TotallyOz

BANGKOK

I heard from Gaybutton that some members in Thailand are having speed issues on GayThailand.com. I have been testing this and it works fine for me in the USA. Are others noticing major speed issues?

New credit card laws are now in effect in USA. One of things it does is allow CC companies to up fees on overseas transactions. I hope everyone keeps up with their banks in the coming weeks to see what rates they are going to charge to withdraw money from ATM's, etc.

Well over 130 of Thailand's leading Immigration Officers met at the Jomtien Beach Nusa Playa Hotel south of Pattaya for a very large conference. This important meeting was attended by the Deputy Immigration Minister from Bangkok and the highest ranking immigration officials from every part of Thailand. Pattaya, February 2010 [PDN]: The highly experienced Chonburi Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Khun Niti Kongrut was the opening speaker, and even took time out to answer impromptu questions. The question regarding the foreign ownership of beer bars was also raised, and it would appear that this matter will be investigated by government authorities in the appropriate manner. One query was related to foreign visitors gaining a second visa extension, once their original 60 + 30 day tourist visa has expired. This requires such persons to leave Thailand and gaining an extension depends on your point of re-entry back into Thailand. The Vientiane / Kon-Kien Immigration office on the Laos border often grants a second 60 + 30 day tourist visa, so maybe there is a case to see more uniformity in this area. Foreign visitors have trouble in understanding the complexities of these regulations, which vary considerably and depend on their interpretation by individual immigration offices. The big news was the announcement to have an Interpol Office established in Pattaya, as this is seen as a very practical way to control international crime and the arrival of suspected criminals from overseas. This new Interpol Office will be sited at Soi-5 in Jomtien under the direction of Police Superintendent Police Colonel Athiwit Kamonrat, who is based in Chonburi. The Chonburi Immigration region now has more than 2,000 warrants to arrest foreigners for crimes that they have committed outside of Thailand, and in addition to these they have approximately 1,000 warrants issued by Thai courts against foreigners for crimes committed within Thailand. For more: Thailand Immigration Select Pattaya for Interpol Office Pattaya Daily News – Pattaya news Powerful news at your fingertips

Take a look at this new video done by the guys for Tour de Thailand. Anyone up for a bike ride in Thailand this year? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBk5nhGEysQ

When one hears the word "spy," one normally thinks of places like Moscow, London, and Washington rather than Rosemont, Pa. However, the controversy swirling around Rosemont's Harriton High School and the Lower Merion School District increasingly makes for bizarre reading. And even more bizarre thinking. The school district has been accused of remote-controlled Webcam spying on its students. The student at the center of the allegations, Blake Robbins, claims the school, having produced a still photograph taken remotely by a school official, falsely accused him of selling drugs (I have embedded the video of CBS News interview with Robbins and his family). One fact, though, has emerged that seems mystifying in the extreme. Read the full story: School district: Spy Webcams activated 42 times | Technically Incorrect - CNET News

Immigration Police raided a brothel in Pattaya on 13th February2010 at 4.30am, to arrest a ladyboy for prostituting minors. Pattaya 14th February 2010 [PDN] Police Colonel Athitsawat Kamonrat (Chon Buri Immigration superintendent) and his team, conducted a raid on the Chauanchom Karaoke venue in South Naklua, Banglamung, after receiving information that girls from Laos under the age of 18 were being prostituted on the premises. The Karaoke venue was just a cover for the seedy business of prostitution. The Officer, under cover as a tourist, sat in the venue when he was approached by Mr. Kee Sukserm [27] a ladyboy manager from Loey province in order to sell the services of two girls aged 15 and 17. A price was agreed between the undercover officer and Mr. Sukserm of 4,000baht. For the full story and photos: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010/02/14/brothel-raided-by-immigration-police-in-pattaya/

Any special plans for Valentine's Day or Chinese New Year? Any events or parties going on?

What happened to the Sunee Plaza Info site? I am unable to access at my home. Is anyone else having problems?

Carnival is starting in Rio and other parts of the world. Here is one photo from a club in Brazil I like called the Week. Doesn't it make you want to be there?

http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/just_for_you1 Check this for stays in March. Must be booked by Feb. 12.

We lost a few days worth of posts, photo uploads, etc in our server move. My apologies for the inconvenience. We moved to a new server and the hosting company made a mistake in the database back up. By the time we knew it we would loose date to restore. This was my responsibility and I apologize.

Available if booked by Feb 12. Stays need to be completed by March 31st. 50% OFF! http://www.ramada.com/Ramada/control/just_for_you1

I have a Mac and it is so easy. I just bought Windows 7 and installed it on my Mac so I can test my sites with it from time to time. OMG. I had really forgotten how many times you have to restart the machine. I only put in about 4 programs today but had to restart at least 20 times. Do you know how often I have to restart my Mac? NEVER

We are moving our server to a new configuration with more RAM and faster processor. It is at the same hosting company but it will change some things and if there is any downtime or any malfunction, this is the reason. My apologies in advance if any issues.

LOL Same here!

One of my favorite posters on the message boards in Gay Thailand has stopped posting on Baht Stop. I have always enjoyed reading his forum. But, his hopper is now down, not open to new threads, and he is no where to be seen. Does anyone know him personally and if he is OK? I hope all is OK and that he is fine!

Was anyone else stupid enough to pay for this reality show on ITunes? What was I thinking?

My mouth opened at the President's speech last night when he criticized the Supreme Court over their recent ruling. Did others gasp when they heard this? Was it appropriate for a President? Did he go overboard?

The Catcher in the Rye was one of my favorite books I read in high school. A great author, he will be missed.

Wow. Watching the event for the unveiling has been amazing. I am excited. The new IPad is a cross between an Iphone and a Notebook. Being an Apple geek, this is exciting. I wonder how long after it goes on sale before the cloners in Thailand will be able to reproduce it? 1.5 pounds. .5 inches thin. 9.7 inch display.

I am watching the event online via updates at engadget and the new device looks amazing! Very cool!

Great scene. Thanks. This was the bartender I thought was so hot at MJ's. Wow!

I am not sure why you are uncomfortable on this site. The vast majority of post are not negative at all. But, if you are looking for us to delete any post that is negative about someone or another site, you may be disappointed. Personally, I don't see the point of this thread but I also didn't comment on it and moved by it. I am not sure why you can't do the same. If you want to see less negative, snide BS, contribute to make sure the direction is headed the right way.

I love Damages with Glen Close. I think the show if full of great writing and a wonderful story. The last 2 seasons have been great. I saw the season premiere last night and look forward to another great year. I also love Lily Tomlin and hope she plays a great part in the season.