Gaybutton

Hmmm. How would you know if you're right? Wouldn't McCain have to win too?

I hope you're joking. All the posts that count toward this contest have to be posted on this board. If the Ting Tong board wants to host their own posting contest, that's up to them. If this contests had anything to do with posts on other boards too, then I wouldn't involve myself in keeping score. It takes enough time to count up the daily posts right here and keep records, let alone to start doing the same thing on other boards. Besides, there are some boards I don't read at all except maybe once in a blue moon. No, I at least will not be publishing totals or answering "What's my score so far?" Emails or PMs. I don't have time for that. The best I'll do, if you want, is to let you know where you stand once a month by Email, if you send me an Email request, and I won't even do that without GT's permission. In the 2000 election in Florida, my voting precinct was not among those involved in the screw-up.

I hope it's quite clear to everyone now. Sometimes it's difficult because when we write, it's perfectly clear to us, but sometimes it's not so clear to the other guy. If this helps, yesterday there were six people who submitted at least three posts. One submitted thirteen posts. Each of them now has one slip with his name on it in the hat. If those same people submit at least three posts today, they each get another slip with his name on it placed into the hat. If somebody who has not posted at least three times in one day, since the contest began, does submit at least three posts today, his gets a slip of paper placed into the hat. Anyone who writes at least 3 posts in one day gets one slip with his name on it placed into the hat. He can write three posts or three-hundred posts today, but he remains eligible for one slip per day. GT - Do you know yet what day, time, and place the drawing will take place when the time comes?

The rules state, "Every day we will tally the number of people that have 3 or more posts. Winner (to be drawn by independent witnesses) must have made 3+ posts, on any given day, and also at least 150 posts over the competition period" I see nothing in the rules that say how the posts have to be spread out, although I think most reasonable people would spread them out over time. There might be a few people who try to take advantage of us, but I doubt most people here would do that. I'm not expecting people to post every single day during the contest. Sometimes people can't post whether they want to or not, due to the goings-on in their lives. Sometimes people's computers go kerflooey and they can't post while their computer is being repaired. Things happen.

November 1 is simply the starting date of this contest. Your posts would count no matter when they begin to appear during the contest period. The parameter is 3+ posts on any day during that period. Your post above counts, but only if there are at least 2 more posts from you today. If you write 2 more posts today, now you'll have your minimum of 3 in a given day. If you write 100 more posts today, then every one of them will be counted and tallied. If you write no more posts today or 1 more post today, you don't reach the minimum of 3, so none of them would be tallied and counted. Both GayThailand and I are each keeping score individually, to make sure there are no mistakes. Yesterday, I had one person who wrote 13 posts. All 13 count toward his total for whoever ends up the winner. As of the end of the day on February 28, 2009, we stop counting. At that point everyone who ended up with at least 150 posts will have his name placed in "the hat." Then one name will be pulled from that hat. The person whose name gets pulled is the winner. The winner is not necessarily whoever wrote the most posts. You could have 150 posts or 10,000 posts, but what you get from that is the opportunity to have your name placed in "the hat." It takes 150 cumulative qualifying posts to have your name placed in the hat. You could write all 150 of them, I suppose, during the day on February 28 and they would be counted, provided they are qualifying posts. On the other hand, I suppose if you reach 150 posts at some point during this week, technically you could write no more posts at all during the contest period and still end up being the winner. I'm jealous! One of you guys gets a trip. I'm a moderator here. All I'll get is an opportunity to congratulate the winner. I don't get an opportunity for a free visit to see dear old Mom.

The situation changes from day to day. Only a few days ago a major demonstration was held at the British embassy, and that's in close proximity to other major embassies. Also, marches were held that affected major shopping districts. In other words, the safe move, and I think the smart move, is to make sure what's going on, where it's going on, and when it's going on before inadvertently finding yourself in the middle of a mess. I don't think it's necessary to warn people away from popular tourist attractions, but I do think it's wise to check things as best as you can before stepping into what could be a potential mine field.

Sometimes you really don't know how you would respond when you're taken completely by surprise and caught off guard. In my own case I don't think I'd ignore it, but in situations like that I usually come up with what I wish I had said once it's too late to say it. I am certain I would say something to let the guy know that neither I nor the boy appreciated it. I am certain he would be very clear that I don't expect him to ever do anything like that again. If the boy is with me, if he didn't do it on his own accord, I would let him know I expect him to apologize to the boy. I think what I would say and how strongly worded it would be would depend on who the friend is, how long I've known him, how long the boy has known him, and how close we are. But I can't think of any circumstances that would cause me to ignore it.

Even if every boy in Pattaya really was a hooker, I can't imagine why anyone would do something like that, even if he thought he's being funny. That's one farang I wouldn't want anything to do with again. I know you were probably caught completely by surprise and didn't know how to respond, but it would have served the guy right if you had immediately told him off, took the boys, walked away, and left him standing there like the complete schmuck he is. Even if he comes up to you later, apologizes, and tells you he didn't mean to offend anyone, I would say a quick "Thanks," give him an icy stare, and turn my back on him. This boy was not in a go-go bar trying to entice farang customers. He was out in public, minding his own business, and this idiot thinks it's perfectly ok to grope him. Even if he's someone who is reading this, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he is low-life enough that he still can't understand why anybody thinks he did something, to put it as gently as possible, inappropriate.

If you want to do it a less expensive way, if you arrive during daytime hours there is a very nice airport bus that goes directly to Pattaya. It makes 2 stops, one on Sukhumvit at the bus terminal just south of Central Road (Pattaya Klang) and the other on Soi Chaiyapruk, about 1 block from the beach. You might also want to look at the following thread: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2623

Noooooooo!!!!! Those photos are too good. You can use Photoshop to re-size the pictures and make them a bit smaller first, and then instead of simply saving the photo, go to FILE and SAVE FOR WEB. If you "save for web" you'll have much smaller file sizes with almost no discernible difference in quality. If you upload those, everything will load infinitely faster.

TOQ, why didn't you tell us about your web site?!?!?!? Folks, if you want to see some of the most fabulous photos of Thailand, then don't miss TOQ`s ADVENTURES IN THAILAND web site. It's page after page of photos that National Geographic photographers would envy. I mean that. Some of those photos ought to win awards. I've never seen anyone who is able to capture the "real" Thailand the way TOQ does. There's a lot of photos, so it takes some time for everything to load up, but it's well worth the wait. The URL is: http://freeblognetwork.com/TOQ

I don't see how that's possible. Loy Krathong takes place on only one day per year anywhere in Asia. You might want to have a look at the following web site: http://nyenoona.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/k...thong-festivals

I agree with you, although others may not mind sharing. However, it doesn't have to be a boyfriend. It can be anybody, provided you have his permission to post the pic. Also, according to my interpretation of the thread title, it doesn't necessarily have to be a sexy pic. It simply has to be a sexy Thai boy. I've seen plenty of photos of Thai boys I consider sexy and they were fully clothed. By the way, your post on this thread does qualify and you're the first qualifying post for the contest.

Originating a thread and/or replying to a post, with a quality post counts. Writing a post that says, "I only fly Business Class!!! Does this post count toward my 150 posts?" does not qualify, according to my interpretation of the rules of the contest. The rules specify "To qualify, the posts must be reasonable quality." I don't see that post as reasonable quality going toward an expensive prize such as this contest. I'm the one keeping score. If you wish to dispute my opinion, the final arbiter is GayThailand. It's his money paying for the prize, so he definitely has the final say-so over me.

No.

November 1 – 16. Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2004 Salad of Rock Lobster and Artichokes Hearts on Mesclun *** Truffle flavored Leek & Potato Cream soup *** Roasted Pigeon on braised red Cabbage and glazed Chestnuts *** Orange Sherbet *** Red Wine Sea Horse Bay, Shiraz, Australia,2006 Cajun blackened Salmon with Creol Rice on Corn Galette or Veal Liver in Port Wine Sauce and light Potato Roeschti *** William Pear Mousse with Chocolate Crepe and Puff Stick or Selection of premium international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,450 Baht net (31.60 Є) Menu with Unlimited Beverages 2,900 Baht net (63.20 Є)

I can't say that I blame you, but so far nothing has happened to anyone other than those directly and intentionally involved in this upheaval. Here in Pattaya life is going on as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening at all. I expect to be in Bangkok myself at some point next week. I'll post what I personally observe. I hope others who are currently in Bangkok will do the same. I would hate for people to cancel their trip to Thailand because of fears if it turns out there was really no need for a holiday maker to worry. If it helps, consider that the PAD is going after government buildings. They're not going after the Bangkok gay venues, although they did stage a protest at the British embassy, demanding that Thaksin be extradited and forced to return to Thailand to stand trial.

That would be Vientiane.

Gay Grampa is correct. The news media makes it appear as if all of Thailand, especially Bangkok, is becoming embroiled in a civil war. It simply is not true. Even in Bangkok, unless you go to the isolated areas where all of this is taking place, you wouldn't know anything is going on unless you watch it on TV or read about it in the newspapers. To me, the really sad part is the number of tourists who are going elsewhere other than Thailand. This evening some friends and I ate at the Amor Restaurant in Boyztown, in Pattaya. There were only about 10 farang visible in Boyztown at all this evening, and we were there for two and a half hours. And this is the beginning of high season. It wasn't this bad during low season. The problem with Thai politics is that those who are directly involved are literally ruining the lives of those who have nothing to do with it, but end up suffering the most because of it. Tomorrow is the end of the month. I hope the gay venues have enough money to pay the boys. Tomorrow is supposed to be their pay day. Considering the lack of customers I hope the boys are able to receive their salaries instead of receiving excuses as to why there is no money to pay them.

Regarding the issue of a Thai entering Laos with or without a passport, I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the travel mode by which he enters. When I entered by bus with my Thai friend, all he needed was his ID card. Is it the same when entering by airline? Maybe the only way to be absolutely certain is to contact the Laotian embassy in Bangkok at: http://www.bkklaoembassy.com

You might want to start with the following two web sites: http://www.khonkaen.com http://www.khonkaen.com/english/forum/default.asp Also, a lot of the boys in Pattaya come from Khon Kaen. Just ask at any bar and I'll be you'll find several boys who can tell you everything you want to know.

One Dead, 10 Injured in Bombings, Gunshots at PAD Protest Site, Judge's Home BANGKOK, Oct 30 (TNA) The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protester's rally site at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnern Avenue was disrupted by a bomb, with 10 persons wounded, and one man was found dead near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters, nearby. Meanwhile, a second bomb exploded at Constitution Court judge Charan Pakdeethanakul's home causing minor damage but no injury. Witnesses said that at about 3 am, two suspects drove a motorcycle to the rally site where Peoples' Alliance security personnel had blocked the roads with steel fencing and car tyres. The two men threw a bomb at the protesters' volunteer security guard tent, injuring 10 men, with one being seriously injured and was sent to hospital. The bomb caused a small hole in the ground. Meanwhile, a man identified as Sangwean Rujimola, 46, was found dead on a footpath near the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters not far from Misakawan intersection which was also blocked by the PAD. In the initial inspection, police found a bullet wound in the back of the victim's head, while a bulllet hole was also found in the wall of the police headquarters. Pol. Maj-Gen. Anan Srihiran, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, inspected the scene and said police would question Mr. Sangwean's relatives regarding why he went to the rally site. Gen. Anan added that the police did not conclude that the victim was shot by PAD's volunteer security personnel. The police general said witnesses reported seeing Mr. Sangwean drinking alcohol with friends. The victim appeared to be intoxicated before walking alone and verbally scolding PAD supporters. After that some 10 gunshots were heard during the night before he was found dead. At about midnight, a bomb was thrown into the residence compound of Constitution Court judge Charan at Soi Soi Preedee-Phanomyong 45 in Bangkok, causing minor damage, but no injuries. At the time of the attack, Judge Charan was in the house. The explosion caused a 30 centimetre wide hole in the lawn and some window were shattered. Forensic police were dispatched to collect evidence Thursday morning. (TNA) ____________________ And this, from THE NATION: _____ 10 Injured in Bomb Attack Against PAD By The Nation 10 injured, an explosion damaged Constitution Court Judge Jaral's house, gunfire heard near Government House, one man found dead near Metropolitan police head office A grenade was lobbed against security guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy at the Makkhawan Rungsan Bridge early Thursday morning, injuring ten of them. The PAD guards filed complaints with police that the attack at the Makkhawan bridge came at about 3 am. Pol Captain Pomphet Chotklang of Nangloeng police station said the bomb was an M26 grenade. A safety pin was found at the scene. The bomb caused a small hole on the ground. Six guards were rushed to the Vajira Hospital. One of them was severely injured. He is identified as Sathien Thapmaliphol, 43. Four other guards received minor injuries and received treatment by the PAD medics. PAD guards told police that the captured a man at 2 am after he carried a shirt soaked with petrol walking to the rally site at the Makkhawan Bridget. Shortly after the man was captured, a motorcycle arrived and the pillion rider threw the bomb at the PAD guards. Following the attack, the PAD stepped up security at the site. About an hour after the bomb attack, a few gun shots were heard near the Government House. At about midnight, a bomb was lobbed into the compound of the house of Constitution Court judge Jaral Phakdeethanakul, causing some damages. No one was injured in the attack happened at Jaral's house on Soi Pridi Phanomyong in Bangkok's Klong Tan district. Bomb disposal officers have yet to determined the type of the bomb. Police Sub-Lt Somchai Saraket of Klong Tan police station quoted Jaral as saying he heard something falling on the roof and heard an explosion two minutes later. The explosion caused a 50-cm-wide and 25-cm-deep hole in the lawn and shattered some window glasses as well as damaging an air-condition unit. At about 5:30 am, police said a man clad in black was found dead on the a sidewalk about 50 metres away from the Misakawan Intersection behind the Metropolitan Police head office. A policeman, who was stationed to keep security near the area, said he saw the man walking through the police line at 4 am heading to the Government House. The man, Sungwian Rujimora, 46, appeared drunk and was heard saying "fight them". He was found hundreds of metres away from the Government House. Police said he was shot and beaten with hard objects. ____________________ and this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Explosion at PAD Nine people were wounded, one seriously, when someone threw an explosive among anti-government protesters at Makkhawan Bridge near the Government House. The bomb was lobbed at around 3:30am from outside the gathering of members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who have been staging anti-government protests since May 25 around the Makkahawan Rangsan Bridge, site of the explosion. The target appeared to be a "forward post" used by internal security guards of the PAD movement, which has established its current headquarters inside nearby Government House. PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang blamed the attack on the government. He said that the attack would not stop the PAD from marching on the British Embassy in Bangkok on Thursday to demand the extradition of Thai former premier Thaksin Shinwatara. Khanit Sapitak, commander of the First Army region in and around Bangkok, described the explosive as a bomb, and denied any connection with the army. Lt-Gen Khanit said he has contacted the police to investigate. Army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, an outspoken anti-PAD activist, also denied any involvement in the bombing. He said, however that it is now time for the PAD supporters to leave Government House. He added that he believes the PAD faces "a group of enemies" who are adopting guerrilla techniques. He also said that PAD guards will die every day if the group does not withdraw from the Government House. Maj-Gen Khattiya said there are many groups that are unhappy with the PAD seizure and occupation of Government House, and its response against high-ranking officials who have came out to warn the group for the occupation.

If you are going to Vientiane there is a much less expensive, and in my opinion much more interesting, way to do it. Fly from Bangkok to Udon Thani. A few years ago I wrote an article about it. The information if probably somewhat out of date now, especially regarding prices, but maybe not. Someone else who has done this recently may be able to supply updated information. Here are the appropriate excerpts from that article: _____ The price (from Bangkok to Vientiane) would be greater than US $200 for the round trip fare. That’s when I was told by one of my Thai friends that a ticket to Udon Thani, which is not far from the Laotian border, is much cheaper. He said that the way to do it is to go to Udon Thani, and then take a bus to Nong Khai, the border crossing. Once I am there, he said, it is easy to cross the border, at which the Mekong River separates Thailand from Laos, and I would be in Vientiane. When I checked, the price of a round trip ticket from Bangkok to Udon Thani amounted to about US $75. That was the way to do it. The flight took fifty minutes, and now we were at Udon Thani. As soon as we exited the luggage retrieval area at the Udon Thani airport, just to the right we saw signs for a bus that leaves right from the airport to Nong Khai. The price of a ticket for the bus was 100 baht (about US $2.50) per person, and the trip takes about ninety minutes. We bought the tickets, boarded the bus, and the bus left immediately. Ninety minutes later, the bus stopped at Nong Khai, the border town. If you are traveling with a Thai citizen, he can enter Laos even without a passport. All he needs is his national identity card. There is a small, easy-to-find office right there at the bus terminal at which the Thai citizen pays a 200 baht fee, fills out some paper work, and is granted an exit permit. Once we finished the twenty minute process, we boarded another bus that takes us across the border. The bus makes a stop just before crossing the Mekong River. At that point, you go through a line at which the Thai customs officials take your departure card out of your passport, and they rubber stamp in your exit. Then, you re-board the bus and cross the river. If you happen to miss the bus, you can take the next one, which will come along in about ten minutes. Make sure you take your luggage off the bus you were riding just in case you miss it. Once you cross the Mekong River, now you are in Laotian territory. The bus stops at the Laotian customs offices. The first thing you have to do, assuming you don’t already have an entry visa for Laos, is to go to the window, which is clearly marked in English, that is the visa-on-entry window. The fee for foreigners, other than Thai foreigners, is US $30, which is payable in either U.S. dollars or Thai baht. You will first receive some documents to fill out. Then you submit the documents, along with your passport and fee. A few minutes later, you will receive back your passport, which will now have the Laotian entry visa. You will also receive an entry-departure card, not very different from the one you received in Thailand. Then there is a second series of lines. One is for Thai citizens entering Laos. One is for Laotian citizens returning to Laos. The third is for all other foreign nationals. You present your passport and entry-departure card there. A few more rubber stamps are entered, and now you pass through. At that point, there will be a table where customs officials will inspect your luggage, if they so choose. Most people, however, are merely waved on through without anybody bothering to inspect your luggage unless you somehow appear suspicious to them. Now, you have to pay an additional 10 baht entry fee, and receive a receipt for it. I have no idea why they don’t simply include that in the visa fee, but that’s the way they do things. Now you have to pass through one final line, at which the receipt for the 10 baht is taken, the entry portion of the entry-departure card is taken, the visa is inspected, and the departure card is stapled to the inside of your passport. Welcome to Laos. The whole process took about a half hour. ____________________ Once you are clear and are in Laos, there are taxis and tuk-tuks that will take you to your destination in Vientiane. When it's time to make the return trip, your hotel or even guest house, can easily make the arrangements for you to get back to Nong Khai and the bus back to the Udon Thani airport.

He doesn't. In the past eight months I've eaten there a grand total of once.

Awwwwww prunes!!!!!