Gaybutton

Regarding appliances, Radio Shack sells voltage converters that are designed to handle large appliances. Four years ago, they were $80. I'd like to know more about the Siemens AG sale. Can you tell us when it is and where it is?

Actually, good gas grills are available in Thailand at reasonable prices. There's a shop on Tepprasit Road that sells excellent ones. While it is true that you are allowed to ship in belongings if you are moving here, the cost of shipping can be prohibitive and you are probably better off having a yard sale at home and replacing those items once you're in Thailand. In my case, I knew I was going to retire here years before I was able to finally retire. I brought items with me and began storing them here over several trips, thus avoiding shipping costs. As a matter of fact, I'm storing some boxes of items in my house even now for a couple of my friends, one of whom is within a year of being able to retire here. About three months before I retired, I loaded up a couple of boxes and mailed them to myself at my Thai address. These were items I wanted, but could live without if they arrived damaged or never made it at all. About a month after I retired the boxes did finally arrive, with no damage at all, and no tariffs were asked. If I had to do it over again, I would do the same thing. The kinds of items I shipped and/or brought with me were limited to personal items that I knew were irreplaceable and items that I could pack up and bring with me on my final trip over. I had done a lot of shopping in Thailand beforehand to see what could be found here and what could not. Nearly everything I wanted was readily available in Thailand, so for me I was quite satisfied limiting myself to personal items. To this very day I can't think of anything, other than the bread machine, that I wish I had brought with me. And now, I know I can get a bread machine right here in Thailand.

The whole thing reminds me of Ronald Reagan's logic when he said, "It is a tax reduction because we are reducing the amount of the increase."

I'm interested and I'll bet many others are interested too. My boyfriend has also been quite successful with his education, so I know how you feel. It also illustrates that despite the number of people who post about how all Thai boys are the same, prostitutes interested in nothing but money and milking "farang" for all they can get, that simply is not true and is not the case. It is just plain wrong to stereotype these boys. While many do fit right in to the negative category, there are also many who are genuinely interested in bettering themselves, making a meaningful life, and are willing to put in the work that it takes to achieve it. All they need is someone willing to help them do it. The difficulty is in finding the right boys. That's difficult to do when so many "farang" think with their crotch rather then their heads, but obviously the right boys are out there.

Thank you for that post, Manjai. I have a feeling you just dramatically increased their customer base. Can you tell us the best way to get there?

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ It's Hello Again to Old Don Muang Like old soldiers who refuse to die, the 93-year-old Don Muang Airport came back to life yesterday, welcoming passengers once again. The airport will be officially reopened today. After it was closed to commercial flights for six months, nine aircraft touched down at the old Bangkok International Airport to prepare for departures this morning. Despite its new name of Don Muang International, Airports of Thailand (AOT) will only use it for domestic flights for the time being. Orient Thai, Nok Air and some Thai Airways International domestic flights will use Don Muang from today. On September 27 last year passengers, airport staff and others tearfully waved goodbye to the old airport and headed for the then shiny and new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Sad and discouraged, Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said at the time: "Never ever return to Don Muang. I will keep every entrance sealed." Now that Don Muang has been revived and prepared to take about 20 per cent of flights into and out of Bangkok as a result of tarmac and other problems at Suvarnabhumi, Pinit, who retires this October, reportedly told Don Muang staff: "Don't ask how I feel. I just do what my bosses say." Although engineers discovered groundwater under Suvarnabhumi runways was responsible for cracking, forcing the closing of some areas, AOT remains unsure how to drain it and repair damage. Nantiya Tangwisutijit The Nation ____________________ And this: Reopening of Bangkok's Don Muang Airport BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) After a closure of nearly six months, passengers travelling within Thailand Saturday welcomed the reopening of former international airport Don Muang here with nine flights testing the airport by making a landing Saturday evening. Final touches have been made on the first floor which houses the passenger arrival lounge while workers are busy decorating the second floor where restaurants and souvenir shops will again occupy the area. One-Two-Go Airlines flying from the southern resort of Phuket will be the first budget commercial aircraft to touch Don Muang as it is scheduled to land at 6.10 pm followed by eight other flights operated by One-Two-Go and two other carriers, Orient Thai and Nok Air. Starting Sunday, Thai Airways International, the national carrier, will join the three airlines in operating incoming and outgoing domestic flights from Don Muang, closed since September 28 following the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok's neighbouring province of Samut Prakan. Transport authorities have said the reopening of Don Muang will help ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport as its taxiways and main terminal undergo repairs. There are over 100 cracks in the runways and taxiways at the new airport which is intended to be Southeast Asia's commercial aviation hub. The new Suvarnabhumi airport has been plagued by several problems and corruption allegations. (TNA)-E111 ____________________ And these, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Old Airport Gets a New Look By Kamolwat Praprutitum Airport administrators have left no stone unturned in their efforts to spruce up the facility. They have even put up an official sign declaring it "Don Mueang International Airport" - including the abrupt new "e". As most domestic flights gradually headed back to the old Don Muang airport yesterday, they were greeted with familiar sights - except the signboard announcing "Don Mueang." And the first question on the lips of almost everyone who passed through one of Asia's oldest airports was whether or not the "e" has been misplaced. The airport director Pinit Saraithong earlier admitted he put the "e" there after consulting the language authority, the Royal Institute, known in their own transliteration as the Ratcha Bandits, although it is pronounced "Ratchaband". The Institute and linguists assured him "Don Mueang" is closest to the correct Thai pronunciation of the district in which the airport is located and from which it has taken its name. He went on to explain that he now has at his disposal all the necessary documentation available in case he is asked to justify the new spelling. Which is precisely why the issue, perceived to be trivial by many, can go far beyond the question of phonological correctness. The concern is not so much how the lips should purse when uttering the word "Don Mueang." It has more to do with what is going on in the decision-makers' head. There is a potential danger in the tendency for people with power to shoot themselves in the foot by creating problems where there should be none. Don Muang versus Don Mueang is the case in point. The needless problem can be very distracting, especially when the path back to "Don Mueang" has already been strewn with brickbats from industry experts who are less than convinced the dual-airport policy will ever fulfil the country's ambition to become the region's aviation hub. Besides, Don Muang is probably the spelling style most people are inclined to follow. To "de-popularise" the spelling so commonly adopted does not make economic sense as making changes to accommodate the "e" costs money. And money is not something "Don Mueang" airport, now with only a fraction of the flight volume it used to enjoy to generate revenue, can afford to throw away these days. The classic problem with English spellings of many Thai words is the lack of enforcement of an official style to ensure consistency. It is downright mind-boggling to come across Onnuj on one street sign only to run into Onnuch or Onnut on other. A spelling enforcement notwithstanding, no efforts should be wasted fashioning the "e" in the word Don Muang when the airport management is expected to be swamped with hassles of reopening the old airport in the weeks if not months ahead. The fact of the matter is that "Don Mueang" administrators have plenty of hurdles, in terms of management, logistical and technical challenges, to cross. They clearly do not need more. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. _____ Minor Muddle over Transfers as Flights Return to Don Muang Airlines Told to Look after Airport Transfers By Amornrat Mahitthirook Several tourists on board a Phuket-Don Muang flight were forced to hail a taxi to Suvarnabhumi airport for connecting flights out of the country. They were unaware that the flight would land at Don Muang, not Suvarnabhumi airport. A French couple, interviewed by the Bangkok Post, said they were confused about the change. They were returning to France and had a plane to catch at 12.05am today. The couple finally took a taxi to Suvarnabhumi airport. However, passengers on later flights did not encounter such problems. Airport management told the airlines to provide transportation to passengers who had connecting flights at Suvarnabhumi. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said yesterday he had told AoT acting president Kulya Pakakrong to ask the airlines to attend to the problem. AoT Plc staff said it was the airline's responsibility to provide transport to customers. Bangkok Mass Transit Authority shuttle buses would be provided between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi, starting today. Some Thai passengers were not aware that domestic flights were moved back to the old airport. But Supan sae Tan, a businesswoman from Phuket, found it a nice surprise. ''I like it here. It is more convenient than Suvarnabhumi to get into town,'' she said. Don Muang airport served 1,760 passengers on its first day of reopening yesterday _ five One-Two-Go flights, with 860 passengers, and six Nok Air flights with 900 passengers. Don Muang and airline staff including airport director Pinit Saraithong were delighted to see passengers return. Don Muang took more than 700 flights and over 100,000 passengers a day before Sept 29 last year. The airport will now serve around 140 flights a day. ''We are glad to be back. We know every square inch of the airport,'' said Pensiri Kosathinnakorn, who works at the check-in counter for Nok Air.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Gay Philippine Police Told Not to Camp It Up Manila - Philippine police were on the defensive Friday after gay cops were warned they could be sacked for swinging their hips or engaging in flamboyant behaviour. "The Philippine national police does not have a policy that discriminates against gays and lesbians. In short, all its policies are issued for everybody regardless of sex or creed," police spokesman chief superintendent Samuel Pagdilao said. But he warned that "being a uniformed service, there are rules of conduct that apply to everybody for which violations may result in administrative charges for conduct unbecoming." Earlier in the week Pagdilao said gays in the police could be fired if they "sway their hips while marching" or "engage in lustful conduct." Danton Remoto, of Ang Ladlad, a gay and lesbian group, said the remarks "deepened the stereotype of gay men." "His remarks will only force gay policemen back into the closet," he said. Pagdilao told reporters he had never heard of any Philippine policeman being gay anyway. Agence France Presse __________ I'm picturing the following scene: Police Chief: Come in, Sergeant. Sit down. Sgt: Yes sir. Good morning. You wanted to see me? Police Chief: Yes, I did. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I'm afraid I have to terminate your employment. Sgt: What? I'm being fired? But why? I've been on the force for fifteen years and I have a flawless record. What have I done? Police Chief: Well, you were swinging your hips a little too much. Very sorry, but you have to go. Just leave your gun and your badge on my desk on your way out. And don't forget to let me know if I can be of any help in your future endeavors.

"May God bless and keep the Tsar . . . . . far away from us." - The Rabbi, 'Fiddler on the Roof' Actually, I have never heard of any kind of gay harassment at all in Laos. I think MissMarples' boyfriend is right: Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

I wish I understood more about the way economics work, but this move seems to me part of Thailand's bid to stem the strengthening of the baht and if it works, may even be the beginning of a reversal of the trend. I certainly would have no objection if the exchange rate finally starts moving in our favor again. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ FOREIGN EXCHANGE BOT Urges Dealers to Buy Dollars Baht Weakens Amid Volatile Trading The central bank urged dealers at banks to "adjust" their foreign-exchange positions, resulting in banks buying up US dollars and causing the baht to weaken against the greenback in afternoon trade yesterday, falling to 35.05 against the greenback from Thursday's close of 34.63/34.67. A financial source said the volatility was caused by urgent letters circulated by the Thai Bankers' Association (TBA) calling on banks to "adjust the position" of their foreign-exchange portfolios, which was seen as a requirement from the central bank. This spurred banks' demand for dollars amid strong dollar sales from exporters. But the information was quite confusing and resulted in volatile trading, the financial source said. The baht bounced between 34.70 and 35.05 to the dollar before closing at 34.96/35.03. Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Tarisa Watanagase said she met with TBA chairman Apisak Tantivorawong to discuss the baht but added that she did not know why there was demand from banks to buy dollars yesterday. Tarisa said several rumours were circulating. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday said he was worried about the baht's recent appreciation against the dollar and that his government was planning to take measures to help exporters. The dollar hit a fresh nine-and-a-half-year high of 34.65 against the US currency early yesterday, as exporters sold dollars on fears the baht would strengthen more. "The Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance are closely monitoring the situation ... we are looking to introduce measures to ease the impact on exporters," Surayud told reporters after meeting with ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras and Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn. Surayud did not say what those measures could be. Kosit said he would meet with the Federation of Thai Industries next week to discuss the impact of a firmer baht on export competitiveness and how the government could help exporters cope with the situation. Chalongphob said the baht could weaken again if the market considered it had strengthened to a point that was above its fundamental level. Board of Trade chairman Pramon Sutivong said a cut to the BOT's policy interest rate would help rein in the appreciation of the baht, helping it move in line with regional currencies. The lower rates would also boost investors' confidence and bring back investment. He declined to comment on the size of the rate cut required, saying that was up to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Market players are divided on how large a rate cut is necessary. Some propose that the MPC make a sharp cut of 1 per cent at its next meeting, which would have a major impact, while others recommend two 50-basis-point cuts over the next two meetings. JP Morgan, which on Thursday upgraded the Thai stock market from "neutral" to "overweight", yesterday projected the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Composite Index would rise to 770 points this year. Adrian Mowat, the investment bank's chief strategist for Asian and emerging markets, forecast that earnings per share would rise from 4.3 per cent this year, the lowest of all emerging markets, to 11-12 per cent next year. "Currently, the price-to-earning (P/E) ratio is 9.6. At 770, the P/E ratio will be 10.5. The market is cheap. The valuation is very inexpensive. We look ahead over 12 months and want investors to think differently about what's going on now in the Thai market," Mowat said. However, despite an upgrade by the US-based investment bank, the market did not rise as much as many expected yesterday. The SET closed at 677.79, climbing 0.44 per cent from Thursday in thin trade. Just Bt8.45 billion worth of shares changed hands. Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Korn Chatikavanij said cutting interest rates would not help domestic consumption. "Cutting the rate is not enough. The government must implement measures to help people. The government must create jobs and confidence through its budget," Korn said. Anoma Srisukkasem Piyarat Setthasiriphaiboon The Nation Dow Jones Newswires

That's right. You can't write personal information about anybody. Neither can anyone else. If someone wants his personal information posted, he can do it himself. He doesn't need you to do it for him. I'll try to make it clear . . . we are not going to have anyone having to worry that any of their personal information is suddenly going to appear on this message board, posted by someone else.

There is still some hope. Yesterday the baht closed at 34.56 to the US dollar. Just a few minutes ago it was at 34.76. Immediately prior to posting this I checked again and now it is at 34.80. Let's hope it's the beginning of a reversal, but it's obviously too soon to count on that.

I, for one, could do with a program like that. How much do they cost? Probably beyond my means, but you never know. I've about had it with diets. The most I've ever lost was on Weight Watchers. The trouble is, once I go off these diets I always gain the weight right back, and then some. I'm not ready to spend the rest of my life on some sort of diet, so I'd like to find something that actually works and is easy to go back to if you find your spare tire inflating again. I've seen several people who have spent quite some time taking fat burning pills, but they don't look any leaner to me. I've spent most of my life battling weight problems and, quite frankly, I'm tired of of the battle. I see so many people who eat more than I do and/or eat the very same foods I eat, get no more or less exercise than I do, and they're thin and I'm fat. So, if something like this works and is available in Thailand, I'd like to give it a try. I'm going to do something, that's for sure, but not yet another bizarre diet that I know I won't stick with.

I've seen them both in Carrefour and Foodland and yes, since they are imports they are expensive.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Mobile Phone Shops at the Tuk.Com Center Raided by District Licensing Officials We joined Police Captain Prasert from Pattaya Police Station who was backing-up a group of Banglamung District Officials from the Business Licensing Unit, as they conducted a raid of second-hand mobile phone shops at the Tuk.Com Center on the South Pattaya Road. Checks for operating licenses including specific licenses relating to the sale of mobile phones were checked and after the operation was over, one man was detained after his shop was found not to have the correct documentation. Khun Prachayar aged 27 was taken to Pattaya Police Station and then Banglamung City Hall for processing. A number of other shop owners ran away when they saw the officials arriving and Police will follow up these individuals at a later date.

You see? This is one of the things I love about message boards . . . people sharing information and good, quick responses when people ask for information. I very much appreciate that, Rogelio. I'm guessing you are talking about the grocery store in the Siam Paragon. Is that where they sell them? Next time I'm in Bangkok, I will definitely be shopping for one. Thank you very much.

Better still, let us know your thoughts while you're still here. There are Internet cafes all over the place. If you run into any problems or have any questions, many of the participants of this message board are readily available and happy to offer help and advice any time anyone needs it.

Often, it's not the item itself, but the brand. For example, my toothpaste preference is Arm & Hammer's Peroxicare. I have never found any in Thailand. I also miss minor items, such as certain spices. I like Lawry's spices, and there are none in Thailand. I like Maxwell House coffee, and if any is sold in Thailand, I have yet to find it. I like to use the packaged Lipton Onion Soup for cooking, but I've never found any in Thailand. I like corned beef hash, but have never found any of that here either. Sometimes certain items can be found in Thailand, but because of import costs they are prohibitively expensive, so I only buy them once in a great while. For example, imported fresh fruits such as peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries can be had in Thailand, but they are quite expensive here. Don't expect to get real Georgia peaches in Thailand, though. There are also restaurant types I miss. I'd love a really good New York style deli to open in Thailand, but I doubt that will happen in the foreseeable future. Certain types of appliances can be difficult to find in Thailand. I used to have a bread machine when I was still living in the USA, one of those machines with which you can bake your own bread simply by adding the ingredients, turning it on, and leaving the rest to the machine. I have been trying to find one in Thailand, but have had no success locating any. I wish I had brought mine with me, but I didn't. I have often been surprised, though. It is not unusual to be looking for a certain item for months, sometimes even years, and suddenly you find a place that has it or find someone who knows where to get it. In most cases I have been able to find adequate alternatives that can substitute for what I miss, and there's really not that much I miss in the first place, but I'd still rather have the actual item than a substitution. I think in most cases you'll be able to find most of what you're looking for in Thailand, but you'll probably have to shop around for some items. There will probably be some items that you won't find at all, not even substitutions, but you might be pleasantly surprised at how few those will be.

I am not familiar enough with Phuket to answer, but in Bangkok, assuming you do not wish to "off" boys and have to pay for sex, I suggest trying the Babylon Sauna. Their web site is http://www.babylonbangkok.com/home.asp . In Phuket, I suggest going to the Connect Guest House in the Paradise Complex and talking with Ulf, the owner. I'm sure he will be happy to provide you with advice for Phuket. Connect also has a web site at http://www.beachpatong.com/connect/index.htm . For someone your age, if you enjoy discos, those are also good places to cruise. Other than that, most of the cruise areas with which I'm familiar have plenty of boys, but they are there to engage in prostitution, which means you will be expected to pay for it. Perhaps others can give additional advice.

Now you're talking! Seriously, though, I think everyone should have a right to a fair trial, with a non-biased, non-prejudiced jury, and I think these men should be entitled to that. I certainly have no disagreement with you about that issue. Obviously, even if juries existed in Thailand, I would not be a good candidate for their jury because I do believe these men are guilty and would be coming into it prejudiced. However, what I or anyone else believes doesn't change the facts. Maybe there really is an explanation and maybe they're not guilty of any wrongdoing at all. So, you're right. At this stage it's all allegation and they are suspects who have not yet been found guilty of anything. Unfortunately for them, they're the ones who will now have to prove to a Thai court that they are not guilty of the allegations. I believe, but I'm not sure, that you don't get off on technicalities in Thailand, such as police searches without search warrants. In any case, I'm glad I'm not in their shoes. When I wrote, "When will they ever learn?" I was trying to bring out that despite repeated arrests and repeated warnings on the web sites, there are still an extraordinary number people who come to Thailand and try to get away with it. Whether these men are actually a part of that number remains to be seen.

Not in Thailand. In Thailand you're guilty until proven innocent. Suspects? Technically, yes. Meanwhile, according to the article, their own embassies provided records of child abusers. I think it's a fair guess that they were on those records. Child pornography and video equipment for making porn were found in their apartments, and the Child Protection Centre of Pattaya filed complaints, but I'm prejudiced. Well, yes, I guess I am. Of course, I concede the possibility that these men, from three different countries, were set up with cooperation from their own embassies to do so, but somehow I doubt that scenario is likely.

The article doesn't say whether they were arrested in connection with male or female minors, but since all four arrests occurred in Pattaya, it wouldn't be far fetched to guess that at least some of these were gay pedophile arrests. The article appears in the BANGKOK POST: http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=117531 _____ Four Foreign Paedophile Suspects Held in Pattaya Bangkok (dpa) Thai police arrested four suspected paedophiles from Britain, Finland and the United States over the weekend at the notorious beach resort, initially charging them with abduction of minors. Police said on Monday they arrested the four men on Sunday, after complaints from the Child Protection Centre of Pattaya. They identified the men as British nationals Maurice John Praill and Stephen James Ellison, American Glenn Richard Allen, and Finnish citizen Ilkka Ylikojola. The arrests were by the Crimes Against Children and Women Suppression Division, which carried out the arrests. All four were arrested in police raids at their rented flats in Pattaya, which has become notorious in the past decade for its nightlife and sex industry. Child pornography and video equipment for making more porn were reportedly found in the four men's separate apartments. If convicted, the four face up to 20 years each in prison. "We made these arrests by coordinating with the embassies of the UK, US and Finland, which have provided records on child abusers from their countries," said Pol Maj-Gen Kamronwit Tupkrajang, commander of the special police division. All four suspects were initially charged with abduction of minors but may face further charges as the investigation into their activities in Pattaya unfolds, said Pol Maj-Gen Kamronwit.

I found the following story in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS to be quite interesting: _____ Local Pub Owner

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. There is a Tesco Lotus Express right around the corner from the Pinnacle Hotel in Bangkok. It's the same thing as any 7-Eleven. As a matter of fact, I didn't think it was as well stocked as a 7-Eleven. There are 7-Elevens practically everywhere you look in Pattaya and I don't see anyone complaining about them. There are also a large number of Family Marts in Pattaya and they're the same thing. So, what's the big problem about yet another franchise, other than the fact that Pattaya is already over-killed with convenience stores? These convenience stores don't even sell the same products the complaining vendors sell. I don't get it.

Touch

I haven't been to any of these venues and I was not aware of this web site until you posted about it. However, upon reading what is on the site, whoever authored it seems to know what he's talking about. It all seems to be worth a try.