Gaybutton

I spoke with the owner this afternoon, at the bar, as he was packing everything to go. I can now confirm the first post on this thread. He said he does actually make money there, but not enough to justify putting up with the problems, the time, the problems with the police, the problems with the boys, etc. He said he's moving on to other things. He's not sure yet what he'll be doing next, but he said he's had enough of the bar business. He does intend to remain in Thailand. For those of you who enjoy the Memories bar in Sunee Plaza, you might recognize some of the items from Rock Hard. They bought most of the furniture and accessories from Rock Hard and a lot of it was being packed up to be moved to Memories while I was there.

I'm not surprised. The authorities can try to paint as rosy a picture as they want, but anyone here can see that the tourist industry is in real trouble. I've never seen it this bad. I think there are going to be more venues going out of business, especially if high season turns out to be another disaster. And high season is still some months away. I hope the businesses can survive until then, but that's hard to do when you're lucky if you get even ten customers per night.

Last night was the final night for the Rock Hard bar in Jomtien Complex. The story I'm getting is there simply was not enough customers to sustain the business. From what I understand the closing is permanent. I hope the owner somehow manages to reopen, but it doesn't look that way. It's really sad to see what's happening to the bar scene in Pattaya. Not too many years ago the bars were consistently packed. Now you're lucky in many of the bars if you even see anyone in there besides yourself.

Your message is fine right where it is. Trust me on this, you do not need anyone to go to Babylon with you. Everyone is a little shy their first time at something entirely new, but at Babylon there is no need. When you enter, you'll pay the fee. They'll give you a receipt and just a few steps from there you'll be given a locker key. Then you simply go upstairs, find your locker, open it, and there will be a towel inside. That's the attire . . . the towel. There will be a condom or two in there as well. If you want to wear a swim suit, that's fine too. Then simply wander around. It will take you maybe five minutes, if that long, to catch on. Chances are strong that you'll be approached by different guys. You're just about guaranteed to meet people there and, shall we say, you are very unlikely to leave Babylon as a virgin. Your locker key has a wrist cord. That key also acts as a credit card. Any food or drinks you have will be charged to your key number and you pay when you are leaving Babylon. All you have to say to a taxi driver or motorcycle taxi driver is "bai bah-bee-LON." They all know, or print out their address in Thai from their web site ( http://www.babylonbangkok.com/map_bbl.htm ). When you exit Babylon, there are motorcycle taxis right there or if you step outside to the street it won't be long before a taxi comes by. If you've never been to a gay sauna before, you'll either love it or hate it. But do try it. The best time of day to go is around 3:30-4:00pm, although you will probably have success even earlier.

Oogleman is right. You left it up to him and he said he wants to try it. So, let him try it and let him know if he wants to bow out at some point there is no problem about it. I'd say to let him make up his own mind. Based on your description of him, I'd also say if he wants to bow out, that's exactly what he'll do.

To the tune of "It's a Small World (Disney)" "Come with us be born again. In Jim and Tammy Land, amen. We pray to St. Mercedes Benz In Jim and Tammy Land. Come to Jim and Tammy Bakker Land Where a hotel room costs a hundred grand. Send your check to PTL And if you don't, then go to Hell In Jim and Tammy Land . . ." - Mark Russell, PBS

Whoops! Oh well, who's counting . . . ?

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ PATTAYA LADYBOY LOCKED UP IN DIFFERENT CELL TO HIS LOVER As an update to the PDN report on the 15th June 2009 concerning the ladyboy who handed himself in to the police in order to be close to his imprisoned lover, police have revealed that his wish did not come true. On 19th June 2009, at the Chonburi Police Station, Superintendent Police Colonel Noppadol Wongnom, revealed that the ladyboy, Mr. Anusanon Walaijai [21,] surrendered himself to them in possession of a bag of marijuana, asking that he be arrested in order to have a chance to meet his lover. Unfortunately for Mr. Anusanon, the Chonburi jail officials locked him up in a separate cell designated for ladyboys. Police Colonel Noppadol added that the ladyboy go-go dancer was not very happy and he said he would never do such a thing again. He also told police that his “real” German boyfriend would be back soon. Mr. Artit, the imprisoned lover, was only his “gig” (casual sex-partner). It remains to be seen how Mr. Anusanon intends to explain the reason for his incarceration to the real boyfriend on his return.

Why should he phone them? Unless I missed something, two people on this thread have already said they have no problems having boys stay overnight with them.

Do I offend you? Goooooooooooooood.

A lot of people seem to particularly enjoy Wild West Boys and also particularly enjoy their show. For me, most of the Pattayaland-Boyztown bars are "six of one, half a dozen of the other." Most are also more expensive than the Sunee Plaza bars.

"Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man who lives in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time! But He loves you." - George Carlin

Yes, I think you are. If you are intolerant of people kidding around about religion, then you're intolerant, aren't you? You can tell me all about how that's not the same thing if you want to and that's fine with me. You are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine, as Hedda is to his, as GT is to his. We all have our different points of view. I joke about religion and I will continue to joke about religion. If that offends people, well....I say a lot that offends people.

Maybe it does to you, but not to me. Sorry, but I don't buy into the idea that joking about something makes you intolerant of it. I tolerate everything just fine, thank you very much. But I'm not one of those people who get all bent out of shape over joking. If you do, that's your affair. To me, getting upset over kidding around makes you the one who is actually intolerant.

I'm not. That's because I don't see any posts that indicate intolerance. I don't equate making fun of religion with intolerance to religion. I also don't view ethnic jokes as equivalent to racism or prejudice. If the religious people want to come to Thailand and try to get converts, let them. I wouldn't dream of trying to stop them. Just don't knock on my door. I'm no more interested in listening to someone trying to proselytize than I am in listening to the sales pitch from the guys who knock on my door trying to see me a broom. Personally, I think organized religion is a joke and I treat it as such. If others don't see the humor or think that means intolerance, that's their problem.

Hmmmm, never thought of that, but regarding Dan Quayle: ". . . And have you seen that wife of his? Goddam! Tell me something, does he actually have to fuck that woman?!?!?!?" - George Carlin

"My wife and I were happy for 25 years. Then we met." - Rodney Dangerfield

You know how I answer that question? I say, no, but my wife also doesn't know I beat my mother. Yes, it's about time for bed, I suppose. Is that a hint that you're volunteering to join me? If that's a yes, just remember that I'm not a big tipper . . . By the way, "You know what I say when someone tells me 'Have a good one'? I say, 'I've already got a good one, but I could use a longer one." - George Carlin

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Still No Justice for Aung San Suu Kyi By: GORDON BROWN, Prime Minister UK Published: 19/06/2009 Today, Friday June 19, is the 64th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi. The fact that she remains under arrest is tragic for Burma and for all those throughout the world who believe in democracy and the rule of law. The trial of Aung San Suu Kyi is an absurd mockery of justice. The real injustice was not that someone broke into her compound, but that she was imprisoned in the first place. Aung San Suu Kyi has now been imprisoned for 13 of the last 19 years since the party she led won the last elections in her country. More than 2,000 others are imprisoned across Burma for sharing her commitment to a better and brighter future for the long-suffering population. Even in the face of such injustice, Aung San Suu Kyi has always supported the path of peace and reconciliation. But the regime has consistently spurned her offer of dialogue and reconciliation. They want to isolate her from the people of Burma, for whom she has long been a symbol of hope and defiance. Her refusal to buckle in the face of tyranny is an inspiration. But words of support are not enough. The region, the EU and the UN are all urging the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi. So far all requests for moderation have been spurned. In the face of such obstinacy the world must now act. I believe there are three things we must do. Firstly, we need support the countries of the region as they step up efforts to secure democracy and reconciliation. I have been struck by how Burma's neighbours have led the world community in calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release. We need to translate this outrage into ongoing political pressure for change. Secondly, we need the UN Security Council to reinforce its calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's release and to support the secretary-general's efforts to bring about political progress through an early visit to Burma. Thirdly, we should impose a new set of tough sanctions that target the regime's economic interests. We will be pushing for stronger European Union action in this regard. Such a step would hit the business interests of the generals and their cronies. I also believe we should identify and target those judges complicit in the recent political show trials. The growing sense of outrage and the unity of the international community behind this message should mark a turning point. The regime is at a crossroads. Long-promised elections in 2010 will remain a charade while political prisoners are being tortured, ethnic minorities are persecuted, the media muzzled, freedom of speech and assembly are non-existent and Aung San Suu Kyi is silenced. The regime can choose to ignore the clamour for change. But this will only condemn the country to deeper isolation, poverty, conflict and despair. Or it can choose the path of reform as the region has urged. Burma is rich in natural and human resources, at the heart of a dynamic continent. Democratic reform would unleash the country's enormous potential. Britain and the international community would be ready to extend the hand of friendship. If the Burmese generals rethink their ways, we will be ready to recognise and embrace any genuine reforms they make. Some may question why Burma warrants so much attention. There are other countries where human rights are ignored or people live in poverty. But the Burmese junta stands virtually alone in the scale of its misrule and the sheer indifference to the suffering of its 50 million people. How we respond to this injustice will send a message about our resolution to tackle similar injustices across the globe. To those that stand for human rights, freedom and democracy, our message remains clear - you are not alone.

Bush Hopes Closing Guantanamo Won't Risk Security By GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press Writer Genaro C. Armas, Associated Press Writer ERIE, Pa. – Former President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he hopes that his successor's plans to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will not compromise domestic security. Bush, though, maintained during an appearance in northwestern Pennsylvania that he would not criticize President Barack Obama, though he did discuss his policies. "I will just tell you that there are people at Gitmo who will kill Americans at the drop of a hat," the nation's 43rd president said at a dinner held by a group of business leaders in Erie. "Persuasion isn't going to work. Therapy isn't going to change their mind." Bush has made just a handful of public appearances since he left office in January, though his hour-long session before a friendly crowd of about 1,600 touched on familiar themes in reminiscing about his eight years in the White House. The topic of Guantanamo Bay arose during a question-and-answer session, in which e-mailed or submitted questions were screened and chosen by a moderator during the event. "I certainly hope not," Bush answered when asked if he thought Obama's plan could compromise security before adding, "I told you I would not criticize my successor." Bush reminded the audience that he had also remarked during his presidency that he thought the detention facility should eventually close, and that detainees should be able to have hearings — referring to military tribunals. "I just want to make sure that when people have a hearing ... we don't have to give away our secrets in order to protect you," he said, drawing applause. On Iran, Bush said he was troubled by its leaders' use of the Revolutionary Guard, the country's powerful military force, and that he was concerned about cries that the recent national election was a sham. Bush demurred when asked who could lead his own Republican Party in the 2012 presidential race, saying he would wait until at least after the 2010 midterm elections. "Invite me back — I'll give you my opinion," he said. Talk about the economy and the recession took up much of the evening. He said U.S. businesses — and not the government — will be the engine to a financial resurgence. The free enterprise system "will work again, which gives me great confidence if government just releases the ingenuity of the American people, if we provide incentives for people to take risk ... we'll come out of this thing better than before," Bush said. He was roundly applauded after giving an immediate answer to a question about how to make the manufacturing sector more vibrant. "Low regulations, no frivolous lawsuits and export markets," he said, before also adding support for research and development tax credits. Among those in attendance in Erie were former first lady Laura Bush and Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, a Republican and supporter of Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush. A Bush spokesman declined to comment when asked how much Bush was paid for the appearance.

You know where you're most likely to find chubby lady-boys? Look for some of the mama-sans and some of the comedic bar show performers.

Does this mean you're canceling your plans to open a Chiang Mai branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union?

I doubt you'll find very many posters on this board who would disagree with your stance anyway.

You certainly won't have any problem finding chubby farang. May I suggest you post your profile (and photos) on Gay Romeo ( http://www.gayromeo.com )? You'll have plenty of responses.

Amen, Brother, amen!