Gaybutton

No, that's not something to do to people you dislike. That's the name of a computer technician I can't recommend highly enough. I've written about Killin before and I'm prompted to write about him again. If you are having computer troubles, Killin is a miracle worker. I've had any number of people thank me for referring them to Killin and if you experience any computer troubles, even with a laptop when in Pattaya on a holiday, Killin is the person I recommend contacting. Killin will come to you and repair your computer on the spot. If he has to take your computer with him, he'll almost always have it back to you the next day. His English is excellent and his prices are more than reasonable. I mentioned on another thread that I was in Bangkok for a few days. Just prior to leaving I contacted Killin to have him repair some problems while I was away. He shows up when he says he will and returns your computer when he says he will. I was having all kinds of little problems. My computer would freeze up for no discernible reason. My mouse would also freeze up. Some of the USB ports weren't working. My DVD writer wouldn't write DVDs. My web cam stopped working. Trying to restart my computer would take 10 or more tries before everything would load. Sometimes, on a restart, I couldn't get a picture on the monitor at all. Killin took my computer when I left and gave it back when I called him to let him know I had returned. He doesn't simply hand it over. He plugs everything back in and fully tests out everything in your presence to make sure he's leaving you with a trouble free computer. The computer works perfectly now. One item that had to be replaced was the DVD writer drive. Apparently it had simply worn itself out. The new one works beautifully. Total cost: 2100 baht. That's US $60, including the new DVD drive and the service. Let's see you beat that! Killin's phone number is 081 295 3860.

Ok, I've set it up as a poll for those who wish to participate. I also eliminated your thread so that everything could be kept under one topic. I hope you don't mind. Those of you who voted on the other thread, please re-vote here. Sorry for the inconvenience. By the way, I chose Italian.

I'm afraid not. Everything I know about it is in my post above. I suppose I should have checked those things, but I didn't.

I just returned from a few days in Bangkok. Sorry, I don't go to the Bangkok bars, but I do have some information to share: The USA embassy has entirely changed its entrance facade since I was last there. It's much more high tech now and much quicker to enter, leave your belongings, and retrieve them when you leave. Three of us went to the embassy and each of us had appointments we had made online. ( see: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.as...K&appcode=1 ). Due to traffic we were more than half an hour late for our appointments and the American Citizens Services room was crowded. Nevertheless, they still accepted our appointments, mentioned that they understood about traffic problems, and we were taken immediately. I always stay at the Malaysia Hotel when I can. The room rate is now 800 baht per night and, of course, plenty of boys still hang around outside, usually in the smoking gazebo or in the immediate vicinity. 500 to 800 baht is the going rate for "short time." Some of you may recall a lot of noise from construction that was taking place directly across the street from the Malaysia Hotel. That construction is now complete and resulted in a brand new hotel, the Ibis. I went in to have a look. For the time being they have a promotion going and all rooms are 1300 baht per night. Their restaurant is 24 hours and they start serving breakfast at 4:00am and you can get breakfast until noon. Non-smokers may want to give the Ibis a try. Absolutely no smoking is permitted in the hotel at all and no smoking is allowed in any of the rooms. I have no idea whether the hotel is gay-friendly, but being in that area I would guess that it is. See: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6537-h...kok/index.shtml I also discovered a wonderful new restaurant that has been open only 4 months. It's a French restaurant called Vickie L'amour, owned by Monsieur Jackie, a very affable gay gentleman who also has the restaurant walls decorated with works of art that are for sale. It's a small restaurant, two tables outside and six tables inside. The menu is wonderful and very reasonably priced. It is not an extensive menu at all, but I enjoyed it so much I ate there twice. Try the ham and cheese stuffed pancakes as a starter. Don't miss it! Also, I have been looking all over the place for Eggplant Parmesan, and that was one of his menu selections. I was absolutely delighted. The portions are substantial and served piping hot. The restaurant is located between the Malaysia Hotel and the Pinnacle Hotel, a bit closer to the Malaysia, on the Pinnacle Hotel side of the street. The hours are 11:00am to 11:00pm, closed on Tuesdays. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough. If you are staying at the Malaysia, the Pinnacle, the Babylon, or anywhere else in the area, it's a must. I would even go as far as recommending going to eat there if you are staying in another part of town.

My thanks too. I'm going to try that recipe. It seems easy enough and also will give me a good excuse to use the food processor I bought, but hardly ever use.

Maybe that's it, then. Maybe at just the right time, someone had a little 'accident.'

I'm not following the logic of that question. Considering the fact that Sansuk is the first and only gay sauna in Pattaya, how could there be other successful saunas? Do you mean successful saunas other than in Pattaya and Bangkok? If that's what you mean, then you can find listings on both the Dreaded Ned and Utopia web sites. The listed saunas have been there for years and as far as I know are doing just fine.

Sounds good to me. Does it have to be one's own or would the offerings of willing donors work? Just take a whiz into an empty container, seal it up, and go to the beach. Then you'll be ready for anything. I wonder how a few beers prior to the stings would affect how well the pee works. They say red wine has health benefits. Maybe a glass or two prior to entering the infested waters would enhance the effectiveness of the pee. If pee works, I wonder if a good ol' turd would work even better. If it does, then guess what I'm going to bring to the beach. When they say "take a shit," I guess I really will . . .

Not 'probably.' Change that to 'definitely.' I can't imagine that the Thai concept of an American style sausage could possibly have come from a Thai who has ever been to the USA or has ever tasted an American sausage. I also can't imagine that an American was ever consulted. If the Thai concept of American sausage actually came from an American, then they picked the wrong American. Finding a real American sausage in any restaurant in Thailand is probably close to impossible. The one time I ever had a real American sausage in Thailand was at the buffet breakfast at the Marriott in Pattaya. When I went there a second time, they weren't serving the American sausages that time, so even there it's hit or miss. The only place I have ever seen real American sausage for sale is Villa Market. Unfortunately, probably due to import costs, it's very expensive. I never buy it because of the price. I'd love to be able to get American sausage in Thailand, but not at that price. And nobody in Thailand seems to have ever heard of corned beef hash, which I used to love at breakfast. Even Villa Market doesn't carry it. That's one food item I truly miss The American style bacon that the Brits out there refer to as 'streaky bacon' is good in Thailand, just as good as in the USA. But I, like lvdkeyes, want it cooked crisp. That can often be hard to find. I have yet to ever find a really good American breakfast in Thailand. If I ever find one at which the eggs are cooked properly, the bacon is crisp, and if sausage is served, they have the right kind, then that's where I'll have breakfast if it's at a reasonable price. In my case, if I have breakfast at all (I usually don't), most of the time I'll make it myself at home.

If there are enough gays in Krabi to support your idea, then I think you have really latched onto something. I can't imagine anyone better than Punya to advise you. Knowing him, he will help you in any way he can. I hope you decide to do it and I hope you succeed. You'll certainly be welcome to advertise on this board and I believe you will have plenty of support here. Let us know if and when you will open for business. I've never been to Krabi and coming there to support your efforts and try your sauna would certainly be incentive enough for me!

I have no idea about how popular Krabi is as a gay scene, but I would suggest making sure to talk to Punya. He's the owner of the Sansuk Sauna in Pattaya. I'll bet he would be willing to offer a great deal of excellent advice and he does speak English. I hope you go for it. I think it's an excellent idea if the clientele is there. Many people thought the Sansuk Sauna in Pattaya would never have a chance of making it, but Punya has made a great, profitable success of it.

Wow, what an incredible price. I don't think I can make breakfast at home for that price. I'd like to try it. Do you happen to know what time they open in the morning? Several years ago I used to love the Lek Hotel's buffet breakfast. It used to be my top breakfast venue recommendation. But no more. The last few times I had breakfast there the quality had gone downhill so much that neither my friends or I eat there anymore. The breakfast served at the Two Guys Guesthouse was good too. Now that it has changed hands, can anybody let us know about the present breakfast quality?

Ok, I think I'd like to carry this to the next step. What is everyone's opinion as to where to find the best under-250 baht breakfast in all of Pattaya? And please, not just the name of the restaurant, but how about a good description too.

It's official. The ban has been scrapped. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: ____ Plan to Ban Alcohol Sales for Songkran Gets Canned Plans to ban the sale of alcohol during next month's Songkran festival have been scrapped. Authorities fear a ban will harm the already damaged tourism industry. The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control yesterday said there would be no alcohol ban during the traditional new year from April 13 to 15. Instead it had opted to launch an intensive campaign against drink-driving. The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, decided a ban on alcohol sales during Songkran would further harm the tourism industry. The resolution was reached after a two-hour meeting with relevant agencies. Attending the meeting were Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbode and Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat. Maj Gen Sanan said the meeting agreed to issue a Prime Minister's Office regulation officially prohibiting the sale of alcohol on important Buddhist holidays. He said this was a gift to the Thai people. The religious days include Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansa, or Buddhist Lent. He said agencies would launch an anti-alcohol campaign over Songkran covering drinking while driving and drinking when celebrating Songkran on the back of pick-up trucks. He said the sale of alcohol over the Songkran holiday would be in line with existing regulations, which limits sales to between 11am and 2pm and between 5pm and midnight. "The meeting decided the ban would have more of an impact on tourism, particularly on Songkran day, which draws over 80,000 foreign tourists," Maj Gen Sanan said. "An alcohol ban, if imposed, would drive away foreign tourists." The deputy premier was also concerned about increased sales of illegal liquor if a ban was imposed. He rejected the results of surveys which indicated people believed a decision not to impose a ban showed the government was under the thumb of breweries and distillers. His committee was more concerned about the impact on tourism and problems regarding the sale of illegal liquor. The panel's resolution will spark protests from people in some areas. Deputy Public Health Minister Manit said his ministry - which proposed the alcohol ban - would not be discouraged by the committee's resolution. Its efforts to campaign against alcohol would not go to waste, he said. The ministry would push for the issue of a PM's Office regulation to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public areas during the festival. Kamron Choodecha, coordinator of the Alcohol Watch Network, lashed out at the Sanan panel for rejecting a ban. He said the panel was being insensitive as it could easily impose measures to reduce deaths and injuries.

May you be granted a thousand perfect boys if you turn out to be right . . .

It may not help the sting, but at least you'll smell like salad . . .

There are several news articles coming out at this very moment talking about simultaneous protests taking place at several city halls in Thailand, including Si Sa Ket, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Nan, and Kalasin. All, of course, major Thaksin territory. So far there has been nothing about an airport takeover attempt.

That won't be necessary. I'll take your word for it.

Other good breakfast choices in the immediate area are Linda's and Papa David's. Maybe there are other good breakfasts at similar prices in that area. If anyone knows of any, please post.

"Ach sooooooooo." - Sefton, 'Stalag 17'

I also have never heard the phrase "Tom and Dee show." Also, maybe you're incorrect about the lesbians. If two lady-boys go to bed together, are they lesbians . . . . . . ?

Very good point.

Two of my favorite gay personals web sites are: Gay Romeo: http://www.gayromeo.com and Gboysiam: http://www.gboysiam.com/picpost And those are just two of them. There are many more. Every day there are new profiles posted. On Gboysiam there are literally dozens of them every week, often every day, and that site has been there for years. Do the math. I'm grossly underestimating when I say there are at least 5 new profiles every day. There are usually many more than that, but if there were only 5 every day, that's at least 1825 new profiles per year on that web site alone. Where are all these boys coming from? And these are the ones who have found these sites in the first place and the ones who posted on them, usually with photos, after finding these sites. There must be an untold number of young gents who haven't even found these sites . . . yet. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but mine is if ever a gay paradise existed on Earth, Thailand is it!!! If you truly believe the only way to find willing young men is to go to the bars, guess again.

For some of us, maybe his birthday suit would be even better . . .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Olarn Wants Baht at 37 to US Dollar By Achara Deboonme The Nation Published on March 30, 2009 The United States and China, with a combined injection of over US$2 trillion (BtBt71 trillion) into their economies, would help the world to stage an economic recovery but Thailand still needs to lay its hands on some problematic areas, economist Olarn Chaipravat said. "The US and Chinese policies have made it clear that both will engineer the global recovery and the world should move in a more orderly way. "The question is whether Thailand is on the curve or behind the curve," he said in an interview. The US recently endorsed three policies: the $787-billion fiscal package, which combines $200 billion tax cuts; the $1.15-trillion quantitative easing policy to get more money circulating and bring down |a wide range of borrowing costs; |and the public-private partner-|ship programme (PPP) to buy out toxic assets and recapitalise |financially-ailing banks. Olarn commended the US's quick implementation of its programmes. The Federal Reserve implemented the credit policy in a matter of days, for example. Meanwhile, without any major public relations exercise, China has implemented three major policies: * Coupons were issued to poor Chinese for the purchase of some electrical appliances like washing machines * Starting from January 1, state-owned banks have been ordered to lend to specific areas like real estate - to keep prices from falling further - and consumer durable goods. * It has also recapitalised the Bank of China to strengthen its finances. China earlier unveiled a 4-trillion yuan or $586-billion economic-stimulus package, with little details of the spending. To Olarn, unlike the US whose policies appear in CNN or CNBC on a daily basis, China is low-profile but it has been doing something. Despite the actions of these two superpower nations, other countries like Thailand will still need to address their own problems, Olarn noted. His economic team expected March export value to plunge further by 30 per cent, and a sharp plunge is expected in the second and third quarters due to high bases in the previous years. Thailand's export value first declined in November and the fall continued until February. Against the 26.5-per-cent plunge in January, the February figures fell only 11.3 per cent due to the huge volume of gold exports. While the export value, which accounts for 70 per cent of gross domestic product, nosedives, the more worrisome is the steeper fall in imports. Trade surplus has increased because imports of the intermediate goods for re-export manufacturing dropped and exports will probably decline in the near future. Olarn said that to help the export sector, the baht should weaken to Bt37 at the end of this year, "or the economy won't recover". Meanwhile, boosting domestic lending would also help ease burden from the ballooning current-account surplus. Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase insisted on Friday that the central bank would not adopt the quantitative easing policy, citing that Thailand's credit market has slowed due to falling demand not a credit squeeze. On the government's planned spending of over Bt1.5 trillion during 2010-2012, Olarn noted that the size matters less than the targets of the spending. "The government must be clear what it wants to accomplish. Importantly, it needs to create jobs and generate value in the form of tax revenues," he said.