Gaybutton

Extension of stay. When I showed you mine, it clearly shows the word "RETIREMENT" does it not? What's the part I'm so wrong about? What's the part you think I have a problem about? Is it because I call it a visa when on a technical basis it's not actually a visa? As I said before, call it what you want. I'm going to call it a retirement visa because that's what it amounts to. Does this quibbling about technical terms really matter? It doesn't matter to me in the slightest. To me whether the term "visa" is stamped in or not, it's a retirement visa. The Immigration authorities stamped in the word "retirement" and guess what - I never used the word "retirement" on my application and nobody asked me whether it's for retirement. Nevertheless, you saw for yourself the word "retirement" stamped in by Immigration on my . . . whatever you call it. I don't have a problem about anything. What I have, no matter what term you want to use, is what is needed annually to stay in Thailand for another year. I don't give a damn whether technically it's called a retirement visa, an extension, or anything else. There's nothing for me to research and report back about because I couldn't care less. The important thing, and what the subject of this thread is by the way, is not what it's called, but how to get it.

I don't care what the technical term might be either. As far as I'm concerned, once they issue the visa, now you're good for a year. What else matters? By the way, each of my annual visas are stamped into my passport with the word "RETIREMENT" in big bold all-caps letters, surrounded by a box. Bkkguy can argue about it all he wants from now 'til Kingdom Come, but to me that makes it a retirement visa and perfectly proper to call it a retirement visa. If bkkguy wants to call it something else, I certainly won't stand in his way.

Considering it's right there on their own web site, there's not much for me to be correct or incorrect about. Next logical question: When you were there, did they say anything to you about making an appointment next time you come? I'm guessing they didn't, which brings up yet another question: If they're not enforcing what they've posted on their own web site, then why did they post it in the first place and why haven't they either removed or amended it if they're going to take walk-ins anyhow? If I have to go to the embassy for anything, I'm still going to make the appointment whether they enforce it or not. It takes less than a minute and that way, if they're crowded, I'll be walking in with an appointment and maybe get taken a lot sooner than if I was a walk-in.

That comes as a surprise because the embassy's own web site says, "Beginning September 1, 2011, all non-emergency consular services will require an appointment." ( http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html ). I don't know whether you were lucky or whether they're not following their own published policy, but I'd rather make the appointment rather than rely on luck.

You mean you're in Thailand now? Then why not get your retirement visa while you're still here?

Everybody has his first time. Everyone I've ever personally gone with to obtain a first time retirement visa, and me too the first time, was a nervous wreck until having that visa in hand. Considering your entire future depends on getting that visa, it would be difficult not to be nervous. Once you have it and see how easy it is to do, you'll probably have the same reaction everyone else has, which is "What the hell was I so nervous about?"

And that's an important point. We've posted about that many times in the past. If one bank branch doesn't give you the answer you were hoping to hear, just go to another branch of the same bank. Chances are very good you'll get a totally different answer. Welcome to Thailand . . . Actually, on second thought I think Thaiworthy would be better off getting his retirement visa in the states, rather than waiting to get it in Thailand. Once he has his retirement visa, he shouldn't have any problems about coming to Thailand on a one-way ticket.

There is nothing complicated about getting a retirement visa and you don't need to be doing any of the things you're doing. First, don't get the retirement visa until you are in Thailand. The procedure is far simpler once you are in Thailand. You don't need any visas at all. You just enter on the usual 30 day privilege. You'll need the embassy's proof-of-income statement, a Thai bank account and updated passbook, proof of your residence address in Thailand, one passport photo, a filled out retirement visa application form which you can get at the immigration office, and 3800 baht. That's it. That's all you need. You don't need anything else. For a first-time retirement visa, it's probably advisable to get your Thai bank's "letter for immigration." Banks charge 100 or 200 baht for it, depending on the bank. If you ask for "letter for immigration," your bank will know exactly what you mean and exactly what you want. In addition, take the following with you when you apply for the visa: 1. copy of your most recent visa 2. copy of main passport page 3. copy of your bank passbook's main page 4. copy of your departure card Armed with those items, they'll do everything right there, on the spot. 1900 baht to convert your 30-day privilege and another 1900 baht for the retirement visa. It's very simple and I've personally witnessed it done that way twice. Getting the retirement visa won't be any problem at all. Your problem is going to be trying to get your airline to let you board your flight with a one-way ticket, but no long-term visa. I would suggest first contacting your airline, explaining what you're trying to do, and see if you can get their permission to board your flight with a one-way ticket. If you can't get their permission, then you have several options. You can spring for a round-trip ticket. You can buy a refundable round trip ticket and get your refund once you're in Thailand. You can buy a ticket out of Thailand to another country, such as Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, or Cambodia. To answer your question about the departure card and the 90-day address report, when you arrive in Thailand and are going through customs, they'll staple your departure card into your passport. Never remove anything from your passport. Let them do that. Yes, the clock starts ticking on the 90 day address report upon arrival in Thailand. For the 90 day address report, you need: 1. Photocopy of your passport face page 2. Photocopy of your most recent visa stamp 3. Photocopy of your departure card 4. Proof of home ownership, rental contract, or bill in your name showing your address 5. Your actual passport The above is for Pattaya. 90 day address reports in Bangkok may be a little different. The different immigration offices all seem to have their own requirements. When you go to the US embassy to get your proof-of-income statement, make sure you have an appointment. They won't take walk-ins anymore. You can make your appointment online at: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp

Sorry, but it's much more fun to take your comments the wrong way . . . Besides, it's still possible that Firefox is not the culprit at all. It probably is, but that's only our guess. Obviously I can still get in as long as I use a more inconvenient method. I prefer that to switching browsers. I'm used to Firefox and I like Firefox much better than any other browsers I've tried. And so far this is the only site I'm having trouble with. The thing is - this is the same version of Firefox I was using before the upgrade and I had no problems at all then. While Firefox may be the reason for the problem, it seems obvious to me that something in the upgrade is why the problem even exists. Is anyone else out there using my version of Firefox? If yes, are you also having the same problem I'm having? I'm available . . .

Ahaaaaa! Maybe that's it. If I'm using a beta version, I didn't even know it. If everyone else using Firefox is getting in without any problems, then that's probably the explanation. I just sent in a report about the problem to Firefox.

What I told you/us/bedpost was: And I turned out to be right . . .

I don't see that as a problem or something negative. It has always been my opinion that numbers of posts are meaningless. I believe the whole point of these boards is to provide information about Thailand. That's what the lurkers are getting. I don't see much of a reason for anyone to post just for the sake of posting. Unless they have questions or something relevant to contribute, what would be the point of them posting? I'll be the majority of the lurkers have never been to Thailand and are interested in whatever they can find out from reading these boards. I'll also bet that within that group, many can only dream about coming to Thailand, but probably never can.

Unless I follow the procedure I outlined above, I still get the blank screen.

What did I tell ya . . .?

That is precisely my point about saying this thread has become a pissing contest. Let's see, how many posts ago did this thread still have anything to do with Thai Guys in Tight Jeans? Besides, you're not the one putting down me or my board. However, somehow I'm failing to see how whether I'm a hypocrite, how much of a news article I'll allow to be posted, or whether I follow my own rules to the letter has anything to do with Thai Guys in Tight Jeans. I think you already know as well as I do, as soon as bkkguy sees this post, his response won't have anything to do with it either. However, since this thread is supposed to be about Thai Guys in Tight Jeans, I'll at least include a little something about it. That way, I still get to be a hypocrite - just not as much of one . . .

But I am a hypocrite. I've never claimed to be anything else. And guess what - I don't give a shit whether you like the way I do things or not. What I would not do on my board is allow a thread to degenerate into a pissing contest, such as this thread has become. I also would never permit anyone to use my board to criticize, complain about, or put down another board or its administrators and moderators. I'd delete those kinds of posts the instant I see them and tell whoever writes them if they have a problem with another board, take it to that board. "How do you like them eggrolls, Mr. Goldstone?" - Ethel Merman, 'Gypsy'

I didn't know many fail. Has there ever even been a gay massage in Sunee? I don't recall any. The ones I know about are around the Tuk Com area and are still in operation. I hope this massage does succeed. I think it has a good chance. Obviously, he can't really advertise "happy endings," but to the best of my recollection this is a new idea for Sunee. If I'm wrong about gay massages previously being in Sunee, maybe the time is right for a fresh start. I think for many, this might be just the thing. No uncomfortably loud music. No obligatory drinks. No pushy mama-sans. Also, some people have expressed embarrassment about being seen walking along the sois with a young lad. Maybe the idea of getting what you want, one stop " in-house," will be quite appealing to many. Only time will tell. Of course, for a slight fee . . .

You expect a massage to be included when visiting a massage parlour? I didn't realize you're so finicky and hard to please. I'm even harder to please. I like your idea of the small shorts, but I can do without the shirts. I recently went to a massage place that offered happy endings, but I doubt I'll go back. The price was right, the boy was very friendly, absolutely my type, flawless body with no blemishes, piercings or tattoos, very provocative attire, and his massage skills couldn't possibly have been better. The problem was - the happy ending part was self service . . . No luck on Gay Romeo for me either. I got into a chat with a young gent who got more and more interesting as the chat continued. I was all set to meet him, but then he revealed he is heavily into bondage. That actually kind of excited me, but I decided against meeting him anyway - despite the fact he's the Thai that binds . . .

That's right. I'm glad you finally figured that out . . .

Clearing the cache doesn't help me. I still get the blank screen. I don't encounter this problem if I switch over to IE Explorer, but the browser I use is Firefox. I had no problem at all until you did this upgrade and it's just too inconvenient to have to switch back and forth between browsers. I'm sorry. I know the problem is not your fault, but the programmers trying to blame the browser is ridiculous when that same browser had no problem until this upgrade. They need to find what is causing this problem and they need to fix it. That's what you're paying them for. If they can't fix the software they're busy selling to people, then they need to hire someone who can. I'm not even convinced their upgrade actually resolved any security issues in the first place. What security issues were they resolving?

Remarks such as "Well, sorry, all boards but yours. Yours is perfect and never any issues and no spammers. My apologies for thinking otherwise" and "I do apologize if you thought I was trying to insult your lack of rocket science intelligence" are not condescending? Ok. I don't know what we're arguing about. All I'm saying is the current software has problems and the problems need to be dealt with. That has nothing to do with "defending" the board. The board itself is not the problem. The software is the problem. I've already explained the problem and I don't see a need to debate about it. I'm not making it up.

There's nothing to show. I get a completely blank white screen, just like the inside of the posting box in the "Reply to this topic" below. It also seems to me that I'm not the one taking it personally. As I recall, you sold this board, but your posts are coming across as being upset about the board software having problems. Unless this is still your board or you designed the current board software, what does it have to do with you and why all the condescending remarks you're posting? None of it alters the fact that a software problem exists and it needs to be fixed.

I fail to see what that has to do with problems on this board. Yes, I certainly have had problems on my board. I've also solved them. Are you trying to say the fact that I've had problems on my board means I shouldn't say anything if I experience problems here? And I do understand software quite well, thank you very much. The fact that you have had zero problems doesn't mean everyone else is also having zero problems. I've tried accessing this board via the suggestions you've made. For me, the only thing that works is what I've already said. I've never had to go through the main web site to get to the board before and I don't want to start having to do that now. I also don't want to have to start playing Musical Browsers to access this board. Rocket science or not, until now I had no problems accessing the board with one quick click. What has been done on this board is not my idea of a software update. If that's what it was supposed to be, I don't see any significant changes at all. To me, the purpose of a software update is to improve the functionality of the software. All I see is a change in the appearance of the board. I freely admit I may be missing something regarding improved functionality, and if I am I'd like someone to point it out. You said in your own post that you are "a firm believer in keeping things updated and working properly." The board has now been updated, but if people are having problems as a reslult, that's not my idea of working properly. Is it yours? Pattayamale's, z909's, and my complaints are legitimate and the software needs to be fixed. It doesn't take rocket science to see that either.

That is precisely what I'm trying to say. The board was working perfectly. Nobody was complaining about difficulty accessing the board. Nobody was complaining that the board now has an "old" look and is in need of "sprucing up." Nobody was complaining about the format, the layout, or saying they need to zoom in. That's why my opinion is nothing was "broke" and in need of fixing. Sometimes the best intentions are a flop. In my view, the new format is a flop and I'm not alone in having difficulty accessing the board. No matter how much a new look might be appreciated, if some of the membership is having problems accessing the board, you've got a big problem and it needs to be effectively dealt with. The way I see it, now there are three choices: 1. Fix the board. 2. Restore the board to the way it was. 3. Do nothing

Excellent. Now, suppose you tell me just what on this board is now "spruced up" and is a more attractive presentation than before. I've missed it.