Gaybutton

It came close to happening right here in Pattaya. A fire broke out at the Central Festival (Big-C shopping center) in North Pattaya. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Rather than reprint the story, I am providing the link. There are plenty of photos: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008140 The most frightening part of the story, in my opinion, is the part that mentions there is no fire alarm system in the shopping center.

Here is the BANGKOK POST report: Bangkok Post photo _____ Dozens Die in Night Club Fire Published: 1/01/2009 at 04:35 AM Fire broke out in a night club in Thong Lo during New Year's celebrations, and police said nearly 60 people were confirmed dead. The fire at the Santika Club in Soi Ekamai occurred shortly after the joyous midnight countdown, according to Pol Lt Gen Viboon Bangthamai, deputy metropolitan police commander. Thong Lo district police commander Pol Col Suphin Sapphuang said 59 people had been confirmed dead - 53 at the scene and six who succumbed later in hospital. Most of the fatality victims were Thai, but foreigners have been identified from Australia, the Netherlands, Nepal and Japan. The popular club consistently attracts a mixed crowd of Thais and visitors. At least 184 people were injured, according to emergency services at the scene, and had been rushed to 14 hospitals around Bangkok with various injuries including burns and smoke inhalation. Fireworks lit for the New Year celebration probably torched the facility’s curtain near the roof, he said. Pol Lt Col Prawit Kantwol, one of the first officers on the scene, agreed. "It appears that the fire started from the area of the stage where a band was playing. There were some pyrotechnics and it appears that they started the blaze," he said. "Most of the victims died from suffocation but some were also killed in a stampede when people were trying to get out." The two-storey club was completely gutted by the fire, with the front of the building blackened and partially collapsed. Firefighters brought the blaze under control at about 2 a.m. and retrieved most of the bodies, he said. Fifty-three people were found dead in the club and two died at hospitals Deaths apparently came from direct burns from the flames, from smoke inhalation and from injuries during the stampede to escape from the engulfing fire. Most of the bodies were found in the club's basement. Police said the hi-so club had only one door for entry and exit. Some victims were trapped in the basement of the club, which was accessed via a narrow stairwell. The roof of the building had also collapsed during the blaze. Rescue workers placed the bodies in white shrouds, in rows in the club's parking lot for possible identification and removal.

The easiest way to get there is to stand in front of the Friendship Market. Cross the street and follow the soi into the "square." It can be a little difficult to find the first time, but it's there . . .

I won't be anywhere near Sunee Plaza, that's for sure. When those boys start setting off their firecrackers it's like being in downtown Baghdad during a bombing raid. The tall buildings reverberate the noise and makes it even worse. That's not for me. A close friend lives in a high rise condo. He's having a small party for just a few friends. We're going to have our party and have a panoramic view of all the fireworks displays.

I agree. I see no particular reason to for you to reveal anything the media has not already revealed unless your friend requests that you reveal anything more. I think most of us understand that all you were trying to do was warn us about this sort of possibility. There is no need for you to respond to requests for information or comments unless you wish to.

There are all kinds of possible scenarios, including the one you portray. If what you say is what actually took place, then that will be the first time I've ever heard of such a thing. One aspect of the story that remains on my "I Don't Get It" list is that apparently this man suspected this was coming. I can't help but wonder why he didn't bolt while the getting was good. Unless he was sure he could prove he was the victim of a set-up, why did he stick around, just waiting to be arrested? I would have thought he would have sought out a good Thai attorney long before now, would also have consulted an attorney in the USA, and would have left rather than waiting for the axe to fall. Fake ID's are nothing new and that possibility ought to be taken into consideration any time a boy might appear to be under-age. Hindsight is 20-20, of course, but a 14 year old trying to pass himself off as an 18 year old would certainly turn on red lights for me.

I think that's absolutely right. Sting operation or not, if the man (or men) did not make certain about the boy's age, or knowingly took an under-age boy, then in my opinion he (they) has no one to blame except for the person he sees when he looks in a mirror.

Thank you RichLB. This is quite important information for people living in Thailand on the retirement visa and may not have been aware of this. I'll leave this post pinned for a while.

I hope, for the gentleman's sake, that it will turn out that he is completely innocent and the police arrested the wrong man. If he is the victim of some sort of set-up, then I hope it can somehow be proved that he could not possibly have known the boy's actual age, although it would be a little difficult to convince me that he couldn't figure out that someone age 14 hasn't reached age 18, no matter what kind of documentation the boy may have produced. Lester1's scenario makes sense to me, although none of us really know the whole story. Whether the media will ever publish any kind of follow-up to this is anybody's guess. I also think it's logical to guess that the man referred to in Pattayamale's "Urgent" thread is the same man in this story, but I have no way to know that. You know why I don't know? Because Pattayamale didn't tell us. That's why I don't know. In other words, now that the story is out, the rest is sheer speculation on our part unless and until more details come out. Meanwhile, the other day I jumped all over Slackersam's speculation on another arrest thread. However, if it turns out that this person really is the victim of a similar set-up, then I'm going to have to eat my words and offer Slackersam a public apology

I think that's the most important point in your entire post. Whatever happened to your friend, obviously you are quite upset about it. I don't know what it is. Those who engage in sex with under-age boys have to know by now that the odds of getting caught keep getting greater and greater. Why do it? What is it that compels these people to disregard such serious personal risk for the sake of a satisfying cum? People say all the time the police ought to clean up the streets of these under-age boys. They ought to shut down the bars hiring under-age boys. Whatever they ought to do, nothing changes the fact that the ultimate responsibility for making certain the boy is at least 18 rests with you. You're the one who's going to be arrested.

I'll let you folks do the debating about whether sex with a 14 year old fits the strict definition of a pedophile or whether posting this story is fair. This story is a perfect example of the fact that not all these arrests require being caught in the act. If the police are able to gather sufficient evidence, then the arrest can come at any time. I can't help but wonder if this man was a victim of a scam, considering the length of time between the date of the arrest warrant and the date of the actual arrest. Some under-age boys out there will go with a farang, get their tip, and then inform on the farang for even more money from the police if an arrest results. Even if this man was a victim of such a scam, I have little sympathy for him. It's just another example of thinking with one's crotch instead of one's brain. If the allegation turns out to be true, then it would mean he knowingly risked sex with an under-age boy. No matter how it plays out, it's going to cost him a fortune. If he ends up deported, I think most of you know what's going to happen to him once he's back on USA soil. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: see: http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2008/decemb...0_12_51_2.shtml for photos. _____ Immigration Police Arrest American Suspected of Conducting Lewd Acts with a 14 year old Boy Acting on an arrest warrant number 1195/2551 dated 6th June 2008, Police Captain Achib from Pattaya’s Immigration Office arrested Mr. Kent Meek aged 64 from USA at a house in the Jomtien Nivet Village. The warrant states that on 10th May, the suspect engaged in lewd acts with a 14 year old boy. It is alleged that Mr. Meek, met the boy in Soi Sunee Plaza which is an area notorious for underage sex workers. The boy was not working in a bar but was allegedly propositioned by the suspect in the street. Mr. Meek was taken to Pattaya Police Station where officers will take over the case which will be heard in court at a later date.

One of my favorite moments was when Tina Fey did a parody of Sarah Palin . . . using the very same words Palin had used. Her comments were so ridiculous that Tina Fey didn't have to change a thing. Now, that's a first!

I regret not mentioning Steve. He was a good friend of mine too. I truly miss him.

You don't need to wait for me. My information comes from the Bank of Ayudhya web site. I prefer that web site to others because it has always been accurate with regard to what I end up getting. Also, it's the only site I know that updates the rates several times per day. Again, here's the link: http://www.krungsri.com/eng/exchange01.aspx

Once in a while we do, but you are definitely correct in that it doesn't happen very often. As for when it is and is not appropriate to publish the story, I concede that it's controversial. The ones who have to make the ultimate decision on the boards are the moderators. In my opinion, it should not be anonymous posters on message boards who "break" that kind of news. But once the news hits the media, that's when it becomes a different story. In that case, now the story has been publicly exposed, but it wasn't us who exposed it. It was exposed by reporters who quite often sign their real names to the story, quite often provide photos, statements by the police, the evidence against the accused, any past criminal history, etc. When it reaches that point, I don't see any valid reason to withhold publicizing a story that's already been publicized by the professional media and is available to anyone with a link to their web site. We can debate about the accuracy and level of professionalism of local Thai reporters, but that's what we have. We don't have any better information sources in cases like this. Some people are going to be in favor of the way we handle these stories and some people won't. As I said, the ultimate decision as to whether to permit the story rests with the board moderators. Right or wrong, that's the way it is. I believe we try our best to do what's right and what's fair. Anyone who has been on these boards for a while knows that I, for one, jump all over it when someone comes along and posts baseless accusations. But when the accusation is not baseless and has already been published in the professional media, that's when I think it's fair game.

If there is some sort of point to that post, I missed it. The US dollar closed against the baht today at 34.78 according to the web site I follow: http://www.krungsri.com/eng/exchange01.aspx If it reaches 35 again, that's when I will start making daily reports.

I think that's a very kind thought, but I don't limit it to only 2008. Some names that immediately leap to my mind are David-in-Pattaya, Boxer, both Ians and Robbie of Le Café Royale, and WowPow. All of them, and more, left us far too soon and are greatly missed by many.

I'm sorry you don't like it, but that's the way it is. I don't like accusatory posts unless you can prove that it is true. Even with proof, I have a big problem with what you are saying about posting information about other posters. If you are talking about personal information, and not things such as an announcement of a death, someone receiving an award, someone quite ill, or that sort of thing, then I fail to see any justification for posting personal information about others, especially without their permission. I think people ought to be able to use the message boards without having to fear that someone is going to come along and start posting personal information about them. First, other than being satisfying to gossip queens who are not victims of it themselves, what purpose do you feel would be served by such posts? If some sort of skeleton in your closet came out, would you really want that to be posted on these boards? I don't have many problems about it if the news media has published something, but there are some. One thing is clear. People can post on this board without having to fear that someone is going to come along and start posting gossip about their private matters. Maybe that will bring about more accusations that I'm a control freak, but protecting our board members from that kind of abuse is much more important to me than allowing the gossip. I'll make it clear: Any such post appearing on this board will be deleted and whoever posted it will be immediately be placed on moderated mode or banned, depending on the degree of the abuse. The only way I would ever allow it, and I believe the other moderators would agree, would be if the subject of the post contacts us, tells us he has no objection to that kind of post, and provides solid evidence that it really is him contacting us and not someone pretending to be him. Other than that, there is no place on this board for abusive posts. If that makes this board boring, then we'll just have to be boring.

I don't disagree with that, but I think my brain would be better used thinking up angles and staying one step ahead of a game that they're actually playing. Ok, I've said my piece about this. Enough about it from me. I'm probably boring the hell out of everyone with this anyhow . . .

Every once in a while I step outside of the bank for a breath of fresh air . . . in Pattaya (cough, cough)

Happy New Year, folks! Here's what La Cage has to offer:

The US dollar exchange rate opened at 34.74 at 8:00am today (December 29). 25 minutes later it moved to 34.78. At this moment it's 9:35am, but the next round of exchange rates has not yet been posted.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Red Shirts Gather Forces Advance Guard Moves to House Overnight By: POST REPORTERS Published: 29/12/2008 United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters have started surrounding parliament ahead of today's policy statement by the government. Almost 20,000 red-shirted supporters converged at Sanam Luang on Sunday in preparation for the seizure of the ground outside parliament on Monday. An advance guard of several hundred Sunday night blocked a key road outside the legislature. The rest are to move to the site on Monday, and plan to stay put for the next three days. They will disperse for the New Year break and then return for a protracted demonstration until parliament is dissolved. UDD core leader Jatuporn Promphan announced the plan to the Sunday crowd at Sanam Luang. The government is due to deliver its policy statement to parliament on Monday morning, with a two-day debate - a constitutional precondition to legalising its administrative power. The protesters believe the Democrat-led coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lacks legitimacy, and want him to dissolve the House. Mr Jatuporn said the protesters will not cut electricity or water at parliament. But if the government changes venue for the policy statement, the protesters will follow them. Groups of UDD supporters moved to the front of parliament on Sunday night and blocked Uthong Nai road which approaches its main gate. Natthawut Saikua, another UDD leader, said protesters will leave a narrow path for the MPs to walk into parliament. Surrounding protesters will shout "give us back democracy" while MPs make their way through. Police have closed the gates of parliament and are guarding the legislature in front and at the rear. Deputy Metropolitan police chief Amnuay Nimmano said professional photographers and cameramen drawn from the police force and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will record the activities of UDD demonstrators. Video footage and photographs will be used as evidence against any law-breakers. In the event the protesters commit offences in view of police, they will be arrested on the spot. Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said police need help from photographers and cameramen because protesters have covered surveillance cameras around parliament with black plastic bags. Whenever police remove them, the bags are put back on again. "This shows they intend to do something bad and want to cover it up," Pol Maj-Gen Amnuay said. Protesters who commit violence to stop the government delivering its policy statement would be charged with insurrection. Demonstrators would have to pass through metal detectors installed around parliament before entering the protest site. Demonstrations must be peaceful and demonstrators must not carry weapons of any kind. Pol Maj-Gen Pongsant Jiam-on, another deputy city police chief, said he had received information that many UDD protesters assembling outside parliament were seen carrying catapults and metal rods. At the same time, the Democrats said they will not force their way through anti-government protesters if they are blocked. Democrat deputy spokesman Warong Dejkitvikrom said Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban told party MPs to be careful when confronting protesters. The Democrats will not insist on entering parliament if the building is sealed off by protesters. "The government has asked 3,600 police officers to ensure security at the site. "Mr Suthep told authorities to avoid the use of force or tear gas" to disperse the crowds, Mr Warong said. Democrat MPs were told to gather at party headquarters before travelling together to parliament. Supplies of food and drinking water are in place in the event the MPs manage to enter parliament but are later trapped inside.

If you really think it's reasonable to worry about a problem that has never existed, conjured up solely from your own imagination, then go ahead and worry. Personally, I see nothing reasonable about it at all. There's enough reality to worry about without having to create things to worry about.

I think I end up getting most of it. GT gets quite a bit of it too, usually jealousy about his money and jealousy over his boyfriends. In his case, it's almost always jealousy over something. I don't think he cares about it any more than I do. Meanwhile, I have yet to ever meet a nicer, more generous, more caring individual than GT. If hate posts really bothered me, then I would have been long gone from the boards years ago. I find it very easy to disregard posts coming from people who are great at hiding behind the anonymity of a handle on a message board, but never have guts enough to confront me personally if they have some sort of dispute with me. In all these years, not one of the hate posters has ever made himself known to me and asked to personally discuss whatever it is that bothers him. Not one, and I'm not difficult to find if someone wants to talk. I've been through it all; everything from accusations to name-calling, even to an attempt to blackmail me into removing Hedda's forum when I was running my own web site. I give in to none of it. As a moderator I try to be as reasonable and fair with people as I can. I moderate now as I always have, but I have learned quite a bit over the years. Being human, I make plenty of mistakes, sometimes put my foot in my mouth, and sometimes behave badly, just like anyone else. Some people agree with my methods and some people don't, but what I feel is the right thing to do and the right way to do it is what I have to contribute here. I try to do the best I can. I do this because I enjoy it. I enjoy providing what information I can. I enjoy helping people when I can. I enjoy running a board that tries to provide information as accurately as we are able and promotes intelligent discussion about issues of interest. I'm sure several people began posting more often here because of the contest, but since I'm the one who does the daily count-up of the posts I have noticed one pattern in particular: Integrity. At the beginning of the contest I fully expected people to write frivolous posts just to be eligible to be the winner. That hasn't happened. As far as I can tell, every poster who writes enough posts to be counted has been writing well thought out, intelligent posts that enhance the value and common decency of this board. That is what I hoped to see this board become when I first came in as a moderator here and I believe the people currently posting here understand that and are helping to make that goal a reality. I'm personally satisfied with everyone currently posting on this board and I'm grateful they have chosen this board as a place to write their thoughts, information, and opinions. I'm happy that so many come to us with their questions and requests for information and assistance. I don't think we've disappointed too many people. I hope they all stay with us once the contest comes to an end. I believe most of them will.