Gaybutton

I guess I better pin this topic for a while.

A tip-of-the-hat goes to Wowpow. He discovered the method and posted it on the Beer Bar forum. I think it should be posted here too, since this is the most widely read forum on this board. Here's how to set everything back to normal: 1. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page. 2. You'll see a box that says "IPB 2.2.0 Default," with a drop-down arrow next to it. 3. Click the drop-down arrow. 4. Select "Test Default" That restores everything to normal. Thank you, Wowpow.

A full, detailed story about this, with photos, is on the Pattaya Daily News web site at: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000003619

I too am deeply saddened to know something like this has happened. Nearly every day the news has stories about young people who die like this. Too often it is someone who probably never caused anyone else any harm in his life, and yet his life is suddenly cut short in such a needless, useless way. Despite our personal differences, EarWig, I am truly sorry. I'm glad to know that whoever did this has been caught, but I realize that doesn't help very much.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ French National Arrested by Immigration Police and Charged with Having Sex with Minors We now take you to the Immigration Office located in Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road where Police Major Tanapat from the Special Investigations Unit received instructions from Police Colonel Itipon, the Superintendent of Pattaya’s Immigration Office that a complaint had been received detailing allegations that a French Tourist was conducting sexual activities with minors. The suspect was known to be staying at the Rainbow House Apartments in Soi 17, South Pattaya. A team of Immigration Officers went to the location and to the room of the suspect, number 107. After some time, the door opened and Mr. Luc Bernard Michel Rousselle aged 57 from France looked fearful when he realized those knocking on his door were Immigration Officers. Inside the room was a 14 year old boy on his bed who was wearing no cloths. Mr. Rousselle and the boy were taken to the Immigration Office where the 14 year old confirmed that he had been taken back to the suspect’s room in exchange for 600 Baht in cash. The deal was struck when the pair met in Soi Sunee Plaza in South Pattaya. The suspect was later transferred to Pattaya Police Station where he is now facing charges of conducting sexual activities with minors in exchange for money.

For the past several days the exchange rate has been moving steadily in favor of the US dollar and the predictions I have been reading suggest that the trend will continue. As stated in a thread below, only a few weeks ago the baht nearly got into the 32s. Now it is close to getting back into the 34s. That is still a miserable exchange rate, but it's a whole lot better than if it got into the 32's. First, the latest exchange rates, followed by an article that explains what is going on. Closing rates for August 7: US Dollar: 33.73 Euro: 46.435 British Pound: 68.32 Australian Dollar: 28.775 Canadian Dollar: 31.8125 The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Money From Sell-Off 'Still Here' Fears of a Cash Exodus After Bourse Tumbles Published on August 8, 2007 There are no signs of a capital outflow from Thailand, says a senior central-bank official. This is despite the current sell-off of Thai shares by foreign investors, which has reached a value of Bt18 billion. Bank of Thailand Assistant Governor Nitaya Pibulratanagit rushed to soothe a jittery market yesterday by saying foreign money that had recently left the Thai stock market remained in Thailand. Rather than taking their money out of the country, foreign investors are exercising their choice to leave it in special non-resident accounts for stock trading. Nitaya said there was no need to seek a clearer picture. Her comments came amid rising fears that foreign investors would shift their money to other countries after the sharp tumble in the Thai stock market. Foreign investors who have so far this year snapped up Thai shares with a net position of Bt120 billion have turned to unload the stocks since late last month, sparked by growing anxiety over the impact of the US sub-prime home-loan crisis. The Thai stock market has lost about 8 per cent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand Index yesterday moved like a roller coaster. It started with a strong gain as investors tracked a sharp rise on Wall Street and in regional stock markets. However, the euphoria succumbed to profit-taking, with the local market closing 0.18 per cent lower at 814.4 points, off of an intra-day low of 805.9. Turnover was thin at Bt16.94 billion. Although the percentage fall in Thai shares was lower yesterday, foreign investors continued to dump them heavily for a net value of Bt2.61 billion. This indicates that the selling spree will continue. "If the US catches cold, so do we," said Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn. "However, the impact will be limited." He said the US deputy treasury secretary, whom he met at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's Finance Ministers' Meeting in Australia, told him the impact would not be severe. "Current measures to stem the baht's appreciation will be sufficient. The baht has started to weaken. Any new measures might create volatility for the baht," he said. The baht weakened yesterday to end at 33.88/33.90 to the US dollar after opening at 33.85/33.87. Wachovia Securities said in a note that fears of a credit crunch in the US were rising and credit spreads continuing to widen. "Mortgage lenders are reporting funding difficulties, and some hedge funds are receiving calls resulting in forced-selling as leverage is reduced. All of this is beginning to create illiquid market conditions, potentially jeopardizing stock-market exuberance. Fundamentally, however, we still think a credit crunch will be avoided, because non-financial corporate balance sheets remain strong, lowering the risk of default, while the outlook for economic growth is healthy," the company said. "Valuations are also becoming more attractive, although they tend to overshoot in panic situations, just as they do during periods of exuberance." However, Dow Jones Newswires reported that turmoil in the US home-mortgage market was starting to pinch even buyers of high-end homes with good credit records, in the latest sign of rising anxiety among lenders and investors. A jump in jumbo-mortgage rates for prime borrowers is the latest gust in a sub-prime storm that has sunk two hedge funds run by Bear Stearns Companies, knocked American Home and dozens of other lenders out of business, battered an already-weak housing market and fueled weeks of stock-market turmoil.

In the past few days the exchange rate has been steadily improving for the US dollar. Only about three weeks ago the exchange rate came close to getting into the 32s. The lowest I recall seeing the rate was 33.02 baht to the dollar. The exchange rate seems to be getting better. It's slow, but at least it has been steady over the past several days. The closing rates for August 6 were: US Dollar: 33.69 Euro: 46.48 British Pound: 68.715 Australian Dollar: 28.6325 Canadian Dollar: 31.725

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ How the people feel about the charter With fewer than two weeks to go before the referendum on the junta-sponsored draft charter, The Nation asked voters their thoughts. Published on August 6, 2007 lNutthawat Subsin, 26, Chiang Mai Are you seriously asking this question. Absolutely. I will endorse this draft because people's participation is more open. lSirikarn Pongsutham, 25, graduate student. (She will endorse the 2007 draft constitution even if it evolved from a coup.) I want a national election to end the chaos. After that I want to it to be revised again. lJiranan Hanthamrongwit, new-media journalist for prachatai.com. I will reject the draft charter because the Council for National Security, which is not elected, has their hands all over it. They appointed all 35 charter drafters. I also couldn't accept a partially appointed Senate that will have the power to remove members of Parliament elected by the people. lKarin Klinkajorn, urban-planning lecturer, King Mongkut Institute of Technology I'm going to vote against it because it's illegitimate. It's dictatorial to tear down the [1997] charter. And the junta appointed people to write the new charter by themselves, the Constitution Drafting Assembly. lSamak Saensam-arng, a Bangkok taxi driver of Surin It's not convenient for me to go back [home] to vote but I dislike coups because they're like someone with a gun robbing you. lKham Napa, Bangkok domestic worker of Nakhon Ratchasima I'm not going to cast a vote because I must earn money and have no time. I would have endorsed it, though, if I had the opportunity. I would do it because it will then become the people's charter and I want to be a part of that. lSakdina Chatrakul na Ayudhya, labour expert and activist I haven't decided whether to endorse it or reject it but it's pretty much meaningless to me. This draft charter is not good enough. I wish there was a third box on ballot paper for people who wish to vote against the process. Right now the referendum is becoming a political tool - to accept it is to accept the junta and to reject it is to support Thaksin Shinawatra. lPavadee Dhramanuwong, 29, officer(She will not make a decision until she has read the draft.) I've read two pages so I cannot make my decision right now. Sorry, I have a lot of things to do. Pravit Rojanaphruk, Pongphon Sarnsamak

I love the term "soft opening." A few people I know could give a whole new meaning to that . . . The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Bali Hai Plaza Soft Opening There is a new shopping center which is currently in the process of opening located in the grounds of the Bali Hai Port at the South End of Pattaya Beach. It is called the Bali Hai Plaza and features 4 floors of high quality shops including Clothes Shops and restaurants. The man behind the Plaza is a well known figure in the South Pattaya area, Khun Suntorn who is also the chairman of the Walking Street Committee. At this soft opening of the Plaza was Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya along with the former Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, Police Colonel Somnook along with a host of other local dignitaries. Not much is known about this new Plaza as yet, however it will surely become a popular shopping option for those that visit the Port and who reside in the South Pattaya area.

Sometimes there is a much simpler way to get to where you're trying to go. I don't know if this would have applied in your case, but in general if you have a mobile phone, a phone number for your destination, and there are taxis available, then all you need to do is call the number for your destination and have the venue give the address information to the taxi driver. Even if you don't have a mobile phone, if you're starting from your hotel, have the hotel call, get the directions, and have them either write out the information for a taxi driver or have someone accompany you to the taxi and explain where you're going.

Upon reading the full story and realizing that this man shoplifted the item, then tried to escape with it, and even denied any wrongdoing when he was caught, I think the consequences of his actions were quite reasonable. He was given the choice of paying ten times the price or ending up in a Thai court. If this had happened in the USA, it would have ended up costing him a hell of a lot more than the equivalent of 10,000 baht. He would have been arrested, would have had to post bail to get out of jail, would have had to appear in court, and would have ended up paying a fine and court costs. In this case he received a slap-on-the-wrist and was sent on his way. My opinion is, if anything he ought to be grateful that nothing more came of it. After all, he's the one who decided to try to steal the item. I believe, at least in this case, the punishment fit the crime.

Personally, I think you're being overly kind. The last time that particular person posted on this board was April 24. That was also a put-down post as is the majority of postings he writes here. More than three months later he shows up here again. And why? Just to try to put down someone else. I suppose that's the kind of thing that person thinks is a really good contribution. If an individual or gay business wishes to post announcements or advertisements on this board, we have absolutely no objection. As a matter of fact we encourage it, no matter how many other boards on which the same thing is posted. Not everyone reads all the gay Thailand boards and this person's crime was to make sure it was announced so that everyone had an opportunity to know about it. If that bothers some people or if some people don't like someone else's "annoying little site," that's just too bad. To me, that sort of post is the true annoyance.

That heavy police presence was during the aftermath of the coup. I have been in that area several times since then and not only were there plenty of boys, but I observed no police presence at all. However, because of the protests in Bangkok I have been reading news items that say there will be a very heavy police presence this holiday weekend. Whether that will include the Wat Pho - Saranrom Park area (only one block apart from each other) remains to be seen. In any case, my experience has been that there are plenty of boys available from that area. As a matter of fact, the only time I experienced "slim pickings" from that area was the one time I took a friend with me to show him what it's all about. Naturally, Murphy's Law prevailed and there were hardly any boys at all. But he did end up with one he liked and he later told me that boy gave him the best bj he's ever had in his life.

I notice that when many of you post a link, you are leaving out the http:// part. The link will not work without it. For example, in one post today someone posted the following link: www.twoguysguesthouse.com When you click on that, nothing will happen. However, if the same link is posted as follows, it will work when people click on it: http://www.twoguysguesthouse.com

Apparently there is also a bus graveyard right along one of the expressways too. I forget just where, but often when I am in Bangkok I can't help noticing those old buses just rusting away. Considering how often we see articles about thieves stealing manhole covers or wiring to sell the metal, I would think there could be something more that can be done with old buses rather then letting them sit there until future archaeologists have to figure out what they once were. Sometimes good things are done with abandoned buildings. In Pattaya, the soi that leads from Second Road, past the Star Boys bar, and then turns sharply right towards Soi Buakow sported a structure that sat there at the corner, abandoned for years. Not only was it an eyesore, but it was being used as a dump and apparently something akin to a crack house. About a year or so ago, someone bought it, cleaned it up, and completed the construction. Now it is a nice looking apartment building. I hope someone ends up doing the same with those abandoned structures in Bangkok. Either that, or tear them down.

The direct link to those photos is: http://www.topmanpattaya.com/21.html Also, whenever anyone wants to post a link, please include the http:// part. Without it, the link won't work when people click on it.

Coincidentally enough, I have the same problem and reported it today. It is some sort of programming problem and they're working on it.

Oh man! That one is as bad as most of mine! Well, I've heard another rumor, that in order to keep Thailand from being overly disappointed another even greater hero is coming in his place. I've posted his picture . . . And, here is some sage wisdom from him on the environment: "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." Now, don't you think listening to more of his remarks would be even more worthwhile than listening to the sainted Mr. Gore?

Sounds like he doesn't know whether he's cumming or going. Maybe he found out that Number 23 at Tawan has already been taken "off."

It was certainly difficult to figure out . . . I suppose if we do start entering into another ice age, then all we have to do to prevent it is to drive our cars and keep the factories going. I could also simply talk. According to some, that would provide all the hot air the planet needs.

You're quite welcome. If someone wishes to check with you about renting a room, what is the best way to contact you?

July 29 is "Asanha Bucha Day," a major religious holiday in Thailand just before the beginning of Buddhist Lent. I understand that several Bangkok bars have announced they will be closed. I have not yet heard anything about the Pattaya bars, but I have a feeling they might be closed for at least one of those two nights. Anyway, I have not heard anything official as yet. Both Sunday and Monday, July 29 and 30, are public holidays, which means that all banks and government offices, including the Immigration office, will be closed. Everything will re-open on Tuesday. ATMs will, of course, be working, but bank exchange offices will probably be closed. If you are in Thailand using travel checks, you might want to make sure you have enough cash to get you through Sunday and Monday. Usually, when holidays that mean bar closings come up, we get questions to the effect of, "I'm here on a holiday. If the bars are going to be closed, where can I find boys?" There are plenty of places to find boys besides bars. There are certainly alternatives. The bars might be closed, but I haven't heard anything about the saunas being closed. If they're open, in Bangkok there is the Babylon Sauna and in Pattaya there is the Sansuk Sauna. If the bars are closed, the massage parlors will probably also be closed, but it can't hurt to check. We've talked about Saranrom Park in Bangkok before. This might be a good time to try it. Take a look at these two threads for information about Saranrom Park: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...amp;hl=saranrom In Pattaya the beaches will be open and there are always plenty of available boys at the beach. I don't go to Bangkok very often. Perhaps some of you who know Bangkok quite well can suggest alternatives. I understand that just outside Robinson's, at Silom, there are still plenty of boys to be found, but I've never even tried looking there. I have no idea. If the bars are closed you can make prior arrangements with boys before the days the bars will be closed. In Pattaya, even if the bars are closed, other alternatives include simply walking through the gay areas. You're sure to find boys looking for customers. Several freelancers hang around the lobby of Howard's Hotel. You'll find available boys working as waiters in restaurants too. You might be able to make arrangements during their non-working hours. At the Clubber's restaurant in Sunee Plaza, some of the waiters are even available for "off." At night, on the Beach Road side, there are usually a few boys freelancing right at the entrance to the Royal Garden shopping mall. You can also get online and look for boys on some of the web sites. Gay Romeo, Gaydar, Cruising for Sex, Thaiboy.net, among others are popular. I don't look at the "hook-up" sites very often, so maybe others here can make some recommendations as to other web sites to check. I always recommend caution, however, when hooking up with someone you find online. Most of the time everything is just fine, but there are some criminals looking for victims too. Just be careful. Anyone else who has suggestions for where to find available boys besides the bars, please post.

That Clubber Hotel is actually called Don Plaza. It depends on which area of the city you wish to stay. If you want to be in the Pattayaland (Boyztown) area then I too would recommend either the Ambiance or Le Café Royale. If you want to stay in the Sunee Plaza area then I would recommend the Don Plaza, but it's a much more luxurious accommodation and has higher rates, although I understand they are offering very good off-season rates. Another very popular choice is Howard's. Nearly everyone who stays there loves it and are repeat customers. I don't know the rates offhand, but I believe it's somewhere between 600 to 800 baht per night. If you want to stay at the gay beach area, then I would recommend Tui's Place. It's right there in the heart of the gay beach area. If you are looking for something higher end, at the 2500 baht per night range, then I would recommend the Rabbit Resort. There is also Bondi, in the Jomtien Complex. You didn't say how long you plan to stay, but another consideration is the condos. If you are going to stay a month or more, those are good choices. Even if you are going to stay less than a month, you might want to check into the rates you can find. It might still be a better deal to pay for a month in a condo even if you won't be staying that long. Condo rates are usually half the cost of hotels. As Gaythailand says, Center Condo is quite popular, but you better start checking and reserving right now if you expect to find anything available in March. In the beach area you can find good deals at View Talay. In the Sunee Plaza area, many people love the Yensabai Condo. One of our own board members, TOQ, can help you with Yensabai Condo. I have some friends who have rented from him and thought it was the best deal in town. You might want to check with him.

Actually the post is accurate. Notice the word "on" at the end of the first sentence, and then taking you directly to the link. I'm guessing that most people who read the post probably miss that on an initial reading. However, the title of the thread and the posting itself, whether intentional or not, is quite misleading. If that was intended to be funny, the joke probably backfired.

The following appears ion THE NATION: _____ Al Gore to Meet Surayud in Bangkok Next Month Former US vice president Al Gore will discuss global warming issues with Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont during his trip to Bangkok next month. Vachara Phanchet, vice president of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), said Gore's visit to Thailand has already been confirmed by his staff agency. He will arrive on August 8 by a private plane. Gore will meet Surayud and the energy minister to encourage the Thai government to become more concerned about the problem of global warming. The meeting will be held at Government House at 4pm. After the executive meeting with the prime minister, Gore will deliver a talk at the Oriental Hotel at around 7pm and then spend an hour in discussion with the 300 participants. Gore will leave Bangkok on August 9. "We hope Mr Gore's speech will be of benefit to PBEC's members and Thai society. We also would like to encourage people to adopt a business policy which shows more concern about environmental issues," said Vachara. The dinner talk will focus on global warming and its impact on Thai society. The event is open to PBEC members and specially invited guests. Most of the participants will be govern?ment officials, scientists involved in environmental issues and representatives of the business sector. Vachara said Bangkok will be the first place in Asia where Gore will be speaking on global warming issues. The organiser hopes Gore's speech will have a positive impact on the people in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The event is sponsored by PTT, DNM Strategies, Siam Commercial Bank, Thai Beverage, IBM, the Government Savings Bank, Green Spot, the British Dispensary (LP) Co, and the Nation Multimedia Group. Surong Bulakul, executive vice president of international trading at PTT, said Gore had decided to visit Bangkok because the Thai government has implemented sound environmental policies such as the use of natural gas in cars and in public transport vehicles. Moreover, Gore's speech will enhance Thai government policy. PTT has started an environ?mental campaign to use unleaded petrol and a reforestation project, launched 10 years ago, to honour His Majesty the King. After Gore's speech, PBEC will publish a brochure to dis?seminate his comments along with information about global warming. Anond Snidvongs , a climate-change expert at Chulalongkorn University, who has been invited to join the event, said it was an opportunity to ask Gore about his support for global warming projects conducted by Chulalongkorn University and his support for Asean countries in improving their capacity to monitor the global warming impact in this region. "I would like to know what Gore will propose for Thailand and what support he will give to Asean. I think his visit will be a hot topic in the short term but I urge the government to be concerned about longterm policies that will provide sustainable solutions to global warming," he said. by Pongphon Sarnsamak The Nation