Gaybutton

I certainly hope so. I'm on your side regarding the idea that JBee has a point of view, posted intelligently, made his point, included his reasons why he believes what he believes, and I think what he has to say is worthy of debate, rather than people simply trying to blow him off through ridicule. So far, nobody seems to have sided with his point of view and so far he has not returned to further argue his position. Some people are making fun of him. I think doing that negates the possibility of debating his point intelligently and I am guessing he might have already returned if people were posting proper responses rather than ridiculing him. I hope he does return, but my guess is he may be wondering why he should if all that is going to happen will be further ridicule. If that is why he has not returned, I can't say that I blame him. I think he knew damned well his post would provoke responses, but I also think he was hoping for a more serious debate about the issues he raises.

Sticky boys would be better . . .

Then why did you break up with me so soon after? What did you do, sober up and finally have a good look?

Last night I went to the new Tai Boyz Boyz bar, in Pattayaland Soi 1. Those who have been coming to Pattaya long enough probably remember the old Tai Boyz Boyz bar on the same soi. Louis, the Thai owner, eventually closed that bar and opened a new bar directly across the street in the location of a bar called City Boys. He changed the name of the bar to Gacuya. Some time ago, Louis closed Gacuya. Now he has opened a brand new bar and the name is back to Tai Boyz Boyz. I have always really like Louis. He's a very nice guy and he treats the boys working for him quite well. The boys who work for him always seem to like him and consider him to be very "jai dee." I'm really glad to see Louis making a comeback. I asked him what happened to Gacuya and why he decided to open a new bar for a third time. He said he just couldn't make it at Gacuya because the building owner was charging him 140,000 baht per month rent. Between that, along with all the other expenses of running a bar and salaries for the boys, combined with the diminishing numbers of customers in the past few years, he simply was unable to continue. He was able to make a deal at his new location and the rent is 60,000 baht per month. He said at that price, he thinks he can make a go of it again. I really like the bar. The seating is comfortable, the mama-sans and waiters are not pushy, the bathroom is clean, there are plenty of boys to suit most tastes (but sorry, muscle-boy lovers, there were none), and all the boys appeared to be at least 18 years old. I was also grateful that the music volume was at an acceptable level. I was there with a friend and we easily conversed without having to shout. We didn't even have to raise our voices at all in order to be heard. That alone is going to make Tai Boyz Boyz one of my 'first choice' bars. The prices are on par with most of the Pattayaland bars. Drinks are 150 baht and the "off" fee is 300 baht. Give Tai Boyz Boyz a try. I think many people are going to really like it and will become regulars there.

I really can't say something to the effect of "this venue has under-age boys and this one doesn't" because it changes too often. Also, I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. If I don't specify which venues employ under-age boys, then I get accused of condoning it. If I do specify those venues, then I get accused of leading the pedophiles right to where they want to go. In other words, no matter what I do, somebody doesn't like what I do. There really is no way to be certain that every available boy working in a particular venue actually is at least 18 years old without checking the ID cards of every employee. Even then, many boys change to a new bar as often as you change your socks, hoping to find a place to work where the grass is greener, so there would be no way to keep up with it even if it was practical to try. In other words, an adult ought to be capable of figuring out for himself which bars are "safe," as you put it. You can't rely on a message board for this sort of information and, as a moderator here, I'm not going to allow someone to place the responsibility on my shoulders of keeping track of the venues and the ages of their employees.

Considering how much intercourse is available in Pattaya, I'm hardly surprised. Was any contumely with Bangkok necessary?

In the words of the great Col. Sherman T. Potter, "Horse hockey!" You are entitled to your opinion, but as a moderator of this board I don't recall posting anything saying that Sunee Plaza is all cleaned up. I have posted, however, that the under-age boy problem isn't confined to just Sunee Plaza. It's not our fault that these bars hire under-age boys. In my opinion, it becomes our fault if we start calling the under-age boys to sit with us, buy drinks for them, give money to them, and "off" them. Those same bars also have plenty of boys who are at least age 18. If there is any doubt in someone's mind as to the age of the boy, then it's easy to check his ID card. If the boy comes up with some excuse as to why he has no ID card available, then that's when to say so long to the boy. You're complaining and accusing the wrong people. I see no reason not to patronize any bar one wishes, provided that the customer sticks to boys at least 18 years old. You need to take your complaint to those who are in control, such as the police, the mayor's office, the governor's office, and to the bar owners themselves. A message board has no control over the situation, nor does its owners or moderators. I'd love for the buck to stop here. If that was possible then the situation really would have been cleaned up long ago. But since there is no way for the buck to stop here, then we only pass it along to where it can stop. We report about the bars themselves, what they're like, costs for drinks and "off" fees, etc. We do not try to organize boycotts or campaigns to 'clean up' the area. It would be an exercise in futility. Only the customers themselves have the ability to control which bars they patronize and which boys they seek. The boards have no ability to become surrogate police. We do allow bars to promote themselves and we allow posts that promote them, often knowing full well that these are bars that hire under-age boys. We're not here to try to shut down bars that hire under-age boys. We're here to warn people of the consequences of engaging in sex with under-age boys and people have to make their own decisions. We have no intention of taking a stance that says, in effect, "let's destroy the gay bars in Pattaya in order to save them." Based on your post, that is my interpretation of what you would like us to try to do. Sorry, you won't get cooperation from us in that regard. If you want to be self righteous, tell us we're rationalizing if we do not share your opinion, or blame us, in part or entirely, for the situation regarding under-age boys in Sunee Plaza or anywhere else, go right ahead. Those, however, are accusations I do not accept.

You do not need the stamp. The decision to require it was done away with. You can come directly to Pattaya.

This evening I dropped by the new Guys Bar in Soi Day-Night. Many of you remember Lek's bar, which has been closed for a couple of years already. Now it's open again, still adjoining the Day-Night Hotel, and now under the name Guys Bar. It is virtually identical to the way it was when it was Lek's Bar. There were ten go-go boys on stage while I was there. The restroom is absolutely spotless, one of the nicest and cleanest I have encountered in any gay bar in Pattaya. The music volume was loud, but not uncomfortably so. Drink prices are 120 baht each. I didn't ask about "off" fees, but it's probably 250 baht.

For those of you who enjoyed the now closed Clubber's restaurant in Sunee Plaza, your disappointment is over. Eric has opened his new bistro restaurant at none other than Sammy's at the Marina Inn Plaza Hotel, also in Sunee Plaza. It's at the Po Pot end of Sunee Plaza, almost next door to the Jim Jimmy James bar. The name of the restaurant will remain "Sammy's," but Eric is there and he's the boss. It shows! He is continuing his wonderful Saturday meatloaf special and his Tuesday Coq au Vin special, at 180 baht per person. It's an incredible price and a fabulous bargain. Eight of us ate at Sammy's tonight and all of us were commenting that the food is even better than it was at Clubber's. His salad bar still includes his delicious potato salad, along with fruits, breads, and several salad choices. He also puts out dessert now, a great apple tart. There is no limit to the number of times you can return to the salad bar. There are small item choices too every night, but his BBQ special is now available every night, even on the nights when he serves his specials. The BBQ includes chicken, pork chops, steaks, meatballs . . . you name it. It's an all you can eat BBQ and it's only 220 baht per person. Let's see you beat that elsewhere. Many of his former staff members went with Eric to his new location and the excellent service is just as good as ever. We're all delighted that Eric decided to remain in the restaurant business and the location is literally a stone's throw from Clubber's. Congratulations Eric! I'm sure that when people give Sammy's a try, many will become regulars. It's great food at excellent prices. Don't miss it.

Someone else will have to be the photographer. I don't have a camera that's any good at night. As for Boxer, I understand he has been ill, but I have no details.

This year's Loy Kratong holiday will be celebrated on Saturday, November 24 in Pattaya. One of the nicer ways to spend the evening is at your favorite beach concession. Many will be hosting Loy Kratong parties. For some of us, Rit's Beach is a favorite. This year he will be hosting another one of his wonderful BBQs, with his usual huge assortment of foods and salads that please both western and Thai palates, along with the roast pig. He'll have all the beach chairs and tables set out and it's plenty of fun with plenty of boys showing up, many in totally outrageous costumes. It all begins at 8:00 PM. The price is 380 baht per person. Advance reservations are highly recommended and he has tickets on sale now. There are many other beach concession areas to choose from if you prefer somewhere other than Rit's or if he is sold out by the time you purchase your ticket.

Sheeeeeesh! I give up. I think everyone who has read EarWig, and that's probably everyone except total newbies, knows his writing style. So what? The point is, whether it's a lot of hype or not, he does manage to provide useful venue information quite consistently. I could do without the hyperbole and hype too, but that's EarWig and he's not going to change. I'd much rather put up with his writing style and be informed of these things, and disregard the hype, than be without the information. What would you have us do, force him to tone down his writing style so that it suits those who can't tolerate it? Do you want to put him on your ignore list and have a moderator rewrite his posts in a more subdued manner so that you don't have to read the hype? I'm not going to volunteer for that job. Do you want us to put him on moderated mode and first submit his posts to you for approval and/or editing before allowing them to appear? Very simple. Given that EarWig is unlikely to change his writing style, then if it really bothers people that much, put him on your ignore list and find out these things on your own.

I'm definitely with you on that. I had merely locked the thread. I'm glad you took it a step further and got rid of the thread entirely. This board is for posting information about legitimate issues, venues, and goings on within Thailand and within the gay scene. It is definitely not here for people to be fighting their personal battles online or posting accusations. Some of those battles are fought between people who know each other. If they can't handle the idea of personally discussing their problems, then they can fight their personal battles by PM. I also see no need for pissing contests here. If you want to piss, go to the Men's room.

I don't understand why some people feel the need to chop apart the bar show before it ever even opens or is seen by anyone. If it makes you feel better, I'm among the people who don't like bar shows. For me, when it's show time it's also get up and leave time. I don't enjoy watching boys in drag, lip syncing, or lady boys with breast implants going topless on stage and I definitely don't enjoy the music volume at a deafening level. However, obviously plenty of people do enjoy these shows and many bars typically fill up for show time. Also, it is true that when Mark was with Throb, the most common comments were that it was the best show in town. Since Mark will be putting together the show at TopMan, you might at least consider seeing the show before trying to cut it down. Other than fulfilling some sort of urge to be mean, what are you trying to accomplish? Are you expecting a bar show to rival a Tony Award winning Broadway musical? While one is "peeing in my adult diapers with excitement!" and another is feeling "the giddy thrill of another drag show in Pattaya," the fact is you don't know what the show will be like until it opens. You might keep your mind open about it as well. I'm not brimming over with anticipation about the prospect of a new bar show either, but before passing judgment on it I'm at least going to see it for myself. If it turns out to be another drag and lip sync show, then that will be another bar I'll leave when it's show time. But maybe it won't be like that at all and maybe it really will be something new and exciting.

Monday, December 24 will be a bank holiday throughout Thailand, due to the elections. If you need to take care of any banking transactions in time for Christmas, make sure you do them prior to December 24. ATM's will be working, though. The following appears in THE NATION: ____ December 24 Bank Holiday The Bank of Thailand Thursday announced that December 24 will be a special holiday for banks and financial institutions. Earlier, the Cabinet announced that December 24 would be an extra holiday for civil servants and state enterprise employees. The BOT reasoned that December 24 would be a bank holiday to encourage people to return to their home provinces to vote on December 23 in line with the government's policy. The Nation

This is all fascinating, but is anyone going to answer my question? What will be going on, if anything, at Topman between now and December 14?

If I understand your post correctly, all this begins December 14. Is that correct? That's still a month away. Will there be anything in particular taking place there between now and December 14?

bump

Once again, folks, I don't make these things up. Click the link and read about it for yourself: http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_14_11_50_2.htm

It's always just in time for high season! The baht is growing ever stronger against the US dollar. At the moment of this posting, the following are the exchange rates: _____ US Dollar: 33.65 Euro: 49.205 British Pound: 69.765 Australian Dollar: 30.26 Canadian Dollar: 34.905 It's like the 98 pound weakling going to the gym. He keeps getting stronger and stronger. This is the first time I can remember seeing that a Canadian dollar yields more baht than an American dollar. __________ Baht Strengthens in Accord with Regional Currencies: BoT BANGKOK, Nov 13 (TNA) Thailand's baht has strengthened in tandem with other regional currencies, caused by a dumping of Japanese yen by exporters, according to the Bank of Thailand. Pongpen Ruengvirayudh, senior director of the BoT Financial Markets and Reserve Management Division, said the current baht appreciation stemmed from the heavy selling of the yen by exporters. At the same time, importers had purchased the baht, but in small amounts. However, the baht had still appreciated in parallel with other regional currencies. A money dealer said the baht had risen continuously to touch 33.82 to the US dollar, the strongest in three months or since early August. The baht had appreciated by almost 6.7 per cent against the US dollar since early this year although the central bank had imposed a 30 per cent reserve requirement and periodically intervened in its movement to prevent too much currency appreciation, that could affect exports. BoT Governor Tarisa Watanagase said the baht still moved in the same direction as other currencies in the region. It had strengthened by 6 per cent as had the Singapore dollar and Malaysian ringgit since early this year. She conceded currencies of other many countries had weakened against the baht while inflation rates are relatively high. So, Thailand is in a better position in terms of trade competitiveness. Regarding a call for an end to the 30 per cent withholding requirement, Mrs. Tarisa said the central bank had supported it because it viewed the measure should be taken only temporarily. But the cancellation of the measure needed to take into account internal and external factors carefully. She viewed it as being inappropriate to abandon the measure now, but indicated that whether or not it should be cancelled next year depended on the situation at that time, as well as investor confidence. (TNA)-E005

I don't know the actual owner's name, but from what I understand he's based in Germany.

I think you're right about the name. Next trip, contact me if you wish. I'll join you there.

The name of the restaurant is simply 'Vegetarian Food.' Usually, I attach business cards to these sorts of posts, but their card is written almost entirely in Thai and it's quite easy to find even without their card. If you are coming from the Pattayaland-Sunee Plaza area, just take a baht bus heading up South Road (Pattaya Tai). Get off the bus just when it comes to the first traffic light. That's Third Road. It's right there. You can't miss it. You'll see their big yellow sign. I and some friends have really been enjoying this restaurant. We've been there several times already and have yet to be disappointed in any way. It's a small restaurant, only about a half dozen tables, but it is sure good! The restaurant is air conditioned. I never would have guessed I would particularly like strictly vegetarian food, but you must try this place. They have an extensive menu, including pictures of all the dishes. Ask for both menus. For whatever reasons (another one for my 'I don't get it' list . . .) there are different items on both menus. Among so many other things, they make a vegetarian chicken cutlet, a vegetarian pork cutlet, and even vegetarian hamburgers and hotdogs. I couldn't believe it. Not only do these dishes taste like the real thing, but they even have the texture down pat. The food is served piping hot and it's all absolutely delicious. This restaurant will be among my regulars from now on. Take-out orders are available too. Even the prices are excellent. A few nights ago three of us ate like kings, more food than we could finish. The total bill, including the water, came to 120 baht apiece. Amazing. This is one restaurant you don't want to miss, even if you think you won't like a vegetarian restaurant. I didn't think I'd like it, but it managed to make it to my top ten 'first choice' list. The restaurant opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM

Today I heard that Eric is going to open a restaurant of his own in a hotel, probably on Soi Yensabai, just outside of Sunee Plaza. I'm not sure which hotel, but I'm told he may be open as soon as the end of this week. I also hear that he intends to continue the nightly specials and will also be doing the barbecues. I certainly intend to go as soon as I know he's open. I'm glad he's going into the restaurant business. I loved Clubber's when he was running it and I have a feeling I'm going to love his new restaurant.