Bob

Yes, nice website; however, the initial post is baloney*. *The website has a link to their "Business Hours" which clearly states the club closes at 1AM every night. But I suppose the website is "open" 24 hours a day.....duh.

Thaksin behind the protests? Probably the closest connection Shinawatra has to any protests is that the protestors dislike the current government and military junta more than Shinawatra. Based on 10 months of power by the junta and interim government, I personally don't believe anything they say. And, if they actually say something different/interesting/shocking one day, they usually retract it the next day or simply make believe it was never said. Sad state of political affairs in Thailand these days (and I wouldn't actually take issue with anybody saying that nothing has really changed in 20 years...).

Actually, no. Most countries (western, anyway) have separate laws requiring you to take the breath test and, if you refuse to do so, that's a separate offense and/or your license is automatically suspended for a period of time (usually 30-90 days). Under most western laws, one is not required to help incriminate oneself in any manner; however, they get around this in a way by saying that the driver's license is a privilege and not a right and, if you refuse the breath test, the government has the right to withdraw your privilege to drive. Until Thailand truly gets serious about drunk driving, the carnage will continue.

Regardless of the reasons for the US dollar fall against most other currencies, it is a miracle that the baht is rising against anything. The Thai economic growth rate has been dropping for three years, the price of oil has caused substantial problems, the tourist arrivals are significantly down (in spite of the bull put out by TAT, the Chiangmai Mai recently reported that hotel occupancy in Chiangmai is down a staggering 17% for 2007 - an amount that won't take long to cause the hotels to crash), and the export market is heading south (part of which is due the rise in the baht and the other, probably more significant factor, is due to the fact that China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other area economies are taking over Thai markets). And all of this occurring in the midst of some political instability. I wish good things for Thailand but, unless something changes soon, I'd bet dollars (yep, not baht) that a significant recession hits Thailand within the next 6-8 months.

No, your not wrong in my eyes, WP. While I hope he has a pleasant and non-conceited attitude to go along with that awesome body, my cynical side somehow thinks the guy probably has lots of mirrors in his house. What the hell, if I looked like that, I would too...hehe.

There's an argument that stashing large amounts of cash on your person or at home ought to be a crime! Hell, look at all it costs in police investigations (probably causes a couple of beat cops to actually have to think for an hour or two!), the ink in the newspapers (Lordy, Al Gore should get involved - they're deforesting the Amazon to report on stupid falangs!), the chatter on these web boards (lot of wasted chemical-electrical brain connections), etc. I propose a billboard be erected at the entrance to Pattaya (or anyplace) that might read: Attention Dumbass Falang! 1. Money. If you keep more than 20,000 baht on your person or at your residence, don't bother calling the police because your money or valuables were stolen. We've got better things to do than wasting our time figuring out why you were so stupid to do that. We do have banks here (duh.....you know, those places whose job it is to safely hold your money?????). Use them. And, of course, 99% of the people getting robbed of their cash or valuables at home lose the stuff because they tell somebody else it's there (our robbers don't just willy nilly search every goddam house!). Don' tell anybody you have the cash there! (meaning, don't advertise your stupidity!). 2. Flying. You cannot fly and we're tired of shovelling up your remains outside our tall condo buildings and monuments. Please note that it is against the law to kill yourself here (please do that just before you come to Thailand).

It's been rather obvious that Thailand's economy has been in trouble for the last year or so - probably in significant part due to the boneheaded moves of the current government and the junta - and, unless some political stability occurs soon, I'd guess the recession is on the horizon. If that occurs, then maybe that'll be the stimulus (only one I can think of) that might cause the baht to depreciate against the dollar. I don't have a clue about the Thai stock market. But, given it's probably run and largely owned by the Thai elite, I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it. I'd put my money in Singapore, Hong Kong, and even Vietnam long before I'd invest significantly in the LOS.

I read an article buried deep in the Chiangmai Mail last summer (I have no clue if it was reported elsewhere) that BOT had decided to quietly divest itself of a lot of the US dollars it was holding in its huge pile of foreign reserves. The BOT wasn't going to dump all its US dollars but said, to avoid huge losses should the US dollar tank, that it cause their foreign reserves to be in a more realistic combination of world currencies (i.e., more Euros, Yuan, Yen, or whatever). Because of that article, I transferred more money to my Chiangmai account (and the appreciation alone paid for my last trip). While it makes sense that China and Japan, the largest holders of US currency, don't want to dump the dollars on the market (it would cause the US currency to collapse and would theoretically cause Chinese and Japanese exports to fall like a rock), the other side of the coin is you don't want to be holding currency that is diving in value. For China last year, they lost about 8% of the value of their reserves (billions) held in US Dollars (and the 4-5% they made in US Treasury notes only offset the loss). Given Thailand's currency appreciated about 16% (?) last year against the US dollar, it made sense for them to start dumping them to avoid additional losses. But that type of action is usually done quietly so panic doesn't set in. I suppose currencies act somewhat like products - when there are too many products around and nobody wants them, the price drops. P.S. The Deputy Governor's assertion makes sense if the Thai baht is appreciating against most other currencies; otherwise, his assertion is rather silly.

The US dollar has lost value to almost every other currency so I don't see this as only a baht/dollar issue. And why? I'm not an economist but here's my guess: (1) The dollar for 80+ years was the world's benchmark currency probably largely because ithe US has had the highest gross domestic product of any country in the world and expected other countries to quote everything in dollars. That is coming to an end......hello China. (2) The US government has been complaining to anyone who would listen that the Chinese yuan was undervalued to the US dollar by 40-60% (mainly because China fixed the dollar/yuan exchange rate by decree). That also is coming to an end (albiet, slowly). In any event, it's US government policy that the yuan appreciate substantially against the dollar. (3) China, economists have claimed, will have the highest gross domestic product in the world by approximately 2018-2020. It's my guess that, like the stock market, a lot of what is happening (the dollar diving against all other currencies) is anticipation of what will be happening a few years off. (4) Ol' GW getting just about everybody (including some friends) to hate the US sure isn't helping. Some of any currency's value is pure speculation and psychology. If you think that Warren Buffett is a smart man, it should be noted that Berkshire Hathaway has had over 22 billion (in US dollars) hedged against the dollar for at least 3 years. My guess is that most currencies in the world will be reacting more to what happens in the future to the Chinese yuan than to the US dollar. The China situation could explode some day and maybe there will be a few years at most that the US dollar will rise. But, long term, the inevitable is....inevitable (probably some old Chinese saying....hehe). If you're willing to take a possible hit, the smart move might be to bet that the yuan will rise to the dollar. Hey, is it legal for falang to deposit money in Chinese banks??? Might be a good idea.

Occasionally, it's a hoot to see the misuse of English words (or, more often, just horrible grammar and spelling) throughout southeast Asia. In order to present the best face to the world, the Chinese are exerting major efforts to clean up their labeling, signage, etc., in an attempt to avoid the foreign devils guffawing..... In honor of the upcoming Olympics and presuming some of our own might travel to China to see the games, here's a list of some falang versions of everyday sayings: 1) That's not right ......... Sum Ting Wong 2) Are you harboring a fugitive?..... Hu Yu Hai Ding 3) See me ASAP..........Kum Hia Nao 4) Stupid Man ..............Dum Gai 5) Small Horse ...........Tai Ni Po Ni 6) Did you go to the beach? ........Wai Yu So Tan 7) I bumped into a coffee table ........Ai Bang Mai Ni I think you need a face lift .......Chin Tu Fat 9) It's very dark in here .....Wao So Dim 10) I thought you were on a diet ......Wai Yu Mun Ching? 11) This is a tow away zone .......No Pah King 12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ..........Wai Yu Kum Nao? 13) Staying out of sight .........Lei Ying Lo 14) He's cleaning his automobile ..... Wa Shing Ka 15) Your body odor is offensive .......Yu Stin Ki Pu 16) Great .....Fa Kin Su Pah

Same old story, just different names..... One would think that people would get smarter.....especially after repeated news articles about the subject.....but maybe Darwin had it backwards. Maybe it would help if falangs were not allowed to carry more than 1000 baht at a time and falangs were also prohibited from living above the 2nd story of any building....

That's funny, when I saw the posting, my first thought was that maybe it was about David in Pattaya (a grand guy who's no longer with us). We used to refer to him as DIP on some of the boards.

My recent trip to LOS was my fifteenth so I guess it's been a few years (but I've gone a couple of times in a few years and even went three times one year). And it's hard to describe how helpful some of the then-existing boards were to me. Although I liked Dreaded Ned's board, I thought GB's board was definitely the most helpful to me on that first foray. Other than the message board itself, GB had many lengthier articles which I found most helpful. And, later, GP's message board was also helpful. I'll always be thankful for the information GB, GP, and Ned provided. .

Excellent advice in my opinion. Unless the boy is himself motivated, you're heading for a financial and personal disaster in my opinion. If he truly wants to continue his education, I also agree with GB that he is much better able to find out what's available than the falang would be. And, if he's reluctant to go find out or he really can't explain what's available, it's more than likely that he really doesn't care that much to go back to school. The same comments would apply to a boy the same age in your home country. If the motivation isn't really there, it's a waste to throw money toward non-compulsory education for anybody.

I don't think so. Although he may be one of the older kids, he very well might not be the oldest. Many Thai kids, 9-13 years old, are actually encouraged to leave school so they can work full time in the family business (rice farming, restaurant, or whatever). And a fair number of these kids, once they get to be 18 or 19, decide to go back and finish high school so they can qualify for a better job (I'm told that most employers won't even talk to them if they don't have the high school diploma). My Chiangmai bf of 6 years was 13 when he quit school to work in the family (an aunt's) restaurant business near Chiangrai. At 19, he moved to Chiangmai, and on his own began high school (which he finished at age 23). He's now started his fourth year in college (Payap Technological). His confidence level and self-image have improved immeasurably (and, in the future, hopefully his job opportunities will also dramatically improve). Presuming he wants to finish school, your friend will likely have many options including attending only in the evenings and/or only on the weekends. If he's serious about wanting to do it, I hope you're able to help him achieve it. Good luck as it takes a long while.

Never been there but googled the name, Dreaded Ned's site came up, and here's the listing: My Way 944/4 Rama 4 Rd (actually in small sub-soi off Rama 4 Rd, between Silom and Suriwong) Phone: (0) 2233 - 9567 Whether this is accurate is unknown to me.

Wishing for a quick recovery for Geezer. As I posted on another board, Geezer never has suffered any fools (I've always cottoned to his pithy and direct comments) and I pity the poor doctor or aide who pisses him off in the hospital. But, Geezer, your personal recovery regimen was eating Mickey D's crap? Ronald McDonald himself should slap you silly! And, no, Geezer, you can't off Ronald...... [GB....trust you'll convey our sentiments and best wishes to the ol' Geez...]

I don't know if there is a "best" site for that. I do know you can go to the Bangkok Bank website and the exchange rates are posted there. It's: www.bangkokbank.com. I would guess some of the other bank sites may also post the current exchange rates. (I am presuming you're looking for the exchange rates in Thailand).

(Meant in humor). Now I'm wondering where they would list that on a restaurant menu? Under the chicken section or under the dessert section? I can see it now: Desserts: Ice cream - vinilla, chocolate, strawberry---------------------------------------30 baht Pie - Apple, Cherry, Lemon Meringue--------------------------------------------40 baht Waiters - Somchai, Tor, Arm, Ping, Top----------------------------------------300 baht* *Off fee to restaurant. P.S. If all waiters are offed, your food delivery will be slightly delayed (i.e., our waiters won't be the only ones being ________ed!)

Using VISTA and having up-to-date Norton 2007, I've never picked up any warnings. Must be some strange banner issue that was falsely mimicking a virus on a few machines.

Absolutely correct, GP. And, if I was the Interior Minister of any country with a health crisis on its hands, I'd clearly exercise the rights under the TRIPS act to make sure those in critical need got the drugs they needed. My loyalty would be to those citizens in need and not to either the US or the pharmaceutical companies. Easy choice for me and, given that exercising the TRIPS rights is perfectly legal under international law, I'm at a loss as to why some posters (mainly in other threads and other boards) start crying foul, patent infringement, or theft.

Pete, I'm probably don't really know about the "go-go" scene in CM as I rarely go to any of them. When Adam's Apple was open, it certainly had the raunchiest (or, depending on your point of view, nicest) shows around. I recall one evening my CM bf and I went there and they were having an impromtu "big cock" show. Two of the approximately 8 boys were average sized bodies (thai-wise) but had biggest units I had ever seen. I can still see my bf's eyes bulging at that sight (it was about that time I leaned over to him, pointed at the two chinese-looking boys, and asked him if we should join the show - after a moment of fright, he about fell off the stool laughing as, complared to the two boys, we're third graders....). In years past, when Coffee Boy was somewhat operational, it would have a little show on Friday and/or Saturday night but hardly gogo (although somewhat erotic at the time). I keep hearing Coffee Boy is open here and there but I haven't been there in 2 years and haven't seen any activity when driving by the place (which isn't that often really). I was in (I think) Circle Pub once and they were dancing and doing somewhat of a show. But nothing like the shows in Pattaya or even Bangkok. All of the bars around the night market area are simply bars somewhat imitating host bars elsewhere (but without uniforms, numbers or being obviously that way in any regard). I arrive in CM in one week and, given a British buddy of mine is there now, I suspect we'll be out and about a bit. If I learn anything new, I'll post some news when I get home at the end of April.

For those that don't know much about Chiangmai, I can understand how it could be boring. Not to me. I spend 90%+ of my vacation time in LOS in Chiangmai and will be there again the end of next week. If by boring you mean a lack of gogo bars such as in Bangkok, Pattaya, or Phuket, then you're right. I understand that most of the boards relate mostly to Pattaya and I've enjoyed many visits there; however, after about 3 days, it's just a bit too intense for me and I long to head back north. To each his own but, to me, Chiangmai is a lot closer to a real Thai city than the doings of Pattaya or Phuket (which to me seem to primarily exist to serve the falang patrons). Visit the temples (especially Wat Doi Suthep), Doi Inthanon, Chiangrai, Doi Tung; get a real Thai massage at a place like the Olde Thai Medicine Hospital; walk around the city and the markets; spend a day wandering around the wood shops of Ban Tawai; take a dinner cruise on the Ping River; etc., etc. Hey, it's great to get laid....but that still leaves a lot of the day to live and learn and enjoy.

Some of your information seems to be a bit dated. Last I heard, Adam's Apple was closed for good (it was closed this past October and November). As concerns the Jakpot Bar (within the string of bars across the soi/alley behind the D-2 Hotel), it was closed last October. The owner (Wat) reopened a new bar (King Dragon or Dragon King, I forget which) in the first slot on the right (north) next to the soi - right across from another relatively new bar (I forget the name). The old Jakpot space was to be reopened by Ali (a prior manager at Jakpot) as a girly bar but I'm not sure if that's flown as yet. I do agree with the comments about One2Come. Nicest facility for male massages in CM. The SOHO bar (almost right across the street from the Kad Suan Kaew/Centran shopping mall) is a nice place to stop by for a drink and chat. Music level is low (i.e., you can actually carry on a conversation with people) and place is pretty well furnished. Don't go there if you're expecting to see a show or to off somebody, it's just a nice quiet gay bar.

Congrats to him. Pete, is that the new college/campus that's up there? If it is, the place looked pretty nice (it looked like a lot of new construction recently built - I've driven by the entrance but never went in to take a look).