Gay Thailand

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Panic as Stock Market Records Biggest Crash in 31-Year History The stock market yesterday crashed by almost 20 per cent, the biggest one-day fall in the bourse's 31-year history. It hit a two-year low on concerted sell-offs by foreign and local investors who were spooked by the 30-per cent reserve withholding on new capital inflow. About Bt820 billion worth of market capitalisation was wiped out in a single day, leaving the Stock Exchange of Thailand at Bt4.63 trillion. The composite SET Index plunged to 721.85 at the opening bell and headed further south, falling by 10 per cent at 11.30am. This trigger…

Not to be confused with the Ritz, of course . . . Khun Rit, of the popular Rit's Beach concession at Dongtan Beach in Pattaya, is hosting a free Christmas Day barbeque on Monday, December 25, at 1:00 PM, as his Christmas gift. The barbeque is sponsored by the Panorama Pub. There is one catch. You need a ticket. Although it's free, the tickets that have been given clearly state, "Please bring this card." If you'd like to go, then you'll need to ask Rit or one of his workers for a ticket. I'm sure he'll be glad to give you one. The reason for the ticket is because this is being hosted in the afternoon, when the beaches are full. He cannot acco…

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Use More Bamboo

It was reported on CNN's website today that the Thai stock market plunged by more than 13%, it's biggest slide since the Asia financial crisis in 1997, prompting the market to suspend trading for 30 minutes. It seems the new measures put in place by the Bank of Thailand to stop the rise in the Thai Baht has been extremely unpopular with foreign investors who have scrambled to liquidate their Thai stock holdings in a frenzy of selling to get their money out of Thailand. Without wanting to be inflammatory about it, it makes one wonder if the Thai property market will be next? (Isn't it a rule of economics 101 that Central Bank intervention in the foreign currency mark…

WEEKLY REPORT ON THAILAND FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 17, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jomtien Complex businesses work together Report by Boxer on Jazz Spectacular at Horseshoe Point Spice! Magazine offers award of Free Designer Tee Shirts in contest New Business in Silom Soi 4, "Luminous" Club, opens anew on Silom Soi 4, Bangkok Pan, webmaster of http://thaiman.com website, encourages more people to post Panorama's yearly draw will wrap up in January; check with management for exact dates Boyz Boyz Boyz offers special shows Christmas Eve, Chr…

I am interested in know what countrys a Thai National can travel to with only their passport, and countries that routinely issue a visa to Thais. I recently started a thread about US travel, and have quickly determined that the US, UK, and Canada are not possible. I hear a lot of talk about "they can go to (Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.__), but I am never sure if they are correct. I did an extensive web search and couldn't find the info, so I am turning to the board members for help! What countries can they travel to easily???

Very dangerous pedestrian crossings at traffic lights Several of the flash new traffic lights now have a pedestrian phase when the little stationary red man goes green and walks. At junctions like Tapphaya and Teprasit Roads a great idea. BUT there is nothing to warn the motorists who continue to turn left at red lights and scare the bejesus out of pedestrians who think that they are crossing with safety. Will something happen to make these safe? If not a nasty accident is likely.

I suppose it was bound to happen. Naturally, just in time for high season too. The baht has strengthened to the point that it is now in the high 34's. At the time of this writing, the exchange rate is 34.96 baht to the US dollar. The present rate for other currencies is: Euro: 45.65 British Pound: 68.185 Australian Dollar: 27.1375 Canadian Dollar: 30.0375

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Justice to Amend Law to Make Alcohol Test Mandatory for Drunk Drivers The Justice Ministry is pushing for a traffic law amendment to force suspected drunk drivers to take an alcohol test and to permit police to detain those who refuse the test. Permanent secretary for Justice Charan Phakdithanakul said Monday at the launch of the "Young People Against Drink Driving" campaign the ministry had drafted two amendments to the Land Transportation Act 1979. The proposals would be presented to the Cabinet before being submitted to the National Legislative Assembly. They should be in effect for the next Songkran Fest…

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: To view the photos that accompany this article, see: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_18_12_49_2.htm _____ District Governor Orders Military Assistance as Pattaya

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Celebrities Seek Action Against Burma (Agencies) Actors and musicians - Tim Robbins, Peter Gabriel and others - have called on the UN Security Council to approve its first resolution on Burma, whose military regime has waged a brutal offensive against ethnic minorities. The appeal came in letters sent to the office of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan after nearly 500 activists gathered in New York earlier in the week to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Burma, the human rights group Witness said. "It is past time for the issue of Burma to be addressed by the UN's most powerful body," the letters…

With the "finer" "classier" restaurants in Pattaya, there is usually a 10% service charge and a VAT 7% charge added on to the meal; yet, I can go to other restaurants (I am not talking about the bars with food) and there are NO extra charges...it almost seems that if the restaurant is expensive, then they will also have a tax and a service charge. --I don't get it. Any sense to this set up?

Jomtien Complex Carnival - 16 DEC 16th December from 7 PM at Jomtien Complex A great evening at Jomtien Complex organised by Jomtien Gay Community will start at 7 PM on 16th December 2006. Music and shows thoughout the evening, Mr Gay Jomtien Contest, Prize for Best Costume (so come dressed up), Limbo contest and Charity raffle with many great prizes (for the benefit of Take Care + HEART 2000). Food buffet provided by gay owned restaurants in Jomtien available from 7 PM included in entrance fee. Entrance at 500 Baht per person includes 100 Baht to charities and free buffet. Tickets available on the night or at most Jomtien Complex Gay businesses in adv…

When I began to contemplate my first visit to Thailand over two years ago, I surfed the web for information about the culture and read many articles and tidbits of advice so many of you have been willing to share. Much of it proved invaluable in making each of my trips a problem free and memorable experience. Until it was put into hibernation, I used to follow Gaybutton.com with the zeal of a Southern Baptist looking for scriptural passages that would justify his hating everybody who was not a WASP. This week in Pattaya I had a gastronomic experience I want to share with you. There is a small, innocuous little bar just off Beach Road on the south side of Soi 13/2. It …

I just wish to notify the members and readers of the Gay Thailand Forum that I have recently posted an update on my latest two month trip to Thailand as part of an ongoing experiment to decide whether I would like to live there. I have included a link in the report to a thread I started in this forum so as a courtesy I mention the fact here. The report can be found at the following link: http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum...54bd1c36bdc4848 The thread which caused much debate appears here: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...wtopic=929&st=0 Wishing you all a happy and safe festive season, Chris.

The following is an excerpt from an article that appear in the BANGKOK POST. The entire article can be seen at: http://www.bangkokpost.com/161206_Business...c2006_biz88.php To avoid confusion, most of you probably are more familiar with "Kolkata" when it is spelled "Calcutta." ____ As part of its inaugural offer, Jet Airways has introduced a special return air fare of 7,800 baht on the Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok sector for a two-month period while economy-class fares start at 11,000 on the Bangkok-Delhi-Bangkok sector. The return airfare for Club Premiere (business class) for the Bangkok-Delhi-Bangkok sector ranges from 38,770 baht while on the Bangk…

The following appears in PATTAYA TODAY: http://www.pattayatoday.net/index.php?acti...pe=news&id=2030 _____ Time Up for Some 30 day Visa Runners Farangs living in Thailand with a 30 day stamp on arrival, and renewing it by continuous monthly visa runs to the Cambodian border, face big problems from next month. New regulations introduced on October 1 2006 mean that these farangs will currently be on their third 30 days visa run (October, November and December) with the limit of 90 days in a 6 months

For Immediate Release: Niddy's Nook is proud to introduce its newest service, Catering & Party Caravan! That's right, now you can have Niddy's fantastic homemade cooking at your bar or home for that special function. We have many different menu options to choose from and can accommodate any requests for specialty dishes you might like. And best of all, Niddy's Nook offers these services at fair and competitive prices! Other local catering services charge as much as three times as we do, and our quality is higher -- guaranteed! We have already provided several businesses and homes in the Pattaya area with our service and will gladly offer t…

Army engineers on schedule with new relief road Public will see road take shape within five months says commander Ariyawat Nuamsawat Work is now well underway on the leveling of land for the long-awaited 330 million baht local relief road that will run alongside the railway tracks. The work on the new road is well underway. A progress review meeting was held on December 1 at Pattaya District Office with officers of the Army Civil Engineers and the Railways Authority of Thailand. It was reported that no problems were being experienced and that progress was as planned, with 10 percent of the land leveling currently comple…

Last evening I met a friend at Cuvee Wine Bar at 7.30 for a drink and a look around. One is warmly greeted - asked your name and the staff call you by name after that. No sign of valet parking. You are escorted up stairs a floor and there is the room. It is very large with generous leather oversized armchairs and sofas and a bed platform for lying around. There are neat banquette surrounded dining tables. The decor is expensive sombre with a black floor, black and brown furniture, gold gauzes floating around and blue lighting on the ceilings and under the glass tables. Mirror balls spin and lava lamps with red oil chunder. It is lavishly appointed but has a very late n…

US Dollar 35.23 decline continues 14% this year Euro 46.56 ups and downs UK

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Provincial Police Arrest Burmese Construction Workers in Jomtien In the early hours of Friday Morning, Police Colonel Sutat from Chonburi Provincial Police Headquarters conducted an operation in Soi 7 off the Tepprasit Road in Jomtien at a construction site campsite after he received information of illegal Burmese workers residing at the location. He assembled a team of officers and went to the location where he arrested 33 Burmese Nationals, none of which possessed a passport or work permit. They were taken to the nearby Dongtan Police Sub-Station on Jomtien Beach where they were processed. They will…

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ International Beach Football Event Coming Soon to Jomtien Beach. Between 18th and 23rd December on Jomtien Beach, an International Beach Football Tournament will take place. This preparation meeting was chaired by Khun Wootisuk, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya. Nine teams will compete for the Championship Trophy from Germany, England, Holland, Thailand, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, Bangladesh and a Pattaya Allstars Team. Last years event was won by Thailand who are hot favorites to retain their crown. The event will be well worth a look. Don

From BBC News, Bangkok For Britons it's a friendly Asian holiday paradise. But the reality of moving lock, stock and barrel to the other side of the world, has been a lot harder for some of the tens of thousands of expats. To the holidaymakers visiting Frances Khetrat's bar on a picturesque Thai beach, it must seem as if she has the perfect life. Every day she takes a wooden long-tail boat across the sea, to a sandy bay overlooked by imposing limestone cliffs. "I often think how lucky I am, when I remember all the people stuck on the tube while I'm surrounded by crystal-clear water and beautiful scenery," she says. But Frances readily admits that her l…

Hope to see ya there!!!!!!!