Gaybutton

Sounds like we're missing some good stories. What happened?

Exactly! I also don't understand why people seem to think I am saying it's best to come to Thailand and then get on the Internet. It's very simple to make arrangements long before coming. And for those already in Thailand for a holiday, if it's a rainy day or you're looking for a daytime hookup, the personals sites can be a good way to spend some time before the bars open for the evening. Another thing to think about - not everyone who comes to Thailand even goes to the cities where the gay bars exist. The personals sites can come in very handy when in other areas.

Six places you never thought you could afford - USATODAY.com

Everybody is different. I like Bordeaux, but I like Chez Vickie much more. Besides, I can always use another gown . . .

Other than myself, I know only 3 other farang who love Songkran. Are we alone? Anybody else out there besides us enjoy Songkran, especially in Pattaya?

Maybe later you'll get another Email from them saying "April fool."

Doesn't anyone get the point? I agree too, but that's an entirely different issue from the one I'm talking about.

Tuesday, April 6 is Chakri Day, a public holiday celebrating the founding of Thailand's Chakri Dynasty. All banks and government offices will be closed. This holiday does not effect the bars. They all should be open.

As most US citizens know, every ten years a census is done. This year is a census year. I wanted to find out how expats living in Thailand can participate. I called the US embassy. I spoke to the head of American Citizens Services. He said the census applies only to US citizens living within the USA. They do not count US citizens living outside the country. Ok, USA expats . . . we don't count. If only IRS had the same policy . . .

And, as I have already stated on that thread, we'll do it that way from now on.

Sad enough? Ohhhhh, now I get it. Unless people do as you would do, then they're sad and not having fun. I'm sure most people here on holiday would do just as you say If it were me, so would I. But if they walk into one of the bars that has already has virtually no customers, where does the 'fun' part come in? Of course, that has nothing to do with the point I'm making. Even you are saying over half the go-go bars would survive. Half? That doesn't sound very promising to me. Are you saying that the Internet does not and will not have significance and the bars have no need to bother to try to compete with it? "You can afford to be optimistic. I can't." - Field Marshal Rommel, 'Patton'

There. Now we have something we agree about. I always have to admire a man who won't take yes for an answer. Concerning whether I expect you to respect this, are you actually under the impression that this is something personal and that I care about your complaints and am looking for an easy way out? Out of what? If I was looking for the easy way, I would have left the boards and refused to be a moderator years ago instead of sticking around and going through this shit all the time. So, complain all you want. As a matter of fact all your complaints really do is refute the accusations constantly made about me - that I delete the posts from those who dare to disagree with me. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Now, once again we've let a thread about one subject gravitate into an entirely different subject. You can have the last word, and then the thread goes back to the subject of the peace talks. After all, that's the easy way out . . .

What GB has been doing here has been trying to make our readership aware of news items that are probably of interest and significance. What GB has not been doing here has been intentionally or knowingly violating the rights of anyone. I don't know whether you're right or not. But I've already said I'm going to change the method by which I present news items based on what you are saying, despite the fact that we've been posting news articles with sources cited for many years without any problems or legal complaints. It doesn't matter anymore who's right. For the third time, from now on I'll only allow links to the news items and all anyone who's interested has to do is click on them. I'm going to do as you asked. So, what are we arguing about?

I didn't say I agree with you. I said from now on we'll use links instead of copy-and-paste and that's what we'll do. You've made your point and I'm acting on what you said because you very well might be right whether I agree or not. I'm not interested in debating about it. For what? You've convinced me to change the way we post news items. That's what you wanted and that's what you'll have. Is there something more than that you want?

Ok, no prob. From now on it will be links only.

I've had a few people ask when the "big" Songkran day will be in Pattaya this year. It will be Monday, April 19. I think most of you know that about April 12 some of the water splashing will start and will escalate daily until the 19th. Then, somewhere between 7:00pm and 9:00pm on the 19th it will all stop (or at least almost all of it will stop). Some of the bars are announcing they will be closed on the 18th and 19th and some will close on the 17th too. I know many of you loathe and despise Songkran and many who live in Pattaya either hibernate or go elsewhere. Not me. I love it. I'll be out there on the 19th, getting soaked but also having a hell of a time with all those boys shirtless and in wet T-shirts. Some things are worth it . . . Beginning on the 12th I advise you to make sure you protect anything you carry with you that water can damage. Get yourself some Ziploc bags or something before the stores run out of them. If you're traveling to Pattaya at that time, bring some with you. If you happen to be new to Thailand and don't know what takes place during the Songkran holiday, especially here in Pattaya, just get on YouTube, search for Songkran, and you'll quickly know what we're talking about.

Seems like this is one of those times. I wish you luck. I hope the guy does respond. Even better, I hope he calls you personally. Let us know the outcome. I've never flown on Asia Air. I'm wondering how much less expensive they are compared to other airlines. I'm wondering if they are so much less expensive that it's worth taking a chance with them. Have any others out there flown with Asia Air? What kinds of experiences have you had, good or bad?

What makes you so sure you'll get one?

That's the point. There isn't that steady supply anymore and so far I don't see any signs of a major return of that supply. While the go-go bars may be what many consider the better option, you're looking at it from the customer's point of view. From the point of view of the boys, things might be a little different. The way I see it, the handwriting is already on the wall. Consider the number of gay go-go bars that exist today compared to number that existed only five or six years ago. Until recently, I've never seen so many go-go bars with "For Sale" signs on the doors. Look at the numbers of posts from people saying they've been in the bars and were virtually the only customers. There was a time when there were a lot more bars and you could expect all of them to have a good share of customers - customers spending much more money than they're spending today. Add to that the numbers of posts complaining about the rise of drink prices, the off fees, the music volume, pushy mama-sans, the lack of the number of bars that are really fun anymore, etc. Between police harassment and a dwindling number of customers, the whole reason why boys choose to work in the bars is becoming problematic. They work in the bars because they make their money by being taken off. With fewer and fewer customers, the offs for many of the boys are becoming fewer and further between. Couple that with the numbers of posts you see on the various boards coming from people looking for the smallest amount they can get away with when it comes to tipping the boys. Regarding English, that's not a problem for too many of them. They learn at least some English in school and the least of their problems is finding someone to help them communicate on the personals and chat sites. If there is a good potential for making money you might be surprised at how many become very quick learners. Add all of the factors together and I see a rapidly developing problem for the bars. In my own case, while I realize that living here is vastly different from being here on a holiday, I go to the bars a hell of a lot less often than I used to. The way I see it, why should I spend my time and money in bars I don't enjoy, dealing with the prices, the mama-sans, the indifference of the boys, the music volume, and everything else that goes with it when I can find all the boys I want by spending a few minutes on the Internet? I'm by no means alone in that. One argument is that in the bars you can see what you're getting. That is true, but you also need to consider that in the individual bars there are usually 20 to 30 or so boys to choose from. On the Internet there are hundreds. And willing boys can be found online at any hour, any day, 24/7, 365 days a year. I'm not saying that I believe the Internet is going to replace the go-go bars, at least not any time soon, but I can see the competition becoming a significant problem for the bars in the foreseeable future. That's why I believe the bars need to start finding ways to compete with it. Sometimes it seems as if the only people who are unaware of the complaints posted on the various boards are the bar owners. They need to pay attention to these complaints and start doing something about it. They need to realize that for many, boys and customers alike, the Internet is becoming more attractive than their bars. While I believe the majority still prefer the bars, the number of people that prefer the Internet as an alternative is steadily growing and is quickly reaching a point of true significance. I can't help but wonder how many farang who do prefer the bars are also looking for potential hookups on these personals and chat sites. It's about 6:30am in Thailand at the moment. I just got on Gay Romeo and counted the number of boys live, online, at this hour in the Pattaya section alone. I counted 28 and even had one chime in on me while I was counting to try to get me to hook up with him. That tells me something . . .

Don't despair just yet. If the rumor KhorTose heard turns out to be true, maybe they will return with an even better show. Let's hope so.

Are you an attorney? I checked all this out with my own attorney years ago and was clearly told that as long as the source is properly cited, then it is not against the law and not a copyright violation. If you believe that it is, can you post the section of the copyright laws that backs up what you are saying? Meanwhile most of the web sites do things this way and always have. There has never been a problem. Are you trying to cause one? Do you have some personal objection? If GT wants to consult an attorney about it, that's up to him. Until then, we'll just leave things status quo or maybe I'll post links instead of the articles. Links are fair game, aren't they? You may be familiar with another web site on which nearly everything posted is copied news articles, along with their usual put-downs and flames directed toward GT and me. Take those away and that site would be rather empty. You might want to let them know too, although if you're right it would pretty much finish off that particular site.

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You posted this just before 2:00pm. Now it's just after 4:00pm. Did you get the call?

Asia Air has an office on the ground floor of the new Central Festival shopping mall. If you are in Pattaya, you might be better off just going over there personally.

Yes, all valid points indeed. But the thing is that a lot of boys are discovering that they can make as much money, and often quite a bit more, by getting on Gay Romeo, Camfrog, etc. As more and more boys discover this, I can't help but wonder how this might eventually cause problems for the bars. If I was a boy and realized I could make more money by spending a little time on the Internet as opposed to working for several hours in a bar, appearing in my underwear in front of total strangers, most of whom don't take me off, I don't think I would have too much of a problem deciding where to spend my time. Have a look at these sites during the times the bars are open. You'll find a good number of boys who otherwise might be working in the bars spending their time online instead. That's why I'm saying the bars better give serious thought to start coping with this. I believe the Internet has plenty of potential to cause real problems for the bars.