Gaybutton

Actually, it is not up to you, unless you wish to tip more than the specified minimum. I think maybe you are talking about beach massage boys. That's not what I am talking about. I am talking about the gay massage parlors. In virtually all of them, they show you a "menu" of what they have to offer and that menu shows the prices. The usual rate is 300 baht for the room and a basic massage, and 500 baht for the boy. At least that's been the rate at the ones I've been to. It's been more than a year since the last time I went to any of them, so the prices may have changed since then. You can certainly give the boy more than the specified minimum tip if you wish, but they make the minimum clear. Of course, a place like Madame Ed's is far more expensive (if they're still open), but you get a hell of an experience there. The naked boy bubble bath massage is certainly a, shall we say . . . unique experience. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a 'pecking order.'

Ok, a few comments from me: First, 1300 baht is far too much to pay for a "happy ending" massage in Pattaya. Most massage parlors charge 300 baht for the room and 500 baht for the boy, unless you want some sort of higher class massage. I would never opt for anything other than a basic massage in these places. Something tells me most of these boys are not exactly skilled, trained masseurs, and if they were I doubt they would be working for a sex massage parlor. There is something to be said for your methods if your sole interest is sex. Sure, a direct deal with a boy will save you money. But in the process you are giving up the entertainment offered by the bars. That's fine if the bar entertainment is of no interest to you. I get tired of "the usual" in the bars too . . . dealing with the pushy mama-san, calling the boy over and going through the "what you name, where you from, how long you stay Thailand?" routine, followed by the drink for the boy, followed by the "off" fee, followed by waiting for him to change clothes, followed by him pretending to be madly in love with you, and all accompanied to the sound of horrendous music loud enough to force another Noriega into an early surrender. Many people, especially those who are only in Thailand for a week or two each year, greatly enjoy the bar scene. Plenty of "farang" who are living here also greatly enjoy it as well. I have no objection to what you are doing and it certainly pleases the freelancers, but I do wish to warn people that sticking with freelancers can be dangerous. If a boy is working in a bar, the bar, by law, has copies of his identification and contact information. If something goes wrong, then it's much easier to track down the boy if he has been taken "off" from a bar. If something goes wrong with a freelancer, such as theft or worse, there's not much you'll be able to do about it. You'll have no practical means of tracking him down. Just be extra careful and at least make sure the hotel holds his ID card until he leaves. Make sure the hotel will not return his ID card to him, and he knows they won't, unless you personally accompany him to retrieve it or the desk clerk contacts you first to make sure everything is ok. Also, make sure the desk clerk checks the ID card to verify it is actually his own. The good news is that most freelancers turn out to be perfectly honest and fun to be with, but there are always a few around who will take full advantage if an opportunity arises.

bump

My biggest peeve would be the price you paid for the drink. The seating comfort, "quality" of the boys, and music volume are matters of personal taste and opinion, but the drink prices are a matter of fact and cannot be disputed. I was assured, twice, that drink prices do not go to 150 baht until 10:00. If you were charged that price before 10:00 then either the bar has changed its prices or is not living up to the assurance I was given. If the latter is true, then I won't be back either.

Well, that's one way to get a few votes . . . The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Viagra Stiffens up the Vote in Thailand Candidates in next month's fiercely contested Thai election have been offering Viagra in exchange for votes, it was alleged Friday. Elderly male voters are being wooed with the little blue pill used to treat sexual dysfunction at social functions, claimed Sayan Nopcha, a campaigner for the People Power Party (PPP) in Pathum Thani, near Bangkok. "A politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes. I think this is a very bad method of vote buying," Sayan told the Bangkok Post. He showed journalists two tablets as "proof" of his allegations and warned that cheap Viagra substitutes could be very damaging to the health of voters. The December 23 general election is to return power to the people after the September 2006 coup d'etat that brought a military-appointed government to power. The PPP, widely considered a proxy party for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is fiercely contesting the election against 40 other parties for 480 seats in the lower house. There are 4,200 candidates running for election. Critics of the ousted prime minister claim that his "Viagra" is his recent purchase of Manchester City Football Club in England to keep his name in the news in soccer mad Thailand. Manchester City recently signed up three young Thai players - unlikely drafts for a professional league team, but fascinating for Thai voters. Vote buying is traditionally rampant in Thai elections where rural voters are more impressed by hard cash than superficial ideologies. The Election Commission has toughened up the rules so much this time that even giving away T-shirts and soft drinks can be censored. Sayan refused to disclose who might be giving out the sex drug because he said it was difficult to prove. The wildly popular drug is supposed to be used only on doctor's advice but can be bought over the counter in Thailand. However, it is too expensive for most Thais. (dpa)

Somehow I'm not surprised. I sat in the back row and the seats were the same as anywhere else, to my recollection. Did you sit in the front row? Is that where the kind of seating you describe was? I didn't pay any attention to the front row when I was there. I am surprised, however, that you were charged 150 baht for drinks before 10:00. I wasn't. What time were you there? Did you say anything to the manager or mama-san when your bill came? If yes, what did they say?

As many of you know, you have to buy separate tickets if you wish to travel in Bangkok on the BTS Skytrain or the MRT Subway system. Bangkok is finally going to start selling tickets that cover them both, as well as other forms of transportation. For details, see the following article in the PATTAYA MAIL: http://www.pattayamail.com/current/travel.shtml#hd1

Geezer taught me something that he did not mention in his post above. Once he has the boy's ID car in hand, he asks the boy when his birthday is. I have actually been with him twice when the boy said, "I don't know." Right. He doesn't know his own birthday. What he really didn't know was the birth date on the card he borrowed from someone else, in hopes the "farang" would not catch on that it isn't his own card and he's probably under-age. If you are ever confused about the Thai year, remember the "543 Rule." This year the Thai year is 2550. Subtract 543 from 2550 and you have 2007. Subtract 543 from 2531 and you have 1988, making the boy at least 18 years old if he's using his own ID card.

That's one of my favorite dishes. In Thailand I've probably eaten it. The banking issue has to do with the exchange rates. If there is going to be another major cash flow coming into Thailand, that's likely to make the baht stronger, at least temporarily. That's precisely Thailand's dilemma. On the one hand, Thailand needs money and a major cash inflow helps provide it. On the other hand, the last thing Thailand wants is an even stronger baht and a major cash inflow helps cause it. Thailand's economy is caught between a rock and a hard place. Just what the outcome will be, in the end, is anybody's guess. I still think the baht will eventually crash. I just hope, if that is the baht's destiny, it happens before the US dollar crashes.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ BOT Predicts Cash Boom Central Bank Sets Aside Bt300-bn Reserve as Election and Holidays Set to Spur Demand for Banknotes Published on November 28, 2007 Money will flood into the economy next month thanks to the general election and the festive season, banking experts said yesterday. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) estimates that household spending in December will jump by about 8 per cent as politicians pour money into their election campaigns and the Thai public spends more during the festive season. Chittima Duriyaprapan, senior director of the BOT's Banknote Operation Depart-ment, said notes distributed to commercial banks in December are likely to total Bt192.5 billion, an 8-per-cent increase from the same period last year in response to rising demand. The expansion of currency supply in December is also notably higher than in past months, with the Kingdom likely to report an economic growth rate of 4.3 to 4.8 per cent for the year. Chittima said the escalating demand for money is a result of the many events that will be held next month, including the election, Christmas and New Year celebrations. Cash gifts at weddings, which are very popular in December, will also spur demand. "In December, we are forecasting that people will require more money than normal. This would lead to a higher distribution of banknotes," Chittima said. A source from the central bank said demand for Bt1,000 banknotes has risen, while demand for Bt100 banknotes has been declining. The source did not speculate on the reason for these trends. Chittima said the central bank is preparing a reserve of Bt300.4-billion worth of banknotes to meet cash demand over the next two months. In November, the total value of banknotes in circulation was Bt740.38 billion, rising by 4.84 per cent from the same period last year, according to the BOT. In October, Bt736.3 billion was in circulation, an increase of 6.41 per cent over October of 2006. Aside from the surging distribution of banknotes in general, the central bank did not report any irregular patterns of distribution for particular denominations over the past few months. The recent boost in currency circulation was partly caused by resurgent export activity, particularly in October when exporters stocked their inventories for the holiday season. The spike in oil prices, the harvest season and hike in farm income, which has been spurred by the 23.3-per-cent rise in agricultural prices, also contributed to the increase of tender in circulation. In October, the central bank reserved Bt263.5 million of Bt1,000 banknotes. However, the actual distribution to the banks totalled Bt106.4 million, accounting for about 40 per cent of the reserve. For the Bt500 denomination, banknotes worth Bt28.1 million were distributed, accounting for 43.8 per cent of the Bt64.2-million reserve. For Bt100 banknotes, Bt139.9-million worth were reserved and Bt78.9 million, or 56.4 per cent, distributed. About Bt9.7-million worth of Bt50 banknotes were reserved with a distribution of Bt5.7 million, accounting for 58.8 per cent. Thirty-one per cent of the Bt20-banknote reserve was distributed, or Bt78.7 million of Bt251.2 million. Anoma Srisukkasem The Nation

There are many more than the ones on luvthai's list. I'm sure there are plenty more than are on my list, but here are the ones I know about. That ought to keep you busy for a while . . . . _____ http://www.dragoncastle.net/gaydating http://www.gayuniverse.com/profiles/Thailand.html http://www.gay.com http://www.gaydar.co.uk http://www.gayrice.com http://www.squirt.org http://www.gayromeo.com http://www.silverdaddies.com http://www.postjung.com/index.php http://www.thaiboyx.com http://thaiboy.net http://asiafriendfinder.com http://fridae.com http://www.masseurthailand.com/home.php http://www.thaimalemassage.com http://www.dudesnude.com http://www.ratefun.com http://bnskin.com

Many of you are familiar with the Bamboo Bar in Jomtien, almost next door to the 7-Eleven at the entrance to the Dongtan Beach parking area. This evening was their 9th anniversary celebration. They hosted a roast pig, along with a chicken bbq, salads, fruits, and significantly discounted drink prices. The food was free to all comers, and there was plenty for all. The bar was packed with both customers and cute boys. The evening was a lot of fun for all. Bamboo Bar is a host bar and a great place to stop in for a drink and relaxation with cute boys on your way to or coming from the beach. If you have never been there, give it a try.

Ok, I certainly stand corrected. I don't know how I missed the announcement, but I missed it.

In other words, based on what is being said here, it's a very altruistic idea that either simply isn't going to work or will be such a tremendous hassle that it has little, if any, practical chance. I think the best thing we can do for these boys is through the work being done by PGF. I wish it were different, but after reading Rainwalker's post, I think he's right and he obviously knows what he is talking about. Many of us feel that we would like to "give back" in return for how Thailand has enhanced our lives. I think PGF is the best way to do it, at least on a practical level.

Thank you for sharing those photos. I wish, however, an announcement of the funeral arrangements had been made on the message boards. I had no idea his funeral was even going to be in Thailand and I had no idea where and when it was to be. I would have attended and paid my respects had I known, as I'm sure many others would have. I hope we don't have to see anyone else pass away any time soon, but in the future if someone knows funeral arrangements, please let the rest of us know too.

That may happen, but personally I doubt it. The exporters and tourist industries are already screaming about the current strong level of the baht. If the baht becomes even stronger, especially by a significant amount, then Thailand would only be seriously damaging its own economy even further. Also, the Bank of Thailand has a history of intervening if the baht is becoming too strong. On top of that, I have yet to see any of the economic predictions actually happen. At the moment of this posting, the US dollar to baht exchange rate is 33.65. Based on that, a 16% strengthening of the baht would drive the exchange rate to 28.27. I can't imagine Thailand wanting that to happen. I, for one, am not going to start glooming and dooming based on one economic forecast by one reporter. I'll do my glooming and dooming once such a situation actually exists.

Actually I don't think you'll need a book. You won't exactly be the first "farang" the bar boys have encountered. Most speak enough English to understand perfectly what you want. If you are having a communication problem, that's where the mama-sans can be of help.

This article from the PATTAYA CITY NEWS might give you some alternative ideas. see http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_24_11_50.htm for photos. _____ Deputy Mayor Helps 11 Year Old Student Living Rough Behind a Chinese Cemetery Deckjing Saroshar aged 11 is a bright student who attends Pattaya School Number 2. Everyday she arrives at school in her white and blue uniform and appears to be a happy child. However, Teachers have been concerned why she is constantly excluded from social gatherings at lunch and afternoon breaks. They were also concerned about her weight and decided to do some investigation into her living conditions and were shocked to find that she was living with her jobless Father in a tin hut behind a Chinese Cemetery in Naklua. Information was passed on to Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya who was told that the girl’s father, Khun Tongpraer aged 35 would sometimes not have enough money to feed himself or his daughter. He had come to Pattaya 10 years ago to search for his Wife, without success. He was unable to find work and now collects recyclable items from the street. He uses most of the money to educate and feed his daughter. The Deputy Mayor decided to help out the pair and opened an account for the girl at the Government Savings Bank and placed an undisclosed personal donation inside the account. If you would like more information on the Girl and her Father please call the Pattaya City Call Center on 1337 or you can send a donation direct to account number 03-2105-20-112608-2 at the Government Savings Bank.

Yes, Phuket has a major gay life. Just do a Google search for Gay Phuket and you'll see plenty of web sites about it. A good place to start is: http://www.beachpatong.com/gaypatong You will not have a problem finding people who speak English. Phuket is a tourist city and just about everybody speaks at least a little bit of English and plenty of people speak English quite well. Regarding a job, you have almost no chance. You cannot work in Thailand unless you are able to obtain a Thai work permit. I can't think of any job possibilities for you if you can't speak and/or read at least basic Thai. If you learn some Thai, you probably have a better chance of eventually finding a job at an international hospital then you would have at a resort. The resorts are going to hire Thais who speak English, not foreigners. International hospitals, however, often have a few foreigners on staff. The Thai banks, depending on which one, do not pay any interest at all to accounts opened by foreigners, although I understand there are a few that pay a small interest. It's not enough to even consider unless you are banking huge amounts of money. I don't have any idea whether money transfers are guaranteed, but I can tell you that most foreigners living in Thailand have money transferred in on a regular basis and I have never met anyone who had any problems about it. Cost of living is the most difficult question to answer. If you are coming to Thailand for a holiday, then I suggest having US $150 to $200 per day available if you want to stay in a good hotel, eat at good restaurants, and fully enjoy the gay life. If you are coming to Thailand to live, then as a rule-of-thumb I would advise making sure you have a monthly income of a minimum of US $2000 and US $10,000 to start. Since you are asking about jobs, then I am guessing you are considering coming to Thailand to live, and yet have never been to Thailand. I suggest first coming to Thailand for a holiday and stay as long as you can afford to stay. That way you will start to get an idea of what life can be like here. Then, if you think Thailand will be for you, I suggest planning a six month stay, saving your money until you have enough to do that, and leave yourself an escape route if you eventually decide living in Thailand is not going to work out for you. If you are going to stay longer than thirty days, then you will need to get a tourist visa first. Also, you can find good furnished condos to rent, usually less than half the price of staying at a hotel. Most condos rent for a minimum of one month at a time. As for learning to speak Thai, there are language schools and/or private lessons readily available.

From what I understand, all airport banking facilities will be open for money exchange. But in Thailand you never know, so I urge you to have an ATM card handy just in case. You probably will not have to use it, but at least you will have a way to get some cash if it becomes necessary.

If you are talking about exchange booths at which you can cash travel checks at the airport, they will be open. And, of course, ATMs will be working.

Obviously the above posts were written before we knew what happened to Boxer. However, I bumped this thread to the top because today is Loy Kratong day and some may wish to attend some of the festivities.

I'd start at the beach anyhow. I don't know what you have against it, but that's my recommendation. Most of the beach massage boys would be quite willing to do precisely what you seek. Many of them have mobile phones, so once you find someone you're satisfied with, now he'll also know how to get to wherever you are staying. All you would have to do is call him and arrange whatever days and times you want. Several people do just that. Suggestion number two is the bars. I know you don't like that idea either, but many people find a bar boy they like, get his phone number, and make arrangements outside of his working hours. Also, it doesn't have to be a go-go bar. Most boys who work at the outdoor beer bars would be just as willing. Often, waiters at restaurants frequented by gays are also available during their non working hours. There are even restaurants where you can simply "off" the waiter. Sammy's, for example (Eric's new restaurant), permits "off." The fee is 250 baht. Failing any of that, try the Sansuk Sauna. Several boys are regulars there. They are well aware they can't do anything for money while at the sauna, but many are hoping a "farang" will want their phone number and will call them. Another option is the gay personals web sites. Just look at the ads that say they are looking for love. In most cases, what they're really looking for is a client. Most of the younger ones are bar boys looking to make some money outside of their working hours. As for cruising areas, just walk around the area between Pattayaland and Sunee Plaza at night. You'll run into plenty of freelancers. The Beach Road entrance of the Royal Garden shopping mall is often a good spot as well as Walking Street. Sometimes the Bali Hai Pier area is good at night. I do not advise the Jomtien Beach area at night. It used to be good, but now there is too much crime and it's too dangerous an area at night. Remember, if you have a boy coming to meet you wherever you are staying, you will be expected to reimburse him for his taxi fare to get there and will also be expected to give him taxi fare to get back to wherever he is going . . . in addition to the agreed price for his time with you.

I think that's an excellent idea, but the local language schools might challenge you on that and try to stop you. I know several "farang" who enrolled boyfriends into language schools. Usually the boys went for a few lessons and then stopped going at all. I don't know any who ever actually completed even a basic course, let alone anything more advanced. Another idea might be some sort of job-seeking help. Most of the bar boys I know are working in the bars because the only marketable skill they have, aside from the rice farm, is selling sex. Few are in the bars because they like working in bars. Just the other day a boy complained to me that he has been working in the bars for over a year and nearly every month they come up with an excuse to reduce his salary, which isn't much in the first place, and sometimes he wasn't paid at all. He says the only decent money he ever makes is when he gets taken "off." Most boys are lucky if they get taken "off" three or four times in a month. Some have told me they would love to get a job in a hotel or restaurant, but they don't even have enough money for the taxi fare necessary just to spend any appreciable time trying to look for such jobs. RichLB came us with some excellent ideas to help boys make some good money on the following thread: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...ic=2057&hl= He and I have actually sat down with some boys, explained thoroughly what they would need to do and how they can do it. They listen politely, say they are very interested, and that's the end of it. So far we have not been able to convince even one to give any of these ideas a try even when we offer to help them personally to get started. The thing that concerns me most about the idea of starting a charity is, after you deal with all the legal hassles and unforeseen problems and pitfalls, that there will be few takers. I'm not trying to be negative, but from what I have observed the only help most of the boys I have encountered are seeking consists of finding a sugar daddy who will support them for the rest of their lives and/or start a business for them, such as opening a 7-Eleven type store in their home towns, without having the first clue as to how to run a business. Some really do want to go to school to continue their education and really make something of themselves.

Amen! Well . . . I'm glad we're getting back to the original subject of this thread. I also say stop it. Just stop it. Enough. For crying out loud, even kids who get into arguments and fights are friends again three days later. They seem know better than adults who let it go on and on and get nastier and nastier. I know damned well that everyone involved is reading this thread. We'll see who starts it up again first. I hope nobody will.