Gaybutton

If someone is lying about his age, how would you enforce such a rule?

That makes good sense for everybody. I'm talking about when you don't know he is under age until you actually meet and check his ID card. When I meet someone whose age is at all questionable, the first thing I ask for is his ID card. If it isn't his own, or you just can't tell whether it's really his or not, or if he doesn't even have an ID card with him, I go and he stays. That actually happened to me about a year or so ago. I had been chatting with a boy on Gay Romeo and I was interested in him. He looked too young, but he kept insisting his photos were a year or so old and that he is 18. When I went to meet him I asked to see his ID card. He was 16! I told him sorry, but forget it. He said, it's ok, "Police not know." I said, "I know! And you also lied to me. Have a nice life." By the time I got home and had a chance to look at Gay Romeo again, he had already removed his Gay Romeo profile and I haven't spotted him online ever since. That's something you have to be very careful about. Gay Romeo doesn't allow anyone to establish a profile unless they're at least 18 years old, so there are a number of boys out there who simply lie about their age.

It is commonly used in many Thai recipes. Many fresh vegetable markets and some grocery stores carry it. It is also sold canned.

I think you're being paranoid. Nobody has ever been arrested or otherwise bothered in any way for such "transactions." Also, written record or not, what would it prove? Nothing has happened and no money has exchanged hands. How would anyone know if you even meet the boy at all? Unless you're using your real name on Gay Romeo, then unless the police are hiding and waiting for the person who made the "transaction" to show up, how would they even know who you are? If you get arrested for having made a "transaction" through Gay Romeo, then as far as I know you would have the dubious distinction of being the first person ever arrested for it. You just said you go to the gay bars to meet the boy first. When you go to the bars and take a boy off, that's prostitution isn't it? How many people are ever arrested for taking a bar boy off? In the entire history of Thailand's gay bars, I am aware of a grand total of one arrest, ever, when a farang took a boy off, and that boy was under age. Other than that one time, they don't arrest farang for taking a bar boy off even when the boy is under age. The only time you need to be concerned is if the boy you actually have sex with is under 18 years old. Many boys advertising themselves are not even looking for money. Also, there are plenty of personals sites besides just Gay Romeo, although Gay Romeo seems to be the most popular. If it still bothers you, then don't mention money when you're making online arrangements. Now it's not prostitution and not every boy on Gay Romeo is a bar boy in the first place.

Killin does computer repair and sales. He does not do web sites. I call him whenever I need a computer repair. The computer I'm using at this very moment is a computer I had Killin build for me from scratch. His English is excellent. If I have a problem with my computer, I wouldn't even consider going to anyone else.

On a similar note, I recently read that eating red meat is also no longer considered unhealthy.

Sorry, it didn't work. Is it in PDF format? For some reason, you can't attach PDF files on this board. It won't work. I don't know why. I'm not so sure that's the form to file. I searched for it on the IRS web site. The form no longer exists on the IRS site.

No, not at all. We just ate there a couple of evenings ago and we like it as much as ever. We're usually there about once a week. I go to Chez Vickie for his Eggplant Parmesan. I really love that and as far as I've ever found, he's the only restaurant in Pattaya that makes it. If anyone knows of any other restaurants that also make it, I'd like to know. I also agree with you about the Marco Polo. That's the best Chinese restaurant this side of Singapore. It is really excellent and so is the service. If you're a Peking Duck fan, you definitely want to try the Marco Polo. The last time I was there it cost 1200 baht, but it's plenty for several people to share and it is always perfect. I am not familiar with Da Joe Pattaya, but it sounds like another great one to try. I'm not quite clear on how to get there. If I understand correctly, it is on the Bali Hai pier side of Walking Street and you would go up Walking Street to find it?

Sounds good to me. I have yet to try either of those, but based on what you two are saying I'm going to get there. Last night a group of seven of us went to the Bordeaux restaurant. We all loved that one too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQOAY9DcBk

Yes, they are directly across from each other: Maylaysia: 800 baht per night - Ibis: 1050 baht per night Maylasia: Aging hotel, rooms show signs of age - Ibis: Brand new, less than 1 year old Maylasia: Smoking allowed in rooms - Ibis: No smoking in the rooms or anywhere on the property. Malaysia: Very gay friendly. No problem about bringing a 'guest' to your room. 'Guests' required to leave ID cards at the front desk - Ibis: I have no idea whether they are gay friendly or not. I also have no idea about their policy about bringing a 'guest' to your room. Both hotels have 24 hour restaurants Malaysia: Lobby safes, but no room safes - Ibis: I don't know. I haven't been in any of their rooms. Both hotels: Good English spoken at both hotels. 7-Eleven directly across the street. Internet cafe directly across the street. Several ATMs directly across the street. Plenty of taxi and motorcycle taxi availability. Several good restaurants within easy walking distance. Babylon Sauna within easy walking distance. MRT subway within easy walking distance. Major bank branches within easy walking distance (great for travel check exchange). 10 minute taxi ride to US and British embassies. 10 minute taxi ride to Silom-Surawong-Soi Twilight-Patpong bars. http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-6537-ibis-bangkok-sathorn/index.shtml http://www.malaysiahotelbkk.com

Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport By the CNN Wire Staff June 10, 2010 Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday a new policy that no longer requires passport applicants seeking a gender change to have undergone sexual reassignment surgery. The policy, which goes into effect Thursday, allows a gender change with a certification from an attending physician. Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport - CNN.com

I think so too, but I can't help but bear in mind that luck also has a way of eventually running out.

Among the points made in that article, one that had not occurred to me but makes plenty of sense, is that other Asian countries might start taking serious advantage of Thailand's situation to try to make themselves the new prime tourist destinations. That can only make things even worse for Thailand's tourist industry. Despite "official" optimistic reports about tourism bouncing back and glowing predictions for the future, if you are in Thailand it doesn't take long to see for yourself what the true situation is, at least as it stands right now. In Pattaya, the 'boom town' aspect has dramatically tapered off. What I see is many of the construction projects being put on hold or simply abandoned. Where there has been new construction, many of the shophouses and apartments have been sitting vacant or only partially occupied ever since they were opened, and for many it has been months. Well known venues and restaurants have been closing, and a lot more have closed than opened. I see businesses that used to have customers every time I pass by now not having any customers at all when I pass by and the employees sitting there looking bored and forlorn. I don't know how long stores, restaurants, and businesses can survive when the only time they get customers is every once in awhile. Of course, many of the boys are also complaining. Just a few days ago I was talking with one boy who told me it was unusual for him to go more than one or two days without being taken off. Now, he said, it has been 24 days since he was last taken off - and that was several days ago. Even where I live, on "The Dark Side," a few favorite restaurants have closed, and "The Dark Side" is not heavily dependent on tourists at all. However, many people who live out here have jobs and businesses directly related to the tourist industry. Many who could previously afford luxuries are now struggling to survive. I see more 'For Sale' signs on homes and vehicles than I've ever noticed before. I've heard talk before that Cambodia might be the next up-and-coming major Asian gay destination. I'm beginning to wonder if at some point we might be hearing less and less about Pattayland and start hearing about "PhnomPenhLand." If Cambodia plays its cards right and starts launching major tourism campaigns, Thailand's tourist industry could end up in a lot more trouble than it's already in. When we start seeing Gay Cambodia message boards popping up out of nowhere, that's when we'll know gay Thailand is deep in the doo-doo.

There are none. However, several boys from there advertise themselves on Gay Romeo. It's a more laid back place, but even without Gay Romeo it's not very difficult to find willing guys.

There are actually two ways coconuts for drinking are most commonly sold in Thailand. One is the chilled large green coconuts that you get when you go to the beach. The other is a roasted coconut. I don't particularly care for the roasted ones, but a lot of people love it. When you're here, try both. This photo is of the roasted coconuts:

As an aside, one thing about the way White House press conferences are done has always bothered me. That's the preferential treatment the more prominent and well known reporters get when it comes to who gets picked to ask questions. I would rather see something such as a prominent reporter gets the first question, then the next question comes from a reporter whose name was earlier drawn out of a hat or something, then a prominent reporter, followed by another name drawn out of a hat, and so on. That might be kind of a dumb way to do it, but I'd like to see the reporter questions done in a more "everybody's equal" manner.

I used to take pics in bars, always with permission or by request of the bar owner, but no more. Many customers get very upset when someone is taking photos, even when they clearly see that the camera is not aimed in their direction. Because of that, I don't do it anymore. However, any bar owner who wishes to post his own photos here is welcome to do so.

I have a feeling it was a lot less voluntary than meets the eye. I think it was probably made clear to her to either retire immediately or get fired. Either way, I still can't help but think she was over-punished for what she said. The most stupid aspect of it, in my opinion, is not only coming out with these comments, but making them at a Jewish heritage event at the White House. Still, I think a suspension would have been sufficient. She was a reporter for close to 60 years and arguably the most famous and important White House correspondent in history. She comes out with one grossly outrageous statement after all that time and she ends up treated as if she were a criminal. I think she deserved punishment for what she did, but not to this extent. I don't think the punishment fits the crime and I don't think she is being treated fairly. But, apparently few people, if any, agree with me.

It is not necessary to suggest the absolutely obvious when the perfectly obvious will do. I don't think I asked why someone doesn't call. I think I asked if someone has called. If I wanted to know that badly, then yes I would call. But I'm asking out of curiosity, not necessity, and I'm not curious enough to start calling airlines. I'm not planning to go anyplace any time soon and even if I do go, I'm not buying a ticket for someone else.

Ray Charles

I disagree. I don't think she's gone over edge, getting senile, or anything else. She made an extremely stupid comment publicly. Again, everybody says something they regret sometimes. I certainly do, almost daily - sometimes more than once daily. I have not lost my respect for her because of her statement. You know who I've lost respect for? The news agencies she worked for so many years, that's who. Every one of them instantly threw her right to the wolves. When Andy Rooney made a stupid controversial comment one time, CBS suspended him, but they didn't just throw him away like a piece of garbage. But that's what these news agencies did to Helen Thomas and I think that stinks, no matter how inappropriate her comments were. I think she deserves better than that. After all these years she makes one terrible comment, and they respond like this. I also think the real reason the news agencies instantly got rid of her was only for the sake of appearances. I don't believe for one second that any of them really, truly gave a damn about what she said. I think the correct response would have been to suspend her, but not to flat out dissociate themselves from her and force her to retire.

I agree. I think her comments were a BIG mistake on her part. But I also think that too much is being made of it. After all, who hasn't put his foot in his mouth every so often and said something they would give anything not to have said? I think she should be embarrassed, criticized, and have to apologize for it, but to have to end the career she's had because of it? I think that's overreacting.

I understand that, but I'm talking about what to do if you want to buy a ticket for someone else, such as RichLB wants to do. Also, if I'm going to buy a ticket through a Thai travel agent, I'm very likely going to pay cash for it. I guess it's a good thing my name isn't Hussein Achmed Babalaba. In other words, how do you buy a ticket for someone other than yourself if the airlines now have this kind of policy in place? Has anyone asked the airlines that question? I'll give you another circumstance. You're in your home country. Your Thai boyfriend manages to get a visa to visit you. Now you want to buy a ticket for him. How? Not only will he not be the person named on the credit card, he won't even have the credit card. Even if you want to travel together, you buy two tickets - one for him and one for yourself. His name still won't be on the credit card that purchased the ticket. I mean what do you have to do, go to a bank, somehow get a credit card for him, put the ticket money in his account, and then let him buy the ticket himself? Doesn't that strike you as just a wee bit on the absurd side? Another scenario - Let's say the airlines don't have a problem if you've bought two tickets with your credit card, one for yourself and one for your boyfriend, as long as that was made clear at the time of purchase, you can show the credit card when you're checking in, and as long as you are traveling together. At the last minute, for some reason you can't go, but the boyfriend still can go himself. Now what happens? So, again - how do you buy a ticket for someone else? One other question - Just what is this policy supposed to accomplish in the first place? Welcome, once again, to my "I Don't Get It" list.

I still don't see it.

Helen Thomas Retires By Anne E. Kornblut Veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas announced Monday that she is retiring, effective immediately, in the wake of a controversy over her comments on Israel, according to a report from her employer, Hearst News Service. Thomas told a rabbi at a White House event last week that Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and go back to Germany and Poland. "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians," Thomas said in a statement on her Web site. "They do not reflect my heart-felt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon." http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/06/gibbs-helen-thomas-remarks-off.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeqb8h0I-Bg