Gaybutton

It probably is the same lady. I don't remember if she teaches English or not, but she's certainly great at teaching Thai. Give her a call anyway. If she doesn't teach English herself, she probably knows someone good who does.

I never saw those stalls, thank goodness, but I wouldn't be surprised if my BF would eat it. He eats things sometimes that I can't even look at. I hope he never does eat them. I'd hate for him to start looking like Bela Lugosi.

Call Khun Choo. She's the best there is and she is native Thai. She charges 250 baht per hour for one-on-one lessons. I don't know if she does group classes or teaches ESL, but if she doesn't, she would know the right person for those lessons. Her number is 081-753-3612.

I believe the Mermaid's Beach Resort in Jomtien has what you're looking for.

I suppose that beats "Let them eat cake."

I'm sure it has a very good chance. Punya is no dummy. I doubt he would have invested a major amount of momey into a project like this without knowing what he is doing. We'll know soon enough.

BANGKOK, Sept 25 (TNA) The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) will inspect Suvarnabhumi Airport before it opens on September 28.

That is a very good point. You're right. The average bar boy can't afford 250 baht for admission and it would be a good idea for Punya to take that into consideration. Another point is that the average person who goes to a gay sauna isn't going there to pay for sex if it occurs in the sauna. So, money boys aren't going to do very well for their 250 baht investment unless they are there trying to hook up with a "farang" for another time and place. Of course, let's not assume that the only gay Thais who would frequent the sauna would necessarily be bar boys. Those of you familiar with Babylon already know that your usual encounter there won't be with a bar boy. I see no reason to assume it will be any different in Pattaya. The question is whether there are enough local gays in Pattaya to make it worthwhile for "farang" to go there. Me? Well, all I want is to sit in the steam . . . . . . . (yeah, right!)

Red, of course. Didn't you know that? How gauche! If you didn't know that you probably are uncouth enough not to insist they also chill the salad forks. Years ago I visited a Thai friend's fruit farm near Chiang Mai. My friend is quite well to do and speaks English fluently. His farm workers are Burmese immigrants with no education whatsoever. One of them had been ill and was taking medicine. When my friend asked him what kind of medicine he was taking, he didn't know. He didn't realize that there is such a thing as more than one kind of medicine. He thought you simply swallow a pill and you get better. Lord only knows what he was taking. When we arrived, they had captured fruit-eating bats and were grilling them, head and all. They hadn't even gutted them, but at least they had been skinned. Of course they offered us some and it would be a major insult if we refused. My friend didn't want to eat it any more than I did. I said, "How are we going to get out of this?" He said, "I don't know." Oh, great! I'm going to end up having to eat bats! Then he got an idea. He said, "I'm so sorry. If we had known you were going to have food we wouldn't have had such a big lunch on the way out here. We couldn't possibly eat another bite." That's how we got out of it. Whew! Well, unfortunately you won't find grilled bats on the menu at Manhattans.

Attention American Citizens: The Thai Immigration Bureau recently announced a change in Visa Regulations that is scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2006. This change will affect citizens of 39 countries, including American citizens, who are exempt from obtaining a Thai visa prior to entering Thailand. Effective October 1, 2006, American citizens who enter Thailand without a visa will be allowed to stay in Thailand for 30 days per visit as before. However, the total duration of stay in Thailand for American citizens who enter Thailand without a visa cannot exceed 90 days in any six-month period, counting from the date of first entry. American citizens who wish to remain in Thailand for longer than 90 days during any six-month period will be required to obtain a valid Thai visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate that is authorized to issue visas. The U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens who wish to obtain a Thai visa to contact the Thai Immigration Bureau for exact visa requirements and regulations. Persons who do not comply with the new visa regulations risk being denied reentry to Thailand at the border. The U.S. Embassy has been attempting to seek clarifications and additional information from the Thai Immigration Bureau regarding the change in visa regulations. To date the Embassy has been unable to determine whether American citizens who have been in Thailand for 90 days or longer without a visa before October 1, 2006 will be considered to have reached their 90-day limit on October 1, 2006, or whether the 90 days will start from the first time the American citizen crosses the border into Thailand after the new regulation goes into effect. When/if the Embassy receives a definitive answer to this question we will post that information on the Embassy

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Rodents Remain Tempting Treat Outbreaks of Leptospirosis in Flood Areas is Not Enough to put the Locals off their Dinner Story by SONTANAPORN INCHAN Despite outbreaks of leptospirosis in the wake of major flooding in many areas of the country, the trade in roasted farm rats in Chachoengsao seems to be unaffected. The 30 or 40 makeshift shops selling roasted farm rats along the Chachoengsao-Onnuj Road in the eastern area of the town remain very busy, with vendors struggling to meet demand. The 10-km road stretches between Chaochoengsao and Samut Prakan provinces. Boonta Sumthong, a vendor aged 30 in Bang Bo district of Samut Prakan, said the leptospirosis outbreak, covered by the media for the past several days, had not affected local farm-rat consumption. Many customers continued to visit her shop to buy the meat for consumption. More surprisingly, she said, the daily supply of farm rats was now insufficient as hunters were finding it difficult to find the large rodents due to the flooding. Currently, her shop is only open for half of the day due to limited stock. The roasted rats sell for 120 to 140 baht each depending on size and weight. Kaesorn Sumthong, 49, a resident of Bang Bo, said farm rats remained a popular product despite the leptospirosis risk. The number of customers had never been affected by the almost annual outbreaks triggered by flooding, she said. She said she had never suffered from leptospirosis, even though she regularly peeled the skin from the rodents. In the rainy season, she said, farm rats were so scarce that many shops were forced to close temporarily. But Mrs Kaesorn's shop was still open because she purchased farm rats elsewhere, selling them for 160-200 baht for two. Sanoh Boon-oui, 55, a resident of Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province, said roasted farm rat was one of her favourite foods. She preferred to purchase the rodents from shops in the Bang Bo district because they were reputed to be the most delicious. She said she had eaten roasted farm rat since her childhood and was not afraid of contracting leptospirosis. Properly roasted meat should be free of any disease, she said, adding she always fried them first before eating them, just to be sure.

I understood Bob's point right from the start. We either allow posting of other points of view or we should not permit any posting about it at all. I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that. I wish we could provide equal opportunity, but we can't and that's the way it is. I do not agree that those who wish to post what is allowable under the present rules should be prevented from doing so solely because those who wish to post opposing views cannot. Being unable to post anything at all would be, as George Carlin once said, like ignoring a turd in the punchbowl. In my opinion, as long as posting falls within the rules of this message board and also complies with the restrictions set by the coup, then we should not impose further restrictions ourselves.

PapaDavid, you certainly have an interesting way of making friends . . . I'm sure we would love to provide a forum for those who wish to condemn the coup, but Rainwalker is correct. We cannot. I'm sorry, gents, but I, for one, do not wish to wind up in prison because people out there want to condemn the coup or at best, put this board in jeopardy of being blocked. I am certainly not prepared to move from a prime rib at Manhattans to a cup of cold rice and a sip of water every now and then. Now, people out there can tell us all about how if it were they, they would do it differently, but we're the ones who are at risk if we refuse to comply with the present instructions. Nobody running this board has a desire to inhibit people from being able to post their thoughts, but the fact is that Thailand is currently under martial law and we have no choice but to comply with the publicized orders. Whether we like it or not is irrelevant. Everyone can post whatever they wish provided that they remain within the current Thai rules and the posting policies of this board. Those who wish to go 'outside the envelope' are just going to have to live with the fact that they'll have to go elsewhere to do it, at least for the time being. If, and when, we are able to do otherwise, then that's when we will.

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) predicts that the baht will hover at 37.30 to 37.70 per dollar next week in view of the coup d'tat. According to KRC, the Thai currency weakened and became volatile in the course of the week following Tuesday night's coup d'tat, though the baht was being traded at an over six year high in the currency market on September 15. The baht plunged to its weakest and most volatile within a single trading day at the New York currency market on Tuesday, to stand at 37.95, its weakest in seven weeks, as news of the coup emerged. The currency recovered towards end of the week, as investor confidence returned because of the absence of bloodshed or violence in the coup. The baht also gained on the back of exporters' currency trade and the strengthening of other regional currencies. For the weekly average, the baht was traded at 37.36 this week compared to 37.26 per dollar in the previous week. KRC projects that next week the baht will be traded from 37.30-37.70 as political developments continue to influence currency values. Other key factors affecting the currency include the announcement of economic data for the second quarter of the US economy. (TNA)-E007

Are you talking about the chief in Pattaya or the chief of the whole country? Where did you hear about this?

Well, at least give the place a chance, for crying out loud, before we start deciding that's all it's going to be. Perhaps it would be a good idea if someone staying at or near Howard's Hotel asks Punya if he has been advertising the sauna among the boys and then letting us know. We know about the sauna, but the big question is whether the boys know about it. Obviously the boys working at Howard's probably know. My guess is that a lot of boys do know about it. That's where his staff will come from, won't it?

The baht seems to be quite strong so far, but it may not remain that way: ______ BANGKOK, Sept 24 (TNA) The Thai economy could slow in the fourth quarter due to this week's abrupt political changes, according to Anusorn Thammajai, advisor to BankThai's Research Office and President of BT Asset Management Co. Mr. Anusorn said the baht is expected to be volatile in the short term in the aftermath of the power seizure staged Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM). However, the currency should stabilise further down the road as political tensions ease and the inflow of foreign investment picks up following the latest round of interest rates increase in the US, he said. Mr. Anusorn predicts that the Thai economy will slow in the fourth quarter, as undemocratic changes hamper investment, affecting both tourism and sovereign credit ratings. "The actions taken by the CDRM from now on will have significant bearings on the economy, the leading economist predicted. "If the government is formed quickly, with a cabinet acceptable to all parties, and general election held quickly, investor confidence--both domestic and overseas--will return to benefit of the economy in the long run," he said. In any case, the Thai economy is heading towards a brighter path in 2007, Mr Anusorn believes. This is due to the downward trend of inflation resulting from decreased oil prices and projected an export rise on the back of economic growth in Thailand's trading partners chiefly China and India. Mr. Anusorn also sees domestic consumption and private sector investment on the up by the latter half of next year due to political stability and general election. (TNA)-E007

They can recommend all they want, but I have a feeling they haven't been to the Sabay Bar. Sticky Rice didn't recommend that. The guy who wrote the article recommended it. I too have been approached by Sticky Rice to write articles for them. I think my information is just as valid as theirs. The only reason I turned them down is because I would have to give up my retirement visa to be able to legally write for the magazine. Of course, if you have someone to take with you, so much the better. If you are looking to find someone different in Koh Chang, the Sabay Bar is the place to do it.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Eerie Experience Interrupts Rite Ghostly Encounters at Suvarnabhumi By Amornrat Mahitthirook Airports of Thailand (AoT) organised its largest religious rite at the new Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday to ward off evil spirits, only to experience an encounter with the unexplained. Rumours of occasional ''ghostly sightings'' have gone around since the first foundation brick was laid at the airport many years ago. The AoT is determined to correct the growing perception that the airport is possibly harbouring some ''uninvited inhabitants'' and to put its staff members' minds at ease. Yesterday's rite was presided over by 99 monks who chanted en masse to improve the luck of the new airport, set to open commercially on Thursday. However, halfway through the rite, a man appeared, quivering, and began to speak in a commanding voice claiming to be ''Poo Ming'', a guardian spirit of the land partially developed into the airport. He ordered that a proper spirit house be built at the airport to allow for its smooth operation. The man, who was unidentified, later passed out and woke up to find the spirit had left him. AoT president Chotisak Asapaviriya said the ceremony helped to boost the morale of airport staff, some of whom were unnerved after learning of frequent car crashes on the road running parallel to the airport's eastern runway. Some veiled figures have sometimes been spotted on the 6km-long road. Somchai Sawasdeepon, the airport general manager, said he had heard ghost stories from staff who came across a woman dressed in a Thai-style costume at the airport construction site in the evening. He said the airport land formerly belonged to some local communities encompassing the centuries-old Wat Nhong Prue and its cemetery. It was reported that the bodies had not been exhumed for proper religious cremation. Sqn Ldr Panupong Nualthongyai, head of Suvarnabhumi airport security, was also a witness to some strange, unexplained episodes. ''Whatever you make of it, it is the belief associated with the Thai way of life. For the non-believer, it is best not to act disrespectfully (towards the supernatural),'' he said.

SONGKHLA, Sept 23 (TNA) Police have arrested a total of six persons suspected of staging the bombing attacks in the southern region's commercial center of Hat Yai. Two suspects arrested Saturday are being held for questioning along with four others arrested earlier for possible involvement in six bomb attacks in major downtown commercial and tourist locations on September 16. The four suspects arrested earlier have refused to cooperate in the inquiry. They are being detained at Provincial Police Region 9 headquarters in Yala under the Emergency Decree. Pol. Maj. Gen. Thani Tawitsri, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 9, said so far it has not yet been established that the six suspects were definitely involved in the September 16 bombings. Earlier Saturday, Songkhla Deputy Governor Jit Pasompong attended the cremation of Canadian teacher Jesse Lee Daniel, one of the four persons killed in the bomb attacks. The explosions on September 16 killed four people, and injured more than 70 others. Twenty persons are still hospitalized, receiving treatment at three hospitals in Hat Yai. (TNA)-E007

Absolutely! My boyfriend and I were there just two weeks ago. We really enjoy Koh Chang and when we want a weekend getaway, that's where we go. I highly recommend staying at the Mac Resort on White Sands Beach. Their 'superior' room rate is 1600 baht per night at the moment, despite what their web site says. Get somebody Thai to place a call to them and make the reservation for you and you'll get the rate. The rooms are excellent, right on the appropriately named beach, in the best part of Koh Chang. Breakfast is included with the room and it's a very good breakfast buffet. If you meet someone, you can also have a romantic candle light dinner on the beach. Several of the beachfront hotels offer it, including the Mac. When you make the reservation, make sure to ask for a king size bed or you'll probably get stuck with twin beds. Their web site is : http://www.mac-resorthotel.com/en/index.html At White Sands Beach you don't have to worry about ATMs. There are plenty of them. There are several very good restaurants, convenience stores, and just about everything else you'll need. Local transportation is readily available and the hotel desk can help you arrange it. There are also rental cars and motorcycles available. Transportation to and from Koh Chang is easily arranged in Pattaya or Bangkok. The Mac Resort can also arrange it for you. Expect it to take three to four hours to get there from Pattaya. The only access to and from Koh Chang is by ferry boat. If you're lucky, you'll get to the ferry boat just as one is about to leave. The ride takes about 40 minutes. A "don't miss" in Koh Chang is the elephant trek that features "swimming with the elephants." It's a two-hour elephant trek, 900 baht per person (tip the guide 100 baht per person when the trek finishes). You don't have to swim with the elephants if you don't want to, but it's definitely something you'll always remember and perfectly safe. Don't worry that your wallet might end up soaked. Before the swimming part, they stop at a stand where you can leave your belongings. It's perfectly safe to leave your belongings on the stand. Nothing will get stolen. At the end of the trek they even give you a bottle of water and a bowl of fresh fruit at no additional charge. I won't tell you anything more about it. It would spoil the fun. Now, to your question: About half a block down from the Mac Resort, on the same side of the street, very easy walking distance, you'll spot the Sabay Bar. It's actually a disco and that's where all the gays go. There are a number of single local gay boys who frequent the disco and you won't have any trouble hooking up with someone. In all of Koh Chang that's the only gay life we encountered, but it's definitely there and there are definitely good looking single gay Thai boys there. The hotel won't give you any problem about bringing a boy back with you, but, of course, he doesn't get breakfast. I recommend two to three nights in Koh Chang (unless you meet someone who somehow motivates you to want to stay a little longer ).

Thank you. This time I found it. And you are right . . . well worth listening. It really was funny.

Subsequent to the coup, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has released the following statement: __________ Reports received from TAT offices, local and international travel trade associations, travel and tourism-related operators and media over the past two days indicate that the peaceful and bloodless coup d'

As of yesterday normal police presence seems to have returned, although I haven't spotted the usual stopping and fining helmetless mororcyclists just yet.

I wanted to try listening, but you need to provide more information. When I hit the "Listen Again," at least 300 possible listen again choices popped up. Which one is the one to click?