TotallyOz

Somewhere in the world there may be a city with a more seedy reputation, a place more devoted to the sex industry and more notorious as a haven for criminals on the lam. But probably not. When dusk comes to this beach resort, a sea of pink neon bulbs casts a pale glow onto the thickly made-up faces of thousands of women (and some men) who sit on bar stools waiting for their patrons. If Las Vegas is Sin City, Pattaya is a bear hug from Lucifer himself. And yet, amid the back alleys jammed with girlie bars and a beachfront peopled with what the Thais euphemistically call "service women," there are signs of change. Indian couples, Chinese tour groups and vacationing Russian families stroll around the city. A dozen luxury hotels cater to the weekend crowd of wealthy Thais from Bangkok who mingle with tourists at a huge shopping mall. Pattaya has a growing number of fancy restaurants, an annual music festival and, perhaps most improbably, regular polo tournaments. Long derided as a city of sleaze, the city is reaching for respectability. A two-hour drive from Bangkok, Pattaya was little more than a fishing village four decades ago when U.S. soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War discovered a pristine, coral-filled bay. Tens of thousands of lonely soldiers armed with dollars sought respite from the war in a country of relative poverty, lax law enforcement and historically tolerant attitudes toward prostitution. The result was predictable. Pattaya survived the departure of the G.I.'s by expanding into sex tourism. Visitors to Thailand in the 1970s were offered brochures at the Bangkok airport showing pictures of available companions. The booth at the airport no longer exists, but the business lives on: for at least the past decade, men have outnumbered women as tourists in Thailand. They make up about 60 percent of foreign visitors in Thailand compared with 52 percent in nearby, law-abiding Singapore. In recent years the Pattaya tourist industry has sought to diversify its client base. Hotel managers learned that, despite jokes about recession-proof industries, relying heavily on a Western male clientele was unwise at a time when the United States and Europe were buffeted by recession. Tourism agencies now actively seek out visitors from the rising economies of China and India. "There's definitely been a change," said Shyam Anugonda, a 39-year-old lawyer from Bangalore, India, whose first trip to Pattaya was eight years ago, when he was single. "It was more sex oriented before," Mr. Anugonda said as he shopped for Thai fabrics with his wife, Kavitha. This time, Mr. Anugonda's five-day vacation included an elephant show and parasailing. The government is encouraging the rebranding of Pattaya by developing a master plan for the city, including a monorail to help relieve traffic-clogged streets, a redrawn waterfront and a high-speed rail line from Bangkok. The plan is awaiting approval from the Thai cabinet. The police, too, say they are trying to clean up the city's image. "There are people who say Pattaya is the paradise of criminals," said Col. Atiwit Kamolrat, the head of the immigration police. "It's now going to be impossible for them to hide here." His office's Transnational Crime Data Center combs through lists of wanted criminals from foreign governments and cross-references them with hotel registration logs and visa renewal applications. Since the beginning of the year, the office has arrested 12 foreign criminals hiding out in Pattaya, Colonel Atiwit said. Somchet Thinaphong, a board member charged with the city's redevelopment plan at the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration, a government agency, said Pattaya's face-lift would cost 32 billion baht, or about $1 billion. He spoke in generalities about "sustainable development" and making the city more ecologically friendly. But here in Pattaya, officials chuckle derisively at the notion that the city can be totally sanitized. Stamping out Pattaya's sex industry is fantasy, said Niti Kongrut, the director of the Pattaya branch of the Thai government's tourism office. "You talk about sustainable development, how about prostitutes? They have been around for a very long time," Mr. Niti said. "We can't close down the go-go bars. It's a free country. Besides, it makes money." For decades, officials have wrestled with the question of what to do about the seedy side of the city, Mr. Niti said. "Now we just ignore them and try to promote other activities." For visitors who have no intention of partaking in it, the sex industry has become a sort of spectacle, a red-light district that makes its counterparts in other cities seem almost Victorian. Olga Bidenko, 28, a tourist from Ukraine who came to Pattaya with a colleague from the marketing company she works for, said she was entertained by Walking Street, a thoroughfare stretching a kilometer and a half, or about a mile, blocked to motor traffic and packed with bars. Typical of the bars is Sexy Airline, where women dressed in old-fashioned air hostess outfits call out to prospective patrons passing by. "We thought Amsterdam was the sex capital of the world," said Ms. Bidenko, 28. "But now that I've been here, I think Amsterdam is a perfectly respectable city." http://www.nytimes.c...tnt&tntemail1=y

Somewhere in the world there may be a city with a more seedy reputation, a place more devoted to the sex industry and more notorious as a haven for criminals on the lam. But probably not. When dusk comes to this beach resort, a sea of pink neon bulbs casts a pale glow onto the thickly made-up faces of thousands of women (and some men) who sit on bar stools waiting for their patrons. If Las Vegas is Sin City, Pattaya is a bear hug from Lucifer himself. And yet, amid the back alleys jammed with girlie bars and a beachfront peopled with what the Thais euphemistically call

My recent Bangkok to LA trip was fine. But, arriving in LA was a mess. The long wait time to get through Immigration took over 45 minutes. Once I had my bags, the wait time was another 35 minutes. Every time I fly into LA, this is the case. When I go through Detroit the wait time is never this long and if I enter through SF or NY, the wait times are also much less. Do other experience these long wait times for Immigration when returning to the USA? What about other countries? Is it the same time frame to get into the airport?

On my recent trip from Bangkok to USA, I had a First Class or Business Class seat. I used a Gold Certificate for the upgrade so it did not cost me any money other than the economy ticket. The regular cost of the seat is around 4500 US. That is almost 50 percent cheaper than any of the other airlines I have used for Business Class seats. Thai Air seats are comfortable but not flat bed seats. They are not as comfortable as Delta/NWA, Singapore or Cathay Pacific. The Delta Seats are comfortable for me and I have taken them for the majority of the trips I have used. I have also used Singapore and Cathay. I prefer Singapore Business to any of the above but the cost is very high compared to the other airlines. Cathay Pacific would be my next choice. Food on Thai Air Business is good. We were served a great meal with friendly attendants. For the main course on this flight, I had Lobster and the taste was very good. They had tons of liquor and booze for every course and the guy that was sitting next to me took advantage of all of them. The Fast Track for Thai Air is separate from the other Fast Track area. It is a dedicated area for Thai Air only and I have never had to wait in line. It is almost instant access to the airport. The Thai Air nonstop to LA is great and easy to use and the Business Class service makes the flight a breeze. I am interested in trying Qatar for a Business Class service on a future trip as I have heard good things about it.

Perhaps they have had these plastic wraps for ages but this was the first time I noticed them at the airport. The wraps cost 120 baht for any size bag and it basically puts an entire wrap of plastic around your bags. I have had this done in Brazil on every trip and I love the extra security for the bags. It keeps your bags clean but also keeps anyone from opening them. Of course, if you are going to the USA and have an extra connection, TSA may open the plastic and go through everything but if you have a direct flight, they will come out exactly as planned. I have a large case that I carry a 27 inch desktop computer in. I always plastic wrap this at my home before I board any plane to protect it. It was nice that the airport is now doing this as it will save me some time and I will have all my bags wrapped in the plastic. I am sure many think this is a stupid idea but I normally travel over 250,000 miles a year and I can't tell you the number of times I have had a suitcase open half way or things spill out. For me, I love it but I am sure others think it is nuts to spend any money on this. It is worth the 120 baht for me for extra piece of mind. I do wish that the USA airports offered the same thing but after the TSA check. I'll pay the extra fee for a service like that.

I traveled from Bangkok to LA on Thai air a few days ago. There was extra security in place and the check was the longest that I have had in Bangkok. I assume that this was due to the issue on the same flight the week before. They were letting nothing through on the plane and every single person had a nice full pat down. The security through the Fast Track line was also a bit enhanced. They were also taking more precautions there. I have no problem with the extra security and always welcome more and know that safety is always better with a bit more security checks.

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If you are into violence in a comedic style, this movie delivers with a punch. This has to be my most enjoyable movie of the summer. I loved the casting, the plot and all the scenes. I have been in love with Robert Rodriguez and his films for years. But, this one is another great Rodriguez movie that simply packs a great deal into every punch. It is a great all star case staring: * Danny Trejo as Machete * Jeff Fahey * Jessica Alba * Cheech Marin * Michelle Rodriguez * Robert De Niro * Steven Seagal * Don Johnson * Lindsay Lohan * Tom Savini * Electra Avellan If you have a free night, go and see this great movie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIxcVzwLR1k

Yes, this should be great! http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/original-rocky-horror-cast-members-to-appear-on-glee/7637703 Glee will be dosed with some meat on October 26! And not the kind Lady Gaga has fashioned into a dress or a bikini. Singer Meat Loaf, along with actor Barry Bostwick, will be appearing on the October 26 episode of Glee, which will play tribute to the 1975 cult classic, Rocky Horror Picture Show. Meat played Eddie and Bostwick starred as Brad Majors in the film. In this ep of Glee, the pair will play TV station managers who proposition Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester. Sassy! Saucy! Susan Sarandon, who played Jane in Rocky Horror, is rumored to be interested in starring in the episode, but nothing has been confirmed. Let's hope the producers are able to work it out with Sarandon teaming up with Bostwick and Meat Loaf once again 35 years later.

Nice comparison. Personally, although I like both sides, I think I'll take the first photo on the bed with that nice ass. No need to flip for me.

I just sat next to a guy on an airplane for 17 hours. He has businesses in Mexico, China, Thailand, and several other places. He says that the Mexican government is easy to work with and the cost to make the product is cheaper there than anywhere else for their firm. But, he said that he hated to go there even for a visit as all foreigners are targets and that he personally knows people who were kidnapped by their Taxi driver, in their hotels, etc. He says it is just not safe for people to visit and he said this was true for even the upscale beach areas. Does anyone travel there know this to be the case? Is it something that will go away with time?

Yes, very nice. Passes my test with flying colors. But, you do need to be careful young man. Tests are always hard. You may need a private tutor to prepare for the next one.

No, it is not locked. I used it in Thailand with my Thai carrier. All you need to do is buy a Sim card, cut to the right size of the mini sim. Put in and go. I am going to test the ATT while I am in LA but will also test the tmobile later to see if faster. My month in LA started today. But, I checked into my hotel and the noise level and the slow Internet has caused me to rethink my decision. I may try another hotel today or I may fly away again. That may be jet lag talking.

Hell, you won me over! You are bringing Sexy back for sure!

Very funny thread after a long 24 hour flight. I got in late and went to the link in the first post and could not find the wording for the review. I had to look a few times and then I saw that very nice sentence. A man of few words... Like me.

Great Test Pic. Was that a Biology Test? If so, I passed with flying colors! If it was a Quarter test, I need to see the ribs in person to see if the coin bounces.

I am very excited about this. Last season was GREAT and I can't wait for this one. I have been reading a few surprises are in store for us. But, frankly, this show just took off and went so fast they had a hard time keeping up with the story line. I still loved it but hope they develop the characters a bit more.

I have an IPad and will be using it in LA for a month. Do I need to sign up for the ATT 1 month plan for IPads or T-Mobile Internet plan? Or, is there another plan that will give me fast service and unlimited bandwidth? Or, at least something that beats ATT's 2G plan? Thanks for your help!

Redneck Yoga. Next, Down Doggie.

As the USA and the Saudis get close to the largest arms sale in HISTORY, I do wonder how the "show me the money" deal will affect this guy's case? Do I even need to ask? http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/13/report-u-s-saudis-close-to-largest-arms-deal-ever/?hpt=T2

Hey, how about this gravedigger from Survivor? He is such a HOTTIE!

I wonder if there is a WordPress workshop in LA? I would like to have a class in all its features. I have not used it in the past but know I need to learn.

I was sitting in a gogo bar last night in Sunee Plaza and saw a guy with a few guys sitting with him. He was jacking them off and playing with them and kissing on them. While this is not the kind of scene I like to see, I just observed when I would look around the room. He sat there for at least 20 min with these guys. When he was ready to go, he did not tip the boys, the waiter or anyone. The boys were visible upset but said nothing to him. Their eyes said volumes. As he was leaving, he went to each boy on stage and had a tug at their dick. Again, no tip of any kind. It was all I could do to control myself as the waiter bowed to him and thanked him for coming. If we ever wonder why boys get so jaded, all I need to do is to find a guy like this and I know my answer. I called the boy over that the man was sitting with and I asked him directly if the man gave him a tip. He said no. I asked if that was common and he said no but this was his 2nd customer tonight that wanted him to sit with them and neither of them left him any money. I did give him a tip. I told the BF if this was NYC what would happen. He said, this is Thailand and even if nothing is given, the boy cannot say anything.

Not sure where they call came from but the bars last night were packed. The gogo bars I went to (2) were standing room only and few good seats left. I hope this trend continues.

I am shocked TY is beating me. He is a talker but I thought I was a loud mouth. I'll work harder. No, it is still there. It is only visible on the home page of the forums and not inside each forum.