GAY BUTTON - Problem thread's end.

[jinks]

Gaybutton

Statement from Gaybutton on cruisingforsex.com:

As many of you are aware, I have taken my web site, www.gaybutton.com (http://www.gaybutton.com) , offline because it has been blocked from within Thailand. The reasons for the block have not been communicated to me. Because the block is sponsored by the Thai government, I will not attempt to defy or circumvent the block. I removed the web site from the Internet as soon as I became aware of the block.

I have chosen to leave the web site offline and I do not anticipate restoring it, at least not for the foreseeable future. If my plans ever change I will ask that a notice be posted here.

I am aware that many are saddened to see the web site removed. I am also aware that some are delighted. I very much appreciate the E-mails I have been receiving in support.

The truth is that for a long time I have been considering ending the web site anyway because of constant technical problems with my web site host, the amount of time I spend working on the web site, along with dealing with problems ranging from flamers to an attempt to blackmail me into doing the bidding of someone who dislikes 'Hedda.'

Instead of being fun, running the web site has become a chore. Therefore, since the block has happened on top of all the other problems, it seems pointless to me to continue.

However, it does present an opportunity that I have been trying to find time to pursue. For years I have been saying that I would like to write a book about Thailand that would be of interest to the gay community. Now that I no longer will be running a web site, I intend to turn my attention to writing the book.

In the meantime, the articles I have written are available upon request. The most popular article I ever wrote was the one about how to obtain the retirement visa. I will be happy to send any of the articles to those who request them.

For those who have requests or otherwise wish to communicate with me, I can be reached at the following E-mail address: gaybutton@gmail.com .

Again, I appreciate all the support from those who have enjoyed my web site over the years.

oh Gay button -its so sad to hear this news,But all things end, yours has been a very informative site for a long time -actually don't blame you for calling it a day,
The way things are heading all sites that are remotely gay will be off line in time, especially those with pornographic content,not saying your had porn at all -But in the eyes of the Thai legislators, pictures obtained through reviews ect -can be deemed pornographic
Thai authorities are clamping down on all gay sites , they did start on "Thai-guys-Mag" because it was considered porn , as Mild as it was ,
Some content in forums [including those one] can also be considered very offensive -----I see many postings that can start out as perfectly normal questions or interesting topic threads -But when the old Queenie cronies get their say they turn threads into into really offensive material , with sexual connotations and remarks ,So If you guys are out there reading this,look after this site ,Stop all the swearing and dirty remarks about Thai boys ,

Gay pattayan let me be the first , I salute you for your past contribution to the gay community in Thailand ,

enjoy your retirement and I hope your book is a success,--------so when will it be easy reading available at air-Ports and Asia book shops, best regards a friend of Thailand SSS

"keep your friends Close- &- your Enemies Even Closer"

[travelerjim]

:cheers: Thank you GB for your longtime efforts to provide helpful information about Thailand.

I have enjoyed reading your informative articles about retirement and special places to see and visit in Thailand. Also your message board was many times helpful to me - especially in my earlier first few visits to Thailand. Your good - personal advice in my earlier visits to Thailand was so helpful!

And, when Thais4Life needed help - you and your board was always there - ready to share the needs and helpful assistance among your readers.

May I ask the owner of this board..Sawatdee forum...

:idea: Is it possible to have GB post as a resource item the many fine articles and essays he has written over the recent years which have proved very informative and helpful? If so..... GB's good, helpful and informative articles, essays and efforts will be assured of being of added help to those of us who have many questions about visiting Thailand, getting Visas and considering retiring in Thailand.

GB..If agreeable to both you and Elephantspike - owner of this Sawatdee forum - your articles will remain available to many...GB...I hope you will make available your good writings as a resource on this forum.

:flower: Thanks again GB..and I look forward to seeing you again as I soon retire in beautiful Thailand.

Good Luck to you :-)

TravelerJim

[elephantspike]

I'd be happy to copy any of those articles to the Resource Forum if Gaybutton cared to post them here. I was actually thinking a Gaybutton blog here would serve that purpose even better. In this new age of portals and blogs, I really think that the Resource forum is a bit of a relic. Keep in mind that bloggers here can set the permissions on their blogs as to who is allowed to post or reply or read. Essentially one can invite or ban anyone one cares to in their blogs.

Even if not here, I would suggest that Gaybutton look into the idea of blogging in general. I think he may find that the blog format suits his needs better than a message board. It's just a more manageable medium.

I have found GB's website to be a continuous source of wisdom and sound advice and have always enjoyed Hedda's contributions to the forum. I shall miss both of them. The gay community can ill afford the loss of such a stimulating site.
I believe that the board's demise was the result of pressure from extremist right-wingers who objected to Hedda's eminently sensible views on US foreign policy. GB's offence was to allow discussion of topics which embarrassed and infuriated them.

[elephantspike]

Could someone please make Gaybutton aware of this thread? The email I have for him is gaybutton@gaybutton.com, which obviously won't work now. I noticed comments he has made elsewhere recently inwhich he expressed a desire to post here, but was reluctant to do so out of concern about being flamed. I'd like him to consider my Blog idea. He can set his own permissions in his own blog here. If a registered member of the board doesn't behave according to his blog's rules, he can ban them from his blog.

[Smiles]

Gaybutton's email is: gaybutton@gmail.com

Cheers ...

... from the man himself, over on the Bog of Shame

It was one thing when I was posting daily news I thought would be of interest and posting daily updates of the current currency exchange rates
At least he acknowledges that his own contribution was limited to cut'n'paste from online newspapers and other readily available sources plus reporting on currency movements that were out of date by the time they were written

I see I'm getting the blame for all of this. Apparently I wrote the blackmail email while I was logged on to my Optus Internet account (in Australia) from my Rancho Cordova (California) hotel room (if you piece all of Jane Marple's rants together), and now I've got the cyber police in Thailand to block access to every gay site that refers to Thailand. How did I do that? My interest is certanly piqued

Those poor lads who infest the gay.com Bangkok chat room in the hope of meeting a well-endowed wallet are going to be sorely disappointed, along with all those sad characters whose bio line begins "I'll be in Thailand in 4 months' time and want to meet ..." - although gay.com/Bangkok seems to have a lively population still, as I write, some even claiming to be in Bangkok right now

But then, I can't possibly be in Thailand myself, since I'm contributing to this Board, now can I? Ah, the plot thickens