-
Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Sawatdee (AKA: Sawatdee Forum; Sawatdee Board; Gay Sawatdee; [Just Plain] Sawatdee; Sawatdee Gay Thailand) was founded in 2001 ~ insofar as I can correctly remember.
The message board has had five Owner/Admins: Smiles; Elephantspike; Neal (That Cunt); Surfcrest; and the present Owner, Moses.
I can account for 4 of them:
- Smiles (2001-2006. Eventually got good and tired of it, gave it away to Elephantspike)
- Elephantspike (2006-2011. Sold it to Neal (That Cunt)
- Neal (2011-2012. Sold it to Surfcrest after just about destroying the place)
- Surfcrest (2012-2015? Sold it to Moses, don't know why.)
- Moses (2016-present. Future unknown.)
Where are they now:
- Smiles is still here posting like the board whore he always has been, no regrets there.
- Neal (That Cunt) ate himself to death on a plane, thus giving "Snakes on a Plane" a run for their money.
- Surfcrest still posts here once in awhile ~ usually to get the unknown, known ~ but seems to be happily ensconced in Vancouver or Machu Pichu. Changed the board to the vBulletin platform.
- Moses is an unknown entity. Probably well known in Russian mafia circles. Avoids baht busses but plays Hi Stakes Internet Poker.
And then there's Elephantspike. What happened to him? The Wandering Ex Owner. He and I had numerous phone calls (I in BC and him in Massachusetts) during the process of him getting to know the innards of the early EZBoard Sawatdee. He eventually changed the board over to the phpBB platform.
I recall being somewhat disappointed that he chose the road of monetizing the board, mainly with ads. How naively innocent I was back then, I'd never given that route a second thought. I loved the simplicity of the stark, posts-only-boys look of the place (Gaybutton has the only message board ~ probably in the world! ~ which has a no-ads philosophy).
But Elephantspike (Robert), besides a few posts right after he sold it, never returned and disappeared into the ether. Apparently there was gossip that he had some financial problems but I'm certainly not sure about that. It remains nothing but gossip.
Does anyone here know what happened to Elephantspike?
PS ... I could be slightly off on the above new-owner dates. Definitely ball park figures guided by a rather iffy memory at the best of times.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Smiles
Does anyone here know what happened to Elephantspike?
No but like you I am curious. I did sub him the odd $100 via Western Union when he was having financial difficulties keeping the site registered or paying his dues; in my opinion the first two owners were the best and it's gone downhill ever since
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Downhill since The Cunt? Downhill from rock bottom? (You'll notice I've given Neal the designation of The Cunt rather than just "That Cunt". Smiles is obviously more tolerant that me.
I'd suggest that's just not possible to have gone downhill from that point - although having soared under Surfcrest we are currently hovering at around 50% of maximum cuntiness.
All that's needed is a couple of death threats against members and we'll be at CUNTCON1
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottish-guy
Downhill since The Cunt? Downhill from rock bottom? (You'll notice I've given Neal the designation of The Cunt rather than just "That Cunt". Smiles is obviously more tolerant that me.
My post said downhill after the first two owners ie. Smiles himself and Elephantspike. I've remarked on several occasions I didn't find much to choose between Surfcrest and Neal, and Moses is just another Neal in my opinion (I wonder how many demerit points I'll get for that)
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
I'm curious Smiles. Was it always the dog pit it is now or did the board have a more genteel time in the past?
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
I'm curious Smiles. Was it always the dog pit it is now or did the board have a more genteel time in the past?
Tell him about Hedda and the hydras, Smiles. a447 would have been in his element
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
...and don't forget Boygeenyus (spelling?) who was, in his time, another of the great figures of hate in this board's history.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
I see. So it was always thus.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
No, not always thus. Back in the days of Smiles and Spike we barely had one moderator, let alone three! The moderators that we did have actually understood that's it's the posters who keep a forum going, and treated them accordingly.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brad the Impala
No, not always thus. Back in the days of Smiles and Spike we barely had one moderator, let alone three! The moderators that we did have actually understood that's it's the posters who keep a forum going, and treated them accordingly.
Regarding the history: The 'Smiles' years were in fact one Owner/Admin/Moderator ... i.e. myself. I felt there was no need for extra mods as those were the easy days and basically left to go where a topic will go where it went to go.
When Spike owned the board in the beginning Smiles and jinks became moderators simply to help him out. I let it go after about a year, but jinks stayed as moderator to the end, until Neal become the owner and did it his way ... which turned out to be the worst way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
I'm curious Smiles. Was it always the dog pit it is now or did the board have a more genteel time in the past?
Sawatdee was never a dog pit. It was definitely edgy, definitely ready to let the members go where they wished to go rather than bothering about editing spelling and grammar, or being moderating in the "Because-I-Can" philosophy. And absolutely Sawatdee was never genteel! Thank christ.
The main difference between Sawatdee then and now is the number of participating members. Then the regular participation rate was measured in the hundreds or more. Now Sawatdee has a participation rate measured in less than dozens.
The overall membership may well be larger now, but the number of members posting on a regular basis is much smaller: a dog pit under any other name.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Smiles
a dog pit under any other name.
Talk about sugar coating. Take these off and try again.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
We have few regular posters here these days and of those not many actually visit Thailand much and of those only a handful post about it. There is a bitterness within many of the members here, perhaps due to their age, health, financial situation etc. This seems to be their outlet for their frustrations. Perfect mods won't change your life Brad.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frequent
Tell him about Hedda and the hydras, Smiles.
Yes, an interesting time for sure.
Is Hedda dead or alive? I've heard he spends his days curled up in the fetal position in some derelict gogo bar's dark corner ... along with The Glums, MFAS and Khortose, for company.
'The Hydra Conundrum' was his pet neurosis. The original Fake News. :))
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Smiles
- Surfcrest (2012-2015? Sold it to Moses, don't know why.)
Where are they now:
- Surfcrest still posts here once in awhile ~ usually to get the unknown, known ~ but seems to be happily ensconced in Vancouver or Machu Pichu. Changed the board to the vBulletin platform.
And then there's Elephantspike. What happened to him? The Wandering Ex Owner. He and I had numerous phone calls (I in BC and him in Massachusetts) during the process of him getting to know the innards of the early EZBoard Sawatdee. He eventually changed the board over to the phpBB platform.
I recall being somewhat disappointed that he chose the road of monetizing the board, mainly with ads. How naively innocent I was back then, I'd never given that route a second thought. I loved the simplicity of the stark, posts-only-boys look of the place (Gaybutton has the only message board ~ probably in the world! ~ which has a no-ads philosophy).
But Elephantspike (Robert), besides a few posts right after he sold it, never returned and disappeared into the ether. Apparently there was gossip that he had some financial problems but I'm certainly not sure about that. It remains nothing but gossip.
Does anyone here know what happened to Elephantspike?
Just a few corrections.....LOL
I gave the site to my friend Moses, perhaps for the same reason you gave it to elephantspike. I'm good with change, but not so good with complacency. I'd rather be one of the kids than the babysitter.
I just retired and yes, Vancouver is my main focus now. I've got two amazing bf's here that I share my time with, making life the most perfect of perfect.
I have only good things to say about elephantspike, he helped out greatly in the early days. Unfortunately there is no money to be made with a site like this and money was his main motivator for being here, so the relationship was short lived. I think he still follows us on Twitter and he should be quite easy to find.
Surfcrest
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Surfcrest
Unfortunately there is no money to be made with a site like this ...
Yep, it's a vanity project
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
There is zero cash to be made from this place. In fact, it costs money to own/run. Members should probably remember that before launching one.of their attacks because the place isn't exactly how they think it should be.
And Surfcrest. Two boyfriends in the same city. Greedy. Haha.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
There is zero cash to be made from this place.
From the Forum itself - certainly. Whether Moses makes enough from the rest of the site that acts as a vehicle for his Siam Roads business only he would know. The publicly-available guesstimates say it probably generates $15/day. Clearly Moses values site "eyeballs" as he gave that as his reason for not reinstituting RSS feeds from the Forum. Those of us who come straight to the Forum, by-passing the Home page, miss all of that advertising, but the fact that we visit would show up in the site hits, on which advertising rates are generally based
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
And Surfcrest. Two boyfriends in the same city. Greedy. Haha.
One loves my cock, the other loves my ass...I call it sharing.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Surfcrest
One loves my cock, the other loves my ass...I call it sharing.
"Division of labour" surely? There's never a demarcation dispute?
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frequent
dreams... dreams... I hope you can read as good as you type and spread gossips... check your URL again and read this: "Updated 2 years 6 months ago".
Attachment 6277
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Moses
dreams... dreams... I hope you can read as good as you type and spread gossips... check your URL again and read this: "Updated 2 years 6 months ago".
Wouldn't that suggest that I care?
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frequent
Wouldn't that suggest that I care?
It would suggest what you spreading gossips.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Thanks Surfcrest for straightening out a few things.
I just assumed you 'sold' the joint to Moses ... not 'gave' it to him. In these days of monetizing anything that breathes is the norm.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
...There is a bitterness within many of the members here, perhaps due to their age, health, financial situation etc. This seems to be their outlet for their frustrations...
You haven't any accurate idea of the age, health or financial situation of *any* of the members here or what motivates them to post.
As to what causes at least some of their "frustration" I'd advise looking in a mirror if you (or the mirror) can stand it
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
...There is zero cash to be made from this place. In fact, it costs money to own/run. Members should probably remember that before launching one.of their attacks because the place isn't exactly how they think it should be...
Speaking only for myself I don't really care whether the site makes money or leaks it like a sieve - except that the price of it leaking money like a sieve is that (as someone else said) only someone intent on a vanity project would then choose to bankroll a basket case, and such persons tend to display behaviour or characteristics which cause controversy and provoke confrontation.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottish-guy
provoke confrontation.
I don't care about confrontation and not afraid any. I have target - to make gay forum about Thailand and SE Asia, forum what is friendly to authors of travel reports and messages about new places. Anyone who will stay on the way to that target will be kicked out in 1 click after 2 warns, without even one sight to how long he is on this forum.
Any bulling (including "who are you, whom are you hydra?"), any bitching, any unfriendly post will have consequence soon. The only untouched forum will be "Holding room". Dark clouds are already visible.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Moses, I really don't understand what your repeated threats are designed to achieve, except to provoke more reaction.
You say you "don't care about confrontation and not afraid any"- that's fine and good, but not caring about something and deliberately inflaming the situation are two quite different strategies.
Further, I rather suspect the unidentified targets of your repeated threats are neither afraid of you nor of being kicked off the board - so the repeated threats and warnings of impending retribution on them are unlikely to have much effect.
I for one will continue to post what I like, where I like, and when I like. If that leads to you or your sidekick banning me then fine, at least I'll go out with my head held high and not having kowtowed like some subservient lackey - and you may as well make it a lengthy ban as I won't be back.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottish-guy
Moses, I really don't understand what your repeated threats are designed to achieve, except to provoke more reaction.
Well, it is indicator. If somebody will answer - then that means he is counting his behavior as behavior of a bull or bitch or stalker. Otherwise why he will count that my post as a threats? To have friendly forum is great. Isn't it great? :dirol_mini:
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
You're entirely wrong in your supposition that a response to your bait indicates that the responder identifies as a member of the group under threat
As an example off the top of my head - I have posted several times in support of the Palestinians when Latintoppxxx has been on one if his rants - that doesn't make me a Palestinian.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottish-guy
identifies as a member of the group under threat
yes, and that is exactly what I meant
and you already know what group I mean: it is precisely described few posts above - in the "threat"
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Gorbals Jock verses Moses. Charge of the Light Brigade II. Same result.
Except the original involved incredibly brave soldiers in a war and this one involves Gorbals moaning about a gay message board. Again.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Moses
yes, and that is exactly what I meant..
I know what you meant - but you don't seem to grasp that what you mean doesn't make your analysis correct.
Instead of all the beating around the bush, the nudges, the winks, the knowing looks, the time being wasted trying to bring about situations to ban people - why don't you just have the balls to come right out and publicly name the people you no longer want to post on your board?
I'm sure none of them would want to linger where they are not wanted.
So how about it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
Gorbals Jock verses Moses. Charge of the Light Brigade II. Same result.
Except the original involved incredibly brave soldiers in a war and this one involves Gorbals moaning about a gay message board. Again.
No show without Len, eh? Just can't keep your nose out can you?
So we are not allowed to moan now?
No complaints permitted, is that it?
If only you were as committed to sticking to your promises ..........
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Continuing the theme.
General Gorbals.
"I for one will continue to post what I like, where I like, and when I like."
Winston Churchill.
"We will fight them on the beaches, we will fight them in the cities...."
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Oh are we doing quotations now?
Goody!
Here's three - see if you can guess from whom:
1. '...I would never accept a job moderating this board...'
2. '...I will step down from moderating this board on 31st December 2017...'
3. '...I have decided I will not step down on 31st December 2017 after all...'
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Elizabeth I
At Tilburg, before the sea battle with the Spanish Armada.
"I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too."
General Gorbals.
"I'll go out with my head held high and not having kowtowed like some subservient lackey."
So proud of you big guy.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
You may as well be - as illustrated above you have no recent output of your own to be proud of
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
I think you should go and make some porridge for your guests. And have a rest. You seem tired and emotional.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Moses
I don't care about confrontation and not afraid any. I have target - to make gay forum about Thailand and SE Asia, forum what is friendly to authors of travel reports and messages about new places. Anyone who will stay on the way to that target will be kicked out in 1 click after 2 warns, without even one sight to how long he is on this forum.
Any bulling [SP] (including "who are you, whom are you hydra?"), any bitching, any unfriendly post will have consequence soon. The only untouched forum will be "Holding room". Dark clouds are already visible.
Then Moses my man, you should do it now ... push the dark clouds in. If all you want is to host an apparatus which produces you income from the Travel industry, then you should shut down the message board right now ... why bother with threats and metaphorical weather reports.
You get a few stars for a kind of honest totalitorianism (but no Churchill are you), I'll give you that.
-
Re: Board History ... Wondering about a wandering Sawatdee owner
I read on a magazine that Jeep is kind of endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species (like that in Alien). It keeps eating its hosts (Batam, Willys, Kaiser, AMC, original Chrysler, German Chrysler, bottom feeder Chrysler, Italian Chrysler).
I feel the same about this board. Sawatdee network just keeps surviving even though there seems to be a parade of owners.
I am surprised that there has been no thought of moving it to an app format. Most other forums that I read now reside within apps sharing common interest forums. But then good grief, I can't see an app hosting sawatdee, gaythailand, gaybutton all together