Gaybutton

"Unleash the Kraken!! Send Gaybutton over; he'll smarten 'em up..." While I'm sure the problem is only temporary, thanks for volunteering me to be "sent over" to a board that would probably welcome me about as much as the Baht-Stop posters would welcome the idea of me becoming their one and only moderator. Actually, not a bad idea. My delete finger is getting mighty itchy . . .

That is correct. We have a strict policy about that. Even skirting around the reference is potential trouble, so I do intend to get rid of any further references on this or any other thread.

I have not used that expression since then. I thank you for apologizing. If only the Thai government and the Red-Shirts could resolve their disputes so easily . . .

I'm surprised you never came to that realization before. These boys have such an incredible grapevine that the CIA would do well to take lessons from them. They know everything. It would come as no surprise at all if every boy who knows you also knows exactly where you are and who you are with at this very moment, and if you happen to be having a turd right now I wouldn't be surprised if they know that too. You must have seen that so many boys are on their phones almost all the time. If you overhear, even though you don't understand much of what they are saying, I'll bet you've noticed them saying the word "farang" quite often. I'm convinced that a significant portion of those conversations is information trading. I don't think anything is wrong with it. It's just something to be aware of and I find it amusing. A lot of those boys are just as much gossip queens as so many farang are.

It is quite likely that the smaller numbers were not necessarily because of the protests, but probably because so many boys return to their hometowns for Songkran week. If customers are coming, I would guess that most of the boys have already returned to the bars, including Tawan.

Article and video on CNN web site. If protesters come within 100 meters of soldiers, use of tear gas is authorized. If they come within 30 meters, use of live ammunition is authorized. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/04/28/thailand.protests/index.html?hpt=T2 ____________________ Red Rally Site Isolated Troops, protesters clash on highway Soldier shot dead, 19 people injured Published: 29/04/2010 Security authorities have ordered Bangkok police to close all roads around the red shirt rally site as of last night to increase the pressure on the anti-government group. Sources said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation imposed the order to block the movement of red shirt supporters going in and out of the site which is spread over a vast area from Phong Phraram west of Mahboonkrong to Asok/Phetchaburi in the east, and down Sathon to Narathiwat Ratchanakarin. No mention was made of trying to stop essential supplies, only people and weapons, the source said. Traffic is closed at the Asok-Montree, Phayathai, Sala Daeng, Phong Phraram, Narathiwat and Henri Dunant intersections, isolating the red shirt demonstrators scattered around the Ratchaprasong intersection, the centre said. Reinforcements of troops and police have been sent to the Sala Daeng intersection. Businesses and offices in the area have been advised to close early. Efforts to contain the red shirts were stepped up by the CRES soon after a tense four-hour stand-off between protesters and security forces on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near the National Memorial in Lum Luk Ka district in Pathum Thani. The centre said one soldier was shot dead. Another two soldiers and 17 protesters were injured in skirmishes. The dead soldier was identified as Pvt Narongrit Sala of the 9th Infantry Division based in Kanchanaburi, who was accidentally shot in the head by another soldier while riding a motorcycle towards the National Memorial during the clashes, the source said. He was one of the members of the army's rapid deployment force. Red rally site isolated ____________________ Highway Battle By The Nation April 29, 2010 Troops and hardline red-shirt protesters tested each other's resolve yesterday leading to violent clashes on the Vibhavadi Rangsit highway, leaving one soldier dead and at least 18 people injured. One day after the government signalled its readiness to get tough and the red protesters suffered a rare defeat in Pathum Thani, a joint force of soldiers and police tried to stop a caravan of red-shirt protesters on their way to the same province for a new showdown. But this time clashes occurred in the Don Muang area and the National Memorial, both located on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The soldier was killed after being shot in his head but it was unclear yesterday who was responsible for the death. The CNN News website reported that the soldier was accidentally killed by fire from security forces. But there was no response from the authorities. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan emergency centre identified the dead soldier as Private Narongrit Sara from the Ninth Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi. Of the 18 injured, three people were in serious condition; 16 of them are civilians and two soldiers, according to the centre. A video clip circulated on the Internet yesterday showed a motorcycle-riding soldier falling down after he appeared to be shot. Security forces fired on troops riding towards them on motorbikes in what appeared to be an accident, The Associated Press reported. At least four motorbikes crashed and one soldier was carried away on a stretcher, bleeding profusely from the head. Several others from the group threw their hands in the air. The clashes began in the Don Muang area at about 1.30pm and then at the National Memorial several kilometres away shortly before 3pm. Highway battle

I believe you captured the whole point with that statement - from our point of view. Quite often their point of view is completely different and just as often what we are offering is not what they want. "All that you wanted, he would not even take." - Anne Baxter (Nefretiri), 'The Ten Commandments'

The CNN web site has posted an article with some of the latest information concerning the protests. There is also a video with Christiane Amanpour interviewing Abhisit, all in English. I think it is well worth watching. You'll find it at: Thai forces, protesters clash in Bangkok - CNN.com

The latest information includes shots (rubber bullets) and tear gas being fired at Red-Shirts by the military. Details are sketchy at the time I'm writing this post because that occurred less than 90 minutes ago. There is also a report that the police have closed down the Don Muang expressway, which is the expressway leading to Don Muang airport and also one of the main routes to points north of Bangkok and from the north into Bangkok and Pattaya.

Me too. I said it many times before - I'm no economist and I know almost nothing about how these things work, but I would think it would take billions, not millions of baht to have a dramatic effect on exchange rates. The baht weakened slightly today, but certainly nothing significant.

That's a very good question, Patexpat. Several farang friends have expressed anxiety over what may happen. Some who reside here, but are currently out of the country are delaying their plans to return. My own feeling is I'm not feeling any anxiety at all. Here in Pattaya you would hardly know any of this is happening without reading about it in the media or watching it on television. I don't feel that I am in any danger and so far I have no reason to believe it will come to that even if things escalate further. I know of no indication that this unrest includes any of the opposing parties having any ill feelings toward farang. Indeed, from what I have read farang who do venture into those areas have been treated with great courtesy. I have seen no reports of farang being intentionally mistreated in any way. If anything, I feel inconvenienced because I think despite the orders to crack down on the Red-Shirt roadblocks and illegal searches, they're going to defy that and block roads and force searches anyhow. They seem to be defying just about everything else, so I think there's a good possibility of them defying that too. The inconvenience for me is delayed travel plans because I don't want to get stuck in the traffic jams. Other than that, I feel fine and other than delayed travel plans, my life hasn't been affected one iota. I'll start getting nervous if and when something occurs to cause it.

Then I'll help you. It means the sentence I quoted in my post above. I felt that was totally uncalled for and I am offended by it. You wrote that is still my "favorite saying." I publicly and sincerely apologized to you for it July 29 of last year. I asked you when the last time I used that "favorite saying" was. You did not answer. Now I'll carry it a step further and ask you how many times I've ever used it. Why, nearly a year later, are you throwing it in my face now?

Is it? When was the last time I used that saying? DanT wants to compare what I do on this board to what I do on Baht-Stop. Baht-Stop has a different set of rules from this board and I do use very cutting terminology on Baht-Stop, but I'm not violating their rules. They freely permit it. In most, I grant you not all, but in most cases my cutting posts are responses to completely unprovoked personal attacks directed at me. I'm criticized for using those kinds of terms when I post on Baht-Stop, but I have yet to ever see those same critics chastise the other people who do precisely the same thing and usually are the ones who start it. Just me in the wrong, but the others who post flames and start those kinds of posts . . . that's perfectly ok? Who is the real hypocrite? This board has its own set rules and they are enforced at the discretion of the moderators. If some of these posters get their jollies through shitting on me on other boards, that's up to them and the moderators of those other boards, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let them shit on me, or anyone else, here. They love to dish it out, but when it comes to taking it . . . well, you really don't need me to finish that sentence, do you? You think I owe an apology? You're entitled to your opinion, but I decide for myself when to apologize. You may recall when I publicly apologized to you. I decided that for myself because I felt I owed you an apology. So now here you are making uncalled for remarks directed toward me. In DanT's case, I think he's the one who needs to apologize to me, but I already know that will never happen.

Wouldn't it be great to know? BoT says the reason the baht is maintaining such strength is money is still flowing into Thailand, but not flowing out. If money starts flowing out, then the value of the baht will decrease. I think the main question is why money isn't flowing out. The only two reasons I can come up with is that investors still think Thailand is a good investment or that investors would like to sell their assets and move their money out, but can't find people who want to buy, which means they're stuck.

My preference is this one: Siam Commercial Bank Currency Exchange Rates

Several stories have emerged today. In brief, the government has vowed that the protesters will no longer be allowed to infringe on the rights of others and will no longer be allowed to break the law at will. Protesters setting up roadblocks will be immediately arrested. Several have already been sentenced to 15-day jail terms. The Skytrain (BTS) has resumed service, but only operate from 6:00am to 8:00pm until further notice. CRES (Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation) has authorized use of live ammunition if soldiers feel threatened or if mobs approach within 30 meters. _____ Skytrain Ruled Out to Transport Troops Blockades ordered to stop protest spreading Published: 28/04/2010 The government is denying accusations that it plans to use the skytrain to launch a crackdown at Ratchaprasong intersection after a group of red shirts paralysed the service by blocking the rail track at Chidlom station yesterday. Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn yesterday said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) had not considered accessing the rally site by the skytrain, which runs above Ratchaprasong intersection. But a source at the CRES contradicted Mr Panitan's remarks, saying there was a plan to use the skytrain to bring in soldiers to disperse the crowd. Skytrain ruled out to transport troops __________ Gov Warns of Tough Action By The Nation Published on April 28, 2010 PM: We won't allow demonstrators to leave Rajprasong site and cause confusion in city The government yesterday warned of tough action against the red-shirt protesters, saying the authorities would no longer tolerate mobs wreaking havoc by illegally setting up road checkpoints and causing unrest in many areas of the country. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who heads the government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, said police and soldiers would take action against red-shirt supporters violating the law at will. "The government has intensified measures against the red shirts, because they have created a situation of unrest by setting up checkpoints that infringe on other people's rights," Suthep said. "We cannot talk to these people any longer." He warned that any protesters found setting up illegal checkpoints would be arrested immediately. Gov warns of tough action __________ Red Shirts Get 15 days in Jail Published: 27/04/2010 The Thanyaburi Court on Tuesday sentenced 11 leaders of the red shirts who blocked Phayon Yothin highway on Monday evening and checked citybound vehicles to prevent police and soldiers from entering Bangkok, to 15 days each in jail without suspension. Red shirts get 15 days in jail __________ CRES Okays Live Rounds against Protesters By The Nation Published on April 28, 2010 The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, in preparation for dispersing the anti-government protesters from the Rajprasong area, yesterday said security forces could fire live bullets if they felt threatened at close range. "If an attacker comes within 100 metres, officials will fire tear gas first, but if he comes closer, within 30 metres, guns may be fired," said spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd. CRES okays live rounds against protesters

Yes, the opportunity . . . if he wants it. But some well-meaning farang just about force it even when the boy makes it clear that he doesn't want to go. That's when the trouble starts and the boy and the farang usually both end up miserable. I would offer him the opportunity, but let him make his own decisions. If he says he doesn't want to go, then I wouldn't try to browbeat him into it. I think a major consideration should be taking an honest look at who it's really for - the boy or one's self.

Baht's Ok but Tourism Suffers Published: 27/04/2010 The escalating political crisis has not affected the value of the Thai currency, Bank of Thailand (BOT) deputy governor Bandit Nijthaworn said on Tuesday. "The baht's value has not been hit by the political turmoil as there are no capital outflows at this time. "In contrast, the Thai currency has appreciated as a result of continuous capital inflows to the Thai stock and bond markets," Mr Bandit said. Thailand's credit rating had been recently downgraded but it should not affect the interest rates of foreign loans to the country, he said. "But the interest rates could rise if the country's credit rating continues dropping because of higher risk," he said. The central bank will evaluate the overall economy along with the effects on this year's economic growth and will announce its economic projection on Friday. Baht's ok but tourism suffers

Before you can even think about taking him back with you, first he has to be able to get a visa. I'm not Canadian, so I don't know how difficult it would be for him to even be able to get a visa. Assuming he succeeds in getting a visa, your main issue seems to be food. Are there any Asian grocery stores near you where he can get the foods he likes? Are there any Thai restaurants? Another problem is what he would do with himself all day if you're not around. In Thailand, as a farang life is much easier. So much is in English and plenty of people speak English. Even a lot of television is in English and movies in English have Thai subtitles. Being an English speaking farang in Thailand is not very much of a problem. But how about him? It must be far more difficult to be a Thai in Canada than it is to be a Canadian in Thailand. How difficult will it be for him to go out and do things? What about friends? And if you have experience in Thailand then you are probably aware of how important being within range of the family is. He may love it or he may hate it. If it were me, if he is able to get a visa I would take him for a month, making sure he has space to try doing things on his own as well as with you. That ought to tell the tale and a month should be enough time to see how well he likes being in Canada. Another thing for you to think about - are you sure he really wants to go? Over the years I've heard many stories about well-intentioned farang taking their boyfriends back to their home country. In many cases the outcome was the boyfriend was back in Thailand within a few months, broke and disillusioned. Not that such a thing would necessarily happen in your case, but something you should really think about is whether taking him to Canada is truly for his benefit or for your own.

There are several of these stories appearing. Here are links to some of them: Red shirts block highways University lecturer complain red shirts try to search students' test papers Red-shirt checkpoints arouse anger in provinces Abhisit has ordered the police to break up these illegal roadblocks within three days and supposedly the police have agreed to do so. Of course, it remains to be seen whether anything really will be done or whether Thailand degenerates further in a direction toward anarchy and civil war.

It's hard to know what a different outcome might have been, but I can understand someone bringing along a friend the first time until he gets to know you better. I have a feeling that he may have had previous frightening experiences and learned not to take any chances with someone he doesn't know all that well just yet. If you were wrong about anything, I would say you were wrong to take it personally. I think he would have done that with anyone. I would also say he was wrong for not having asked or informed you first that he is coming with a friend. Looking at it from another perspective, did you consider the possibility that he may have been interested in a threesome? I'm not joking about that. Maybe that was the reason for bringing along a friend. However, under any circumstances I think he was wrong to bring someone else along without letting you know that was what he intended to do. I would have given him another chance and would have told him this time I want to see him alone. Several months ago I had somewhat of a similar experience. A boy from Bangkok with whom I had been chatting online and by telephone said he would like to come to Pattaya and spend the weekend with me. He brought along a friend too and I had no idea he was going to do that. I met him at the bus terminal and nearly told him to take the next bus back, but instead I decided to go for it. It turned out to be a great weekend. We had a lot of fun together and I'm glad I did it. You know who was the one who came on to me? The friend!

I hope you're right, but things keep getting worse every day. I have been reading news reports that now in several areas the Red-Shirts have set up road blocks and are forcing people to stop and have their cars searched, which is completely illegal. Only the police have the right to stop and search vehicles. The reports say that the Red-Shirts can be sued for such actions, but I don't know how practical that would be to do. Who would you sue? What it amounts to is use of illegal intimidation tactics. If you are traveling by car and are subjected to one of these searches, I don't know what you could really do about it. I don't think I would be afraid of being physically harmed, but I can certainly envision the possibility of having valuables stolen. It is certainly making me think twice about planning trips by car any time soon.

Don't leave us in suspense . . . after you got it back did you make any "arrangements" ?