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Here are some further updates. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Pattaya Tourist Killing Gun Found Police yesterday found the murder weapon used in killing two Russian women in Pattaya on February 24. The 9mm Chinese-made Norinco pistol was found in a pond pinpointed by a witness, who is a close friend of murder suspect Anuchit Lamlert and volunteered information to police about the weapon yesterday after Anuchit was arrested on Thursday night. The unidentified witness bought the handgun for Bt900 from Anuchit after it was used to kill Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, while they sat drinking in deckchairs on Jomtien Beach. He later threw it away in the pond near his home in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district after Anuchit failed to show up to buy it back as he had promised. The witness now faces a charge of possessing a firearm without permission but will have the offence dropped in return for his testimony in court about Anuchit selling the handgun to him, police said. Police quoted Anuchit as saying that he had merely wanted to rob the victims but had shot them dead after they yelled and screamed. He fled without taking anything. According to police, Anuchit has committed numerous crimes, mainly robbery and mugging of foreign tourists in Pattaya. He was temporarily released after allegedly shooting a South Korean tourist in January. Both Anuchit and the witness are in police custody separately, and acting police chief Seripisut Temiyavej will today arrive in Pattaya to question Anuchit. ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Police Under Pressure on Russian Murder Case (TNA) Thailand's acting national police chief is going to Pattaya on Saturday to press local police to arrest all the accomplices of the murderer of two Russian tourists at Jomtien, a popular resort next to Pattaya in the eastern seaboard province of Chon Buri. National police chief Pol. Gen. Seripisuth Temiyavej on Friday told reporters that he was confident that the murderer's co-conspirators will be apprehended. Otherwise all local police officers

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS (Click the link to see photos): http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_02_03_50_3.htm _____ Suspect in Custody but No Motive Forthcoming in the Russian Double-Murder Case An update now on a story the world

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from, but my guess is that you're looking at a web site that publishes the offshore rates. Within Thailand, the exchange rate opened today at 35.47 baht to the US dollar.

Bear in mind that the B&B is an accommodation. The Enchanted Hut is a restaurant. The Enchanted Hut is located in the Jomtien Complex.

Welcome to the wonderful world of running a message board, Oogleman. There are some real psychos out there who will stoop to anything if they don't like the board, the moderator, certain posters, or Lord-knows-what. That's just one of the nut cases you'll end up dealing with. Rest assured there will be many more where that came from. If you're going to run a message board, the nuts are going to find it sooner or later. When I had my own web site, one idiot actually tried to blackmail me into doing his bidding because he didn't like the fact that I provided Hedda with a forum. The guy actually committed a felony to try to get his way. Of course, he did not get his way and I wasn't about to submit to a blackmailer, but that's just one example of how far some lunatics are willing to go. He didn't like Hedda, so he committed a felony. Some board owners, moderators, and even various posters have even been threatened with physical violence. I suppose some people fail to remember that these are just message boards, here for information and enjoyment more than anything else. In the scheme of things, on a list of what is really important, a message board would probably be way down at the bottom. But there are some people out there who literally make these boards the entire focus of their lives, as if they are vitally important in the first place. Guess what . . . they're not. I don't know whether hacking into a message board and planting viruses would be a misdemeanor or a felony, but I'll bet it is a crime. If it is, and if you can find out who it was, I hope you go after him with both barrels. That's exactly what someone who would do such a thing deserves. Unfortunately, these message boards often bring out the best in people, but they also bring out the worst in people and they bring out the lunatic fringe. Now, a message for the moron brigade: If you don't like a message board, the people who post on it, or the content of particular messages, you don't have to read it. You can actually spend your time doing something other than reading message boards that you hate. Isn't that an amazing revelation?

I don't wear socks with sandals either, but not because I think there is anything wrong with wearing socks with sandals. Would someone please explain to me what is so terrible about wearing socks with sandals? One poster regularly makes an issue of it, at least when it comes to white socks. I'm told that same poster wears socks with his sandals too, but he wears black socks. I guess that makes it ok. What on earth is the big deal about socks with sandals and/or the color of the socks? A person should actually come under criticism because he wears socks with sandals? I don't get it.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ THAI to Spend Bt10 million to Move Domestic Operations to Don Muang Thai Airways International says it will spend Bt10 million in moving its domestic operations from Suvarnabhumi Airport back to Don Muang. Chokchai Panyawong, executive vice president, said Friday that the airline was coordinating the return to Don Muang with Airports of Thailand and the traffic police. About 20 per cent of its ground-service equipment - including ramps, stair vehicles and power units - will need to be trucked over. "The company hopes to finish the transfer by March 20 and start service on March 25," he said. THAI operates 150-200 flights a day at Suvarnabhumi, of which 30 domestic runs will be shifted to the old airfield. It will operate a passenger terminal at the former domestic terminal building. The airline also plans to upgrade its IT system and X-ray machines at Don Muang. The three other carriers planning to revert back to Don Muang by its tentative reopening date on March 25 are One-Two-Go, Nok Air and PB Air.

Yes, that's certainly the truth. Of course, if he gives his permission or creates a profile, that's a different story. However, nobody out there has to cry or agonize trying to find him. There are plenty of boys around just like him. I don't know him, but apparently Stef does. Good! Now I can pass the buck to Stef. If someone out there is going to be heartbroken unless he gets to meet him, maybe if you ask Stef very nicely, and if Stef knows how to contact him, maybe something can be worked out. If he is a bar boy or works in a restaurant, or something like that, and someone spots him, then there's nothing wrong with posting which venue it is.

Sorry, but it would not be appropriate to give out someone's personal information without his permission, especially on a public message board.

This thread really interests me. I'm definitely taken by surprise. I never would have guessed that Jim Jimmy James and My Life would take the lead, but that's where this thread seems to be going so far.

It isn't just TV. If you think they get graphic on TV, take a look at the Thai newspapers! Why do they do it? Most likely because it sells.

Let's hope you never become yet another statistic. If you ever feel that way again, then come to us. While many members of the gay community can be quite bitchy on the message boards, when the chips are down and someone truly needs help, a lot of people within the gay community here really do try their best to help as much as they can.

Now we're cookin'! There had been quite a long stretch without any "flying farang" stories, but now we've got two. The one in the following story 'flew' from none other than Center Condo. I know I shouldn't make light of it, but there certainly has been a large number of "farang" over the years who decided to take a swan dive from Center Condo. I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you live in Center Condo and look out your window long enough, sooner or later you're bound to see someone 'dropping' by. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Finnish Man Jumps to his Death in South Pattaya Condo A suspected case of suicide now from Center Condo just off the South Pattaya Road. At 3.30am on Thursday, Police Lieutenant Chanatat from Pattaya Police Station was called to deal with a suspected suicide victim who had apparently jumped from his 5th Floor Apartment. The victim is Mr. Pentti Eerik Paunamaa aged 55 from Finland. Security Guards took Police to his apartment and an apparent suicide note in Finnish Language which mentioned that his wife was currently in prison on drugs charges and he felt very alone. Mr. Paunamaa was a keen motorbike enthusiast and was known by fellow residents at Center Condo as a quite but respectful man. Everything inside his room was packed away in suitcases suggesting the suicide was pre-meditated and was not a spontaneous act. Police are confident that a third party was not involved in his death but are awaiting forensic reports before they close the case. The Finnish Embassy in Bangkok have been informed. __________ Now, in fairness, Center Condo is certainly not the only takeoff point for those who wish to fly without benefit of aircraft or parachute. Here's yet another story, excerpted from the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: . . . . Mr. Marco Quatrocchi aged 34 from Italy. He had apparently jumped from the ninth floor of the Yensabai Condo

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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ IMMIGRATION STAFF TO GET FRIENDLY Personality Training Aims to put a Smile on Surly Airport Workers' Faces Story by ANUCHA CHAROENPO Immigration officers are undergoing 'personality training' to teach them how to project a friendlier face at Suvarnabhumi airport. The Immigration Bureau has sent 1,200 immigration officers on the so-called Sawasdee Project following rising complaints that staff at the new airport are glum, unfriendly and sometimes just downright rude. They're hoping the sour-faced image of the uptight immigration officer flipping through the traveller's passport between occasional upwards glances will be banished to the past. The programme on personality development, which is being provided by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University's Human Capital Development Centre, aims to teach commissioned and non-commissioned police how best to conduct themselves when greeting visitors. ''The trainer tells us how to dress, stand, sit, keep our hair in place, smile and greet visitors as well as make a wai and say sawasdee to them when they use the airport so they will be impressed with our reception and our country,'' says immigration worker Vasinee Kaewpraphai. Pol Lt Vasinee, who joined the police only 20 months ago, says the course has been useful. She isn't offended by attempts to make her a nicer person. At Suvarnabhumi airport, she checks visitors as they leave the country. She also has to deal with problems including people who have lost their departure cards, overstayed their visas or missed their flight. ''Sometimes I don't greet every visitor properly. I forget to say 'Sawasdee' because there isn't always enough time when I'm busy,'' she says. ''But after the training I will try to do it much more often.'' The Immigration Bureau launched the Sawasdee Project last month after receiving complaints from tourists about immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi. The airport opened in September last year. Travellers have complained that immigration officers there are grumpy and unfriendly. The training course started at the beginning of the month and will last until March 3. The one-day course takes in 100 officers each time. When all of Bangkok's immigration staff have been given their personality check, the project will be extended to staff at other major airports across the country including Samui, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket. The bureau hopes the project will encourage its officers to adopt a positive attitude towards their service work and polish their tarnished image. Kantaya Permpol, director of the Human Capital Development Centre, says she understands where the stereotype of the surly immigration officer comes from because their work is not just about tourist reception, but also includes handling security affairs. As a result, it is common for them to be serious while working as they have to keep passports and other travelling documents in check at all times, she said. ''Our personality development course teaches them how to adapt themselves to their work, to make themselves happy while working and ensure their happiness rubs off on those they come into contact with.'' The course, which is also given to service staff in other businesses and industries, includes tips on reception, service and customer relations. ''After the training, the immigration officers will be more service-minded towards their work and more responsive to visitors,'' the director says. ''I believe that if immigration workers follow the course's principles, visitors will be satisfied with them. This atmosphere will also help boost tourism.'' And just in case the smiles begin to fade back into grimaces when the officers return to Suvarnabhumi, the centre says it will carry out follow-up evaluations every few months.

Once you find what you're looking for, don't forget to contact me when you're ready to model them . . .

Obviously one of the major topics of discussion on these message boards is the gay bar scene in Thailand. I'm curious as to whether people have particular bars they would call their favorite, whether in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or wherever in Thailand. I'm not really asking that people specify reasons why any one bar would be their favorite, although please feel free to say why if you wish. But I think it will be very interesting to see which bars people seem to like most of all. Do you have a favorite?

I forgot to mention that they do have a show once per night (some bars have two shows a night). The mama-san, Tam, who some of you will recognize, said the show starts between 11:00 to 11:30 PM, depending on the number of customers. Usually, he said, they get started about 11:15 PM. We were long gone by the time the show started, so I know nothing about the show. Perhaps someone who has seen it can provide us with a description of the show.

Chonburi is Pattaya's province. The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: _____ CHONBURI GOVERNOR SETS BUDGET TO ASSIST THAIS AND FOREIGNERS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ASSAULTS On February 13th at 7.30 pm at the Garden Sea view Resort, Mr Prachar Taerat, the Governor of Chonburi Province, chaired the meeting to decide on the budget to provide assistance in cases of assault on ordinary Thai nationals, people involved in commerce, foreign residents and tourists. The Chonburi Council wishes to collaborate with the government, business and private sectors in this enterprise, especially the tourist and hospitality interests, especially hotels. Pattaya and Banglamung are resorts increasingly more popular among tourists. Last year, 6 million tourists visited the region, netting more than 50 billion Baht; accordingly, it is a high revenue earner. However, last year and in 2007 so far, there have been many assaults on tourists. Accordingly, The Governor, Mr Prachar Taerat, is concerned to rectify the bad reputation that Pattaya is currently getting. This year, for instance, due to increased police surveillance and efforts, the number of murders has fallen by 60%. Those injured in criminal acts will be taken care of in terms of medical expenses and their property safeguarded, the governor promised. So far 80 individuals, businessmen, commercial enterprises, local government and hotel groups have donated 1,032,000 Baht to date. (The largest proportion from the hotels). Mr Prachar Taerat is concerned to target the tourist industry in particular, namely hotels, beer bars, entertainment venues, restaurants and travel agents in order to assist in this enterprise and redeem Pattaya

I think so. Someone much more familiar with Bangkok "off" fees than I will have to answer that one. With an "off" fee that high, then you can rest assured the boy is probably going to expect to be tipped far more money than most Pattaya bar boys. It would probably be a good idea to negotiate the tip before taking the boy "off," at least until a few people can post their experiences with these boys and let us know how much the Crystal Bar boys expect.

This evening my boyfriend and I went to the Crystal Bar to have a look. It is small, but tastefully decorated. As soon as you walk in the door, look up. You'll see a chandelier that would remind you of the set for the opening scene of "Phantom of the Opera." The boys are all obviously of legal age. I counted 15 boys. They are all muscle boys, that's for sure. There are all different kinds of muscle boys too. Some look like steroid body builder types. A couple reminded me of sumo wrestlers. Others looked like they spend a lot of time in the gym. If you are into muscle boys, then when in Pattaya Crystal Bar is the place to go. All of them are muscular, butch, and there is a type for all tastes. It's Pattaya's answer to the famous Tawan Bar in Bangkok, no question about it. The boys are all clad in very brief tiger-skin thongs. They don't really go-go dance. They mostly go into muscle competition poses. A couple were doing the usual "one-knee shuffle" though. The music is loud, but not nearly as loud as many of the other bars in town. My ears were not throbbing when we left. Drinks are 150 baht each, seemingly for no matter what you order. I had a gin and tonic. My boyfriend had a beer. Each was 150 baht. The "off" fee is 400 baht. There were three negatives, in my opinion. One is the air conditioning. I thought it was too hot in there. The second is the location of the restroom. It's upstairs. I dislike having to climb a flight of stairs to use a toilet, but many bars have upstairs toilet facilities. The third is the seating. If you are in the front row seats, you're fine. You have plenty of leg room. But if you are in the seats in the back row, then you have to be a midget to be able to slide in. The couches are comfortable, but they are so close to the table, and the table is immobile, that you are going to have a problem sitting behind your table. You most likely will have to sit adjacent to it rather than have your table directly in front of you. I don't particularly like seating in which your knees have to almost be tucked under your chin just to sit down. Other than that, no complaints. Those of you who like the muscle boys will definitely want to go to Crystal Bar. I don't think you will be disappointed.

You can also remove cookies manually. Here's how, if you are using Windows XP: 1. Open your Windows Explorer 2. Open the Documents and Settings folder 3. There should be a folder with your own name, assuming you used your name when you first installed Windows XP. If not, then you need to find the folder with the name you used when Windows XP was first installed. Either way, that's the folder to open. 4. Open the Local Settings folder 5. Open the Temporary Internet Files folder 6. Now you will see all the cookies you've got. You can remove whichever cookies you don't want by highlighting them, right-clicking, and deleting. There is also a much simpler way if all else fails. Just send me a PM, tell me what you want to search for, and I'll try to find it for you and send you back the links.

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000002389 _____ THE THAI BAR LADY

Crystal Boys, in Pattayaland Soi 2, is having a grand opening on Valentine's Day. I have attached their flier to this post. I haven't been there yet, but today some especially handsome muscle boys were at the beach handing out the fliers. If the boys at Crystal Boys are anything like the ones who were at the beach today, then I have a feeling most of you will be well pleased.

And they're certainly doing a fine job of it. A fine job. It's certainly nice to know the "foreseeable future" means six months. Well, what can I say? I guess we'll have to view their assurances with great contumely.