Gaybutton

From what I understand, the dental clinic has been moved and is now located in the new building on the fifth floor.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ England Jails Extradited Thai Madam (BangkokPost.com, from reports) An affluent Thai woman holding British citizenship, extradited from Thailand after a nine-year court battle, has been sentenced to more than four years in prison on charges of trafficking Thai girls into prostitution in England. Angela Miller, 49, was part of a group which lured Thai girls into Britain to work as prostitutes at massage parlours in Northampton and Leicester. Miller fled to Thailand in 2000 before her trial and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in her absence. At the trial on Thursday, an uninformed British judge added another nine months to the sentence for her flight, according to the BBC. The broadcaster reported this exchange at the trial: After a six-year legal battle to extradite Miller back to the UK, she was brought before the original trial judge, Richard Bray. Jailing her for an extra nine months, he said: "You were playing for very high stakes here. You lost and you must pay the penalty." Julian Fattorini, defending, said Miller had committed no further crimes while living in Thailand and had spent almost five months in a Thai jail cell with up to 80 other prisoners while awaiting extradition to the UK. "Running a brothel in Thailand, I understand, is not illegal," the judge replied. The judge's misinformation aside, the BBC reported that Miller was first arrested after a raid in 1998 at a massage parlour in Kingsley Park Terrace in Northampton. When she failed to attend a court hearing at Northampton Crown Court, all ports and airports were put on alert for her. Det Con Paul Beck, who tracked Miller to the coastal resort of Pataya, said she would now face a confiscation hearing to get back some of the 500,000 British pounds (about 34.5 million baht, or $944,350) of assets she is thought to own in Thailand. Miller's prostitution gang was masterminded by her husband Ron Miller, now 70, who was jailed for four years in September 2000, the BBC reported The girls were smuggled into Britain through either Heathrow airport or Eurostar using fake passports and then taken to the Millers' two massage parlours.

Ohhhhhh, I get it. There was nothing malicious in your post. It was merely friendly advice from a kindhearted soul with no axe to grind. How foolish of us not to see that . . .

Why rip it out? If you like a bath, you have a bath tub. If you like a shower, you also have one. I fail to see any point in taking it our unless you intend to remodel the entire bathroom.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Photographic Training Course Announced by City Hall Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya co-chaired this press conference at Pattaya City Hall to announce further details of the Cities celebrations to mark the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the Kings Birthday which takes place on 5th December. As part of the celebrations, a Photography training course has been organized as His Majesty is a keen photographer. The event will take place between 1st and 3rd December and is open to both Thai

In Pattaya I would suggest getting the residence certificate at the Immigration office. Most of the time you submit the application and they tell you to come back in one hour to pick it up. Often, if they're not too busy, they'll do it for you on the spot. They charge a 200 baht fee.

And that is the truth, Aunty. How do you like this guy? He registers just so he can post this kind of garbage? Are we going to hear all about how appalling GayThailand's lifestyle is? I'd love to have the means to do the same things. It is quite clear that so would TruthTeller. GayThailand is living exactly the life he wishes to lead. Isn't that terrible? I'd like to know how his life, or anyone else's for that matter, is anyone's business except his own. All these things that he was "seen" doing. Sheeesh! Didn't anyone see him the day he took a dump on the mangos at Big-C?

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Exporters Seek Action to Curb Baht Interest-Rate Cut Could Ease Impact POST REPORTERS Ten leading food and farm product export groups have called for the Bank of Thailand to arrest the surge in the baht, saying they have been losing market share to rivals in other countries with more attractive exchange rates. One thing the central bank could do, they say, is cut interest rates, which could lead to depreciation in the baht. The baht was trading yesterday at 36.52/55 to a US dollar _ its strongest level in almost eight years, but down slightly from 36.40/43 on Tuesday. Tarisa Watanagase, the central bank governor, said yesterday that the baht had appreciated rapidly due to steady capital inflows, but maintained that over the past two years, it had been competitive with other currencies. ''The baht has appreciated sharply this year. But last year it was surpassed by regional currencies. So up until now, the baht is not stronger than regional currencies.'' Dr Tarisa insisted that the central bank would stick to its managed float policy and let market forces determine the baht's value. The central bank would intervene in the foreign-exchange market only to prevent the exchange rate from changing too rapidly. ''The central bank can look after the baht, but only to a certain extent. We cannot withstand the market trend. The private sector needs to hedge against risk and beef up efficiency, such as through cost-cutting.'' She said baht volatility was expected to persist for a while as it resulted from depreciation of the dollar. The central bank, she said, would introduce new rules to facilitate offshore investment by local businesses, focusing on easier documentation and relaxed rules on holding foreign currencies. ''The pressure on the baht would be reduced if the central bank facilitates capital outflows. As well, these measures would help improve local firms' efficiency.'' Export groups plan to brief central bankers on their members' problems today. They include the Thai Frozen Foods Association, Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association, Thai Fruit and Vegetable Traders Association and the Thai Food Processors' Association. The groups represent businesses with combined exports of 400 billion baht a year. Poj Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said SET-listed seafood export companies had reported losses from third-quarter operations, partly because of the baht. Pornsil Patcharintanakul, the deputy secretary-general of the Board of Trade of Thailand, said exporters could not raise their prices to cope with losses because of heavy competition in the marketplace. As well, their problems were compounded because most orders are placed three months in advance and they had to bear the burden of currency changes. Dej Pathanasethpong, chairman of the FTI's garment industry club, said the currency value was controllable if the government decided to act. ''The baht would depreciate if the government decided to reduce interest rates by 1%,'' he said. In the electrical and electronics sector, revenue losses linked to a strong baht could reach 30-40 billion baht this year, said Katiya Greigarn, chairman of the electrical, electronics and allied industry club of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). ''If government cannot do anything, all we can do is to pray for yuan appreciation,'' said Mr Katiya, noting that cheap goods from China were the Thai industry's main competitors. Luckchai Kittipol, president of the Thai Rubber Association, said baht appreciation had pushed down domestic prices of rubber sheet to the lowest point of the year, 53 baht a kilogramme compared with 100 baht a year ago. A Finance Ministry official said the baht was now 10.2% stronger than the average of the currencies of 11 major trading partners due to external and internal factors, the latter being linked to capital inflows. In relative terms the baht is now 7.9% stronger than the Korean won. Other comparison figures are 7.8% against the Indonesian rupiah, 7.2% against the pound, 6.9% against the Philippine peso and 6.2% against the Singapore dollar.

I won't tolerate that.

Well, there you have it, GT. I'm glad all who responded so completely agree with each other. That must be very helpful to you. In other words, whatever you decide to do it will be wrong. It will also be right.

Very nice of you too. Underneath my reputation for being an opinionated, arrogant, intolerant son-of-a-b**** I'm actually kind of a nice guy. Just don't tell anybody.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Six Injured in Marine Plaza Hotel Blaze in South Pattaya On Tuesday Night, Police and Fire Rescue Workers received an urgent call to attend the Marine Plaza Hotel located on the Pratamnuk Road in South Pattaya after hotel staff reported a fire on the fourth floor and persons trapped inside. Upon arrival, fire fighters were met with a scene of chaos as hotel guests, mostly of middle-eastern origin were leaving the hotel and shouting up to compatriots who were trapped on balconies. The fire took hold at around Midnight and according to Fire Investigators began in Room Number 431 on the fourth floor. Thick smoke left many trapped and in need of rescue and although no fatalities were reported, their were six residents who were taken away in Ambulances suffering from smoke inhalation. It took firefighters 1 hour to control the fire which caused widespread smoke damage covering three floors. Eventually Fire rescue workers managed to rescue those trapped on Balconies which left Police with the task of investigating the fire and ensuring that the fire was not deliberate. Room number 431, where the fire began, was occupied by Mr. Khalid Hamed Musaba aged 24 from Oman who was taken to Pattaya Police Station where he provided a statement claiming that the air conditioning unit in his room suddenly caught on fire as he slept. He woke up and quickly left the room. Police took him back to the room after the fire had been put out but were not convinced that the fire started at the Air Conditioning Unit as extensive damage to the surrounding area and minimal damage to the Unit suggested this may have not been the case. At Pattaya Police Station it was put to him that he may have been smoking in the room but he continually denied these allegations and stuck to his original story. Further investigations are taking place to determine the exact cause of the fire. For now, Mr. Musaba continues to help Police with their enquiries and the Hotel begins the clean-up operation to repair four rooms which have been completely destroyed and extensive smoke damage in more than 20 rooms.

Well, whenever it finally does open I'll give it a try. Naturally I'll be there only for the waters . . .

BANGKOK, Nov 15 (TNA) Thailand's central bank --The Bank of Thailand --should take stricter measures to oversee the movement of the baht, after the local currency appreciated to 36.39 to the US dollar, the strongest in almost eight years, on Tuesday, the Kasikorn Research Centre said Wednesday. The leading think tank reported although the central bank only recently came up with additional measures to curb speculation on the baht (early this month), Thailand's currency continued to strengthen. So, money dealers and market observers expected the bank would come up with new measures to more closely supervise the baht's stability. KRC believed the baht would probably continue to appreciate, and rapidly, particularly if the American economy slows down considerably. Under the circumstances, the Bank of Thailand is likely to -- and should -- take additional measures to maintain the stability of the baht. One measure is to reduce the policy interest rate. The strengthening of the baht stemmed in part from a foreign capital inflow into Asian countries including Thailand due to the weakening of the US dollar. Another reason behind the stronger baht is that local interest rates remain higher than those of most countries in the region. So, should the bank cut the policy interest rate, it would help narrow a gap between local interest rates and those of other countries. It would help ease the foreign capital inflow into the country to a certain extent. KRC conceded the implementation of the interest policy might neither help slow the foreign capital inflow nor ease the strengthening of the baht if foreign investors had confidence in the economic and political stability in Thailand. It suggested that added measures to be taken by the bank to oversee the baht not be too strict because it could affect foreign investor confidence. Kasikorn viewed the bank should gradually increase the degree of controls to curb speculation on the baht, such as controlling more kinds of business transactions and seeking cooperation from financial institutions to report information in detail and with greater caution. (TNA)-E005

I think that would depend on the circumstances of his home life. If you have not already done so, why not sit down with him and discuss what his needs really are and what his family will expect of him, assuming they know he "has a 'farang' and take it from there?

I have made contact and was told that the sauna will open at some point in December. It will not be ready before then and they hope it will be near the beginning of December.

I didn't know that either. I'm glad you posted that. I think you just saved a lot of people from the possibility of a big problem.

I'm sorry your birthday was spoiled. I hope the next one will be a happy one. I know this is no consolation, but if I knew I would have definitely wished you a happy birthday. In a way, it is a happy birthday. In your previous posts I had a feeling this relationship would not work out in the end. I'm sorry it didn't, but for your sake I'm glad you got out of it before you were completely trapped. It may be difficult now, but you'll quickly get over it and be able to move on with your life. That may turn out to be the true birthday gift. I agree with gonefishing. While mutual trust is very important in a relationship, asking to examine someone's bank account is not appropriate. You had mentioned that you were financing his education. I do think checking up on that is appropriate because you're the one who was paying for it. But a person's bank account is a completely different thing. In any case, I think you have learned not to rush into a relationship with anyone and not to be so generous with someone you hardly know.

Note from GB:: I had originally posted this message saying that this hotel is at Sunee Plaza. LetMeTellU pointed out that is not correct. I had the location wrong. I sincerely apologize for my error. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Six foreign Tourists Injured in Pataya Hotel Fire Pattaya - Six foreign tourists were injured after a fire raged through a hotel in this seaside town late Monday night, police said. Police said the blaze broke out at a room on the fourth floor of the six-floor Marine Plaza Hotel at 20 minutes past midnight. Eight fire engines took about half an hour to control the fire. Three tourists were injured after falling from the building while climbing out to their room balcony to escape the fire. Three other became sick after inhaling smoke. Police have yet to determine the cause of the fire. The Nation

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ All Calm as Baht Nears 8-year High Exports Should be Only 'Slightly Affected' The baht climbed close to an eight-year high yesterday, but the government's financial chief saw little to fear in regard to Thailand's competitiveness. "The strong baht will slightly affect exports, but there is still no concern. I believe exports will continue to grow as they have done so far. Currency appreciation has been common in the region," Finance Minister and Deputy Premier MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said. The baht opened at 36.50/36.52 to the US dollar before climbing to the day's peak of 36.38, a level unseen for almost eight years. It closed at 36.40/36.42, breaking the key resistance level of 36.50. Investors have sold the dollar in offshore markets after several countries said they would diversify their international reserves rather than hold mainly greenbacks. Dealers said the baht would edge up almost every day and likely pass Bt36 by year's end. Pridiyathorn said it was not that the baht was that strong, but rather that the dollar had weakened. The central bank has already taken good care of the baht's value, he said. Exports will expand 11-12 per cent in value next year, he said. Kirida Bhaopichitr, an economist in the World Bank's office in Bangkok, said the baht would appreciate further next year by 1-1.50. Usara Wilaipich, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank (Thai), believes the baht will top 36 this year and continue upwards until the middle of next year. Kirida also said the economy would grow 4.6 per cent next year, slightly higher than 4.5 per cent this year, due to a slowdown in exports and moderate pick-up in domestic demand. The economy is likely to grow 4.5 this year, the slowest pace among Southeast and East Asian countries, except Japan. She said the high oil price, slowdown in global trade and uncertainty surrounding the government's policies could threaten the economy next year. Although the oil price has retracted, it remains high and is expected to average US$60 (Bt2,200) per barrel. The global economic slowdown, with growth of only 3.3 per cent predicted for next year, should cause world trade volume to improve 7.3 per cent. Private investment next year is likely to increase only 5 per cent, compared with 4.6 per cent this year, because business confidence has not fully recovered, due to high production costs. Kirida said investors, particularly foreign investors, had become more cautious and postponed their investment decisions until the government's policies became clearer. The Business Sentiment Index of Japanese companies operating in Thailand, put out by the Japan External Trade Organisation, has been in negative territory since May and declined last month. The Board of Investment saw net applications by foreign firms and joint ventures for the first 10 months of the year drop by half from the same period last year, to Bt260.4 billion. Kirida said public investment was expected to accelerate next year, due to the 11-per-cent increase in the central government's investment budget and 4.5-per-cent hike in state-enterprise investment for fiscal 2007. But next year's mega-project investment will be Bt366.1 billion lower than planned. Aberdeen Asset Management deputy CEO Robert Penaloza said most foreign investors felt more conformable going forward after key ministers explained the government's economic policies during their road show last week. Aberdeen is still overweight in the Thai market, with $1.6 billion worth of investments earning an average annual return of 14-15 per cent. From next Monday to December 1, his company will introduce the open-ended Aberdeen European Growth Fund. Anoma Srisukkasem, Somruedi Banchongduang The Nation

At my age I'm envious of a stiff wind.

It seems as if several people are interested in obtaining the Thai driver's license. There have been several requests for my article about how to get the license. If enough people are interested, I will be glad to set up a mutually acceptable date on which I will meet with a group of people who want the license and personally walk you through the whole thing, from start to finish, including helping you get the documents you need at the Immigration police office and taking you to the driver's license bureau to complete the process. The Pattaya Expats Club also has days set aside for people who who want the license. If anyone is interested in that, please send an E-mail to me at gaybutton@gmail.com .

Isn't that just terrible? How dare this board support gay venues in Thailand! Since the complainers choose to voice those complaints on other boards, and not this board, then I see no reason to pay them any attention at all. As I've said, no matter what a board owner does, somebody won't like what he does. Tough luck. If they don't like it, they don't have to read it. Many people do like seeing the advertising. It lets them know what's going on, and where and when. Most of the threads that contain ads are quite clearly titled. Those who don't want to read the ads can bypass those threads. Those that do want to read them can do so. I fail to see a big problem in that. Sometimes I think people complain only because they enjoy having something to complain about. You can bet that if this board hosted no ads at all, those same people would find something else to complain about. They probably will anyway.

The last time I spoke with Punya, about three weeks ago, he said that he is hoping to open by the end of November. That, he said, depends on whether the workers complete their tasks on schedule. He said Thai people have just as many problems getting quality, on-schedule work completed as "farang" do. Perhaps someone else has spoken with Punya more recently.

That depends on the family. I'll never forget when my grandmother passed away. The family vultures were at her house arguing over who gets what even before the funeral.