Gaybutton

Note from GB: This means the exchange rate for Thai baht to the US dollar will be a little better for "farang" than previously predicted. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) apparently intends to try to keep the baht at aproximately 38 baht to the US dollar. At the moment I am posting this, the exchange rate is 37.51 baht to the US dollar BANGKOK, Aug 24 (TNA) Bank of Thailand (BOT)'s Governor M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula on Wednesday revealed that the country's international reserve had increased as a result of the central bank's intervention in the baht movement, not a current account surplus. He said the international reserve as of August 11 stood at US$59.4 billion, from US$59.3 billion on August 4. The increased reserve stemmed from the intervention in the stronger baht by the BOT and an appreciation of other main currencies against the US dollar, which are used for the reserve. "Higher international reserve is not a result of the current account surplus and forward contracts. Instead, it results from the stronger US dollar, which makes other main currencies such as the Japanese yen and the euro appreciate. It helps boost the international reserve," he said. The BOT chief said that the central bank shares a common view with Finance Minster Thanong Bidaya that the baht is likely to stay at a range of 37.5-38 a dollar next year, not 36 projected by some analysts. The BOT earlier projected that the Thai baht would hover around 37.5-38 baht, which is an appropriate level for Thai exports, noted the central bank chief. (TNA) - E005

I didn't know that, Bob. I hope it works out that way again and that they will reopen. We'll see.

It's really sad to see this happening. I remember the very first go-go bar I ever went to in Thailand. It was called Superman, in Bangkok. It's long gone, along with others. I remember a bar (can't remember the name though) that was just across the street from the original Utopia on Soi 23 in Bangkok. Also long gone. In Pattaya, those who have been around for awhile may remember go-go bars such as Moonlight, Playboy, Boys Studio, Tai Boys Boys, Charlie Boys, Lek's Boys, and a few others whose names I don't recall. All gone now. Several of the remaining bars have changed hands and changed names several times. I remember when it was far more likely to see a new bar open than see an existing bar close. Now it's the other way around. The latest apparently is Adam's Apple in Chiang Mai. That's the first long-existing bar in Chiang Mai that has closed, as far as I know.

I don't recall making any excuses. I woke up one morning and found my web site blocked. I took it offline because of it. Simple as that and I don't think I ever said it was due to anything else.

I don't know what he was thinking, but I'll bet he wasn't thinking what I'm thinking. Welcome to what may be recorded as a classic blooper.

I just loved this one. Here it is, exactly as it appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _________________ Large Erections Planned for Pattaya At a meeting held at Pattaya City Hall on Wednesday, the very busy Mayor Niran announced the allocation of 46 million baht of the annual budget to the construction of two large archways on the borders of the city. The giant erections will be similar to but much more grandiose than the archway currently spanning Walking Street and will be festooned with lights so that even in darkness people driving along Sukhumvit highway will know they are entering the outskirts of Pattaya. __________________ I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly have no objections to giant erections, especially if they're "festooned with lights."

I agree with The Rose. It is reasonable, in my opinion, because that's where the bar's tip for the boy is coming from. Anything else he gets is up to the person with whom he is sitting. I do have one exception. If a boy is sitting with me, then it's because I called him over. I do not ever buy a drink for or tip a boy who sits with me uninvited or has been foisted on me by a mama-san. I usually shoo them away, but sometimes they are so aggressive they sit down next to me anyhow and start trying to high pressure me into buying them a drink. If that occurs I simply totally ignore him, call over the boy I really wanted if there is one, tell him to go away, leave, tell him no, or whatever, but when they force themselves upon me, that's where I draw the line.

I tried that link. It worked perfectly for me.

In most cases the boy will order a soft drink. In most bars they pay the boy 20 baht when he orders a soft drink, but nothing at all when he orders a beer or hard drink. In most cases the boy expects at least a 100 baht tip when he is called to sit with you. I agree with the above postings as to how much more ought to be given to the boy, depending on how long and depending on how far the touching and feeling goes. Remember, most of the bar boys are paid little or nothing by the bar and they depend solely on tips and "offs" to make a living. I don't think it is a good idea to over-tip, but it is definitely a bad idea to under-tip.

When I saw this post I tried Hedda's blog. It worked just fine.

It is very nice indeed and just as nice to know that the police department is not going to tolerate such a scam by on of their own. I admire the victim of this scam for having the good sense and fortitude to go to the police station to report this. I doubt he was their first victim. I wonder how many victims they successfully intimidated and scammed before being caught.

Dear Phuket Area American Citizens, The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Bangkok is pleased to inform you of an upcoming Embassy consular visit in Phuket. Consular staff will be available to provide consular services on Friday, September 15, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Similian Room of the Phuket Hilton Arcadia Resort on Karon Beach. The following consular services will be available: *Passport renewal applications (US $67.00 or baht 2,680 for adult passports) *Additional passport pages (no charge) *Notarial services (US $30 or baht 1,200 for the first notarial; US $20 or baht 800 for each additional notarial) *Embassy registration and/or address change *Absentee ballot application and voting abroad information *Social security, VA or other federal benefits questions *We ask that you bring correct change Note: PLEASE BRING A ZEROX COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT PHOTO PAGE FOR ALL PASSPORT APPLICATIONS AND REQUESTS FOR EXTRA PAGES. Passport requests for minors under age 14 will require the presence of both parents and the original and a copy of the child's birth certificate. Due to the large amount of time and paperwork involved, no applications for Consular Reports of Birth will be accepted during consular outreach trips If you have any questions, please e-mail: acsbkk@state.gov or call the American Citizen Services Unit at: 02-205-4049. We look forward to seeing you on September 15th. Sincerely, American Citizen Services U.S. Embassy Bangkok ************************************************************************ **************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, go to: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/acsemaillist.htm The U.S. Embassy Consular Section is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Nearest BTS Skytrain station: Phloen Chit) American Citizen Services Unit Window Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 11 AM and 1 - 2 PM Note: The ACS unit will be CLOSED on August 25, September 4 and September 29, 2006. Tel: +66-2-205-4049 Fax: +66-2-205-4103 E-mail: acsbkk@state.gov

I would like to suggest that people refrain from getting too carried away and farfetched with theories and speculation as to what has happened with Sawatdee and Elephantspike. I think everyone will be far better served by sticking to the facts. As far as I know, these are the facts: 1. The Sawatdee forum is offline. 2. We do not know why it is offline. 3. Elephantspike has not communicated reasons why the web site is offline. 4. We do not know why he has made no communication. 5. Elephantspike has not responded to attempts to contact him. 6. We do not know why he has not responded. Outside of those six facts, anything else is only guessing until or unless Elephantspike does communicate what is going on and why.

The actual amount you would receive per dollar closed at 37.39 today. I don't know what to make of all this and I'm no economics expert, but only a couple of months ago the predictions were that the exchange rate would be close to 41 to 42 baht per dollar by now. Instead, it's 37.39 and predicted to get worse. It is difficult to know just what to expect because these predictions have yet to be right. If the baht becomes too strong, then the export and tourism business will suffer. If it becomes too weak, then more rounds of inflation will hit the Thai people. Where all this is going to end is anybody's guess. The bottom line, at least for now, is that you get close to 25% less baht per dollar than you got three years ago. That's quite a hit, especially for us retirees who depend on the exchange rate.

If people in various countries throughout the world are getting the same message, then the site itself is offline. Without anyone hearing from Elephantspike we have no way of knowing why. I would advise waiting a few days before jumping to conclusions. It could be some kind of s system glitch. Lord knows, that happened to me and my web site often enough. That could easily be the explanation and perhaps the site may return shortly. If the site is still down a week from now, then it would be reasonable to believe it is probably gone for good. I am a lot more worried about Elephantspike himself than the site. It's one thing for a web site to have troubles. But from what people are saying, Elephantspike has virtually disappeared and nobody seems to know why or what has happened. He may have taken the site offline by his own choice, but I just can't accept the idea that he would do so without some sort of announcement first. In any case, I think jumping to the conclusion that the site is just gone and will stay gone is premature. Give it a few days and let's see what happens.

I'm not surprised, although I'm saddened to know that. I've been saying for quite some time that a great many of the bars in Pattaya have been virtually empty of customers and many have already failed as a result. Most likely the same is the situation in Chiang Mai. Several months ago my boyfriend and I were in Chiang Mai. We went to Adam's Apple and Coffee Boy. Every time I had been in both of those bars in the past there were plenty of customers and plenty of boys. Both were thriving. This time, when we were in Adam's Apple there were only two customers besides the two of us. In Coffee Boy we were the only ones in there at all. In Pattaya, it seems that customers do come into many of the bars when it's show time. But before the show they are empty and as soon as the show is over the bars empty out. To tell the truth, I don't know how many the bars have managed to stay open at all, but most are continuing to "hang in there," at least for now. I hope the upcoming high season will turn things around, but based on the last three high seasons, I wouldn't bet on it.

I don't think he would take the web site down without posting at least something announcing it or contacting his moderators. I hate to say it, but to me the most logical explanation is that something may have happened to him, causing him to be unable to respond at all. Accidents do happen. Illnesses do happen. I hope it is nothing like that, but it certainly seems totally out of character for him to suddenly become impossible to contact and for him not to respond, especially for this length of time. Unless someone knows how to contact him, all anyone can do is speculate. I just hope he's ok and for whatever reasons decided to do this. I hope nothing terrible has happened to him.

A pay site? Sheeeeesh! I don't even want to read it for free.

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (TNA) The Thai baht is likely to strengthen to 36.50 a US dollar due to the expected further weakening of the greenback and the appreciation of the Chinese yuan, according to an economist. Ussara Vilaipitch of Standard Chartered Bank (Thailand) said on Tuesday that there is a room for the Thai baht to further strengthen since the US dollar tends to weaken against other main currencies, including those in Asia. As well, the rather heating economic expansion of China has fueled concerns that Beijing may opt to raise interest rates to slow its growth. The move would make the yuan strengthen further, she projected. She said the weakening of the greenback and the strengthening of the Chinese yuan are key factors behind the foreign capital inflow into Asian countries, including Thailand, due to attractive returns from the currency exchange rates. Under the circumstance, the Thai currency might appreciate to 36.5-37 baht a US dollar, she forecast. Still, the baht has a key resistance level at 37.20, given the fact that the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has periodically intervened into the local currency movement. The Thai baht has appreciated by 9.5 percent since early this year, the strongest when compared with other regional currencies, including the Singapore dollar, which is up 5.6 percent, and Japanese yen, which is up 2 percent. She said local entrepreneurs should closely monitor the currency exchange rates because the baht had sharply appreciated. However, she believed that the strengthening of the Thai baht would begin to slow in the rest of the year because the central bank would try to prevent it from being too volatile. On the BOT's 14-day repurchase rate (repo) trend, Ms. Ussara said, the central bank is less likely to raise the repo because an inflationary pressure had declined. She viewed that the repo, which now stays at 5 per cent, is considered suitable for the country's current economic conditions. (TNA) - E005

I checked the Sawatdee forum again today. Now I'm seeing a screen that is completely different from anything I've seen before. Here is what I see: ____________ This account is temporarily unavailable. Please contact your hosting provider ____________ Now, Catawampuscat, I assure you that we are on top of the problems revolving around LMTU and those who take every possible opportunity to flame his postings. As a moderator there is only so much I can personally do, and I won't do anything at all without first consulting with Gaythailand. However, today I sent him some suggestions as to what I think ought to be done about it. I completely agree with you. I have seen too many boards degenerate or fail when the flamers are allowed to take control and eventually change the entire nature of the board. I too am of the opinion that this message board is supposed to be about Thailand and information that is of general interest to the gay community. I cannot imagine that general interest to the gay community includes flame posts, snide remarks, or attacks on individuals who wish to post here. I am convinced, based on my own experience running a message board, that if these sorts of posts are allowed to prevail or continue, then the board will inevitably become exactly what only a very few mental cases would want to see it become. I am doing what I can to prevent that, but the ultimate decisions as to how this should be handled are, of course, up to Gaythailand. He's where the buck stops.

I definitely agree with 'The Rose' on this one. I haven't been to Queen's yet, but I intend to give it a try. I've been to several restaurants in Pattaya that I did not like at first. Then I gave them another chance and was pleasantly surprised several times and have enjoyed those restaurants ever since. There are some that I wouldn't go to again if the food was free, but those always get three chances before I give up on them.

Actually, yes you can. There are several online spell check sites out there. Try these two: http://www.spellcheck.net http://www.iespell.com

I checked once more at 3:15 PM. Now Sawatdee is unblocked. This is just the sort of thing these web sites wen through before: Blocked. Unblocked. Blocked. Unblocked. Here we go again.

Can you please tell us where this restaurant is? I'd like to give it a try, but I have never heard of it and have no idea where to find it.

I periodically look at all the popular gay Thailand web sites. For the better part of two months none of them have been blocked, at least not through my ISP. However, the Sawatdee forum is blocked. I read the Sawatdee forum only about once a month or so. For all I know, the site has been blocked for weeks. I don't know. However, it is definitely blocked now. Here is what I see when I try to access the site: ______ ขออภัย เว็บไซต์นี้เป็นเว็บไซต์ที่ไม่เหมาะสม กระทรวงเทคโนโลยีสารสนเทศและการสื่อสาร โดยได้รับความร่วมมือจากผู้ให้บริการอินเทอร์เน็ต และบริษัท กสท โทรคมนาคม จำกัด (มหาชน) จำเป็นต้องปิดกั้นเว็บไซต์นี้ หากมีข้อคิดเห็นอื่นใด หรือพบเว็บไซต์อื่นที่ไม่เหมาะสม โปรดแจ้งผ่านดวงตาข้างบนหรือ ict.cyberclean.org ( Sorry! the web site you are accessing has been blocked by ministry of information and communication technology )