Gaybutton

Then I bet I know who will: ____ "I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people." "Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child." "Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts." "Mars is essentially in the same orbit... Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen If there is oxygen, that means we can breathe." "What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is." "The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century." "I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy--but that could change." "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'." "Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things." "We don't want to go back to tomorrow, we want to go forward." "I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future." "The future will be better tomorrow." "We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world." "People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history." "I stand by all the misstatements that I've made." "I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican." "I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix." "Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it." "We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur." "For NASA, space is still a high priority." "Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children." "We're all capable of mistakes, but I do not care to enlighten you on the mistakes we may or may not have made." "It's time for the human race to enter the solar system." - Vice President Dan Quayle

I detect no odor at all.

As far as I can tell, the only way to contact the moderators of Baht-Stop is by PM. If you wish to send me an Email, I'll pass along your message. If there is a specific moderator you wish to contact, let me know. Also, make sure to let me know what Email address you wish to use for a response, assuming the moderator will reply to your message. My Email is gaybutton@gmail.com

There are two common complaints. One is that the local news media never follows up on a pedophile story. The other is that farang are automatically guilty simply because they are farang. Not this time. The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: ( see http://www.pattayaone.net/news_26_09_51_4.html for photos) _____ Suspect Cleared by the Courts in Recent Pedophole Case The Pattaya Court has rejected the case against Mr. Luc Jean Marie Vos from Holland and the public prosecutor will not sue him for the allegation of indecent behaviour towards an underage boy because of a false allegation. The boy involved confirmed in a second investigation by the police and the public prosecutor that he had lied about this allegation. This case put Mr. Luc Vos and his Thai family consisting of his son Jadet and three children Kriangkrai, Pariwat and Parivit under a lot of pressure and therefore we would like to offer him the possibility to clear his name. The story released about this case in May 2008 was not true and damaged the good name and privacy of Mr. Luc Vos. Mr. Luc Vos tells us he loves Thailand and the people and tries to be a good person to everybody and does all that is possible to take good care of his Thai family. Mr. Luc Vos does not believe that Pattaya is not a safe place to live for him and his family and is very motivated to take care of them especially after this case to make sure the three children will have a good future and life. Mr. Luc Vos apologises to anyone in case they have experienced personal problems because of this case against him .

I'm placing this on the primary message board for those of you who may have accounts with Washington Mutual and are in Thailand. I have no idea how this news might affect you, but here it is: _____ WaMu Becomes Biggest Bank to Fail in US History By MADLEN READ, AP Business Writer As the debate over a $700 billion bank bailout rages on in Washington, one of the nation's largest banks — Washington Mutual Inc. — has collapsed under the weight of its enormous bad bets on the mortgage market. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized WaMu on Thursday, and then sold the thrift's banking assets to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for $1.9 billion. Seattle-based WaMu, which was founded in 1889, is the largest bank to fail by far in the country's history. Its $307 billion in assets eclipse the $40 billion of Continental Illinois National Bank, which failed in 1984, and the $32 billion of IndyMac, which the government seized in July. One positive is that the sale of WaMu's assets to JPMorgan Chase prevents the thrift's collapse from depleting the FDIC's insurance fund. But that detail is likely to give only marginal solace to Americans facing tighter lending and watching their stock portfolios plunge in the wake of the nation's most momentous financial crisis since the Great Depression. Because of WaMu's souring mortgages and other risky debt, JPMorgan plans to write down WaMu's loan portfolio by about $31 billion — a figure that could change if the government goes through with its bailout plan and JPMorgan decides to take advantage of it. "We're in favor of what the government is doing, but we're not relying on what the government is doing. We would've done it anyway," JPMorgan's Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said in a conference call Thursday night, referring to the acquisition. Dimon said he does not know if JPMorgan will take advantage of the bailout. WaMu is JPMorgan Chase's second acquisition this year of a major financial institution hobbled by losing bets on mortgages. In March, JPMorgan bought the investment bank Bear Stearns Cos. for about $1.4 billion, plus another $900 million in stock ahead of the deal to secure it. JPMorgan Chase is now the second-largest bank in the United States after Bank of America Corp., which recently bought Merrill Lynch in a flurry of events that included Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. going bankrupt and American International Group Inc., the world's largest insurer, getting taken over by the government. JPMorgan also said Thursday it plans to sell $8 billion in common stock to raise capital. The downfall of WaMu has been widely anticipated for some time because of the company's heavy mortgage-related losses. As investors grew nervous about the bank's health, its stock price plummeted 95 percent from a 52-week high of $36.47 to its close of $1.69 Thursday. On Wednesday, it suffered a ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor's that put it in danger of collapse. WaMu "was under severe liquidity pressure," FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair told reporters in a conference call. "For all depositors and other customers of Washington Mutual Bank, this is simply a combination of two banks," Bair said in a statement. "For bank customers, it will be a seamless transition. There will be no interruption in services and bank customers should expect business as usual come Friday morning." Besides JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo & Co., Citigroup Inc., HSBC, Spain's Banco Santander and Toronto-Dominion Bank of Canada were also reportedly possible suitors. WaMu was believed to be talking to private equity firms as well. The seizure by the government means shareholders' equity in WaMu was wiped out. The deal leaves private equity investors including the firm TPG Capital, which gave WaMu a cash infusion totaling $7 billion this spring, on the sidelines empty handed. WaMu ran into trouble after it got caught up in the once-booming subprime mortgage business. Troubles then spread to other parts of WaMu's home loan portfolio, namely its "option" adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Option ARM loans offer very low introductory payments and let borrowers defer some interest payments until later years. The bank stopped originating those loans in June. Problems in WaMu's home loan business began to surface in 2006, when the bank reported that the division lost $48 million, compared with net income of about $1 billion in 2005. At the start of 2007, following the release of the company's annual financial report, then-CEO Kerry Killinger said the bank had prepared for a slowdown in its housing business by sharply reducing its subprime mortgage lending and servicing of loans. Alan H. Fishman, the former president and chief operating officer of Sovereign Bank and president and CEO of Independence Community Bank, replaced Killinger earlier this month. As more borrowers became delinquent on their mortgages, WaMu worked to help troubled customers refinance their loans as a way to avoid default and foreclosure, committing $2 billion to the effort last April. But that proved to be too little, too late. At the same time, fears of growing credit problems kept investors from purchasing debt backed by those loans, drying up a source of cash flow for banks that made subprime loans. In December, WaMu said it would shutter its subprime lending business and reduce expenses with layoffs and a dividend cut. The bank in July reported a $3 billion second-quarter loss — the biggest in its history — as it boosted its reserves to more than $8 billion to cover losses on bad loans. Over the last three quarters, it added $10.9 billion to its loan-loss provisions. JPMorgan Chase said it was not acquiring any senior unsecured debt, subordinated debt, and preferred stock of WaMu's banks, or any assets or liabilities of the holding company, Washington Mutual Inc. JPMorgan also said it will not take on the lawsuits facing the holding company. JPMorgan Chase said the acquisition will give it 5,400 branches in 23 states, and that it plans to close less than 10 percent of the two companies' branches. The WaMu acquisition would add 50 cents per share to JPMorgan's earnings in 2009, the bank said, adding that it expects to have pretax merger costs of approximately $1.5 billion while achieving pretax savings of approximately $1.5 billion by 2010. "This is a definite win for JPMorgan," said Sebastian Hindman, an analyst at SNL Financial, who said JPMorgan should be able to shoulder the $31 billion writedown to WaMu's portfolio.

Friday, September 26 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.76 Euro: 49.39 British Pound: 62.105 Australian Dollar: 28.115 Canadian Dollar: 32.5375 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.74 Euro: 49.065 British Pound: 61.915 Australian Dollar: 27.80 Canadian Dollar: 32.4375

To me the most frightening thing of all is the fact that he still has four months left in office. That's enough time for him to put the entire world into a depression. It's also enough time for him to start up a war with both Iran and North Korea. I wouldn't put it past him to do all of the above, along with some things none of us have even thought of. I wish he would follow Abraham Lincoln's advice: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

What did you have in mind?

It also would be a kindness to either give the boy money for food, or if you keep him overnight you might take him out to breakfast somewhere . . . . that is if he isn't one of those boys who thinks waking up before 2:00pm is waking up early.

"We're in the midst of a serious financial crisis . . ." George Bush Really? Thanks for letting us know. Three guesses who put us there in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with generosity, but for the record the going rate rule-of-thumb for Saranrom Park boys is 500 baht for 'short-time', 1000 baht for 'long time' (which means overnight). In addition, you should also give them taxi fare to go back to their rooms.

Thursday, September 25 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.88 Euro: 49.585 British Pound: 62.66 Australian Dollar: 28.14 Canadian Dollar: 32.5225 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.73 Euro: 49.53 British Pound: 62.605 Australian Dollar: 28.1675 Canadian Dollar: 32.5025

Wednesday, September 24 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.63 Euro: 49.26 British Pound: 62.305 Australian Dollar: 27.855 Canadian Dollar: 32.36 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.82 Euro: 49.535 British Pound: 62.75 Australian Dollar: 28.185 Canadian Dollar: 32.5125

It's too bad this had to happen just as the baht was in motion in favor of the US dollar for a change. The dollar took a loss against all major currencies today. Whether there will be another turn-around any time soon remains to be seen. The Thai baht is not exactly a reliable currency these days either, so what's next is probably anybody's guess. To tell the truth, I expected the dollar to take much worse of a hit than it did, but there's always tomorrow . . . This is going to be a week to watch, for sure!

Tuesday, September 23 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.58 Euro: 49.635 British Pound: 62.265 Australian Dollar: 28.27 Canadian Dollar: 32.36 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.60 Euro: 49.275 British Pound: 62.105 Australian Dollar: 28.105 Canadian Dollar: 32.2975

Not quite so bad now. They've dug up most of the potholes on Thappraya and moved them to other streets . . .

Here you are, perfect for Octoberfest! By the way, for those on certain other boards who have decided I'm a shill and a brown-noser for posting ads in behalf of gay venues, writing restaurant reviews, etc, for the record Mike (the owner of La Cage) and I to date have never personally met and the last time I was even in La Cage was over eight months ago. Nevertheless, I really like the idea behind this event and if I'm in town I intend to go. While I'm at it, any gay venue is welcome to advertise on this board whenever they wish, and I don't care much whether certain posters on other boards like it or not.

Why not? It sounds better to me every time I hear it . . .

Monday, September 22 Opening Rates: US Dollar: 33.73 Euro: 48.735 British Pound: 61.605 Australian Dollar: 27.90 Canadian Dollar: 32.04 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 33.72 Euro: 49.125 British Pound: 62.145 Australian Dollar: 28.0675 Canadian Dollar: 32.12

Something else on my "I Don't Get It" list stems from the very fact of Pattaya's existence in the first place. What began as a small fishing village grew into a mecca for adult fun and games, namely the bars, sex, night venues, Walking Street, etc. For the life of me, I can't understand why there has recently been a big push to change the paradigm so that Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm would find Pattaya an ideal spot to visit. That's not what Pattaya is all about and why Pattaya exists. Some might say they are succumbing to western pressure. I don't buy that argument at all. The only western pressure I've ever observed here has been the pressure to put the "whoa Nellie" on under-age sex. I've not aware of any other pressures exerted by western do-gooders. Somehow, I don't envision Pattaya becoming a haven for family-style tourism because of bar closings at 1:00am and a water park here and there, especially when they're to be located in areas where the residents don't want them and the majority of tourists aren't going to patronize. Maybe a few busloads of Chinese tourists will go, but that's about it. If that's really their idea of how to attract hordes of tourists and holiday makers, then I can foresee the day when someone mentions Pattaya and the response is, "Oh yes, I remember Pattaya. It's pretty much a ghost town now, isn't it?" Bases on the present tourist numbers, some businesses might say it's already getting to be that way.

Yes, it certainly is there. Based on what was written and knowing your writing style I do believe it is not your post. I hope you have informed the moderators.

It's just more fodder for my "I Don't Get It" list. First, the areas they're talking about are nowhere near the areas where tourists usually go. Second, the local residents in those communities are opposed, but that doesn't seem to matter to the Powers-that-Be. Water parks and cultural exhibitions? That's going to attract an influx of tourists to Pattaya? Where do these people come up with their ideas? Don't they understand that the two major complaints common to tourists are the very things Pattaya has lost? The night venues and feeling perfectly safe no matter where you are in Pattaya. Pattaya is famous for the bar and entertainment scene. That's the one thing you never hear them talking about, other than raids and enforcing absurd forced closing times. 1:00am closing times for night venues ; gay, straight, and whatever, and the crime against tourists and cheating tourists is what is ruining Pattaya's tourist industry. If they would do something about those, that's when the tourists are much more likely to return to Pattaya rather than seek holidays elsewhere. Pattaya is famous for the nightlife, but these people think they can turn it into a wholesome, family oriented city and still attract a major tourist industry. To me that makes about as much sense as trying to turn Las Vegas into a religious training center. That's simply not the reason why people go there and water parks and cultural exhibitions are definitely not the reasons people come to Pattaya. Water parks and cultural exhibitions? Give me a break. "If they build it, they still won't come." The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: _____ Further Meeting Discusses Sustainable Tourism Here in Pattaya On Thursday afternoon at Pattaya City Hall a further meeting took place to discuss plans to expand the Tourism Industry to sub-districts around the Pattaya and Banglamung area to allow for the area to become fully self-sustainable with regards to Tourism. The proposals were initially put forward by an organization called DASTA, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, who were present at the meeting. The idea is to develop areas such as Pong Sub-District and Huoy Yai Sub-District to accommodate Tourist attractions and facilities such as water parks and cultural exhibitions. The meeting discussed objections from local residents and business owners which have been raised and the need to improve the local infrastructure before any such plans could be put into action. Delegates were told to rethink some plans and a further meeting will be held soon.

What happens when you try to use the link I provided?

I just had a look and I don't see any posts there under that name. The moderator just posted a message saying he banned a problem poster. Maybe that problem poster was the person who hijacked your name. He did not say who it was.

I also just tried it again and the link worked perfectly.