Gaybutton

You say 'had' as if it's a thing of the past. It goes on to this very day. The trick is not caring about what the critics think. If that bothered me I would have been gone from the boards years ago. I've said it many times: No matter what you do, somebody doesn't like what you do. So, I do things the way I think they ought to be done and pay very little attention to what somebody else thinks I ought to do or what they think of me. That's their problem, not mine. The only critic that concerns me is the one I see when I look in a mirror, and he can be the harshest critic of all.

Which ones are those? I personally went around to at least a dozen bars last night and every one of them told me they, and all the bars, will be closed, which is why I put up this notice. If your information is different, then I guess people will just have to go out and see for themselves.

Friday, December 5 Today rates are not posted due to His Majesty, the King's birthday. Rates will be posted again on Monday.

I think you'll find the information you seek on the following thread: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2637

The extension is ten days. They don't have a per-day charge. I don't remember what they charge because I've never had a need to do it, but if I remember correctly, it's somewhere between 1000 and 2000 baht. Maybe someone who has done it can post the actual fee.

Most of the time, if you arrive in Thailand without a visa and wish to stay beyond the 30 days, you can buy an extension at the Immigration office. Usually they give you ten days. After that, you can do a visa run and get that 15 days MonkeySee posted about, assuming the information is correct. That's 55 days. For those who wish to stay that long, it seems to me getting the 60-day tourist visa in the first place is the easiest and least expensive way to do it. If you want to stay even longer, and are not eligible for the retirement visa, try to get the Type O-A visa. That one is good for a year. I believe the only obligation is to do the 90-day address reports during your stay. For what it's worth, in the USA the Miami Thai Consulate is very easy to work with, but they might not help you if you don't have an address in Florida or at least somewhere in the southeast of the USA. If you know someone in Florida who doesn't mind you using his address, then you'll probably be able to get that O-A visa.

I know just the person for you to contact. You'll receive an Email from me shortly.

You won't find much in the way of Gay activity in that area (unless you happen to encounter a willing young gentleman by chance). Once you've seen the ruins (you might want to see if you can find an English speaking guide, so you'll know what you're looking at), head for Bang Pa In. The roads to get there are clearly marked. You don't want to miss the Bang Pa In Palace.

I think when Geezer spots this post he'll be able to fill you in better than I. First, 1 day is not nearly enough. If you can plan on two or three days, that's how much time you'll want to be there. You might want to stay at the Resotel. Again, Geezer can tell you much more than I. Of course, there is the actual Bridge on the River Kwai there. If you like Thai food, as you face the bridge you'll see stairs that lead down to the river. There is a restaurant on the left side and another one on the right side. Go to the one on the right side. Not too far out of town there is a natural hot spring. To me, it's a "don't miss." Also, try to get to the Sai Yok Noi waterfall. Not only do you not have to hike to get to it (it's nearly adjacent to the main highway), but it's a spectacular waterfall, one of the finest in Thailand. And with all the recent rains it ought to be fantastic now. There are also barge trips and boat trips up the river. Do at least one of those. I know of no specific Gay activity there, but I do know if you hunt around, there are available boys. At any of these places you posted about, there really isn't very much in the way of gay activity. The best chance of finding someone, I think, is to talk privately with a friendly hotel staff member, like a bellhop or someone similar. Let him know what you're looking for and slip him 500 baht or so. He'll very likely be able to help you make an 'arrangement.' Taxi drivers can be pretty good at coming up with willing young gents too.

The title of this thread explains it. Friday, December 5 is His Majesty, the King's birthday. In Pattaya the bars will be closed. I imagine all bars throughout Thailand will do the same, out of respect. The White Night restaurant will also be closed. It will be only for the one night. On Saturday everything will be open.

Since obtaining that information, have you been to Samui? If yes, what can you tell us?

The following appears on the Thai Airways web site: (see: http://www.thaiair.com/Homepage/announce/sbia_situation.htm ) _____ From 5 December 2008 at 11.00 hrs. onwards, Thai Airways International will resume normal flight operations (3 digits flight number) at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. _____ If you go to the link above, scroll down to see their flight schedules.

I've pinned this topic because it seems quite important. Would you please post the URL for what you spotted on Thaivisa? I think people will want to read this for themselves and also responses. If anyone happens to go to Immigration any time soon, I think it will be greatly appreciated if you into this while you're there and let us know what they tell you.

I suggest going to the Sawatdee Forum ( http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/index.html ) and doing a search for "Samui". You'll find that a lot of people have posted a great deal of information.

Does anyone know who was actually speaking on that video or who he represents? My guess that he is part of THE NATION staff is just that . . . a guess.

I've un-pinned this topic. I think most people who need any of the above information and/or intended to contact me has done so by now. However, my offer to help anyone who needs it still stands and will stand until everybody stranded has managed to go home.

I'm not surprised. At the moment the rate is showing at 35.50. I expect the rate to fluctuate a little back and forth for a while. Then, once the effects of the airport takeovers start to really be felt, if it happens a predicted I'm guessing the dollar will become stronger against the baht.

These menus will each be served both at the Casa Pascal and Poseidon restaurants: _____ CHRISTMAS MENU (Available both at Casa Pascal & Poseidon) December 24, 2008 Dinner December 25, 2008 All Day ( 10.30 ~ 23.00 ) Amuse Bouche ***** Dill & Black Pepper marinated smoked Salmon Fennel and Endive Salad on Hazelnut Oil Dressing -or- Home–made Venison and Mushroom Pâté with Cumberland Sauce, Waldorf Salad and red wine Pear ***** Pumpkin Cream Soup with Tea-smoked Duck Breast ***** Orange Champagne Sherbet ***** Stuffed Butter Ball Turkey served with Chestnuts, Cranberry Sauce and Gravy -or- Whole roasted Beef Tenderloin with Horse Radish and Apple Cream, red Wine Gravy and Béarnaise Sauce Both main dishes accompanied by green Peas, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts and braised red Cabbage , Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Shallots ***** Caramelized Peach in Marsala Wine Zabayone -or- Traditional Christmas Pudding with Rum Sauce Price 1,550 baht / person ____________________ NEW YEAR’S EVE MENU Available both at Casa Pascal & Poseidon on Dec. 31, 2008 Amuse Bouche ***** Pan-seared Tuna & Salmon on Spanish Gazpacho Salad with a light Soya & Sesame Dressing ***** Mushroom Cappuccino with Black Truffle Snow ***** Pan-fried Goose Liver Medallion on Potato Blinis with Tomato & Onion Chutney ***** Lime Sherbet in oriental spiced Vodka ***** Pan-fried Alaska Scallops on four Vegetables, Served with wild Rice and Champagne Sauce -or- Oven-roasted Rack of Lamb à la Provencale with Gratin Potatoes, red wine Shallots and Leek ***** Fine selected international Cheese -or- Mixed fresh Berries in Walnuts & Vanilla Ice Cream on Galliano Mousse Menu Price 2,950 baht / person ____________________ For more information, please contact our staff Casa Pascal (038) 723-660 , Poseidon (038) 303-300 http://www.restaurant-pattaya.com info@restaurant-pattaya.com

That indeed does seem to be the case most of the time. If they don't feel "creepy" about it, why should we? I don't think it would bother me in the slightest. If the other farang chooses to feel awkward about it, that's his problem.

Thursday, December 4 OPENING RATES: US Dollar: 35.34 Euro: 44.74 British Pound: 52.035 Australian Dollar: 22.7075 Canadian Dollar: 28.0075 _____ CLOSING RATES: US Dollar: 35.53 Euro: 44.70 British Pound: 51.58 Australian Dollar: 22.7475 Canadian Dollar: 28.0575

There is a short video entitled "Who's the Next Prime Minister" on THE NATION web site. It's done in English. They never say who is doing this video, but from the looks of the background it appears to me to be an editorial coming from the newspaper staff. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting take on the way many Thais see things. If you're interested, the link is: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...s&cateid=13

A mobile passport service will be in Pattaya through December 7. Normally, a boyfriend living in Pattaya would have to go to Bangkok to arrange for a passport, but for the next few days he can get one right here in Pattaya. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Mobile Passport Application Center Opens On Wednesday Morning, we made our way to the Nusa Playa Hotel located in Soi 13 off Jomtien Beach Road to check-out the Mobile Passport Application Unit which has come here to the Pattaya area until 7th December. This is great news for local Thai’s who would normally have to travel to Bang Na in the outskirts of Bangkok to make the application. We arrived early on Wednesday Morning and the numbers of applicants was low, however we were told by staff that from late morning onwards the numbers dramatically increased.

Bangkok Airlines has announced their new temporary flight schedule. For those who wish to have it, the download link is: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/03-12-2008.xls Note that it is in Microsoft Excel format.

If the winner can't be present, I'll be happy to accept in his behalf. He'll get the bottle. I'll get what's in it . . .

Hmmmm, the Waldorfs must be stuck on one of the cargo flights that never made it during the airport takeover. I hope they'll still be fresh . . .