Gaybutton

My interpretation is that the policy applies only to foreigners arriving in Thailand without previously having obtained the 90-day, or better, non-immigrant visa. You are given 30 days upon arrival if you did not previously obtain a visa. That can be extended for an additional 10 days by paying a fee at an immigration police office. I believe they allow you to do that only once per entry into Thailand. After the 10 days is used up you have to leave the country. Of course, you can simply opt to leave the country and re-enter without obtaining the additional 10 days. If you leave the country, and then re-enter, it's the 30 days all over again, starting fresh. I remember that government officials have talked about this before and now are going to put a stop to it. Apparently they do not have a problem about people renewing the 90-day visa ad infinitum, but there are people actually living in Thailand on the 30-day privilege, which means they are living in Thailand with no visa at all. People living in Thailand like that don't have to report their address to the immigration police, don't have to prove their income, don't have to obtain re-entry permits when leaving the country, or live up to any of the other requirements expected of foreigners living in Thailand. That, I believe, is what they consider to be abuse. The article does not make clear just how long you have to remain outside of Thailand, before re-entering, before numerous repetitions are going to be considered abuse. Actually, I don't see why this would be a big problem. If you are over 50 years old then you are most likely eligible for the one-year retirement visa. If you are under 50 years old, it is not difficult to obtain the 90-day visa. I see this as a problem only for people who, for whatever reason, don't want to do anything at all. Let me repeat - this is only my interpretation of the article. That does not make it fact. If you are someone who would be affected by this, then I urge you to speak to the immigration police and/or a Thai attorney, to be sure just where you stand. I don't know if this is a matter of law or policy - policy controlled by the immigration authorities. Suppose it is a matter of law? If you get stopped by the immigration authorities and are refusied entry into Thailand, then law or no law, what can you do about it?

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Visa Rules Will be Ttightened to Stop Abuse Maximum Stay of 90 Days for Foreigners By Chatrudee Theparat Visa-on-arrival (VOA) regulations will be tightened for nationals of 41 countries to prevent abuse of the privilege and curb the rising number of illegal entries, according to the Immigration Police Bureau (IPB). Foreign nationals from those countries, including the US, China and India, will be able to stay longer but with fewer chances of renewing the VOA. IPB commissioner Suwat Tumrongsiskul said nationals from those specific countries are currently allowed to remain in Thailand for 15 days maximum after the VOA is granted. The VOA is normally renewable once. However, some foreigners including tourists ''tiptoe around the law'' by resorting to so-called visa runs to extend their stay. Most take a bus to a border, check out of the country and then return the same day to have the VOA renewed. They repeat the practice as many times as they wish, affording them almost unlimited stay in the country. The policy is largely intended to serve tourism. Pol Lt-Gen Suwat said the change of the VOA rules is in order. In future, foreigners from those 41 countries will be able to stay in the country for 30 days from the first VOA stamp, which will be renewable twice at most, each time for a maximum of 30 days. In other words, a foreigner will be permitted to remain in Thailand for no longer than 90 days in total after three VOA stamps. The commissioner said the current system is prone to abuse as many foreign nationals make numerous visa runs so they can stay on long term to do business. In some cases, they have gone unregulated, causing social problems. Official figures showed that about 400,000 Chinese nationals were granted a VOA last year, and 18,000 of them have stayed behind. Around 200,000 Indians made VOA visits last year and it was found that 16,000 of them have not left. Pol Lt-Gen Suwat said the new VOA rules will be put into effect once approved by the Royal Thai Police Office. He said more information technology will be employed in the blacklisting system. The IT-operated immigration clearance system is now in use at 15 out of 55 checkpoints nationwide to check in tourists and screen out undesirable individuals. The technology lets the bureau enlarge its database of foreign visitors to identify those on the blacklist and expel them. Pol Col Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, head of the Pattaya immigration centre, said its IT-operated database is shared by many hotels and resorts in Pattaya to help track down blacklisted people. The technology has been credited with weakening the local mafia network. The Betong immigration centre in Yala is also using the system to trace people of dual nationality, some of whom are believed to be behind the southern strife. Pol Lt-Gen Suwat said more authority to issue visas will be delegated to regional IPB offices. At present, IPB chief inspectors are authorised to grant visas, and in future their deputies will also be able to approve visa requests

In other words, what we did not know was that moderators can inadvertently and unintentionally lock a thread with one click. If we don't notice that we have done so, the thread gets locked. That's what caused the confusion and that's what happened. It's a board feature available to the moderators, and we didn't even know that could happen until it happened. To avoid this in the future, we will make sure to check and see that we did not accidentally lock a thread.

One of the things everyone was concerned about was that Suvarnabhumi Airport was going to have passengers having to take a shuttle bus to the taxi stands. The authorities have listened to the complaints and now you will be able to catch a taxi at the terminal, just like at Don Muang. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ New Airport to Sport Taxi Stands Heeding passenger concerns, a taxi stand will be installed on the second floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport's passenger terminal. Somchai Sawasdeepon, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) general manager, said the decision was in response to problems during the September 1 test flights when many travellers had difficulty catching taxis from the public bus terminal. The AOT's previous plan was to only allow taxi drop-offs at the passenger terminal. Pick-up service was conducted at the public bus terminal, 2.5 kilometres from the main terminal. A shuttle runs between the bus and passenger terminals. AOT officials came to the realisation that this system would be inconvenient for passengers arriving with heavy luggage. A stand will be established at the passenger terminal with at least 20 taxis available at all times. Somchai said officials would ensure that there are enough vehicles to serve passengers. People will still be able to take a shuttle to the public bus terminal to catch a cab. Shuttles will be available every three to five minutes. From the bus terminal, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will provide service along six routes between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok.

Thank you for your very well thought out suggestions, TeePee. I'm sure we will take it under advisement and carefully consider what you have to say.

I can't recall where I got this from; perhaps on a segment of "Biography" or something similar, but they made a point that in reality she probably only met the King once or twice during her entire time here.

Maybe that explains why, in the musical, her son only appears occasonally . . .

One place that not many "farang" go is Saphan Kwai. Ask the driver to take you to Pradiphat, Soi 20. There are some gay venues there and at least one gay go-go bar there. The bars are not exactly the quality you would find in Soi Twilight, but I enjoy them. Some people say that those venues are primarily for other Thais and "farang" are not appreciated there. Horse hockey! I've been several times and I've been given marvelous trreatment, service, and attention each time. If you change your mind, there is a hotel right there called The Embassy. The rooms are old, but quite suitable and they charge 700 baht per night. I'm sure that hotel is often also used as a short-time hotel. There are some other gay go-go bars in Saphan Kwai. Any of the gay venues can tell you where they are. Saphan Kwai is in the north part of Bangkok, quite close to the Chatuchak market. If you've never been, give it a try. I hear also that the Lumphini Park, near the Pinnacle Hotel, is a good cruise area. At least it used to be. Whether it still is or not, I don't know. I've never tried it. Perhaps another poster can enlighten us.

I agree with every word GayThailand wrote. I also plead not guilty to having locked any threads and I also do not know who did. I can assure everyone that I will never lock a thread without first discussing it with GayThailand. Nothing on the moderator end shows who locked a thread. It doesn't matter. The moderators will respect each other's wishes whether an explanation is provided or not, leaving the ultimate decision up to GayThailand. One thing also needs to be made clear. If a person creates a new thread in order to continue what was being discussed on a locked thread or continues the discussion on a thread that is not locked, I do intend to delete those posts.

People need to remember that they are taking a perfect stranger to their room. In most cases they know nothing about their 'guest' at all. The only security you have to protect your valuables is your room safe and little of what you probably purchased when shopping will fit. I always put whatever I can into the safe. If it won't fit, then it goes into my luggage and the luggage gets locked. I do that before going out any time because of the chance that I may not return alone. I also have the boy leave his ID card at the front desk and the front desk is instructed not to return the ID card unless I am personally present or they have called my room and spoken with me first. Even then, you need to make sure the ID actually belongs to the boy. Take a close look at the photo. I have heard of scams in which a boy gives his ID card to another boy. That boy is now carrying an ID that is not his own. If a "farang" takes him to his room, he waits until the "farang" is asleep and then makes off with whatever he can, not even bothering to retrieve the ID card. The first boy reports his ID card as lost or stolen and has little trouble getting a new one. If the police question him he can say he already reported that his ID card was stolen and whoever stole it also stole from the "farang." If the police bring in the "farang" to identify the boy, it's not the same boy he had taken to his room. Then the two boys split the profits.

If you are going to make accusations, yes. I give up. Now you accuse me of calling you a liar. Please quote the post on which I called you a liar. I accept your apology for accusing me of taking a freebie. I now apologize to you for accusing you of being the first to hijack this thread.

In the post just above your latest I believe I did point out that it was 'khaolakguy' who first went off topic and said going off topic also applies to 'LetMeTellU.' I believe I do have my facts correct, thank you very much. I did not say you were the first. Maybe 'khaolakguy' and 'LetMeTellU' went off topic, but at least they also post a hell of a lot of positive comments. As far as I can tell you are the only poster on this entire message board who never posts anything except complaints, bitterness, innuendo, and paranoia. I'm waiting for you to post something positive for a change. I don't think I owe you an apology at all, but I do think there are a number of people owed an apology by you. You can start with me for having accused me of accepting a free meal at Niddy's Nook in return for my comments. Wrong. I hate to disappoint you, but we paid for our food. No offer of anything free was made and no request for a post was made. You say I accepted a freebie in return for my post? Prove it. Prove even one accusatory post you have made. I'll settle for at least some factual evidence behind any one of your accusations. Just stop making accusations. Can't you come up with anything else?

I know what does work with you, but I doubt you would want that to come from me . . . .

Have you been able to find out just when Manhattan's will open?

Just one? Sure, no problem. Will that be Mercedes, BMW, or GI Joe? Can I have a bottle of Paco Rabanne? (Thai pout to follow . . .)

Pangolins are an endangered armadillo-like animal, native to Malaysia. They were on their way to China to be used as food! They will be sent to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, about a 45 minute ride from Pattaya. If you have never been to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, it is well worth the trip. You can hire a baht bus to get you there at very reasonable prices. You might want to contact me. I'm usually quite willing to go and I've got a car to get you there. The Si Racha Tiger Zoo is also well worth a trip, and it too is about a 45 minute ride from Pattaya. _____ BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) Police seized more than 200 pangolins smuggled in a ten-wheel truck in Bangkok and the driver was arrested for further investigation. Uthai Kaewpatima, 36, was arrested when police were tipped-off about pangolin smuggling. The police searched his canvas-covered truck and found 214 pangolins in 41 plastic containers. Mr. Uthai said he was hired for Bt70,000 baht to drive the truck from the southern province of Surat Thani to park at a market in suburban Bangkok. However, he said he didn't know what was in the truck. Police believed that the pangolin smuggling gang gathered protected animals from the forest in Surat Thani to deliver to China as an exotic delicacy in specialised restaurants. Some gourmets like to consume pangolin as people believe that the animals are as good as aphrodisiac. The seized pangolins will be later sent to Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand's eastern province of Chon Buri. (TNA)-E004

Also, their web site shows there are several more locations in Bangkok. Yesterday I was in Carrefour. Representatives from the Blue Elephant were there and giving out samples. I was not familiar with Blue Elephant, but just the samples were just incredible. The next time I am in Bangkok I will try both Anna's and Blue Elephant. If Blue Elephant's food is anything like the samples they were handing out, then that is a definite "don't miss" restaurant. I'm looking forward to trying both Anna's and Blue Elephant. Blue Elephant is not only a restaurant, but also a cooking school. Their representatives spoke excellent English. Their web site is http://www.blueelephant.com . Click on their link for "Royal Thai Cuisine" and then on their link for "Bangkok." Their location information is: 233 South Sathorn Road Skytrain Station: Surasak Telephone: 02-673-9353

I think your point is well taken and I also think it is in everybody's interest to ensure that that mud could not be thrown here, but that is not under my control. I would like to see threads remain on topic rather than so often turn into a mud slinging contest, and yes, that goes for LetMeTellU and anybody else. Actually, the first post on this thread to go off topic and start this latest round of who is posting as who was yours, wasn't it? My main point is that this thread began as a thread about Muay Thai and now look what it has become. If this was the first time I wouldn't complain, but it is happening far too often for my taste, no matter whose fault it is. The solution to this is very simple, in my opinion, if posters are willing to cooperate about it. Stick to the topic of the thread. If someone wants to post about something that has nothing to do with the thread topic itself, then start a new thread and bring up the problem, complaint, who is posting as who, or whatever on that seperate thread. That way the thread topic can continue and those who wish to post about something entirely different can still have their say. The moderators here have the ability to pick up off-topic posts and move them to such a thread. I have no intention of doing that unless GayThailand wishes to do things that way, but I think all these accusations, innuendos, mischief-making, etc. are detrimental. My opinion is that if you can't prove your accusation, then don't make the accusation. People are being hurt by it, the message board is being hurt by it, businesses are being hurt by it, and none of it is necessary in the first place.

That's right. That's just exactly what it is supposed to be. But you don't do that. The trouble is that you keep turning everything into accusations, innuendo, and being about you, and not about the topic. Can't you see that? It is not my place to ban people. I don't want to see you banned anyway, but I would like very much to see you post about the subject at hand instead of constantly making accusations and complaints. This thread began as a set of postings and responses to the Muay Thai article I originally posted. I posted it because I thought some of the visitors to this forum would be interested. Next thing we know, here comes Papa David with more accusations that two people. That was the first item you posted on this thread. You have yet to post anything on this thread that even remotely has to do with Muay Thai. That, my friend, is thread hijacking. Do you truly see your posts as something beneficial to the thread or the forum itself? You've done it to me too. On the Niddy's Nook thread you accused me of accepting a free cheeseburger in return for my comments. For what possible reason would you post such a thing when you have absolutely no proof or even any evidence whatsoever? And yet you can't understand why people are so negative toward you. Can't you see what you are doing? You continually make baseless accusations against people, accusations that you cannot prove or even provide evidence for, and then you go on the defensive when people retaliate. Every time we see a Papa David post, we know before reading it that it will be something like that. You're the one who starts this in every instance. You have been the one who starts attacking people and then you get upset when people start attacking you right back. If you don't post attacks then you won't get attacked. Why don't you just stop it? Just once I'd like to see you post something positive. There are others on this board who also post accusations, to be sure. But they also post positive comments. As far as I can tell, not a single one of your posts has ever been something positive or has provided useful information about anything. How about this . . . why don't you just stop the accusations until you can actually prove what you say or at least support what you say with evidence? Innuendo is not evidence. Once you can prove your accusations, then I and others won't have any cause for complaint.

A thread about Muay Thai is going to be turned into yet another set of Papa David accusations and paranoia? That's three threads you've managed to hijack so far. Are you planning to go for a record? Why don't you give it a rest? We all already know everything you write is absolute, unbiased, indisputable fact. We all already know that you are right and everyone else is wrong or being bribed into disagreeing with you. We all already know that people have registered under several names just so they can attack you. We all already know that anyone who attacks you or disputes you in any way is a moron and/or a lunatic. We all already know that you post complaints not to be mean, but to be helpful through constructive criticism. How many more times and on how many more threads do you need to say the same thing? Believe me, we have all grasped the idea.

While the currency exchange rates may not exactly be favorable for most "farang" currencies right now in Thailand, for those of you who own or rent motorcycles and cars, the fuel prices have been falling. While that probably is not much consolation, at least that's something. Gasoline, for the first time in eight years, is now less expensive than Diesel. By the way, the exchange rate opened today at 37.22 baht per US dollar, 69.565 baht per pound, 47.215 baht per Euro. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Petrol Price Dips Below Diesel The price gap between domestic petrol and diesel is set to widen further this week, due to easing petrol demand against higher demand for diesel around the globe. Caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban said Thursday that domestic petrol prices could fall further by the end of this week. If gasoline prices are to be cut and diesel prices to remain the same, the gap between them will be widened. Thursday marked the first time in eight years that petrol prices are lower than diesel, following a 40 satang-per-litre gasoline price reduction. Octane91 gasoline is now sold at Bt26.89 per litre, compared with Bt27.14 for high-speed diesel. Another 40 satang-per-litre price cut would bring down the octane95 gasoline price to Bt27.29.

I appreciate that. After so many years of running my own message board, if I didn't learn anything else I learned this: Either you control the board or the trolls will take control of it. As soon as you concern yourself with who likes the way you run your board and who doesn't, you just lost control and it is extremely difficult to regain it.

Before you plan that trip to Hat Yai, you might want to read the following article: _____________ SONGKHLA, Sept 7 (TNA) Police have tightened security in Hat Yai, the Thai South's largest and busiest commercial and shopping hub, following intelligence warnings of insurgent attacks expected September 16

Where is anyone getting the idea that I'm going to close down anything? I never said that. I think the insult trading contest has gone far enough and I said so. I still think so. Hardly anybody else agrees with me on this one, so this time tough luck for me. I think I'll manage to survive even if this thread continues until the Second Coming, and it looks as if it will. If that's what people want, then that's the way it will be. Besides, this is not my message board. It's Gaythailand's message board. I have the ability to close down threads, but I have no intention of exercising that ability without first discussing it with the other moderators and Gaythailand. The ultimate decision is Gaythailand's, not mine. Most people posting here seem to think I was wrong to suggest that this thread has gone far enough. If that's the way everyone feels then I admit I was wrong and life will go on. As far as I'm concerned the majority rules. That doesn't mean that I intend to impose my own opinion on everyone else. I have no such intention.

Oliveer, is it next to Mike's or Royal Garden?