Gaybutton

Unfortunately, for me the problem just happened again. Nikom, if you are reading this I know you sent me a PM. I can't retrieve it. When I try, the problem happens again. You will have to send your message to me by Email. I thought the problem was solved because I did receive a PM from GT and was able to retrieve it. Meanwhile, Nikom sent me a PM and I cannot retrieve that one. So, whatever the problem was, it still exists. Folks, at least regarding me, PLEASE don't send me a PM. I can't retrieve them. If you wish to contact me, please do so via my Email address: gaybutton@gmail.com . Otherwise, I'm not going to be able to see your message.

Can you tell us a little more about it, such as some of the food items? So far we know they serve pizza and Italian food, but you didn't say anything about what kind of Italian food. Don't they also serve Russian food? If yes, what kinds of items are served there?

Send a PM to me. I'll receive an Email telling me a PM is waiting. I'm one of the people who was having a problem, so if you send a PM to me, I'll be able to tell you if it has cleared up, at least for me.

I just had a look, registered, and posted. Congratulations. The board seems to work just fine and it's always nice when a new effort is made to bring improvements to the gay community.

Yes, of course. That's what I always do and I almost always get it wrong, "as usual". What did you expect? As a matter of fact, I can't even remember a post on which I got anything right. I think people are much better off relying on what you have to say than on any information I get from an experienced mama-san who is right there every night, and has been there every night for years. I don't see how what I wrote has anything to do with what you wrote, but have it as you wish. You write what you want and I'll continue to do my writing based on what I witness for myself or based on the information sources I know quite well tell me, despite the idea that you think they are unreliable. You don't have a clue who my sources are, but you've decided they are unreliable. Good thinking. We'll just let the readers here decide for themselves who is correct.

Cambodia informs U.N. on alleged incursion * Story Highlights * Cambodia tells U.N. that Thai forces have intruded into its territory * Cambodian general: Thai troops have deployed an artillery piece near temple * Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the 11th century temple PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) -- Cambodia has sent a note to the U.N. Security Council alleging that Thai forces intruded into its territory near an ancient temple. Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Sunday that Cambodia's mission in New York submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border." He said that Cambodia was not asking for United Nations intervention and hoped to solve the territorial dispute peacefully. Hundreds of troops from the two countries are facing off on disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple for which Cambodia was granted World Heritage Site status earlier this month. The two countries are to hold peace talks Monday. Meanwhile, a Cambodian general has said Sunday that he has little hope that upcoming talks between his government and Thailand will resolve the border dispute. Cambodian Brig. Gen. Chea Keo said Thai troops have deployed an artillery piece about half a mile (one kilometer) northeast of Preah Vihear temple -- the latest escalation ahead of Monday's meeting aimed at averting a military confrontation. "Regarding the talks tomorrow, we have little hope about the outcome," Chea Keo said. He said the reason for his pessimism stems from a recent counterclaim by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that the area around a Buddhist pagoda near the historic temple belongs to Thailand. Thai troops have been stationed at the pagoda since Tuesday. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to Samak on Thursday saying relations had been "worsening" since Thai troops "encroached on our territory," and asked him to pull them back. Responding to his Cambodian counterpart, Samak said the area around the pagoda referred to in the letter "is within the Thai territory," according to a statement Saturday from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While urging both sides to exercise restraint, Samak's letter said the settlement of Cambodians in that area constitutes "a continued violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Despite their pledge to hold talks Monday in Thailand to try to defuse the tensions, both Cambodia and Thailand have massed troops at the site. "We continue to be on alert at all time. And at the same time, we keep instructing our soldiers to be patient and avoid being blamed for starting a war," Chea Keo said Sunday. The conflict over territory surrounding Preah Vihear temple escalated when UNESCO recently approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai activists fear the new status will undermine Thailand's claim to nearby land since the border has never been demarcated. Troops from the opposing forces were on the brink of a shoot-out Thursday night, which was avoided when Cambodians retreated from a site occupied by the Thais. But opposing commanders and their troops have otherwise tried to defuse tensions, sometimes even sharing meals, snapping photographs and sleeping within easy sight of one another. The dispute has taken a toll on tourism in the area, with the Thai side closed to visitors. It also is starting to hurt economic relations between the two neighbors.

During a very recent conversation with an experienced Sunee Plaza mama-san, I asked the question: Why Sunee Plaza all the time? We do hear about raids elsewhere, but it seems like there are at least a dozen raids in Sunee Plaza for every raid we hear about elsewhere. The mama-san said it's very simple. The police know the same thing everyone else knows about several of the Sunee Plaza bars and under-age boys. She said the reason for more and more raids is because there have been less and less customers. The bars have to pay certain members of the local constabulary in order to avoid these raids. If they don't pay, or can't pay, then they raid. Since there are not as many customers as there have been in previous years, the number and frequency of raids is on the rise. She said they don't confine themselves to raiding only the venue that didn't cough up. If they raid one, they usually raid them all, whether money has been paid or not. I pointed out that if those particular bars would obey the law, then the raids wouldn't produce results and they would likely end or be far less frequent. She said it will never happen. Just look around. Which bars are getting the majority of customers? You guessed it . . . the bars with under-age boys and the bars that put on naked shows. She said those bars are making money, even with the raids and pay-offs. In other words, a wee bit of corruption seems to be behind it all. Also, I asked about the CCTV cameras and talked about the fears some people have expressed about them. She simply laughed and said that, at least, is something nobody has to worry about. She has yet to ever be asked for any tapes. She said they are ignored.

The following appears in PATTAYA TODAY: _____ Pedophiles Face Arrest Back Home Sex tourists who seek out underage kids abroad will face charges in Britain under new laws coming into force this month. At present, abusers can only be prosecuted in UK if the offence is also a crime in the country where it occurred. But under the concept of “dual criminality” anyone having sex with a person under 16, which is the age of consent in Britain, could face charges even if the law in the other country is different or even more lenient. Thailand’s laws on child sex are complicated with one age of consent being set at 15. However, this cannot apply if one partner has used financial inducements in connection with the illicit activity. Nor is the law entirely clear about prosecution in the case of a person downloading child pornography, unless it is for profit and intended distribution. Under the new rules, it matters only whether British law has been broken. In some countries the age of consent is between 13 and 15 including Spain, Italy and several Baltic states. The new law will bring the UK into line with the European convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation. Penalties have also been increased. Sexual activity with a child under 13 could mean a life sentence and with anyone under 16 a maximum of 14 years. Rules about taking indecent images of children are extended to children up to 18 rather than 16. A Thai police spokesman said, “We are aware of the EU regulations. Whilst most sex offenders here will continue to be prosecuted in Thailand, there are some cases where prosecution in the home country would be appropriate. In such cases, the alleged offender’s visa would be canceled prior to deportation.” So far this year, a crackdown on child sex in Pattaya has led to 15 arrests of foreigners. Most of these cases are currently with the public prosecutor’s office and the Thai courts. British home secretary Jacqui Smith also announced that convicted pedophiles would have to hand over their e-mail addresses to the police who would send them to social networking sites for blacklisting. The new law stipulates that if such a person is detected using such a site, or is using an unregistered email address, the maximum sentence for this offense is five years. “We now have some of the strictest controls in the world on sex offenders,” she said.

An article in PATTAYA TODAY confirms this: _____ Pattaya immigration 90 day rule change PATTAYA immigration, Jomtien soi 5, has announced with immediate effect that long stay foreigners needing to report their address every 90 days must now bring written proof of their address. In the past, they have simply filled in a form confirming their present address and this was acceptable to the immigration officer. In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc. Only one such paper or document is required to show the immigration officer. The new rule has been brought in because, in some cases, foreigners at the 90 days check-in have apparently been giving an address at which they were no longer resident. "It is important that foreigners give us their up-to-date address where they are actually living," said one officer. The main people affected are one year visa holders and those possessing a work permit, but the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is up to 2,000 baht.

This story has hit Pattaya's English language newspapers. Click on the links below: http://www.pattayaone.net/news_19_07_51.html http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000006647

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ One-Two-Go Forced to Suspend Operations for Nearly Two Months By Suchat Sritama The Nation Published on July 19, 2008 Low-cost carrier One-Two-Go will suspend its operations from July 22 to September 15, making it the first airline victim of record oil prices. Founder and CEO Udom Tatiprosongchai said the unrelenting rise in oil prices had forced the airline to shut down temporarily. During this period there will be a reorganisation to prepare for a return to business. "The company has been losing money for months, and we cannot continue like this," said Udom, adding that One-Two-Go would resume operations when the situation improved. Two of its rival, Thai AirAsia and Nok Ai, are still in service but facing the same cost pressure. Both have revised their business strategies and rescheduled some routes. Udom said One Two Go had been operating based on actual costs while other players had different strategies. In a statement, One Two Go said high oil prices were hurting the global airline industry. Airlines world-wide have cut 30 per cent of their flights and raised surcharges to stay in business. One Two Go was the country's first low-cost airline, starting its service in December 2003 with a Bangkok-Chiang Mai flight. It ran into trouble when one of its planes crashed in Phuket, killing 90 passengers. Rumours abounded that it could face regulatory problems due to its safety record. Udom declined to comment on this issue. Relatives of the victims in the Phuket crash have started a web-site, www.investigateudom.com, to campaign for an investigation into Udom's business conduct. It was alleged that Udom had misled pilots into flying unsafe planes and paid bonuses for those who worked beyond the legal maximum of flying hours. Chaisak Angkasuwan, director-general of the Civil Aviation Department, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Our dear friends and guests, Please be informed of our new Gourmet Set Menu serving from July 16 through 31, available at Casa Pascal Only Weekly Set Menu serving from July 22~August 4 available at both Casa Pascal and Poseidon. July 16 ~ 31. Gourmet Set Menu House Champagne *** Amuse Bouche *** White Wine Cackle Berry Chardonnay, Australia 2004 Pigeon & Celeriac Terrine red Cabbage Salad *** Avocado Cream Soup with Sesame Shrimp *** Live imported Mussels in white Wine Butter Sauce *** Raspberry Sherbet *** Red Wine Sea Horse Bay, Shiraz, Australia,2006 Lemon Sole Filets in white Wine and Chanterelles Mushroom Cream Sauce or Flamed Veal Kidneys in Pommery Mustard Sauce Gratin Potato *** Rhum Baba with red Wine Plums or Selection of premium international Cheese *** Coffee or Tea Calvados, Grappa, Remy Martin, Williams Food only 1,450 Baht net, Menu with Unlimited Beverages 2,900 Baht net <Weekly Special July 22 – July 28> APPETIZER Home-made Chicken Terrine with Port wine reduction and Waldorf Salad SOUP Tomato Cream Soup with Basil Chiffonade and Croutons MAIN COURSE Thai Sea Bass marinated in Olive Oil and fresh Herbs, Wine Potatoes or Grilled Pork Chop Served with Noodle or French Fries and Pepper Corn Sauce DESSERT Sour Cherry Sabayone or Coffee or Tea <Weekly Special July 29 – August 4> APPETIZER Fresh Mussels Seaman Style SOUP Mushroom Cream Soup with Sun dried Tomatoes MAIN COURSE Lemon Sole Fillets pan – fried or poached with green Asparagus and Parsley Potatoes or Pascal’s Grand Ma’s Apple Tart French Fries & mixed Salad DESSERT Passion Fruits Parfait Coffee or Tea WINES White Wine : Monte Vino Bianco, Italy Red Wine : Monte Vino Rosso, Italy Food only 3-Course @ 580 Baht net 4-Course @ 680 Baht net Food & unlimited Wine 3-Course @ 950 Baht net 4-Course @ 1,300 Baht net *** All prices are including 7% VAT. Service tip is at your own discretion *** For reservation at Casa Pascal (038) 723 660 Fax (038) 723 659 For reservation at Poseidon (038) 303 300 Fax (038) 303 336 E-mail: info@restaurant-pattya.com For more information : http://www.restaurant-pattaya.com

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE: (see http://www.pattayaone.net/news_18_07_51_2.html for photos) _____ New Parking Regulations on Walking Street Angers Business Owners and Confuses Tourists There is controversy on Walking Street at this time and it does not relate to the unfinished Walking Street sign at the Northern Entrance. Recently new road signs were installed along the street following changes to parking regulations along the entire 750 meter stretch of the street. Between the hours of 9am and 7pm parking is not permitted on one side of the street depending if it is an odd or even day. If it is an even day parking is not permitted on the left side of the street as you look down the street from the entrance and on odd days parking is not permitted on the right side. From what we saw, many seem to be disregarding these new parking regulations. We are highlighting this change for the benefit of the foreign residents who may park their vehicles on the street during the day as the signs are in Thai language only. We understand that a petition has been signed by every business owner along the street, who are not happy with these new regulations and want parking on both sides every day. We would also like to confirm that the street is closed to all traffic between the hours of 7pm and 3am.

Neither can I. As far as I can tell, most of what comes out of City Hall is nothing but a lot of bluster. My guess is that thought applies to most city halls throughout the world. As a driver, I have no objections to the bah buses stopping to load and unload passengers. It doesn't take long and they can't always pull over to the kerb if parked cars and motorcycles prevent them from doing so. My objection is when they careen over lanes of traffic, without warning, to pick up passengers and also damned near run over pedestrians. I also object to the attitude of some drivers. It seems as if it is "either-or." Some baht bus drivers are good, polite drivers and are pleasant and helpful. Some are quite honest and have even returned full wallets to the rightful owner when they have discovered them left behind on their bus. Some have gone to a great deal of trouble to do so. Then there are the others, the ones who are rude, have a nasty disposition, try to cheat their passengers, and act as if they own the roads and nobody but themselves should drive on them. I don't know what, if anything, City Hall can change, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

You're right about that. Remember when I said we don't close a thread unless it becomes a problem? This is it. Now it has become a problem. Name calling and personal attacks have begun. Thread closed.

Not one bit. There almost never is. We hear about the arrests and usually that's all we ever hear.

Perhaps. Have a look at the article for yourself: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1

I've never used an avatar before, but now I think I've found one that fits the bill, so here it is! After all, over the years I've been called everything from a control freak to a son-of-a-bitch. Oh well, they say one picture is worth a thousand words . . . . Actually, my favorite avatar is zzrichard's "safe sex" avatar.

First, I see no post where anyone accuses you of being a pedophile. Second, if I missed such a post, you're going to have to explain to me how my saying "Gentlemen" lumps you within anything. Oh my God, I said "Gentlemen"!!! Isn't that terrible? Third, I haven't mentioned this before but you have kind of a bizarre writing style and sometimes it's difficult to figure out just what the hell you're talking about. We don't close threads around here unless people start violating the posting rules or the moderators determine there is a problem. I see no problems. You asked for advice. Now it seems to me that you resent receiving advice you don't want to hear. I think you were hoping to hear people telling you not to have concerns about the 10 year old. Also, others may find themselves in a similar situation one of these days. The advice being given on this thread doesn't necessarily apply solely to you and your own situation. I've given you my advice with complete sincerity. I believe everyone who has posted on this thread has done the same thing. Take it or leave it.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Cambodia Alleges Thai Troops Crossing Border Phnom Penh (dpa) The number of Thai troops in territory Cambodia considers sovereign increased Thursday, and local media reported fearful Cambodian residents had begun evacuating the area of a border dispute over an 11th-century Hindu temple. Preah Vihear, perched on a 525-metre high cliff on the Dongrak mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, turned into a flashpoint Tuesday when three Thai nationals entered the temple compound to protest UNESCO's July 9 listing as a World Heritage Site. "The troop numbers have increased, although I have no exact figure. They are at a pagoda about 200 metres from Preah Vihear temple," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said. Late Wednesday he estimated that around 200 Thai troops were in Cambodian territory, while Cambodia had sent 380. Thailand maintains the area is a disputed no man's land and they are not in Cambodia. Local newspapers Thursday printed front page pictures of Thai troops standing at Cambodian checkpoints, with Cambodian Khmer-language signs clearly visible. Kanharith confirmed that Cambodia would hold talks with Thailand over the issue Monday and said Prime Minister Hun Sen had spoken with his Thai counterpart Samak Sundaravej by telephone Wednesday night. He said relation remain cordial and urged calm. Kanharith said Thailand called for the urgent meeting to defuse the row over joint claims to the temple ruins compound that has drawn hundreds of troops to both sides of the border. The emergency meeting of the General Border Committee will be held Monday in Thailand's border province of Sa Kaeo. It was not clear whether the meeting of the committee, set up years ago to cope with the two countries' border problems, would be attended by Thai Prime Minister Samak in his capacity as defence minister. Meanwhile both Koh Santepheap and the Cambodia Daily newspapers reported Cambodian residents had begun evacuating the area. "I don't feel safe because the Thai side is building up its soldiers as well as the Cambodian side," the Cambodia Daily quoted villager Kuy Sopheat, 49, as saying as he packed for his family. Around 900 Cambodian families live around the temple. Tensions began rising Tuesday, when Cambodia detained and then released three Thais it said had illegally crossed the border.

Sometimes people solicit the opinions of others because they are hoping to have their own opinion reinforced by having others tell them what they want to hear. If it doesn't work out that way, that's when they become upset.

He did say July 21, so he still has a couple days to make his decision. Here's another possibility: Why not reverse it? Instead of them coming to stay at your condo, why not go to Kanchanaburi yourself? That way, you can be the one who stays in a hotel - without having to deal with the 10 year old being under the same roof, can check to see if the 10 year old is really his brother, get your camcorder back, make your decisions as to whether you want the boyfriend in your life, and make an easy retreat if you decide things aren't going to work out. The worst that can happen would be, if nothing else, you get a short holiday out of it.

Once again, folks, I don't make these things up. The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ CUNNING MONK BEGUILES WOMAN INTO BLACK MAGIC SEX CEREMONY IN PATTAYA MOTEL A woman was told she needed to use a black magic spell to make her man fall in love with her. She then asked a monk to perform a sacred ceremony for her, which involved her having to have sex with the monk in order to make it more efficient. Police later found the wrongdoers naked in a motel room. The woman admitted she had done wrong, but claimed she was led astray. The cunning monk was banished from the monkhood. On July 16, 2008, at 3am, senior police officers, Pol.Col.Nopadol Wongnom, Pattaya Superintendent, Pol.Maj. Passakorn Pai-Jit, Chief Officer and Pol.Capt. Prinya Dech-Thamarit, Deputy Officer, were notified by villagers that a monk had rented a motel room to sleep with a woman. The incident was at Good View Resort, North Pattaya. A police team accordingly went to investigate. Arriving at the V.I.P. motel, a staff member pointed out the unnumbered room to the police. The police then knocked on the door and asked the people inside to open it, but when they refused, police asked a staff member to use a spare key to open the room. Gaining entry, police were shocked to see a middle-age woman and a bald-headed man, naked and cuddling on the bed. There was also a monk's saffron robe and a woman's clothes on the bed. The police then asked them to put on their clothes. The room's occupants were later identified as Mrs. Thanawan Pak-utsa (49), a merchant from Nonthaburi province and Mr. Prakong Phu-ging-ploy (44) or "Pra Prok-krong Thanawaro" , a monk from Bpothi-sri-tha-gnarm, Kalasin province. Mr. Prakong aka Pra Prok-krong later confessed to police that he and Mr. Somchai Kamjing, (48), his driver, had rented 3 rooms at the motel for two nights. He had apparently made an appointment with Mrs. Thanawan and Mrs. Siri Pak-utsa (63) to see him in room C 7, in order to perform a black magic ceremony to make a man to whom she was attracted fall in love with her. However, she was told by the monk that in order to make the rite effective, the woman has to have sex with the monk and also release some fish, to which she agreed. The monk boasted to police that he had many women followers in the Pattaya area who come to see him all the time for various favours. Examining an ajacent room, C 8, police found various materials for conducting the ceremony, such as: a Buddha image, holy thread, incense sticks and candles. Mr.Prakong admitted that he had had sex as part of the ceremony once with the woman before the police arrived. Mrs. Thanawan claimed that she was in love with a certain man, who appeared immune to her charms. She said she had money, but could not make the man fall in love with her, so she sought Pra Prok-krong to do the magical ceremony for her, which involved sleeping with him. Besides, she confessed, she was also fond of Pra Prok-krong because she had found him charming. Even though she knew that it was wrong, she maintained she had been led astray into sleeping with him. After the investigation, police took Pra Prok-krong before the monk dean of Wat Chai-mongkol, requesting that he be banished from the monkhood.

Gentlemen, let's not get into a pissing contest, ok? Asmerom asked for advice and people have given it. Now he has to decide whether to heed the advice. I see no need for that to degenerate into a war of words.

Don't you love it when things like this happen? It makes me wonder how many more are out there doing the same thing.