Gaybutton

This next article is the latest information: ________________________________ 200 More Chickens Die after Uthai Thani Bird Flu Death BANGKOK, Aug 6 (TNA) Some 200 chickens at an Uthai Thani farm died Sunday, only three days after Thailand's second H5N1 victim in 10 days died from exposure to the deadly virus in the same province, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said Sunday. Mrs. Sudarat said Livestock Development Department officials on Thursday night had culled 116 chickens raised at 12 family farms in Sawang Arom district near the victim's home. Small-scale farmers in the neighbourhood of the latest avian influenza victim--who died Thursday after having contact with sick chickens--had their flocks culled. The agriculture minister said some 200 chickens out of 20,000 raised on farms in Uthai Thani's provincial capital district died Sunday and that government workers will cull the rest of the poultry without waiting for laboratory tests as the situation could worsen. Officials will launch a week-long campaign Monday, to eradicate the virus in 29 provinces thought to be more at risk from bird flu. The activities will include registration of all poultry, she said. The ministry has asked each district to establish a team of 20 officials to be responsible for destroying sick chickens. Thailand is among the countries hardest hit by the deadly H5N1 virus, having recorded 24 human cases (including 16 fatalities) since the outbreak in 2004. (TNA)-E111

I have a feeling that Tamiflu is not all it's cracked up to be. According to what I read, they did not actually use Tamiflu on this man. They used a generic. Lord only knows what was actually in it. From what I have read about Tamiflu, it's not a universal cure. It doesn't work for everybody and it's not going to work very well at all unless treatment begins very early. Apparently more than a week went by before this man even sought treatment, and then several more days went by before it occurred to anybody to test him for Bird Flu. By then, sadly, it was already too late.

Note from GB: The victim contracted the disease in Uthai Thani, which is located about halfway between Bangkok and Phichit, right in the heart of the area in which the present outbreak has occurred. BANGKOK, Aug 5 (TNA) Thailand has registered its second avian influenza fatality within 10 days, health authorities announced Saturday. A 27-year-old man died Thursday of bird flu, becoming the second victim claimed by the disease in Thailand this year, Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat said. The victim, a farmer, was a native of Sawang Arom District in the northern province of Uthai Thani, Mr. Pinij said. He became sick on July 24 and died on August 3 at a hospital in the province. The victim tested positive for the H5N1 virus following laboratory tests by the Public Health Ministry's Medical Sciences Department and Siriraj Hospital, he said. Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, added that the victim raised 16 chickens at his village house. One of the chickens died on July 17 and the victim buried it, without protection, and began to suffer severe headaches a week later on July 24. Returning to see doctors at the hospital three days later, he received medical tests before going home. He returned again and was admitted to the hospital on Monday (July 31). Health officials from Uthai Thani and the nearby province of Nakhon Sawan were sent to the victim's village to contain and control the deadly disease, Dr. Prat said. Dr. Thawat Suntrajarn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said officials administered the generic version of Tamiflu, believed to be the most effective protection from avian influenza, to the man's wife who lives in the same house with him and would closely monitor her for the next two weeks. The victim was Thailand's second bird flu fatality this year, following the death of a 17-year-old boy in the northern province of Phichit on July 26. At least 134 people have died worldwide since the disease began spreading in Asia in late 2003, including Thailand, according to the UN-related World Health Organization (WHO). WHO has not yet confirmed the two latest deaths in the Thai kingdom. (TNA)--E111

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (TNA) Passengers began to pay more Saturday when the new fare hike of Bangkok's underground train system took effect. But the number of passengers using the subway system appeared not to have dropped, according to TNA reporter who cited information from the subway's operator. Bangkok Metro Co., Ltd. (BMCL), the operator of the city's subway system, announced last Monday that the company would raise the underground train fares from Bt14-36 to Bt15-39, taking effect from August 5. The subway fare rise was approved by the cabinet on July 3. However, the company was required to announce the new fare hike to the public one month before the new fare was to be officially imposed. BMCL said the company would, nevertheless, offer a 15-30 per cent discount for students and people using monthly coupons. (TNA)--E002

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (TNA) When flight operations cease at Don Muang Aiprort, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce plans to convert at least a portion of Don Muang International Airport's existing departure areas into a central market after the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport is opened for commercial use on September 28, Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana said Saturday. The Don Muang Airport has two international terminals and one domestic terminal. Departure areas are on the upper levels of the three terminals. Arrivals are on the ground floor of the three terminals, while parking facilities are available for prospective shoppers. A feasibility study has been conducted and will be soon given to Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, also a deputy prime minister, for his consideration before being submitted to the cabinet for a final approval, Mr. Preecha said. The ministry plans to use 5,000 to 10,000 square metres of the airport's departure section for use as central market which will enable people to buy goods at fair prices, Mr. Preecha said. Manufacturers will be allowed to display and sell their merchandises at the area, but their rights will be revoked if their goods are found to be overpriced or the quality is poor, he added. (TNA)--E111

This evening was the event at Niddy's Nook, honoring Gaypattayan for his fantastic work at the Pattayagay.com web site. I realize that many here are convinced that the event was contrived as nothing more than profiteering on the part of Niddy's Nook. What I can tell you is that Niddy's Nook was absolutely packed with Allen's admirers and I don't think anyone who was actually present saw it as profiteering or anything other than a sincere effort of the part of Niddy's Nook to honor him. For Allen, along with everyone who was there, it was a great evening. The buffet was quite good and everyone seemed to enjoy it very much. Following the meal, Chris did a speech and presentation for Allen, which included a marvelous "thank you" not only for the work Allen has done over the years, but also for Allen's help in getting Niddy's Nook established. His presentation included a history of the Pattayagay.com web site and a summary of the work Allen has done the gay community. Another speaker, whose name I won't use here, also pointed out that while several cities in Thailand, such as Phuket and Chiang Mai are also popular among the gay community, Pattaya is the only city that has a web site devoted to a "Weekly Report" of all the goings on in town of interest to gays. In the twelve years Allen has been doing this, he has never missed a single week of bringing all of us the "Weekly Report." Not once. Then it was Allen's turn to speak. It was quite an emotional moment for him, as well as all of us there. Allen made it clear that he does not take sole credit for what he does for the gay community. He acknowledged the help he receives from many people, without whom, he said, his web site would not be possible. Following the speeches, several gifts were presented to Allen. Accuse Niddy's Nook of self-promotion and using Allen as a means of profiteering if you must, but I don't think you will see that accusation coming from anybody who was there.

I called the Le Caf

This is NOT yet confirmed, but my latest information is that the funeral for Ian Read will be on Monday at Wat Chai. Wat Chai is the large Buddhist temple located between Second Road and Center Condo. Again, I cannot yet confirm this, but this is what I have been told so far. As soon as I can confirm that it is going to be Monday and what time the ceremony will begin, I will post it on this thread. If someone else has confirmed information, please post it or contact me at gaybutton@gmail.com and I will post it for you, if you prefer.

I don't think many people will dispute the fact that there are a great many lady-boys in Pattaya. The vast majority of them are very nice, kind, honest people. Unfortunately there is also a significant number that prey on tourists along Beach Road. Almost every week we see news items about how a foreign tourist was pickpocketed, robbed, verbally abused, and even physically attacked by these lady-boys. For many years I have read articles all about how the police are cleaning up that particular problem. If the police are really trying to do something about it, then in my opinion they have done a very poor job of it. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: ________________________________________ Tourist Police Round-Up Ladyboys on Pattaya Beach in Response to Tourist Complaints Responding to complaints from Tourists concerning the increasing levels of beach related crimes involving Ladyboy

The 'hydra' issue has been going on for well over a year now. I think you might be misinterpreting Hedda's intent. I doubt that Hedda wants or expects people to post under their actual names. I believe what he is trying to say is that people ought to choose a handle and stick with that handle whenever they post on the gay Thailand message boards. The hydra issue, as I believe Hedda sees it, occurs when the same person posts using multiple handles and then tries to pass off those posts as if they are coming from several individuals. If people do that, then it simply is not honest. It would be a simple matter, for example, to post something negative about a venue and then come back under different handles and post responses agreeing with the original post, as if it were several people, not just one. People with a grudge are likely to do just that. Whether anybody is truly a hydra poster or not, it would be very difficult, perhaps impossible, to prove. Hedda has been challenged to submit proof. Other than the fact that some people have admitted to doing hydra posting, he might as well be asked to prove that shots really were fired from the Grassy Knoll. I don't see how it is possible to prove it, especially in a manner that would be generally accepted. I believe that there is a set of individuals who indulge in hydra posting. Sometimes it is obvious. However, the best I can do would be to say that I believe it is true. I have no way to prove it. The closest I can come would be to tell you that when I was running a message board, there were several instances in which different handles and names were registered with the same E-mail address and/or the same IP address. I cannot come any closer to proving it than that. Does that constitute proof? I don't think so, but to my mind it makes it far more likely than unlikely. I think I also need to point out that some people are under the impression that as a moderator here I have personal control over what is posted here and have the ability to modify posts, delete posts, and ban users. I have no such personal control. I can edit my own posts and that's all I can do. If I see a need for anything else I have to contact the administrators and present my case. The administrators then make their own decisions as to whether or not to follow my recommendations. They have all of that sort of control. I have none.

Regarding what is on profiles, that is a personal decision made by each individual. The role of a moderator, at least on this forum, is to try to make sure there are no technical problems and to make sure nobody is posting in violation of posting rules or posting anything that could place the board in legal jeopardy or in jeopardy of once again becoming blocked by Thai authorities. The administrators have access to all the board functions. Moderators do not. If I see what is my interpretation of a problem, then I contact the administrators, tell them what the problem is, and then it is solely their decision as to how to deal with it. Yes, you do see a lot of posts by me. Since I no longer run a web site or message board, then I choose to do my posting here.

CORRECTION: I was told I misspelled Ian's last name. It is Read, not Reid. I apologize for that error. Also, I was asked to clarify that Ian McKnight was Ian's business partner, not life partner.

Part of the problem is that threads, this one included, start off as one thing, and then end up as something entirely different. This thread began as a "how to" use smilies. Now it's a debate about hydra posting.

I don't know. I believe he was somewhere between 65 and 70 years old, but that's a guess on my part. Also, I have just been informed that he will be cremated in Thailand. His sister is now on her way over from England. From what I am told, no arrangements will be announced until she is here.

I have just been informed that Ian Reid, owner of the Le Caf

That's a very good point, Hedda. After a closer reading of the article 'bottomdad' posted, I paused at this: "We've spent the last four years chasing after this guy . . ." The article says the warrant was issued in 2002. That means for 32 years there was no warrant. What happened four years ago to cause the Canadian authorities to issue a warrant? Perhaps a segment for "Cold Case Files"? Something about this whole matter seems awfully strange to me.

Thank you for posting this, bottomdad. I had a feeling all along that there was much more to this story than the new item I posted. In light of what your news item post describes, I can now understand why this man was pursued and why he will be prosecuted 42 years later. I want to make it clear that if it had indeed turned out that this man was arrested for paying for sex one time when he was 23, then my opinion would not have changed about the absurdity of a 42 year chase. But now that so much more light has been shed, and it turns out that there really was so much more to the story, I feel that the 42 year pursuit is justified after all.

Note: Bear in mind that according to people who live in Chiang Mai, the reports a few days ago of weather devastation there were at best greatly exaggerated. Nevertheless, the weather has been poor lately. Even today, in Pattaya, there was a strong squall with heavy rains. It was over in less than an hour, but it was probably generated by this typhoon. If you are going to be in any of the areas predicted to be hard hit, be careful. ___________________ BANGKOK, Aug 3 (TNA) The Meteorological Department has issued a flash flood warning for low-lying areas in 14 provinces this week as more rain is expected from a typhoon. The department forecast that typhoon "Prapiroon"--currently over the South China Sea--will cause heavy rainfall in the upper part of Thailand and heavy seas in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Villagers in at-risk and low lying areas in 14 provinces including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Tak, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sakon Nakhon, Prachin Buri and Nakhon Phanom should beware of flash flood and forest run-offs from August 3-5. Meanwhile, the flood situation in the northern province of Chiang Rai has receded and the situation is almost back to normal. About 50 houses and some paddy fields are still under water. However, local government officials are still on alert for possible floods as overnight rainfall on Wednesday raised water levels in the Mae Lao River and the Khok River posing a flood threat to low lying lands along both rivers. (TNA)-E004

Tomorrow, Friday, August 4, is literally going to be a big day at Carrefour. Bob,of Bob's Barbeque, is going to try to beat the Guinness World Record hamburger. There will be representatives from Guinness and even the Mayor of Pattaya will be there. Here are some details, direct from Bob's web site: _________________ Worlds Largest Burger Bob's BBQ & Grill Restaurant will unveil the Gennius World Record Burger on August 5 2006 at the Carrefour Center from 12:00 to 16:00. There will also be a charity presentation as this is a charity event and the children from the orphanage will eat the Burger. There will also be a burger eating contest in which contestants can apply at the Carrfour information desk or Pattaya People TV office. _________________ What Bob didn't say is that in order to win the burger must really be a burger, not simply look like one. It has to taste like a hamburger. It has to have all the "fixin's" The bun has to be fresh. Bob said there is an enormous list of items with which he has to comply in order to be eligible to break the record. About 70 kilos (about 155 pounds) of hamburger meat will be used. If you're a hamburger lover, then you won't want to miss the event. If you hate hamburgers, the event will still be fun. I hope to see you there . . . And, if you like good ol' American barbequed ribs, chicken, and items like chicken fried steak, along with other real "'suthun cookin'," then you won't want to miss Bob's Barbeque while you're in Pattaya. The restaurant is very easy to find. Simply go up South Road (Pattaya Tai) from the Boyztown, Sunee Plaza, Soi Day-Night area to Third Road. Almost the instant you cross the Third Road traffic signal you'll see Bob's Barbeque on your left. 'Geezer' and I go there quite often for the chicken fried steak. We're both from the south and we know good chicken fried steak when we get it. Both of us have said, and meant, that the chicken fried steak at Bob's is better than anything we ever had at home. When you go to eat at Bob's, be hungry . . . very hungry. The portions of everything on the menu are huge and absolutely delicious. Bob's web site is: http://www.bobs-bbq.com

I love loaded questions, just like 'When did you stop beating your wife?' Sorry, you're going to have to play that game alone. The scales aren't balanced until bank robbers go to jail too, but if they escape being caught beyond a Statute of Limitations, then they're home free. That doesn't make it right, but that's the way it is. This guy is going to suffer now, isn't he? As far as I can tell from reading the article, the legal issue for which he was arrested is not sexual molestation. The legal issue is that he paid for it and then never appeared in court. 42 years later it seems foolish to me and at this point there would be bigger fish to fry.. That doesn't mean it would be right to just let the whole thing go, either. But, if it were my decision, based solely on what is contained in the article, then at this point I would no longer be interested in making an issue of it.

Apparently there is no Statute of Limitations for the two of the most heinous crimes one can commit - murder and getting laid. Unless I am right and there really is much more to the story than stated in the article, it does seem ridiculous to me to make an issue of it now. I'm certainly no admirer of pedophiles, but on the face of it even I would say that it's ancient history and time to let it go. Again, while I realize that I am contradicting my own stance, I too believe there is a point at which it becomes absurd. I don't know just when it does become absurd, but 42 years later? Give me a break. Unless the victim has truly suffered as a result all this time, I'd say it's not only closing the barn door after the horse has left, but it's closing the barn door after the horse has left and long since died. The article says this man was on the run for 42 years. I wonder if he even realized he was on the run.

I'm not surprised by your report. Only a few weeks ago there were reports about major flooding in Pattaya. I never saw any of it. It was just as localized as you describe in Chiang Mai. Now, I wonder if certain newspaper reporters like to sensationalize their stories just a wee bit . . .

I never said that I don't think he's a pedophile. I simply said I feel some sympathy toward him and that someone his age, at the time of the incident, is not what I usually associate with the word 'pedophile.' For all I know, it's entirely possible he's been molesting minors ever since, has been getting away with it for the last 42 years, finally got caught, and belongs in jail for the rest of his life. Actually, that's quite likely if Canada was still pursuing him 42 years later. It's hard for me to believe that Canada would be actively still pursuing someone who did nothing more than simply pay for sex once in 1964. There's probably much more to the story than appears in the article. I'm only trying to say that when I think of the word 'pedophile' my first thought is not of someone 23 years old. Is yours? When I think of a pedophile, I'm more likely to associate that with someone, as you said, closer to age 65, a major generational difference. For me, the next logical question is what kind of social life did this guy have if he was busy paying for sex at age 23? Yes, I completely agree with you that the minor was still abused. I also said that I expect criticism for what I said since what I wrote is in direct contrast to my usual stance. Somehow it's no surprise to me that the very first criticism comes from you.

I'm delighted that LoeplohandNalac likes the decision to add me as a moderator of this message board. I have to admit, I was awake all night fraught with worry about whether he approved or not. Now I can sleep peacefully.

Now, in keeping with "What's wrong with this picture?", I can't help but be somewhat sympathetic to this person despite my negative feelings about pedophiles. The article says he is 65 years old. It also says he has been on the run for 42 years. When I do the math, it tells me he was 23 years old at the time of the offense. While he was technically a pedophile, if he is actually guilty in the first place, this is the first time I have ever thought of someone 23 years old as a pedophile, unless he was molesting babies or children. I expect criticism because I always take such a harsh stance against pedophiles and it probably seems hypocritical for me to express sympathy for him. Well, it is hypocritical, but I didn't say he should be given a slap on the wrist and then sent home. I said I feel sympathy for him because I think it is likely that he was only a very few years older than whoever it was with whom he was involved. To my mind, there is an appreciable difference betweeen that and sex between someone two or three times the age of a minor. Nevertheless, the law is the law. I side with the law. The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: ________________________________________ Canadian National Wanted on Charges of Pedophilia back in Canada Arrested after 42 Years on the Run We joined Officers from Pattaya