 45 million passengers a year. But cracks in the new airport's runways and taxiways prompted the Transport Ministry to recommend to reopen Don Muang airport temporarily for non-connecting domestic flights to ease the burden on the new airport. Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said the detailed plan to transfer some flights as well as moving facilities back to the old airport will be concluded within two weeks before presenting it for the cabinet's consideration. Forty-five days after the cabinet's consideration, Don Muang airport is expected to resume operation, the minister said. (TNA)-E009 __________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Don Muang Returns as Int'l Airport AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK ANUCHA CHAROENPO The government has decided that Don Muang will be re-opened for international flights, operating in conjunction with Suvarnabhumi, to ease air traffic congestion at the new airport where some facilities will be closed for repairs. It tentatively set the reopening to be in effect within 45 days, with details to be worked out by the Transport Ministry. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont after the cabinet meeting yesterday, goes beyond the position of the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT). The two agencies had wanted Don Muang to service only domestic flights which had no direct connections to overseas routes. Gen Surayud said the closure of some facilities at Suvarnabhumi could cause it to become overcrowded as the number of passengers passing through has been mounting. Suvarnabhumi was built to handle 45 million passengers a year. The ministry's projection for its first year was 40 million. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said Gen Surayud was the person who suggested that the cabinet consider reinstating Don Muang as an international airport. Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen expected it would take about two weeks for the authorities to decide which airlines should move back to Don Muang, which currently serves only charter flights. Don Muang serviced almost 39 million passengers a year before the capital's airport was moved to Suvarnabhumi on Sept 28 last year. Built to be a regional aviation hub to rival airports in Singapore, Malaysia and even Hong Kong, Suvarnabhumi is now plagued by a host of problems, including cracks on its runways and taxiways and lax security. A source in the ministry believed Thai Airways International (THAI), the national carrier, would be required to remain at Suvarnabhumi. Other airlines would make decisions based on their business interests. AoT acting president Kulya Pakakrong said the airport agency, which is under the ministry, will benefit from the relocation, as it could delay the costly construction of a new terminal for low-cost carriers at Suvarnabhumi. Don Muang airport director Pinit Saraithong said he was awaiting a clearer direction on the airlines and the number of passengers to be diverted back to Don Muang so he can judge the right number of staff and amount of equipment whichwill be needed for the reopening. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said the airline will review its operational plans and accommodate the cabinet's decision. Executives of low-cost airlines yesterday welcomed the cabinet's decision. Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines, which runs the One-Two-Go budget carrier, said his airline was willing to return to Don Muang. He expected several other airlines would also want to move back to the old airport, but warned that it could lead to confusion among passengers. Two other budget carrier CEOs, Tassapon Bejleveld of Thai AirAsia and Patee Sarasin of Nok Air, also said that they were ready to move back to Don Muang. Mr Tassapon added that his airline earlier asked the government to relocate low-cost carriers back to Don Muang. Nevertheless, Sopin Deangteth, president of the Airlines Committee, said she did not want Bangkok to have two international airports as it would confuse passengers and cause inconvenience if those at one airport had connecting flights at the other. The transportation facilities linking Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi were not yet ready to serve passengers who need to travel between them, she said.

About a year and a half ago I posted a news item that said Thailand was going to build a highway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. The present road between the two cities is a beautiful drive, but quite difficult for the driver because of the long stretches of snaking, narrow mountain roads. It takes a good six to seven hours to make the drive. According to the following article, the proposed highway has been scrapped due to the cost and now a cable car system between the two cities is proposed. I know very little about cable cars. Does a cable car system 120 kilometers long, approximately the same as the distance between Bangkok and Pattaya, seem like a practical idea? The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 120km Cable Car for Chiang Mai A cable car style project has been proposed in order to bypass 1,000 curves on the route between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. The project, proposed by a foreign investor, is to build a 120-km-long cable car system from Chiang Mai to Pai, the top tourist destination in Mae Hong Son, and to the town of Mae Hong Son, the provincial governor Direk Konkleep revealed in a local radio broadcast yesterday. "The province is a popular tourist destination, but transportation is too inconvenient. This project would help tourists and be good for the province's economy," Direk said. The system would transfer passengers to Mae Hong Son town with a fare of Bt500-700 per person. If approved, the construction would be started this year and take three years to finish. The investor is sending engineers to survey the route this week, Direk said. "We are making the improvement of transportation a high priority because tourism in the province is growing as is cross-border trade." Poonsak Soonthornpinijkij, president of the Mae Hong Son Chamber of Commerce said he agreed with the idea, as it would ease transport problems in the province. However, the project has to be eco-friendly so that it does not have any harmful effects on the environment and natural surroundings. "If the benefits exceed any drawbacks, I will support the project." Visutr Buachum, head of Mae Hong Son's tourism coordination centre, also supported the idea, saying that it would attract moretourists to the province as cable cars would be a better way to transfer passengers than for them to travel by aeroplane. Previously, the province, together with the Highways Department, had pushed for the construction of a 175-km-long road between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Samoeng. But the project did not materialise because a study found the project would cost around Bt15 billion. Another plan to build a cable-car system to the Phu Kradung plateau in Loei caused some controversy when local conservationists protested against it.

I agree with Kregger on this one. Despite the horror story that happened to you, splash4, it is quite rare to be ripped off like that and put through that kind of harrowing treatment. Next time, I would refuse to give a deposit or give no more than 100 baht. If they refuse, find another taxi service. Your hotel can usually recommend someone reliable. Another suggestion: Many people spend their final night in Bangkok. That way they are sure of being able to get transportation to the airport. Also, it avoids the problems that can occur if there is a traffic jam between Pattaya and the airport. Traffic jams are a common occurrence on these roads and can happen even in the dead of night.

If that has been your experience then why continue going to a hospital for dental work at all? I use a dental clinic that I would highly recommend to anybody. My father was a dentist, so I have a pretty good idea of what to look for. I have been very satisfied with the Modern Smile clinic on Central Road (Pattaya Klang). They have a web site at http://www.modernsmiledental.com . Next time you need a dentist in Pattaya I think you will be as satisfied as I am if you decide to give them a try. There are several dentists in that clinic. The dentist I use is Dr. Boonta. She has been great and very thorough. Only this morning I had an appointment with her. She showed up just as I did. She did her work with me and the next thing I knew, she was leaving when I was leaving. I asked her if she had come in just for me. She said yes. This was actually a day off for her, but since I already had an appointment she came in to take care of me. I asked her why she simply didn't have someone call me to change the appointment to a different day. I said it wouldn't have mattered to me and if I had known I could just as easily come in on a different day. She said it was no problem for her and she didn't want to inconvenience me. Now, that's what I call service!

I use Skype too when I talk with friends and family outside of Thailand. Of course, if they also have Skype, it's free. My connection is almost always crystal clear and just as good, and most of the time actually better, than a telephone connection. It is also compatible with web cams so we can see each other. It's the best communication program I've ever found. If you want to download Skype, it's free. The URL for it is http://www.skype.com

Thank you for posting this. I'm not familiar with either of those bars. At some point I'll go and have a look. In the meantime, can you give us any details about them?

You have to call Jimmy between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Thailand time. That's when he answers his phone. Other than between those hours he does not answer his phone. If you wish, you can send me an E-mail that includes your first name, last name, check-in date and approximate time of arrival, check-out date and approximate time of check-out, and whether you want a smoking or non-smoking room, I'll be happy to call him for you and make the reservation for you. My E-mail address is gaybutton@gmail.com .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PASSENGER TERMINAL 'Treat the disease, not the symptoms' Architects Call for Internationally Accepted Professionals to Resolve Problems This week the country's leading architects will meet to ask Airports of Thailand (AOT) to cease its reactionary approach to the problems at Suvarnabhumi's passenger terminal. They point out fundamental errors in design and space management. Without an independent and comprehensive reassessment, they feel, Thailand is unlikely to get the world-class airport it was promised. "Thais wake up to one piece of bad news after another about the airport every morning," said Sinn Phonghanyudh, president of the Association of Siamese Architects. "The image is so dreadful that many feel more terrified about going to Suvarnabhumi than about flying itself. Putting in a few more toilets or patching up cracks in the floor tiles is not going to help. "We need to take a holistic approach before coming up with a solution. The AOT has to make people believe it knows exactly what it is doing instead of just responding to day-to-day complaints," Sinn added. The association's draft report outlines scores of issues, from the lack of sufficient toilet facilities and appropriate signage to unusable revolving doors, inappropriate plumbing fixtures, lack of employee rest areas, blocked emergency exits, poor climate-control design and overall maintenance challenges. If it were just a handful of mechanical teething problems, these could easily be tackled, said Sinn. Instead they represent a complete disregard for basic planning and design. "What's the point of promoting the world's largest [single] terminal if the space is so badly managed that it becomes inconvenient and even unsafe for passengers and workers?" he said. "Passages to the gates have been encroached on by shops, art and other things. In a fire, every little object impedes escape." He said many architects were disappointed in the overall visual appearance. Instead of complementing the open-air feel intended, there is a clutter of pot plants, random signs, maintenance carts, kiosks and artwork. In December, an AOT committee headed by board member Yodyiem Theptharanont reported on problems faced by passengers and workers, but Sinn said its approach was still based on individual problems. Even simple ones like clusters of confusing signs persist despite deadlines for fixing them by last month. A globetrotting UN official who has used Suvarnabhumi many times told The Nation he was disappointed that it did not live up to government promotion despite many successful new Asian airports to learn from. "It's dirty and looks like construction hasn't finished, duty-free shop take up too much space, and there aren't enough seats to sit on or enough light to read a paper," he said. Sinn also pointed out that choices of material like the structural steel used to hold up the roof were decades old from an international design standpoint, as much lighter and more attractive ones have been around for years. "It only reinforces the perception that we don't have the creative and engineering expertise for contemporary design," he said. Ten years ago, their association's "Warning: Nong Ngu Hao [suvarnabhumi] Terminal Design" highlighted many of the problems. It pointed out that glass and canvas were inappropriate for a tropical climate. Roof leaks, heat and too much light in some areas testify that the warning was ignored. It said maintenance "will be extensive and difficult. Dust mixing with sticky engine-oil particles from planes in the air will be visible all over the glass walls. Instead of fixing the design, the designer proposed expensive and complicated cleaning equipment." This appears not to have been installed or utilised, to judge by the dust on the glass walls and facilities. Some areas are virtually inaccessible. As a result the grime is more visible every day. "I don't know what equipment we have, but we've yet to be asked to clean the inside walls," said a janitor. The draft report will serve as the basis for an association seminar on Friday with the engineers and builders, the results of which will be presented as final recommendations to the AOT next week. Sinn stresses that while the association is committed to helping in any way to resolve the problems once and for all, neither he nor the association wishes to play a leadership role. "Eighty per cent of architects in Thailand have been involved in one way or another with this gigantic project," Sinn said. "There is too much behind-the-scenes history that would impede our ability do the job independently. We need professionals from abroad. The money will be well spent. Suvarnabhumi needs the confidence of the international community, so get internationally accepted professionals to do the job." Nantiya Tangwisutijit

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Chinese New Year Festival Announced at Pattaya City Hall Press Conference At Pattaya City Hall a colorful press conference was held in conference room 401 to confirm the details of this year

You can still send a cash gift. I believe doing that through the Niddy's Nook service is your best bet, assuming the boy is in Pattaya. It's the easiest and least expensive way. You could also send via Western Union. For that you would need the boy's actual first and last name and you would also have to let him know in advance how much to expect and you would have to provide him with the control number for him to be able to retrieve the money. Based on your post, I'm guessing that you were in Pattaya for a one or two week holiday, got to know this boy, and are now somewhat infatuated. The odds are that your feelings are one-sided and the boy thinks of you only as another customer, if he's thinking of you at all. It would be wonderful if things were different, but they rarely are. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. A cash gift is what these boy appreciate more than anything else. With that, he can buy what he wants, use it to pay his rent, send it home to mama, or whatever he wants to do with it. The trouble is that when you send a cash gift you've also opened the door for the pleas for money to start. Again, the odds are that's just what will happen and will likely ruin your relationship with him before you return. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases no matter how much you send, it's never enough. I think the best thing for you to do between now and when you return is to forget about gifts at all. You are probably much better off with a phone call every so often. In the long run, so is he. If you want to write a letter, I would be happy to receive it for you by PM or E-mail, ask my boyfriend to translate it into Thai, and personally deliver it to the boy if you can tell me how to find him or have a phone number for him. Limiting it to a few phone calls or a letter will certainly communicate your sentiments and will prevent the usual money issues from getting started. I think the Levis 401 jeans is the best thing to do regarding an actual gift. If you can find someone willing to bring them over and give them to the boy, that's fine. If not, you can bring them yourself next trip. In the meantime, I suggest limiting anything else to phone calls, E-mail, or a letter.

This is quite a number of blocked web sites, more than five times as many blocked in three months. The part of this story that bothers me more than any of it is the last sentence in which it is revealed that not only do they not disclose which web sites are blocked, but they don't even disclose the criteria involved in making the decisions. To me, that suggests whoever is involved in blocking web sites literally has carte blanche to block any web site they wish, for any reason they wish, with no standard recourse available to those who find their web sites blocked. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Junta Clamps Down on Websites The year may well be the 21st century's version of George Orwell's "1984" for Thailand as the number of blocked websites since the coup has increased by 500 per cent as of January, according to the campaign group Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT). The "blocklist", numbering 13,435 websites as of January 11, compared to 2,475 in October 13 last year, "shows a frightening increase in thought control and abrogation of civil liberties and human rights in Thailand," FACT said in a recent statement. "2007 may well be the 21st century's "1984" in Thailand." Some anti-coup websites such as 19sep.org have been blocked six time since the coup took place last September. "In the wake of September 19, many Thai Web discussion boards were blocked or ordered to self-censor, stifling freedom of expression and freedom of association," FACT stated. It added that no identification of the blocked websites has been disclosed to the public nor do the involved government agencies disclose what criteria they use to block some sites.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Disabled Access to Pattaya Will Improve, Says the Deputy Mayor Khun Wootisuk, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, chaired this meeting inside the VIP Room at Pattaya City Hall on Wednesday Morning to discuss an issue which will be of interest to disabled tourists and residents of Pattaya. The meeting discussed how to modify walkways and entrances to shopping centers and other major attractions to allow for easy access for wheelchairs and electric vehicles used by disabled people. This meeting was prompted by complaints received from tourists and local business operators who believe Pattaya does not currently consider the needs of disabled people and many disabled tourists find it hard to traverse the streets of Pattaya unaided at this time. This is now set to change with improvements beginning along the entire stretch of Pattaya Beach soon.

Who says I don't know where to chat with like-minded "farang?" I thought he is talking about like-minded Thais. That's the impression I get from his post.

You have brought up a very interesting question and it's a tough one. The only gay bars I know about in Pattaya are the go-go bars, karaokes, and the host bars. Obviously, none of those are what you have in mind. In Pattaya there is little in the way of bars of the type you are trying to find. Probably the closest thing to what you are seeking is the bar area of the Sansuk Sauna. I've only been there once during their nighttime hours, but there were several Thai gays, not money boys, there that night. Now that it's been open for a few weeks, it's probably worth your time to give it a try. I can't think of anything else that's going to fit the bill. Maybe others can post suggestions.

That depends on what area of Pattaya you wish to be. If quiet is your prime priority, then I suggest staying at a beach hotel. It won't get any quieter than that. I would suggest the Rabbit Resort or the Avalon Hotel, both of which, last time I checked, charge about 2500 baht per night, which is expensive for Pattaya, but the amenities and the rooms are quite nice. In my opinion, the Rabbit Resort is the better choice because the rooms are much larger and much more luxurious for about the same price as the Avalon. Several people have recommended the Tui's Place hotel, right next door to the Avalon. When you step out the door, you're on the gay beach. I've never heard any comments as to how quiet the rooms are, but I'll bet it is virtually silent and will be half the price of the Rabbit Resort or Avalon. Perhaps people who have stayed there can comment. A review on http://www.pattayagay.com says: _____ Tui's Place: (GF) Located in the heart of the gay area of Jomtien Beach, (See Map ) fronting on the sidewalk just across from the central part of the "gay" seating area, Tui's place offers a pleasant guest-house type atmosphere, with restaurant and bar available, where you can walk out the front door and be on Jomtien's famed gay beach. Tui's fronts the gay beach itself.. All rooms with air conditioning, TV, phone, refrigerator and separate bathrooms. Very clean. Rooms are Baht 600 to Baht 1,400 per night Listed in International Spartacus guide. It is the second and third building in a group of four buildings, directly behind the Jomtien Beach toilet that has been built which opened in May, 2000. That group of buildings is found along the sidewalk after the long empty space along the sidewalk after the long empty space with the tall picket fence between the Style Restaurant with a surf-board sign out front The Style Restaurant is in the last building of the major collection of buildings along the walkway before the long empty space. Easy walk from the highway, mostly along beautiful, new, wide special brick sidewalk - driveway, where vehicles are permitted except during the day. . Tui's also has special arrangements for access to its building for guests staying there who have a vehicle available. They may enter a condominium complex on the Thappraya Road near the signal light for Thepprasit Road, and follow the condominium complex's road system to the beach, where such vehicles can park near Tui's Place. E-mail: <tui_69@hotmail.com> Friends suggest a phone call or sending a fax, since Tui does not check e-mail with any regularity. No web site yet. Phone: 038-251-432 Fax: 038-370-136; from outside Thailand, dial 66-38 followed by the six digit local numbers indicated above. _____ I suggest also reading the additional reviews on the Pattayagay web site. ( see http://www.pattayagay.com/hotels.html ). I hope this helps you make your decision.

I agree with Luvthai. You just never know with packages. I've received expected packages and there were also some I never received. Even when I went to the post office to make an inquiry I was told the inquiry has to be generated from the USA. When I asked the sender to inquire, he was told it has to be handled from Thailand. They were able to trace the fact that the package made it as far as Thailand, but once it is in Thai hands there is nothing more they can do. Luvthai's suggestion is a good one if you can find someone willing to deliver whatever it is. If you cannot, then I really think the best thing for you to do is send a cash gift to the boy, which will be far more appreciated than anything else you might send, and bring a true gift on your next trip. But give him the sentimental gift and a cash gift along with it if you truly want it to be appreciated. Fountainhall is also correct about the tax. I ended up paying tax on a packet I sent to myself from the USA when I was in the process of moving here, which was too big to carry on an airplane, and the tax was nearly 4000 baht. That was more than I paid for it in the first place and I even had a receipt for the original purchase. A gift suggestion that you can carry personally is brand name jeans. They love receiving things like that.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Airport Repairs Halted Until Investigation Ends By Amornrat Mahitthirook and Surasak Glahan Repairs to the runway and taxiway cracks at Suvarnabhumi have been put on hold until a thorough investigation by the board of the Airports of Thailand Plc into the cause of the cracks is completed. Designiated chief investigator Tortrakul Yomnak said on Tuesday the repair halt is to prevent faulty repair methods from being employed and to protect visiting aircraft. Mr Tortrakul, an AoT board member, heads the official investigative committee of experts which must find the exact cause of the cracks that have appeared on the runways and taxiways of the four-month-old airport. The probe includes the boring of soil 30 metres deep under the runways and taxiways to collect samples of their foundations. The boring will tell the physical aspect of the soil under the airport, the construction of runways and taxiways and their subsidence level. Damaged areas have been sealed off. The Tortrakul panel, set up by AoT chairman Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, was formed on Jan 23 and must conclude its investigation by Feb 9. Suvarnabhumi airport director Somchai Sawasdeepol has ordered a separate investigation into the partial and abrupt closure of the western runway last Thursday, which caused the diversion of four flights to U-tapao airport on that day. He said neither he nor the other executives were notified of its closure in advance. An initial inquiry found that a pilot of Thai AirAsia had informed air traffic controllers of dangerous objects that could compromise flight safety on the southern end of the western runway, Mr Somchai said. Airport flight safety officials then inspected the site and had air traffic control inform other pilots of the need to close one end of the runway. The runway was partially closed at 2pm when Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen and his delegation were inspecting cracks on taxiways at the airport. Large carriers could then only use the eastern runway and four of the visiting flights were asked to land at U-tapao airport for refuelling. Mr Somchai has asked his deputy and engineer Chat Hanpatananant to head the investigation. An AoT source believes that Thursday's partial closure of the runway was unnecessary and it could be an attempt to divert attention from the AoT board's investigation into alleged irregularities by the AoT management. However, Passakorn Surapipit, Suvarnabhumi's security chief, confirmed that safety officials had followed normal procedures by first inspecting the runway and then ordering its partial closure last Thursday because it was considered essential. The chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia Tassapon Bijleveld has not been able to confirm whether the pilot who had informed traffic controllers about the need to close the runway was indeed an AirAsia pilot, but said the AoT should not ignore the issue in its investigation. Meanwhile, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has denied responsibility for the problems that have cropped up at Suvarnabhumi airport, saying there is an attempt to discredit him and his government by linking them to the problems, according to his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama. Mr Noppadon said yesterday that he had talked to the deposed premier who was concerned that the airport's problems were been used for political gain. "The problems could be a political responsibility of Mr Thaksin and his government. But the contractors who built the substandard runways, taxiways or the water pipelines and those who hired them should be the ones held directly responsible for the problems," he said. "Isn't it too much to force the former premier to take responsibility for the pipeline leakage at the airport?" he said.