TotallyOz

There comes a point when an admin has to make decisions to allow the board to move forward. Of our last 50 reports on threads, 42 have been about one poster. The moderators and I have read each one of them and discussed them and found few of them had any real issues other than anger and hatred for one poster. The vast majority of these "reports" were without merit and from a few posters with an agenda to get rid of a poster. While we do not feel that that the poster has egregiously violated our rules, we do feel his presence here causes irreparable harm to the site and have thus banned him from the site. We have a great group of posters on this site and hope that you will enjoy this site as we put a great deal of effort into making it a site for everyone to enjoy. Please try to welcome all members of the site and make them feel a part of "our family."

Thank you Lucky. Much appreciated. As you know, I love this site and it has been my baby for many many years. Love the guy in the photo. But, no phone number or email for him?

I chose that guy for the tats for that site. He is handsome isn't he?

g. we did that for you only. I was considering putting a little link there when you actually logged in that would take you immediately to girly sites with big tits and even bigger asses but I thought a bit too much so we just did the "Not that password moron!"

I love PENULTIMATE. I have not heard of the recording one but I had one similar but hate it so I'll give yours a try. Many on your list I don't know so I'll take a look at them. Thanks.

One thread has been moved to the Moderator Forum. It will be returned when and if the mods make that decision.

I agree with Rogie. I'd pay it and make sure he "knew" it was a one time thing. However, if that money is not going to kill you, it may help him a great deal.

I'll be honest, the first time I was there I thought it was the most heavenly place in Thailand. It was just so relaxing and beautiful!

I have some hotels in Thailand that I just love. This is one of them. I stayed there the first time back in 2008 and have been there 4 times since. It is just lovely. The place is beautiful and the staff is amazing. It is very relaxing and you get your own bungalow. The resort is directly on the sea and therefore, you get some great sound and fun times. The rates for this place is also very reasonable. I loved the pool and also the outdoor showers. I also love the massage facility on site. I was there everyday. I highly recommend this place! Ideal for a break on the way to Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan’s full-moon party. Bankrut often reminds the famous serene Hua Hin beach in the old days, thanks to its wide, clean and long beach, around ten kilometres length. It’s half and hour from Koh Talu island, 1st spot for snorkeling in the south. Note that it’s perfect for a stop on your trip to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan and Koh Phuket. From their site: Keeree Waree Seaside Villa & Spa is located on the virgin beach of Ban Krut (sometimes spelt Ban Krood or Baan Grood ) in Bangsaphan, Prachuapkhirikhan Province, only 1.30 hr. from Hua Hin and Pranburi. The beach resort is nestled in a small community where the local residents still maintain their sea-nomad ways of life. Under a peaceful atmosphere of Ban Krut beach, with pristine natural surroundings, you can relax and let yourself be lulled by the magic of the sea, streams, forests, and mountains, whether it’s under full moon sky or during starry nights; thereby the poetic meaning of KeereeWaree. Bankrut reminds the famous Hua Hin beach in the old days, thanks to its serene, clean and long beach, around ten kilometres length. It’s half and hour from Koh Talu island, 1st spot for snorkeling in the south. It’s perfect for a stop on your trip to Koh Samui or Koh Phuket. If you are looking for a retreat place for vacation or even wedding venue, this Bankrut beach resort, with a yesterday Huahin atmosphere, will definitely be ideal! http://www.keereewaree.com/

Expat, I have watched it again and I think the person behind this was the guy now in charge, Mandy Patinkin. I think he and his wife had something to do with this. She is Muslim. I think he had the car pulled around and was on the ship in order to have cover for the explosion.

Season 2 was fantastic and I really did enjoy it. I do wonder if Brody actually set off the bomb at CIA. I think he must have been him and Carrie helped him escape.

Well deserved. He had a great year. I was hoping it would be Bill Clinton but I am very happy with this choice.

It was cancelled but season 8 will be in 2013 and that is the last season. The network producers wanted it to end but Showtime wanted them to do Season 7 and 8. This year was Season 7 and next year is confirmed to be the end and season 8.

I have never been to one of these events in Thailand but I have been to many in Montreal, USA and Brazil. My favorite ones are the Montreal Black and Blue party and New York's Black Party. I am a bit older now than when I was going before and I don't think I could do the all night thing on a regular basis. But, it looks like a lot of fun. Has anyone ever done this?

I have been coming to Pattaya for many years and when I first arrived, Come In Bar was my beer bar of choice. I was there everytime I was in Sunee Plaza. I only spent more time in other bars when the guys I have been friendly with started working at another bar. It is pretty amazing how often we find one place and just stay there isn't it? I find Corner Bar very enjoyable and friendly. The wait staff is great and the pool table there is quite fun. I have had so many good times in this bar. It is also a great view of the entire Plaza as the boys all walk by the bar.

See Attached.

The Healthiest Veggies Getting healthy and losing weight is an important part of most of our lives. We want to look and feel our best. We know that eating right and exercising are an important part of that process. The problem is that we never learn exactly what we need to do to stay healthy. It's one thing to tell people to “eat healthy and exercise.” But that won't help people if they don't know how to do it! And let's face it - nobody teaches us in school how to really be healthy. We just have to try to figure it out on our own. But the bottom line is that what you eat can have a huge effect on your overall health and your weight. Our experts were quick to point out that not all vegetables are created equal, and were happy to tell us which ones they recommend to those who are serious about their health. • Broccoli. This is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. It has a ton of antioxidants than can help prevent stomach, lung and rectal cancers. Broccoli is also great for your immune system. It has beta carotene, vitamin C and folate. This means it reduces your chances of getting a cold! It should be a regular part of any healthy person's diet. • Carrots. They don't just help with your eyesight, though your mom was right that they can help you maintain your vision as you get older. But they are also packed with vitamin A, which can help your skin and hair look super healthy. Studies have shown they are very good for your cardiovascular system as well. And they have a ton of vitamin C to help you fight off the flu. All in all, they are an awesome addition to any diet plan you want to go on. • Onions. While onions may not be great for your breath, they are wonderful for your health. Some studies have shown they can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Even better for women, they contain a peptide that slows the body's loss of calcium, meaning that they can help prevent osteoporosis. • Bell Peppers. Peppers are very healthy. Some studies, in fact, have shown that they may reduce the risk of lung, colon, pancreatic and bladder cancer. They are also said to help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Bell peppers are also a good source of lycopene and folic acid. And, they come in a lot of fun colors for you to choose from! • Spinach. Popeye was right: If you want to fight to the finish, make sure that you eat your spinach. It has a wide range of vitamins and minerals. In fact it's helpful in preventing everything from heart disease to colon cancer, arthritis and osteoporosis, and has anti-aging properties as well. • Eggplant. Also called aubergines, they are great for helping protect your cardiovascular system. The antioxidants in eggplants are believed to help protect your brain cells from environmental damage, too. They have fiber that can help flush toxins from your body. Some studies have also shown they can protect you from dementia as you get older. People who make eggplant a part of their diet are also less likely to suffer from strokes. • Squash. All forms of squash, from pumpkins to summer squash, are great for your body. Squash is recommended for people who are worried about asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is loaded with vitamin C to help boost your immune system. It is rich in fiber. Squash is also loaded with potassium and magnesium, which means that it can even help you get over a hangover if you've been out on the town and had one too many drinks over the course of the night! • Brussels Sprouts. These aren't just mini cabbages. They are rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. They are a great source of folic acid, which is important for any woman who is pregnant or thinking about trying to become pregnant. Their high fiber content can help prevent bloating and help keep you regular. • Tomatoes. People can argue back and forth about whether or not tomatoes are a vegetable or a fruit – but at the end of the day, what really matters is how incredibly important they are as part of any balanced diet. They contain a lot of lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent a wide variety of cancers. They help naturally lower your blood pressure. They can help you keep the free radicals in your body in check. They are also a rich source of vitamins A and K. Overall, they are one of nature's perfect foods – and they taste great! • Sweet Potatoes. Some people call them yams, but a sweet potato by any other name is still as sweet. The iron in them helps give your body more energy, which is important if you want to seriously work out. They are good for your digestive system and full of fiber. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins A and K and are a good source of manganese. So, don't just eat sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving. Make them a regular part of your diet! All of these veggies not only taste great, but are incredibly healthy. If you can include them in your diet on a regular basis, you'll be helping your body work at its peak potential. That will make it easier for you to feel good and exercise, which will make you even healthier and help you lose weight. Best of all, they can be incorporated in lots of tasty meals and will provide enough variety in your diet so that you'll never get bored. So, remember, eat your veggies – but eat the right ones!

Totally agree with Koko. The gogo bars don't get going until 9 or 10. So, enjoy a few beer bars and perhaps even get some food in the area so you can watch the foot traffic go by. I always enjoy that a great deal. I like the food at Oud's Bar and they have a great pulled pork sandwich. There is also a restaurant down that same Soi, slightly past the old Monty's swimming pool and next to All of Me which my friends like and has a great view of the Plaza. Most of all, go and just relax and as the area is low key and enjoyable. If you pick a boy or two to play pool in the area, you will also have a blast. Good luck and report back here and let us know what you think.

In a separate thread on BoyzBoyzBoyz, a poster suggested that 11,000 views for that thread seem high. Anyone can see the most view threads from the main area of this forum by clicking on Most Viewed. There are several in the high 20,000 range. This is the result of google. I remember many years ago, I wrote a thread about Ping Pong Pussy in Pattaya and I logged into the site and saw a ton of people reading that months old thread. I thought that was very odd so I did a search for Ping Pong Pussy and this site was at the top of that and all these people came from Google to here to read the thread. I doubt we are still high up in that keyword listing but it happens often with this site as the search engines know it is a credible site with consistent reliable information. I am always most fascinated to see where things rank and who views what.

Transportation in Gay Thailand Thailand is a beautiful place to visit and you know you'll have fun hitting all the host bars, go-go clubs and smoking hot discos. But, how exactly do you get around town or from city to city? Part of the joy of visiting a foreign country is learning the local transportation system, but it can also be very frustrating if you don't know what you are doing. The good news is that many people in Thailand do speak English (with the obvious exception of the cab drivers), so you can always find someone to ask for help. Still, it's good to have some basic information at your fingertips before you arrive just so you can feel more comfortable and have some idea what you are doing. After all, you don't want to spend your entire trip in your hotel room! Here is a brief overview of what you can expect when you are trying to travel around Thailand. Please remember that this guide was written at a given moment in time. Things can change quickly in this part of the world, so it's always a good idea to check with your travel agent to see if there are any important updates: Bangkok International Airport Bangkok International Airport (code BIA) is one of the busiest in Asia, serving more than 16 million passengers a year. It serves more than 70 airlines 24 hours a day including local and western carriers. The airport is fully equipped with bars, restaurants, VIP rooms and all of the other modern conveniences you would expect from a major international airport. It is roughly 21 kilometers from downtown Bangkok. Bangkok Skytrain Bangkok is a very crowded city. It is so crowded, in fact, that you won't want to spend too much time walking from one part of town to the other. Thankfully, in 1999, Bangkok opened the Skytrain, an elevated train system that serves the same function as a subway or metro in other major world cities. The Skytrain has a reputation for being very clean and fast, so it's always a good idea to find out if it is stopping near where you want to go before you decide to walk or take a taxi. Unfortunately, Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with an internal rail system, so if you decide to travel to the other metropolises, you will be stuck with more primitive forms of transportation. Elephants On the other side of the technological spectrum, many Thais, and some tourists travel from village to village on Elephants. While this is not the fastest mode of transportation available, you are bound to get a great view on the back of a pachyderm, and it will give you an interesting story to tell people back home. Recently, Thai officials have banned elephant transportation within the city of Bangkok. Taxis Taxis are plentiful in Bangkok and in the other major cities. They are usually very clean and air conditioned so they can often be a good alternative to trying to walk from one part of a city to another. The downside is that most Thai taxi drivers do not speak, read or vaguely understand even a single word of English. So, if you don't have a Thai speaking guide with you, you could be in trouble. Most hotels have printed cards for both their establishment and popular tourist destinations. What you want to do is hand that card to the taxi driver. He or she will be able to read it and figure out where you need to go. By law Thai taxi drivers have to have the meter running at all times. Yet, some try to cheat tourists by leaving the meter off. Make sure that he or she turns the meter on before you get into the taxi. If he or she refuses, do not get in the cab! Tuk Tuks Tuk Tuks are another interesting travel alternative in major Thai cities. They are similar to taxis, but only have three wheels and only two people can fit inside. On the other hand, they can be much cheaper. Tuk Tuks do not have meters, so you have to negotiate your price in advance to make sure you don't get ripped off. Because they are smaller than taxis they can weave in and out of traffic to help you get where you are going very quickly. Samlor Samlors are currently banned in Bangkok but can still be found in other Thai cities and villages. Essentially they are slow moving bicycle powered rickshaws. They should be avoided if you need to get somewhere quickly, and you need to negotiate your price in advance. For the most part, you want to use a samlor simply so you can have a cool picture to send back to your family and friends back home. Trains The state-run Thailand train system has many things going for it. Speed is not one of them. Compared to the west, these trains go very, very slowly from city to city. The good news is they are cheap and can be very comfortable. When picking a train make sure you select one marked "Special Express." The ones marked "Ordinary" move slower than a virgin on a first date. Also decide what class you want to ride in. Third Class is a horrible cesspool of wooden benches that you will probably want to avoid if you have any respect for yourself at all. Second Class is similar to what you would expect on a modern train system, complete with reclining seats. First Class is still reasonably priced and will provide you with a private air conditioned cabin. Sleeper trains can be a very good deal and you can get both dinner and breakfast on the train itself. Inner City Buses Buses in the major cities come in all shapes and sizes. Some are large modern western style buses. Others more closely resemble flat bed pick up trucks. They are all dirt cheap, but if you don't speak Thai it may be nearly impossible for you to figure out where they are going and when. You get what you pay for. Intra City Buses If you don't mind crowds, city-to-city buses can be a great alternative to the slow moving train system. They will get you where you want to go much more quickly for about the same price as a train. On the other hand, they can be very, very crowded, which can lead to an uncomfortable ride. Ferries And Boats Within the major cities you can often hire a ferry or boat to take you where you want to go as long as the river is heading in the right direction. They are dirt cheap and very relaxing, but you will need to keep your eyes open to figure out exactly where you need to get off. If you are in Bangkok you can hire chartered boats to explore the nearby canals. Rental Transportation In most parts of Thailand you can rent bicycles, motorbikes and cars if you want to take charge of your travel experience. For the most part, you are probably better off with the cheaper and safer alternatives of public transportation but we understand that sometimes you just want to get out on your own. That said, renting a bicycle or motorbike is probably a big mistake. You will have to dodge crazy drivers, potholes, goats and assorted dangers beyond your imagination. There are better ways to take your life in your hands. Many foreigners tend to rent the motorcycles and have no problem. Remember that no matter what the company you rent from says, if you break it, you buy it. True insurance is often not true insurance. If you rent a bike and wreck it, be prepared to pay for the repairs or a new bike. That being said, there is a wonderful feeling in riding around most cities on a bike. You will have total control of your itinerary and the city is at your footsteps waiting for you to explore! If you do rent a motorcycle, wear a helmet. It is the law and you will get fined if you don't. Often the fine is 200 baht but if you don't have the cash, they may impound your bike. Also, anyone riding with you is required to wear a helmet. We cannot tell you the number of times we have been stopped because the boy on the back of the motorcycle wanted to hold his helmet and not mess up his hair. J Make sure all that are with you have the helmet on! Renting a car is obviously safer, but is apt to be very expensive and if you get lost, it may be hard for you to find someone who speaks English to guide you home. If you do rent a car you will need an international driver's license.

Underage Sex in Gay Thailand Rightly or wrongly, Thailand has gotten a reputation as being a Mecca for underage sexual activity. While it is true that you can purchase guys of nearly any age in Thailand from sleazy pimps, you should avoid doing so at all costs. In the wake of increased international pressure, Thailand has started cracking down on the child sex industry. If you get caught you will get arrested and your government will not want to help you. Even worse, your name and address may become public which means you could ruin your career and your relationship with your family and friends. Even worse, the United States has now started enforcing laws against United States citizens traveling abroad to have sex wit minors. That means that even if you don't get in trouble in Thailand, you might get arrested when you step off the plane in America. Thailand had hundreds of thousands of guys that you can rent for the evening. Many look young and if you need to live out a sex fantasy, please do so with an 18 year old guy who has an ID that says 18. Don't be a fool and go to jail for dipping under this age! We want you to be able to keep coming back to Thailand. We also want you to stay out of prison. We assure you that Thai prison is not like that of most civilized countries and 15 years in jail here could be a death sentence. Having sex with children is not only illegal; it is a taboo for most people. Don't throw your life away. Only have sex with guys who are at least 18. Your life depends on it.

Muay Thailand Boxing So, two well muscled guys step into a ring shirtless. Soon they are getting sweaty and furiously trading blows back and forth. Their biceps ripple, their asses move tightly under their short shorts and testosterone fuels the air. It's no surprise that one of the most popular sports among the gay community in Thailand is Thai Boxing, known locally as Muay Thai. It is by far the most homoerotic spectacle you are apt to find anywhere in the world. Because Thai boxers are allowed kick with their feet and use their elbows, Muay Thai requires a lot more skill than western boxing and can seem to be a much more brutal show. Yet, there is often a level of respect between the fighters that makes it a more honorable sport than the pugilism you may be used to back home. And, rather than the rap or heavy metal music that plays at many American matches, you will often hear traditional wood winds and chimes at a boxing match in Thailand! What you may not know is that Muay Thai is part of Thailand's ancient heritage. Thai Boxing In History Traditional Thai boxing goes back hundreds of years and has been an important part of the country's history. Many people are surprised that Thais, a notoriously peaceful people, excel at this beautifully brutal sport. The reason they do so is that for hundreds of years the survival of their nation depended on it. Because the terrain on the Thailand borders is often rough and uneven, it was not in the Thai's advantage to develop long range weapons to ward off invaders. Instead they decided to create a close hand to hand style of fighting that would lead to battles that favored the defenders over the invading armies who would never understand the local terrain as well as the patriots they were fighting. As long ago as the mid 1500s, the celebrated warrior king Naresuan The Great a boxing legend made Muay Thai a mandatory part of his army's military training. Perhaps the most famous instance of Thai boxing in the countries history came 200 years later when the warrior Nai Khanom Tom was kidnapped by Burma during a raid on Siam's capitol. After he was captured he made a challenge to his Burmese captors. If he could take on 10 of their best fighters at once and win, Burma would free him and his people. Thinking that they would easily prevail, the Burmese agreed. Nai Khanom then used his Muay Thai skills to defeat all 10 adversaries and return to Thailand as one of the nation's greatest heroes! Modern Muay Thai For much of its history Muay Thai was a brutal dangerous sport. It was raw hand to hand combat with ropes and cords wrapped around the hands instead of gloves. As Thailand has entered the modern age, the rules have changed slightly to protect the fighters, who now wear padded gloves and protection for their groins. While boxers can still use their elbows and feet during the match most of the other rules have been modified to comply with international boxing regulations. This has allowed the popularity of Muay Thai to spread throughout the world and today you can find Thai Boxing training centers in most of the western world including the United States and Russia. In Thailand itself Muay Thai is even more popular than soccer and is broadcast on television five to seven nights a week. Many of the fighters begin training when they are only seven or eight years old and some have made the move to western style boxing and become international stars in their own right! The best modern Muay Thai combatants fight in the Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen stadiums to a universally packed audience. If you want to see a fight and not have to face very long lines, your best bet is to go to one of the stadiums around 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday when attendance is at its lowest point for the week. There are usually several lower ranked fights before the main event which you can expect to kick off around 9 p.m. The Rules Of course, Muay Thai has its own unique set of rules which may be confusing at first to a western spectator. Before the fight can begin, each fighter must perform a wai khru dance as a way to show respect for his teachers and trainers. There are only five rounds. Boxers must wear gloves. The gloves must weigh at least six ounces. Gloves can not be squeezed in any way that would alter their original shape. Each round is three minutes long and there is a two minute break in between rounds. The winner is decided by knockout or by points. Whoever wins the most rounds wins the fight. Contestants can only wear red or blue trunks. Shirts and shoes are not allowed. Both fighters must wear groin protection. Before the fight a sacred cloth called the Mongkol may be worn as a headband. It must be removed before the fighting begins. The cloth is worn to pay homage to the fighter's trainers and heritage. It is also thought to give the fighter good luck. All equipment must be provided by the stadium. This includes a stopwatch, a signal gong, a warning bell, boxing gloves, water, jock straps and surgical tape. The Rules Some men, after watching these beautiful guys pummel each other in the ring are tempted to learn the sport themselves. While that used to be impossible as local trainers for centuries would only train local Thai men starting from a young age, all that changed in 1997. That's when the World Muay Thai Council established the first recognized training academy for the sport. The Muay Thai Institute in Rangsit, just north of Bangkok was created as a way to make this cherished sport accessible to everyone and preserve its fabled heritage. All of the teachers at the institute are former champions and they are required to speak English. They will teach anyone and everyone including women and foreigners. The course covers most of the historical and cultural background of Muay Thai as well as the physical skills and fitness training. You can take classes to learn how to be a referee or on how to start your own stadium or training program. Dormitories are available but you might be considerably more comfortable taking a nearby hotel for your 15 day stay. The first three levels of training cost roughly $160 per course, while the fourth, expert level course is much more rigorous and costs about $1,200. School management can help you with any student visa issues that may pop up. Come And Enjoy The Show Whether you want to just sit back and watch the hot guys fight, or if you want to lace up your gloves and join in yourself, Thai boxing is something no gay guy should miss on any trip to Thailand. We hope to see by the ring, stud!

The Plane is a Pain in Gay Thailand There is only one major downside to planning a visit to Thailand the plane ride. From most western countries the flight can be at least 24 if not 28 or 30 hours long. Being in the air for that amount of time is never fun even if you are flying first class. While it's true that the food on long haul flights is generally better than you would expect, you can only eat so often. No matter what happens you will be delighted when your plane finally touches down in Bangkok and you get to stretch your legs. Still, there are some things you can do to make your trip less of a torture: Try not to drink. Alcohol dehydrates you. Plus, booze can affect you more strongly when you are in a pressurized cabin. It also makes it harder to get a good sleep and can make you feel disoriented when you arrive. It's best to skip the booze until you are safely in your hotel room. Book your flight early and request an aisle seat. You do not want to get stuck in the middle row on a 28 hour flight ever. Walk around the plane. Sitting in one place all day can not only be uncomfortable, it can be bad for your health. Get up on a regular basis and walk around the plane to keep your circulation flowing. Buy a portable DVD player. Airline movies almost always suck. These days you can buy your own portable DVD player for less than $100. Then you can choose what you want to watch. A great idea is to buy an entire season of one of your favorite television shows. West Wing, 24, Queer As Folk and The Sopranos are all available on DVD and will kill many hours of flight time. Ask your doctor if you can take Ambien. This prescription drug can help you sleep for hours with minimal side effects. If you are a smoker, go to the pharmacy and buy a nicotine patch. You don't want to go crazy dying for a cigarette. Keep a change of clothes in your carry on bag in case your luggage gets lost. If you can afford it get a business class seat. It really does make a difference. Most of the airlines offer mileage upgrades if you buy a full coach fare. It is most definitely worth the spent miles to have a first class seat on such a long journey. The ability to actually lay down and relax will not only make a difference on your body but on how you adjust to the new time changes once in Thailand. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes. The plane is not a place to make a fashion statement. It's a place to kill time. Stretch at the gate before you get on the plane so your muscles are as relaxed as possible. One of the best things to take on a place is an Ipod. If you like music, this may bring you solace enough to make the journey much better for you. On my last 6 or 7 trips to Thailand, I noticed more of more of these things on each trip. While most airlines do have music and video built into their planes, you have to rely on their selection. If you bring your own entertainment, you will have what you need at your fingertips.

Thai Visa Once you get to Thailand you know you will have a gay old time. But, you can't start joining in the fun until you get permission to enter the country. Submitting a visa application is not difficult but you must make sure you do it right. It would be awful to have a trip planned and then have to cancel simply because you did not have the right paperwork. Countries, including the United States, require most visitors to have visas in order to make sure that they will not become a burden on the local economy. In other words, the government does not want to have to pay money to take care of you should you not have enough money to live. They also want to make sure that you are not a criminal and that you don't pose any danger to the country you are visiting. If you are flying from the United States or the UK and a Few Other places, and are only staying in Thailand for a short period of time less than 30 days in most cases you won't need to apply for a visa in advance. Most people, however, stay in Thailand for at least that long if not longer. It takes so long to fly to the country that once you are there you will want to stay awhile! Short Or Long Term Stays When you apply for a Thai visa, you will be allowed to stay for at least 60 days and be able to take multiple 60 day trips. If you apply for a long term visa you will be allowed to stay for at least 90 days. Both visas can be extended once you are in Thailand. Most Expats who live in Thailand and are not on Retirement Visas, will get a dual entry 60 day Visa. This allows them to stay for 60 days and go to the Immigration Office in Thailand and get a 30 day extension. After the 90 days, they have to leave the country but only to cross a boarder and get the stamp and then return. Many will take a cheap bus trip to Cambodia or Laos in order to get the stamp. But, from Bangkok, you are a short flight away from some amazing places in Asia. Airfare is relatively inexpensive and a quick jaunt to a foreign country for the weekend is a nice way to get a change of place and see different cultures. You can apply for your visa either in person or by mail through the nearest Thailand embassy. In order to have your visa approved you will have to submit several different documents if you forget any one document your visa application will be rejected so pay attention stud! First off, you need to send them a valid copy of your passport. This is done to make sure you are who you say you are. Next you need to fill out a copy of the Thailand Visa Application form. You can download and print a form here: http://www.thaiembdc.org/forms/app_form.html With the form you must send two passport photos measuring two inches by two inches square. The photos have to be taken on a light background. Because these photos are your main form of identification you can not be wearing a hat or sunglasses in the photos or you will be rejected! You Have To Pay If You Want To Play! Depending on which visa you are seeking you will have to send money to cover the cost of your application. If you are getting your visa from the embassy you will have to pay for your application in cash. If you are submitting your application by mail you will have to pay with a money order. Checks and credit cards are not accepted. A tourist (short term) visa application costs $25. A long term (non immigrant visa) application costs $50. If you are sending the application by mail you have to include a self addressed stamped envelope for them to send you your passport and visa back in. The post office can let you know how much the postage should be. In addition to the regular post you are asked to include an additional 37 cent stamp. This covers any mail they may need to send to confirm your application information. When you apply for a long stay visa you must tell the embassy what you will be doing in Thailand so that they can give full consideration to your application. Retirement If you are over 50 and wish to retire in Thailand there are specific regulations that you will have to follow. In general the most important qualification is that you do not have a criminal record in either your home country or Thailand. Basically, the requirement is that you have 800,000 baht or about $20,000 US in a Thai bank and have proof of income. There is a great article on www.GayButton.com that details his experience in getting his Retirement Visa. The complete list of requirements are found here: http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/retirementvisa.html Plan Ahead! You will not get your visa application processed right away. If you apply in person at the embassy it will still take a minimum of 48 hours to process your application. If you apply by mail it will take at least a week so apply early! Know When You Are Going To Go! Once you have your visa you must begin using it within 90 days or you will have to apply again. That means you should purchase your tickets before you apply for your visa, so you don't risk having to pay the application fees twice. Just Do It! Now stop wasting time reading this! We want to meet you on the beach! Go out and get your Thailand visa, stud!

Thai Toilets If this is your first visit to the East, you may be terrified the first time you walk into a toilet in Thailand. Inside you will not find a sink, a stall or anything you would normally expect to find in a bathroom. Instead you will find a gaping hole in the ground with two ceramic footprints on either side. Your horror will mount when you notice that there is no toilet paper anywhere. It's much worse if you are barefoot and just coming from the beach. The good news is that the toilets are clean and functional. They just work differently than ours. Over in the corner of the toilet you should see a jug of clean water. Next to the jug should be either access to a stream or else a faucet. What you do is squat over the hole and crap. If it's your first time you might want to take off your pants completely in order to avoid soiling yourself. With practice you will get your aim down. Then you ladle water out of the barrel to clean your ass. Next you ladle more water into the toilet to get rid of the evidence. Do not let anything dirty get into the jug of water other people will need to use it too! If you decide to bring your own toilet paper, do not shove it in the hole. It will clog up. Instead put it in the wastebasket.