Gaybutton

The cyclone in Burma has already killed tens of thousands of people. Most of the emerging stories are about the death toll, the expected dramatic increase in numbers of dead, and the incredibly callous and unfeeling handling of this disaster by the Burmese government. Now another disaster has hit, this time in China. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Beijing - A 7.8-magnitude earthquake felt as far away as Bangkok killed more than 700 people and buried thousands in Sichuan province of southwest China. Authorities said they feared 5,000 or more were dead. and Chinese President Hu Jintao ordered "all-out" efforts to help 900 school children buried in rubble. At least four teenagers were confirmed dead after the earthquake caused school buildings to collapse and bury nearly 900 students at the Juyuan Middle School in Sichuan's Dujiangyan city, about 100 kilometres from the epicentre of the earthquake, the official Xinhua news agency quoted local officials as saying. Official Xinhua news agency quoted officials from the Sichuan provincial disaster relief headquarters as saying that 80 per cent of buildings in Beichuan had collapsed after the earthquake. It said officials also estimated that about 10,000 people were injured in Beichuan, which is about 100 kilometres from the epicentre of the earthquake. The earthquake also affected Sichuan's capital, Chengdu, and nearby Chongqing. At least 45 people died in Chengdu, where officials suspended rail and air services, the provincial government said. More than 600 people were injured, 58 of them critically, state media quoted the provincial seismological bureau as saying. Government and local officials said the quake struck at 2:28pm local time (1:28pm in Thailand) in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province. It was felt in cities hundreds of kilometres away, including Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, in addition to Bangkok. "Major tremors" were felt by residents of cities closer to the epicentre, including Sichuan's capital, Chengdu, and nearby Chongqing, the official news agency Xinhua said. The first reports of casualties came from Chongqing's Liangping county, where four children died and more than 100 were injured at two primary schools which collapsed during the earthquake, the official Xinhua news agency said. The epicentre was about 95 kilometres west-northwest of Chengdu in Wenchuan county, which has a population of 112,000. Initial reports put the magnitude at 7.6 but the State Seismological Bureau later upgraded it to 7.8, while an official at the Beijing Seisomological Bureau said it was measured at 8.0. Premier Wen Jiabao was travelling to Sichuan to supervise relief work, while President Hu Jintao issued a statement urging "all-out efforts to help those affected" by the quake. The People's Liberation Army dispatched troops from Chengdu to help in relief work and damage assessment in Wenchuan county. Xinhua quoted a worker in Chongqing as saying his factory was evacuated after the roof began to crack, and a resident of Sichuan's Leshan city who said a garden wall had collapsed. Mobile telephone services were briefly cut off in Chengdu and Chongqing, while workers were evacuated from some major office towers in Shanghai, the agency said. Flights to and from Chengdu were suspended, and a main road near Chengdu's southern railway station flooded after the quake fractured an underground water pipe, it said. In Hong Kong, people rang emergency services in panic when the earthquake made ground shake and buildings sway in the city of 6.9 million, 1,360 kilometres south-east from Chengdu. There were no reports of injuries of damage in Hong Kong. A tremor measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in Beijing's eastern suburb of Tongzhou at 2:35 pm, the seismological bureau said. Earlier Monday, an undersea earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook Taiwan. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the quake that struck at 10:43 am (0243 GMT), 3.4 kilometres under the sea off Taiwan's eastern Orchid Island, the Seismological Observation Centre said. Seismologists in Taiwan said the earthquake was unrelated to the one in Wenchuan. (dpa) ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Chinese disaster officials say the death toll from Monday's devastating earthquake in southwestern China has spiked to near 10,000. Meanwhile, seismological experts in Sichuan province said more than 1,180 tremors up to 6.0 magnitude had been recorded as of 5 a.m. Tuesday, state media Xinhua reported. In nearby Beichuan County, 80 percent of the buildings were reported destroyed and an estimated 3,000 were reported dead there alone. In addition to the death toll, state-run media reported 10,000 more people were injured in Sichuan, Gansu, Chongqing and Yunnan provinces, CNN reported Xinhua reported at least 2,300 were trapped in the collapse of two chemical plants. About 80 tons of ammonia leaked out and 6,000 people were evacuated, CNN said. Reports said 50 bodies were pulled from the rubble of a high school in Wenchuan County, where 900 students were feared buried. "Some buried teenagers were struggling to break loose from underneath the ruins while others were crying out for help," the state-run Chinese news agency reported. Xinhua said Premier Wen Jiabao was on hand to direct the rescue efforts. Tremors were felt in other parts of China, as well Hanoi, Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan. Communication with China's Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center has been cut off, State Forestry Administration officials said. About 130 giant pandas are living in the center and another 150 wild pandas roam the Wolong reserve. Venues for the 2008 Summer Olympics weren't damaged, Xinhua reported. A quake that measured 7.5 on the Richter scale killed more than 10,000 people in the same area in 1933. The country's worst earthquake, on July 28, 1976, in Hebei province, killed more than 240,000.

Tuesday, May 13: Opening rates: US Dollar: 31.98 Euro: 49.545 British Pound: 62.385 Australian Dollar: 30.125 Canadian Dollar: 31.655 _____ Closing Rates: US Dollar: 32.07 Euro: 49.70 British Pound: 62.505 Australian Dollar: 30.2375 Canadian Dollar: 31.745

EarWig posted about this on the Gay Ting&Tong forum. http://www.gaytingtong.com/topic2773.html I have no personal confirmation of this at the time of this posting, but I will say that EarWig's information of this type is usually reliable. Assuming it's true, my condolences to Peter's family and friends.

Thank you very much for the confirmation. I think you just spelled "relief" for many from the UK. You're lucky. You don't have to go through the hassle of a trip to Bangkok along with exhorbitant embassy fees. Was there a fee for Barry's service? You are correct about extensions being at the officer's discretion. That's why I always recommend going in with a smile and pleasant attitude and keeping it that way no matter what happens. You're much more likely to get cooperation from the officer than if you go in as one of these fools I often see who go in and immediately start acting angry and nasty. They can't figure out why they don't get the cooperation they seek. The only immigration office I have dealt with is the Pattaya office. I have always found the officers to be friendly and trying to be as helpful as possible. They're trying to help people get what they need. They're not trying to make things difficult and not trying to prevent people from getting the visas and extensions they seek.

It's so sad. These boys have a very difficult life as it is, and they just have no clue what the drugs are doing to them. What's even more sad is the only thing that surprises me about your post is that no more than 7-8 boys got out, considering that the average bar has 20 to 25 boys. I would imagine that the under-age boys got out too.

For months now, the exchange rate for the baht to US dollar has been hovering around 31.2 to 31.3. Last week the baht began to inch its way toward 31.4 to 31.5. This morning the rate opened at 31.92. That's the best its been in months. Here are the opening rates for today, May 12. I will edit this post later and let you know the closing rates. I have no idea why the exchange rate is finally starting to get a little more favorable, but I'm certainly not complaining. I'm praying that the trend continues: Opening rates: US Dollar: 31.92 Euro: 49.29 British Pound: 62.205 Australian Dollar: 29.9025 Canadian Dollar: 31.565 __________ YIPPEE!!!!! Exchange Rate Gets to 32!!! I thought I'd never live to see the day when the dollar actually begins to strengthen again. Keep your fingers crossed folks. Closing Rates: US Dollar: 32.01 Euro: 49.175 British Pound: 62.255 Australian Dollar: 29.89 Canadian Dollar: 31.62

GaySacGuy, I think you can get an International driving permit through Thai travel agencies. If not, they can at least tell you where to get it. Since you do have a Thai driver's license already, make sure you take it with you when you go to the USA. The international driving permit is invalid without it. If it were me, I would also stop by an Immigration office and get a residence certificate to take along too. That way, if you have to deal with the police you'll have proof that you do actually reside in Thailand. Bob, yes you certainly are legal to drive in Thailand with an International driving permit provided that a valid driving license from your home country is also in your possession. Without it, the International driving permit is invalid. Despite the fact that the permit is supposed to be valid for a full year from the date of purchase, it is my understanding that Thailand only honors its validity for 90 days after your arrival in Thailand. I could be wrong about that. I can't remember where I got that from, but that's the way I understand it.

I have received a few inquiries as to what happened in Sunee Plaza a couple of nights ago. A few hours before closing time several bars suddenly started hustling the customers out the door and closed down for the night. That's because the bars received a tip that yet another raid was on for that night and it was imminent. The raid didn't happen. As for why it didn't happen, the only reasons I can come up with are the tip was wrong in the first place, the raid was canceled for some reason, or the police got a tip about the tip and decided to postpone until they can raid with an element of surprise. Your guess is as good as mine.

I received an Email today asking how to get an International Driving Permit. I suppose I should have included that in the article. If I remember, I'll include that in the next revision. Since most readers here come from either the USA, the UK, or Australia here's what to do: 1. If you come from the USA you can obtain one at any AAA office, whether you're a AAA member or not. 2. If you come from the UK, check the following web site: http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp002.html 3. If you come from Australia, check the following web site: http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynr...ers_permits.htm If you are already living in Thailand, you can order an International Driving permit from your home country and have it sent to you by post. You can buy one in Thailand (probably through a Thai travel agent), but it will have no validity in Thailand. I seriously doubt it would be accepted when applying for the Thai driver's license because, according to the international agreement, the permit is valid only in countries other than the country in which it was purchased. But who knows? Things are crazy enough in Thailand that it just might work. It can't hurt anything to try, but I wouldn't go in with much of an expectation that it would be accepted. If anybody actually does try it, please let us know whether or not it was accepted.

That is correct. Most people renew very close to the expiration date of their visa, so the difference in most cases is essentially meaningless. My guess, if you go to renew your visa thirty days before it expires, is you will be told they won't renew it yet and to come back in about three weeks. You're being told this at the Suan Plu immigration office? The solution to that is simple: Don't go the the Suan Plu office. If they really told you that, and if you can be certain that you haven't misunderstood, then that office is making up its own rules. Go somewhere else.

It has come to my attention that some people want the article, but for various reasons (probably because of my reputation for being some sort of control freak son-of-a-bitch) do not wish to register on this message board. In order to download the attachments, you have to be registered. If you do not want to register, but do want the article, just send an Email to me at gaybutton@gmail.com . I'll be glad to send you the article whether you are registered or not.

I'm not sure where you got the idea that you have to renew at least thirty days in advance. That is not correct. You can renew on the very day the visa expires, at least you can in Pattaya. I know. I've done it. As a matter of fact, on that day I got to the immigration office only 40 minutes before they were going to close for the day. I had no problem at all. The letter from the bank can be up to one week old, but no more than that.

Good. Since you have an established Thai bank account, as the Aussies say, "No worries." Just remember that you can withdraw all you want from that account after you obtain the retirement visa, but unless you're going to use the proof-of-income method to renew a year later, then you'll have to make sure 800,000 baht is in your account, and stays there, a full three months before your visa will expire. I know of no reason why the visa-on-entry method wouldn't work in Chiang Mai since it works just fine in Pattaya, but occasionally it seems that different immigration offices just make up their own rules. Things that work in one office sometimes don't necessarily work in other offices. If for some reason you can't get the retirement visa using that method in Chiang Mai, at least you know it will work in Pattaya.

That's right. It's much easier to get the visa once you are in Thailand.

Also, if your friend has to use a CPAP machine, Bumrungrad hospital stocks repair and maintenance parts. If the machine breaks down they can have it repaired or sell him a new one. The same is available via Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital, but they don't keep much in stock. They can order from Bangkok, but it takes four to seven days for the order to arrive in Pattaya.

BUMP I regret that I was unable to personally attend due to the construction work being done on my house. My thoughts were with Robbie today.

1. Incorrect. To my knowledge the 800,000 baht must be in your bank account for the minimum three months even if it's a first-time visa. In that case, what you would need to do, if you don't already have a Thai bank account with that amount in it, would be to enter Thailand with a Type "O" non-immigrant visa, establish a bank account, deposit the 800,000 baht, and apply for the retirement visa shortly before the Type "O" visa expires or get an extension for that visa and wait out the 90 days. I am sure if you enter on a 90-day visa the Immigration office will issue you the retirement visa if you apply for it just a few days before your non-immigrant visa expires (unless you end up being dealt with by some uncooperative anal-retentive creep). 2. I believe you are correct about that one, depending on the expiration date of your retirement visa. The re-entry permit is valid from the date you purchase it until the date your retirement visa expires. If you re-enter Thailand after the expiration date of your retirement visa, then you have to start the whole process all over again. 3. Yes, if you leave Thailand at all, then you must get a re-entry permit or your retirement visa becomes null and void. I know of no exceptions to that rule.

I don't know about the embassy, but apparently you might be able to get a proof-of-income statement from Barry Kenyon, the British Consul in Pattaya. About two months ago, if I am remembering this correctly, a friend from the UK discussed this with Barry and was told he doesn't need much, but he does want something to substantiate your income statement. If anyone knows more about this and/or knows if Barry is authorized to issue proof-of-income statements, please inform us.

My "How to Obtain the Retirement Visa" article is the most popular article I've ever written. The last time I revised it was in 2005. Since I revised the "How to Obtain the Thai Driver's License" article yesterday, this morning I sat down and revised the retirement visa article too. There have been a hell of a lot of rule and procedure changes since the last revision. If you don't already have the retirement visa, but want one, I urge you to read the article. If you already have the retirement visa, but have concerns about how to renew it or want to be familiar with the latest rules, I also urge you to read it. Rather than making you send an Email to me to obtain the article, I have placed it below and you can download it in either HTML format or PDF format. Again, any of the gay media is perfectly welcome to publish my articles, free of charge, provided they cite me as the author and include the URL for this web site.

The two most popular articles I've ever written were the "How to Obtain the Retirement Visa" article and the "How to Obtain the Thai Driver's License" article. Today, May 8, I have revised the driver's license article. Much has changed since the last revision, a year ago. Also, any of the gay media is perfectly welcome to publish my articles, free of charge, provided they cite me as the author and include the URL for this web site. _______________________ I just edited this and placed the article online for you in both HTML and PDF format, rather than making you send a request for it:

Remember a few months ago when Interpol requested public help in tracking down "the swirl"? Now Interpol is requesting public assistance in tracking down another one. Full story and photos are on: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000005898

I received confirmed information today that the land on which the Ocean Blue Condos was to be built has been sold and a deposit was paid yesterday. My source tells me the buyer is a land speculator, not a builder, and is only buying the land, but not the ongoing project. It is my understanding that the Ocean Blue project will not go ahead. That means those who have paid deposits for condos will need go to the estate agents to confirm this and get their money back, if possible, if there will be no condo construction after all.

Thank you very much, but that will no longer be necessary. I finally was able to get my people to understand what I want. Whew!!!

Nikom, do you have any recommendations regarding donations to disaster relief organizations that can be relied upon to see that the money is actually used to help the cyclone victims? I think many who read this message board would like to help, but nobody wants to donate money that will end up in the pockets of the junta instead of going to help the victims.

That would apply to just about anywhere, wouldn't it? For example, in Pattaya items are usually more expensive in Villa Market than anywhere else, but I have also found items there that are less expensive than elsewhere or often the same price. The same thing happens in plenty of other stores too. Some of the mom-and-pop shops have items less expensive than department stores and sometimes vice-versa. About six months ago I was looking for a washing machine. The one I ended up with was 1500 baht less at Big-C than the same machine at Lotus. Some items at Lotus are less expensive than Big-C. It does pay to shop around.