Gaybutton

You've got me confused too. If you're asking why I think if a government organization is behind these arrests, then it will be tougher for these men to buy their way out of it, my answer is because the Thai authorities will be under much greater pressure to try them, convict them, and jail them, rather than the cases somehow vanishing if enough money falls into the right hands and the press will take much greater notice too. Just this evening I did find out, however, that at least one of these men is out on bail, is back in Pattaya, is denying any wrongdoing, intends to remain in Thailand, and intends to fight it in court, so he says, despite the fact that he was in trouble for the same type of activity only a few years ago. If that wasn't the question, then please clarify what you are trying to ask.

On the face of it, the card system works. I don't recall ever reading anything about anyone having his car stolen from one of these parking lots. But I can't help but wonder if I still wouldn't be reading anything if there was no such thing as the card system. I'm wondering if the card system really does anything at all.

None of that comes as a surprise to me. What does surprise me is that none of the hotels seem to be doing anything much to attract customers. Simply hoping to survive isn't going to be enough, especially is either of the political groups stir up even more trouble. The way I see it, unless the hotels start offering incentives good enough to attract people despite the problems, then they've had it. The same goes for the bars. It's difficult enough to get customers now, and yet I don't see much of anything going on to convince people who are considering going to places other than Thailand to come anyway. I think it would serve the hotels well to start offering substantial discounts and packages. Better to take less of a profit and start filling up their rooms than to end up going out of business. The bars can do things too. Free off drawings and contests, happy hour prices . . . that sort of thing. It wouldn't kill the government to step in and start relaxing some of the rules that drive tourists away. They can start by doing away with these absurd rules that force the bars to close at 1:00am and maybe even allowing the gay bars to open at whatever time they please during the day. The bars, both gay and girlie bars, are what made Pattaya in the first place. Many people already stopped coming to Pattaya because of the 1:00am closing times. Now the tourist industry is in terrible shape and the authorities seem to be sitting on their butts and doing absolutely nothing substantial about it. There have been no major raids lately. They ought to keep it that way. They can find ways to check for under-age bar workers and boys on ya ba besides conducting massive raids that both inconvenience and frighten tourists. It also wouldn't kill them to make it easier for farang to stay in Thailand longer than thirty days. I can understand the motivation to try to eliminate the people who circumvent the law through constant visa runs, but what would be so terrible to allow people to pay a fee at the Immigration offices to get extensions to their tourist visas instead of forcing people to leave the country to do the same thing? Instead, they just imposed new rules that make it even tougher. The fact that they picked now to impose these rules made it to my "I Don't Get It" list. If things don't turn around soon, then Songkran 2009 is going to be the driest in many years . . . in more ways than one.

Drive in with an old, beat up hunk of junk. Get the card. Drive out with a brand new stolen BMW.

Nothing from our end prevents them from posting here.

Half naked? I say, if we're going to have it, then let's do it right!

What's his name, rank, and serial number . . . . . . .?

I'll give you two reasons why I believe another takeover could happen. The first is because even though it wasn't anything close to this extent, the airport siege wasn't the first time the PAD managed to cause airports to close. The second is because I fail to see who even has the capability to stop them. I don't think the Bangkok police are prepared to handle tens of thousands of protesters. Also, by the time the police finish arguing over who has jurisdiction the whole thing would be over anyway. I doubt that the military would intervene. Who would they be intervening for? The PAD is anti-Thaksin. So is the military. The military threw out Thaksin in the first place. Why would they intervene to dislodge the very group that supports their own position? As for what would happen to the economics of Thailand, I don't see anything to support the idea that the military concerns itself with that.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Hotel Struggle as Occupancy Rate Plunges 19% By SUCHAT SRITAMA THE NATION The closure of Bangkok's main airports at the height of anti-government protest is now taking a heavy toll on the country's hotel industry in terms of low occupancy rates and fewer working days for hotel workers. Employees of luxury hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket have seen a cut in their working days as operators try to reduce operating costs without having to lay off workers in the light of plunging tourist arrivals. Prakit Chinamourpong, president of Thai Hotels Association (THA), said on Tuesday that luxury hotels in Chiang Mai had reduced employees' working days to five days a week due to fewer customers. Many hotels in Phuket and Bangkok have also cut working days to four and five days per week. "Some luxury hotels are running with a single-digit occupancy rate, sharply down from the average 70 per cent rate recorded in the same period last year." "For the overall hotel industry, the average occupancy rate this month alone has declined 19.1 per cent," he said, adding that the impact of the Bangkok airports' shutdown was greater than the 2004 tsunami. From January to early this month, the average occupancy rate is 65 per cent, down from 68 per cent over the same period last year. Prakit said some luxury hotels in Bangkok had also decided to cancel their gala dinner packages already booked for New Year's Eve after customers cancelled reservations. THA forecast that the hotel sector would slow until June 2009,with small and medium sized hotels suffering the most, so THA is asking the government to help by granting soft loans. He said that about 30 per cent of workers in the hotel sector are expected to lose their jobs next year. The closure of the Bangkok airports caused damage which could amount to Bt130 billion as the country could lose up to 2.3 million foreign tourists. Airports of Thailand (AOT) said about 15,000 flights had been cancelled during the eight-day closure of airports, but all airlines had resumed operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport with the total number of flights now close to the usual 547 flights per day. However, Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), remains optimistic, saying the tourism sector's growth could be revived as TAT and six other industry bodies plan to launch a series of post-crisis promotional campaigns. TAT also plans more sales and marketing activities to boost domestic tourism next year. Meanwhile, industry sources said Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the world's largest international hotel chain operator, is considering the shut down of its regional Asia Pacific office in Bangkok, following the work-hour cutback at some luxury properties in major tourist cities. The regional office was part of a world wide business expansion covering its multibrand management of hotel properties, including Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton, St Regis and W Hotel.

This is the first time I've seen anyone advertising a condo available for only two weeks. As far as I know, all the others require a minimum of a one month stay, or at least paying for a one month stay whether you stay that long or not. I'm surprised that more condos aren't making two week or even one week offers, especially considering the major drop-off of tourists coming to Thailand. If I was the owner of rental property, it would make more sense to me to have someone renting for a week or two than for the place to be vacant, but maybe that goes hand-in-hand with the Thais and business sense thread. Meanwhile, with the major construction boom that has been going on in Pattaya, I was wondering before where they think they're going to get buyers for all the new units going up all over town. Now I wonder even more. I don't think it's too far fetched to visualize Pattaya becoming a ghost town of empty units and unfinished construction sites.

Maybe it's akin to the kind of performance stage actors are likely to give to a packed house rather than when the theater is nearly empty. The high season, for obvious reasons, has been a dismal one. Perhaps the mood has rubbed off on the boys. Some bars seem to draw a good number of customers, but many remain close to empty. Yes, you would think that the boys might try harder with fewer customers, but I have a feeling that many have simply thrown in the towel. Don't forget, you were in the bars only a couple of nights, but those same boys have been working to a nearly empty house for months. I can't say I blame the boys you observed if they have given up trying very hard, considering the fact that it's getting more and more rare for them to be taken off no matter how hard they try. I would have expected to see a lot more of them trying to work the beach or work the gay personals web sites, but I don't see significantly more on the personals sites and, oddly enough, I have actually observed a very significant drop in the numbers of boys trying their luck at the beach. Maybe they're just trying to survive until this too passes. As far as their cuteness goes, however, that's in the eye of the beholder.

I'm happy to stand corrected. If it's an official governmental organization, then that will make it even more difficult for these "gentlemen" to buy their way out of it. Good!

I'm sorry you were not able to be there, but you were there in spirit. So was George. George was so exhausted from all the work he has been doing, along with the preparations for the Meet & Greet that he simply was unable to attend. We were all saddened by that, but those who came had a marvelous time. I didn't so a head count, but it appeared to be about 25 to 30 people in attendance. It was nice to be able to put a face to some of the names. The prizes for the smile and sexy boy contest were duly awarded. TOQ was present and he was generous enough to donate his winning bottle of Chivas Regal prize to the boys who work at the Memories bar. Since George was not able to be there, his prize awaits him at the Memories bar whenever he wishes to retrieve it. The food was excellent and there was plenty for everybody. George was wise enough to make some amendments to the procedure, especially in light of the "gentleman" who last year was crass enough to help himself to Glenlivet scotch all night at Rainwalker's expense. A list of the drinks available free of charge was provided. Those who wanted anything not on the list had to pay for it themselves. Good idea. Also, a "last call" for free drinks was given just before 9:00pm, at which time the freebie drinks portion of the Meet & Greet came to an end. Access to the Meet & Greet was limited to those who had sent a PM to George as an RSVP. It was not open to just anyone who happened to wander by. We were all disappointed that George, who was going to provide entertainment, was unable to do so, but there was consolation. A young Thai magician provided the entertainment and he was a lot of fun. I don't know how he did any of those tricks. For some reason he kept picking me to be his foil, but I had a good time doing it. Aside from the lack of George's presence, the Meet & Greet was a true success and I think all who attended greatly enjoyed the evening.

It seems like a good deal to me, but you need to provide some details about contact information for those who wish to have a look and make reservations.

I think this thread can be safely unpinned now.

Van Johnson, Film, Television and Stage Star, Dies at 92 (CNN) -- Van Johnson, whose boyish looks and earnest manner made him a Hollywood heartthrob in the 1940s and '50s, died Friday in an assisted-care facility, a friend told CNN. Johnson, 92, died around 11 a.m. of natural causes at the Tappan Zee Manor in Nyack, New York, where he had lived for seven years, said Wendy Bleiweiss. Johnson's career stretched over six decades and across genres, from comedies and war films, such as "The Caine Mutiny" and "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," to Broadway musicals and television shows, including a guest spot as the Minstrel on the campy 1960s series, "Batman," according to Turner Classic Movies' Web site. The red-haired, freckle-faced actor's youthful charm earned him a huge teen following in his heyday. He became known as the "voiceless Sinatra," despite a singing voice that landed him roles alongside June Allyson and Judy Garland in "Two Girls and a Sailor" and "In the Good Old Summertime," according to TCM.com. Johnson was born August 25, 1916, to a plumber and housewife in Newport, Rhode Island. He was 16 years old when he left Rhode Island for New York City so he could forge a career in acting, Bleiweiss said. A few years later, he got his break from Lucille Ball, she said. "She saw this redhead kid and said, 'Let's give him a break. He seems like he can do some acting,' " Bleiweiss said. Johnson made his Broadway debut in 1936 in "New Faces of 1936" before legendary director-playwright George Abbott hired him as a chorus member and understudy to the three male leads in Rodgers and Hart's "Too Many Girls" in 1939. The next year, Abbott cast him as a chorus boy and Gene Kelly's understudy in Rodgers and Hart's groundbreaking musical "Pal Joey," according to TCM.com. His film debut followed in 1940 with a role in the chorus of "Too Many Girls." While en route to a screening in 1942, he was in a car wreck that left him with a metal plate in his head and kept him out of the military. But that didn't stop him from acting in war films. Two years later, he received top billing in "Two Girls and a Sailor." Other big roles included "A Guy Named Joe," "Brigadoon" and "The Caine Mutiny." In 1947, Johnson married former actor Eve Lynn Johnson, who had previously been married to a close friend of Johnson's, Keenan Wynn. The two did not have children and divorced in 1968, according to TCM.com Johnson had a daughter, Schuyler Van Johnson, by another woman, according to TCM.com. As Johnson entered middle age, his features grew heavy but he still managed to find offbeat roles in films including "The Bottom of the Bottle," an unabashed melodrama in which he played an alcoholic, and "23 Paces to Baker Street" as a blind detective. As film roles became scarce, Johnson filled the gaps with stage work. He appeared in "The Music Man" in London, England, in 1961 and returned to Broadway in 1962 for "Come on Strong." In Woody Allen's 1985 comedy, "The Purple Rose of Cairo," Johnson played one of the actors trapped inside the film screen in a parody of sorts of films from the 1930s. In 1987, Johnson was praised for his work in the Broadway production of "La Cage aux Folles." He last appeared on stage four years ago in "Love Letters" in a community theater in nearby Suffern, New York, but decided afterward that he would do no more, Bleiweiss said. "He said he had seen it and done it all and now he was just going to sit back and take it easy. Those were his words," she said. Johnson retained much of his youthful energy as he grew older, and became a frequent interview subject on the old days of Hollywood and his lengthy career, TCM.com said. Bleiweiss said she met Johnson when he moved into the home, where she was a case manager at the time. "He still was tall and striking," she said. "He was one of the all-time old actors." His ability to communicate was hampered by the loss of his hearing. Instead, he passed the time by painting, needlepoint and crocheting, she said. Though he didn't cook, he loved watching cooking shows and reruns of "The Golden Girls," she said. Bleiweiss said Johnson was estranged from his daughter and stepchildren for most of his life, but children brightened his day. "When he saw them, he'd smile and wave to them," she said. "It always brought a smile to his face." A private service will be held.

Especially in this day and age. Unless they've been living in some sort of shell, they have to be as aware as the rest of us that if the authorities want to track down Internet criminals, they can. That point should have been driven home when they were even able to track down "The Swirl." It's hard to believe that anybody would still think he can outsmart or outmaneuver the authorities if they're trying to find you. Maybe they have some sort of psychological wish to get caught. I believe there are probably a great many people who find themselves attracted to young under-age boys. The difference is most people know how to exercise self control. These people not only fail to exercise self control, but they actually spend their time and money going to places where they think they can get away with it and intentionally do these things. It's such a stupid thing to do, but they do it anyway. People like this hurt us all. They reinforce the stereotype that gays are also pedophiles and they reinforce the negative reputation of Pattaya. To me, the appropriate punishment for people like that would be to put them in a prison that has a full view of a school playing field. That would be exquisite torture for them. They would be so near, yet so far.

Is the cost of the bicycle factored into that price? If not, can the bicycle be rented or do you hve to buy one?

The articles do not say whether the latest protest threats would involve a renewed takeover of the airports, but if the voting doesn't go their way on Monday, then those of you traveling to and from Thailand need to be prepared for that possibility. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD Warns of More Protests SURASAK GLAHAN The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced yesterday it will renew its protests if Puea Thai, formed to accommodate MPs of the disbanded People Power party (PPP), returns to lead the next coalition. The Puea Thai party, struggling to take the lead in forming a new government against the Democrat party, hopes tonight's phone-in speech by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will reverse the political tide. Parliament will convene on Monday to vote on a new prime minister. The PAD, which staged a six-month protest against the PPP-led coalition, called off its demonstration after the Constitutional Court dissolved the PPP and its coalition partners - the Chart Thai and Matchima Prachathipataya parties - for electoral fraud on Dec 2. A group of former PPP MPs under the Newin Chidchob faction and most former PPP coalition partners have pledged to back the Democrat party in forming a new government. Having campaigned against Thaksin and the PPP, the PAD leaders said they would not accept a government with the Puea Thai party in it, no matter who was prime minister. "If our call is rejected or ignored, we will carry out moves appropriate to the situation," the PAD said. Although the PAD did not back the Democrat-led alliance, the group did not oppose the idea. It said it would monitor the switch of administrative power to see "whether there will be actions taken against the Thaksin regime". Core PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang declined to say if the group would again close airports if the Puea Thai party is in the next government. The PAD said it should be given the credit for bringing political change. Maj-Gen Chamlong denied, however, that his group always intended to help the Democrats come to power. The PAD does not support any particular party but what happened recently could be considered a result of its campaign, he said. If the Democrats succeed in forming the government, the PAD would not seek any favours from it. The group's demands include scrapping huge investment projects initiated by the Samak Sundaravej government. ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ We'll Block Any New Thaksin Puppet : PAD By The Nation Published on December 13, 2008 Chamlong Says Movement Has No Plan for New Party The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday issued a statement threatening to revive street protests if the Pheu Thai Party pushed through a coalition alliance, in any shape or form, or managed to install a puppet prime minister. "The PAD absolutely opposes the installation of a Pheu Thai puppet prime minister or any prime minister allowing Pheu Thai to be part of the coalition government," it said in the statement. It lashed out at alleged attempts to offer monetary incentives for MPs to vote in favour of the Pheu Thai-led coalition. It also vowed to keep monitoring the situation with the aim of derailing any effort to pave the way for the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to politics. PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the incoming government should urgently tackle 13 issues. The issues include the prosecution of anti-coup activists, including former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair on a charge of lese majeste and reaffirmation that the charter rewrite will not veer off to whitewash Thaksin's wrongdoing. The government should expedite wrapping up the backlog of graft cases, including the alleged land scam in Buri Ram involving the family of faction-leader Newin Chidchob, in spite of his about-face to support the Democrat-led coalition, Suriyasai said. He also called for an immediate cancellation of the diplomatic passport issued to Thaksin and a speedy prosecution of culprits involved in the October 7 violent crackdown. PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang dismissed the speculation about forming a political party based on the sentiment generated by PAD-led street protests, arguing that the PAD could as it was pushing for changes that major parties were unable to accomplish. Chamlong said the PAD would try to keep alive its popular movement by holding a meeting about once a month so as to allow its supporters to keep in touch with one another. He said litigation relating to PAD-led street protests would proceed under prescribed procedures, dismissing concerns that the PAD would pressure the Democrat-led government to interfere with the legal proceedings. PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk said he suspected police might try to frame the PAD. It was, for instance, suspicious, that police had uncovered explosives at Government House several days after the PAD vacated and handed over the compound. PAD co-leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon said he anticipated no message of significance from today's phone-in by Thaksin. There is no point in hyping up Thaksin's remarks, he said.

At this point, all that has been said is whatever appears in the articles. The articles do specify that the ages of the boys are under 15 years old, but nothing more specific has come out yet.

Contest results will be announced at the Meet & Greet tonight and the prize will be given. Congratulations TOQ. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

Contest results will be announced and the prize given at the Meet & Greet tonight. Congratulations George. Thread is now locked. Voting is over.

It certainly looks like you're having a great time! So far, my favorite part of the story was when you were expecting the cute bellhop and ended up with the 80 year old woman. Well, at least no one could accuse you of being a pedophile! I like that photo of the boy from the Tak Bike Club. Bring him back to Pattaya, willya? Is everyone who began the trip still doing it, or have there been dropouts? Also, how much would you say this whole trip costs?

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: (see http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008010 for photos) Somehow, I don't see them buying their way out of this one . . . . . _____ POLICE NAB FOUR FOREIGNERS IN PATTAYA PAEDOPHILE CRACKDOWN Police have arrested four foreigners, including two British nationals, one German and a US citizen in a crackdown on sexual abuse of minors in Pattaya, police said Thursday. Yesterday, [1 November] police Major-General Chaiwat said the Pattaya clean-up, conducted from November 17 to Thursday, had been assisted by tip-offs from the UK-based Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOPC). "There are foreign nationals and networks facilitating sexual abuse of minors in Thailand so we needed to crack down on the crime," said police Major-General Chaiwat Kaetworachai, commander of Thailand's Prevention of Crimes Against Women and Children police division. Netted in the crackdown were two British nationals, Malcolm Henry Payne, 59, and Robert Alexander Horsman, 45, were arrested at different locations between 6am and 7am. A 67-year-old German man, Fritz Dieter Battener, and 62-year-old American Robert Roy Lond were also arrested in Pattaya following a joint operation between the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the Royal Thai Police. All four men were arrested and charged with sexually abusing children under the age of 15. The arrests were made as part of operation Naga, which began earlier this year after CEOP identified an online network of suspected child abusers. Police also laid out a large amount of sexual paraphernalia which they said had been recovered during the raids. Officers said they had recovered hundreds of photos and videos of abused young boys. Also arrested was Thai national Saeng Kaetdee (30) (นายเอกนรินทร์ ชัยเจริญโชคดี หรือนายแสง เกตุดี ) on procurement charges. All five were brought to Bangkok Thursday to face charges and court cases. They have been freed on bail to await a court case. If they are found guilty they could face at least 20 years in jail.

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Pattaya International Mardi Gras Festival Announcement On Friday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Wirawat, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya chaired a preparation meeting to discuss plans for the Pattaya International Mardi Gras which is set to take place on 23rd January 2009. This will be the first ever Mardi Gras Festival here in Pattaya and will be based on Mardi Gras celebrations around the world. The highlight of the festival will be an Electric Parade which will take place in the evening. It will start at Pattaya City Hall and finish on Pattaya Beach close to the Central Pattaya Road intersection. Local Schools and Private Companies will be taking part in the parade which will be colorful and full of energy according to the organizers who are Pattaya City Hall and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Sponsors for the event include the Central Pattana Group and various Pattaya Tourism and Hotel clubs. ____________________ You know what I like best about the plan? January 23, 2009 is a Friday.