23 Jan - Chinese New Year

18 Jan - ICK PUB "Khun Chat Birthday Party"
25 Jan - Man Of The Beach 2012 contest at Rat-cha-da Soi 8 Pub
28 Jan - Foam Party at Babylon Sauna
14 Feb - Valentine's day is Buddy Day at Cutey And Beauty Hair Salon. Come 2 people 1 is FREE for Cut & Color.
14 Feb - Telephone Pub "Valentine's Party"
14 Feb - ICK PUB "Valentine's Party"
14 Feb - DJ Station "Valentine's Party"

@ Paradise Complex
23 Jan - Chinese New Year Party
03 Feb - DressCode Party
14 Feb - Valentine's Night
24 Feb - Pink & Pink Party

Club One Seven B&B Happy hours enjoy the company of the "Family" with a
COLD BEER at Home Dining Caf? & Lounge from 4pm-6pm daily, cold beer @ 50 baht each.
Connect Guesthouse
Every Saturdays – Connects gay day tour to Kai Island, at 11:00-19:00.
Every Sundays - BBQ buffet at Connect, start at 8 PM, only 250 THB per person.

23 Jan - NAB Club "Chinese New Year Party"
23 Jan - Copa Bar "Chinese New Year Party"
14 Feb - NAB Club having a "Valentine's Party"
14 Feb - Copa Show Bar "Valentine's Party"
14 Feb - The Venue Showbar Jomtien Complex"Valentine's Party Special Show"
14 Feb - All Of Me Bar "Valentine's Party"

Happy Place Bar - "Boy Bingo Night" takes place the 22nd of every month. start from 9.30pm. to 10.30pm.

Bondi Bar & Guesthouse - Quiz night every last Sunday of the month, start from 9.30pm.

House Of Male Sauna - Special offers & events
-Free entry on your birthday
-Each 10th visit to House of Male free-Obtain coupon from cashier
-Buddy nights Tuesday & Thursday nights with entry for 2 at the price of 1, commencing 6pm.

Club One Seven Sauna now open midday to midnight every day, for seven themes night look details at: www.cluboneseven.net/Chiangmai

Phuket Pride 2012

Press Release
Immediate release
Phuket Pride – April 23 to 28, 2012

Pride comes to Phuket - April 23 to 28, 2012.  Phuket Loves You (PLU) Club is the organization selected to produce this year’s pride celebration.

The Executive Committee comprised of Ken Miller – Chair - General Manager of CC Bloom’s Hotel, a gay friendly hotel, and former Executive Director of Honolulu Gay Community Center and Pride organizer, Reiner Buechel – Co-Chair - architecture consultant and Co-founder of the Cologne Gay Pride, John Bowell - Treasurer – co-owner of the Sundowners Group who has an extensive background in accounting systems and Sompol Sitthyiwetoh “Vickky” – Secretary – producer of Phuket Pride - 2010 and 2011.

The goal for this year’s pride celebration is to create a stronger sense of community within the Thai and Farang communities in Phuket which is why this year’s theme, chosen by the Phuket Pride committee, is “Join our Family” – “ เข้ามาเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของครอบครัวเรา. “

This year’s Pride logo, created by Thongbuy Santad, represents our island paradise: the rainbow colors represent the various LGBT communities on Phuket.  Each leaf is connected to the heart of our community.  The large and small circles represent the small and large LGBT community groups on Phuket.  Our goal, through this logo, is to show how we are all interconnected and how by working to strengthen the relationship that binds us together; we are able to address the inequalities that we experience on a daily basis. 

Given this direction, the Phuket Pride Committee, will focus on increasing awareness of HIV/AIDs and STD in the LGBT communities and the services provided for those affected.  PLU Club is committed to create a positive change for our Phuket community by pledging to donate a percentage of its profits from its Pride Celebration to selective organization(s) that work towards achieving PLU Club’s goals.

This year, Phuket Pride will be an island-wide celebration.  The schedule of events is as follows and is subject to change:

• April 22 – Pride Pool Party at CC Bloom’s Hotel
• April 23 to 26
• Rawai - Party at V. Sawana Bar
• Phuket Town – showing of the film, “Living with the Tiger” and intimate and moving story about a group of HIV infected orphans in Thailand that have been abandoned by society – Directed by Mike Thomas
• Patong - Street parties in Paradise Soi
• My Way Bar - Mr Gay Pride
• April 26
• Phuket Pride Volleyball Tournament
• April 27
• Welcome Party Patong Soccer Field  –  4 to 11 pm
• April 28
• Phuket Pride Parade – 4 pm
• Phuket Pride  Finale - Patong Soccer Field  –  5 to 11 pm

Media Contact
John Bowell – 083-301-4036 - email: johnthaibwll@yahoo.co.uk

Samui Top To Bottom By Roving Resident Reporter Adam Preston

When does an island stop becoming an island?  It is interesting that Phuket is not called Phuket Island (Koh Phuket) anymore since it became joined to the mainland by a bridge.  In some ways it is a very minor change to the topography and geography of an area to simply build a bridge.  To my mind an island is still essentially an island.
 
On the other hand a road link to the mainland makes a huge difference to the ease and cost of transportation for both people and goods.  Building materials and large infrastructure items can be sent by road and truck much cheaper than by aeroplane or ferry.  The expansion and development that follows direct connection by road means an area quickly loses its relaxed island atmosphere and some of its ‘laid back’ island charm.
 
A small tropical island like Koh Samui cannot be connected to the mainland with a bridge.   As a result it may take more time and be a little more expensive to get here but for people searching for a true tropical island experience the extra effort will be worthwhile.  From the quaint thatched roofs of Samui airport to the palm fringed beaches and its small but vibrant gay community – Samui continues to draw people to its island life, whether Thai or foreigner, whether on holiday, for work or retirement, everyone here has made an extra effort to be here for the same reason.

SAMUI PRIDE NEWS

Our Xmas Costume Party held on 17 December was a resounding success.  A good mixture of tourist, Thai locals and expats filled the bar and spilled over onto the street.   The hosts K Club spared no expense to decorate the venue and provided a great drinks menu and complementary snacks.  Starz Cabaret gave their time and effort to put on a special show whilst the judges deliberated on the costume contestants.   Winner (unanimous with the judges) was Bam from Tropical Fah Samui with his handmade creation from banana leaves:  took 4 days to make and definitely looked good enough to eat.  

Equally important was the fundraising for Samui School for Special Needs.  The gay businesses of www.gay-samui.com donated 5,000 baht to make the event happen.  After the event Samui Pride had 15,000 baht profit to pass on to the school. The School gets no government help and the children have a range of disabilities physical and mental.

NEW WRECK DIVING FROM SAMUI

The Thai Royal Navy has sunk two decommissioned war ships close to Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand to serve as artificial reefs and wreck dive destinations for scuba divers. Navy sources say that each ship is about eight meters wide and fifty meters long.  The navy decided to make use of the two ships, both 70 years old, as artificial reefs to help preserve the country’s marine ecology and promote southern Thailand as a diving destination.  One ship is off Ngam Island in Chumpon Province and the other is off Koh Tao, about 300 meters from natural coral ridges. Both lie in depth of between 25 to 28 meters.

For more information about scuba diving and other land tours from Samui check out www.rainbow-scuba.com

Chiang Mai - Coffee, the New Black (By David Edwards)

For many years the hills of Northern Thailand around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, together with those in the neighbouring countries of Burma and Laos, known notoriously as the Golden Triangle, were home to war lords and opium growers.  The impenetrable jungle and mountain climate provided the perfect conditions for cultivation and the opium trade became intertwined with the fight against communism, leading to an explosion in the supply of heroin to feed insatiable demand from western nations.

Determined to create a better future for his people, in 1969, His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej started the first Royal project to research new crops that could grow in the mountainous hill tribe areas and encourage local farmers to adopt sustainable farming methods and grow these crops in place of opium.  In 1982, the Royal Thai Army forced the most infamous Shan Warlord, Khun Sa, and his private army out of their stronghold at Ban Hin Taek (now called Ban Thoed Thai), Chiang Rai, in a major assault.  Khun Sa retreated into Burma marking the beginning of the end for opium cultivation in Thailand, although Khun Sa’s activities continued until 1996 when he reached an accommodation with the Burmese government to halt his Mong Tai Army’s war against them.

As military operations against communist insurgents and the drug warlords led to roads and infrastructure arriving into areas that were previously inaccessible, the Royal Project led initiatives rapidly replaced opium with other crops.  In a transformation that is acknowledged as a major success, by 2005 opium cultivation had been all but eliminated from Northern Thailand.  One of the new crops introduced was coffee, with black gold, as opium was known, being replaced with a new black elixir.  The higher altitudes, cooler climate and excellent soil conditions of northern Thailand’s hills provide great conditions for growing Arabica coffee trees and many hill tribe communities adopted this new crop.

Over the last few years coffee has developed into a thriving industry with Hill Tribe grown Thai coffee proving to be a hit both in Thailand, and abroad.  It has also led to a new coffee culture in Chiang Mai city, with many chic and trendy coffee shops being opened by a generation of young coffee connoisseurs that sell locally grown coffee.  If you stay in Chiang Mai, be sure to visit a few; the following are some suggestions.

Akha Ama Coffee is a great example of Chiang Mai’s new breed of coffee entrepreneurs.  In less than two years since it opened Akha Ama’s  small coffee shop has engendered a cult following of coffee aficionados which includes many from Chiang Mai’s gay ex-pat community.  Run by a very charming Akha guy called Lee, Akha Ama is hidden away in the Santitham area of Chiang Mai at Hussadisawee Rd Soi 3;  the same soi as New My Way go-go bar, but at the other end on the opposite side,  so not so hard for our readers to find. 

However, Akha Ama is much more than just a coffee shop.  The business was founded in 2007 in Lee’s home village of Ban Maejantai, located in the mountains near Chiang Rai at 1,500 meters above sea level.  Lee’s objective was to help disadvantaged local farmers from the Akha hilltribes who live there, and Akha Ama is supported by the Royal project which provides support, training and access to low cost coffee plants.  Guiding principles include sustainable organic farming and fair trade commerce.  Akha Ama coffee is now available through a number of retail outlets and coffee shops in Chiang Mai, but for the ultimate coffee experience a trip to Lee’s shop to taste award winning coffee produced by the master barista himself is not to be missed.

Also in Santitham is the latest addition to Chiang Mai’s gay friendly venues, Radchada Garden Caf?.  Set in a large traditional Lanna (Northern Thai) style teakwood mansion and surrounded by a lush tropical garden, Radchada Garden Caf? is a great place to sit and laze over coffee during the day, in a peaceful ambience which has a countryside feel, whilst remaining close to the city centre.   The sprawling building is a perfect example of old-style Thai architectural features and craftsmanship.

Their menu includes all day breakfasts, snacks, light meals, sandwiches and a tasty thin crust pizza cooked to order.  Gay owned with ultra-friendly gay staff to serve you, they also have a selection of beers or wines and a fun early evening cocktail hour making it an ideal place for that pre-dinner aperitif.  Radchada Garden Caf? is located not far off the superhighway behind the Chiang Mai Grand View hotel.  See their website www.radchada-cafe.com  for location details.

Isaan Scene (By Miss James)

Hello, boys, almost-boys, not-quite-boys, and girls.  Greetings from Isaan, where we are now enjoying the onset of the cool season.  While it is not exactly a Winter Wonderland up here – haven’t spotted any snowmen yet, or had much use for the skis and sleds – the temperatures are deliciously refreshing, day and night.  What better excuse do you need to pay a visit to our magnificent region?

To help you get started planning your trip to Thailand’s lightly-touristed Northeast, I am listing my six favorite must-see and must-do attractions in Isaan – two in each of the next three issues of Thai Puan.  So get your butts off the beach or slink out of the city for a refreshing weekend – or better yet, longer – to the region that is the source of Thailand’s best cooks and cutest boys! 

1.  Udon Thani.  OK, OK – so I’m doing a bit of a plug for my home town here.  But Udon has a lot going for it.  First of all, Udon has the best gay scene in Isaan.  Udon is home to The Boy Zone Bar, in its third year of operation and by far the most “happening” gay bar in all of Isaan.  The Boy Zone has over a dozen friendly waiter/hosts, reasonably-priced drinks and bar fines, and good music.  The bar has recently been upgraded with new furniture and d?cor, and VIP karaoke rooms upstairs.  Located on Phon Phisai Road near the “Baan Lao” intersection.  Call (081) 8467760 for directions in Thai or English.  Gentle is a great M4M massage parlor with handsome, local boys that has just relocated to flashier digs on Adulyadej Road, near the intersection with Phon Phisai Road.  Call (042) 243015 for details.   Finally, for a bit of sophistication, Mr. Tong’s, a gay-friendly bar with a very handsome staff, is going strong as ever on Prajak Road, near the train station. 

Second, Udon is a GREAT eating city.  Best options are any of the restaurants located on the numerous lakes in and around the city.  What better way to spend an afternoon than sitting in a Thai-style sala by the water, eating delicious Isaan food and drinking whiskey sodas along with your partner (or favorite bar boys from last night’s outing on the town)?   A good option is Rabieng Patchani, located on Nong Prajak in the center of town.  Excellent food, beautiful location that is easy to get to from central Udon hotels, and the added bonus of watching hundreds of people stroll, walk, run, or bicycle around the lake in the early evening make this a great choice.  For something a bit quieter and more romantic – and probably the best food in Udon – visit Baan Maihom, located on the shores of Nong Bua on the eastern section of the Ring Road.

Third, Udon is a good base for visiting nearby Nong Khai or Vientiene, only an hour away by public bus or less by car.  Nong Khai makes a fantastic day-trip for walking along the river promenade and enjoying a long, leisurely lunch on the Mekhong.  Vientiene, the low-key capital of Laos, makes an excellent overnighter from Udon.  There are plenty of hotels and lots of delicious Lao (and Western) restaurants.  And the Lao boys are lovely….

2.  Khok Chiang.  This is one of the most fabulous spots in Isaan.  It marks the point where the Mun River (Thailand’s second largest) joins the mighty Mekhong.  The scenery is spectacular – vistas of forested hills and mountains across the Mekhong into Laos as far as the eye can see, and the wonderful river valleys cut by the Mun and Mekhong.  Walk the promenades along the Mekhong, spend a lazy afternoon eating local foods (try the various river fish dishes, as well as the wild deer and boar curries) in one of the two “floating restaurants” on the Mekhong, or in one of a handful of eateries on the bluff above the river, or just relax and take in the view.  There’s a fantastic, simple bungalow set-up right on the riverside near the main action.  Conversely, the Tohsang Resort, located on a riverside bluff a couple of kilometers from town, is probably Isaan’s poshest resort complex – complete with swimming pool, upscale Thai/Western restaurant, and fantastic views.  Very isolated though, so you’ll need a car for this one.  Note that Khok Chiang is mostly a low-key, Thai tourist spot – you won’t find many Western tourists or much English spoken here, which is part of the charm.  You’ll probably go through the hub of Ubon Ratchathani – an hour away – to get there.  If you stay in “Ubon,” make sure to stop in at Black Beans, a gay host karaoke bar located downtown!

Check back next issue for more of my favorite places to visit in Isaan!
You can reach the author at:  jamespaulhanson@gmail.com

Pattaya News

GANYMEDE IN JOMTIEN COMPLEX

WHERE YOU CAN DO IT ALL ( BY ALAN S. BROWN )

It’s hard to believe the massive expansion that’s taken place at Jomtien Complex’s Ganymede Resort and Spa, in Pattaya, over the just three years since it first opened. Originally a Greek themed, terrace bar and an eighteen room guest house, Ganymede now sprawls across three buildings comprising 37 guest rooms (with more coming in 2012), five bars (including the popular Spilia Karaoke), a spa/sauna, three Jacuzzis and a restaurant/coffee shop.

Ward De Meulder (‘Edward’), Ganymede’s new manager, took me on a tour of the new facilities, about a week before the grand opening, as the workmen were busily putting on the finishing touches. Edward, originally from Belgium, is quite experienced in the hospitality business, has lived in several countries and is fluent in a number of languages. We started our visit on the expansive second floor deck, where work on the three, new Jacuzzis was almost completed. Of course, there’ll be a Jacuzzi Bar, so you can soak and imbibe, as well as, a barbecue. They’re even planning a small, mini golf putting area.

The resort now consists of three wings: The Ganymede wing, with 12 new, luxurious rooms and suites, with private balconies; the Spa wing, comprising seven rooms above the Thermae sauna and spa and the Leisure wing, which consists of 18 rooms, including the Tatani, Japanese style room. All rooms in the Ganymede and Spa wings are accessible by lift. There are also spacious suites in the Ganymede wing, which include a sitting area with sofa and can be combined with an adjoining suite for an additional 1000 baht, for large parties. The suite bathrooms contain separate bath tubs and showers. The new rooms are more ‘hotel’ than ‘guest house’ style, as they have in-room telephones, wifi and even Skype. Room service is also available. Room rates start at a very reasonable 700 baht (in the Leisure and spa wings) and begin at 1500 baht for rooms in the Ganymede wing. A suite is 3,000 baht (and an additional 1,000 baht for a double suite). Breakfast is included for those staying in the Ganymede wing. Check their web site for special offers.
Ganymede Resort and Spa is a lot more than luxurious, well appointed guest rooms. The newly opened coffee shop will offer tasty meals, in casual surroundings, 24 hours a day. Thermae Sauna and Spa, has an indoor pool, dry sauna, steam room, a bar and offers massage services by sexy masseurs. Furthermore, there’s exercise equipment to keep those muscles toned. Admission to the sauna is free for guests of the resort. Since it opened about a year ago, Spilia (‘The Cave’ in Greek) has become one of Pattaya’s hottest and most popular karaoke lounges. It has a state of the art sound system, private, VIP rooms and is open until the wee hours. Of course, there’s also the original terrace bar, where you can relax with your friends or make new ones with one of the attractive host/waiters. In addition to the usual beers, wines and gins and tonics, the bar tender can also make you a variety of cocktails, such as Cosmos, Daiquiris and Long Island Iced Teas among others. 

Ganymede’s location in Jomtien Complex is ideal. The complex consists of a multitude of gay and gay friendly bars, cabarets, restaurants and massage venues. It’s minutes from Dongtan gay beach and a short taxi ride to other parts of Pattaya, including Boyz Town/Pattayaland, Sunee Plaza and the plethora of restaurants, malls, cinemas, the famous  transvestite cabarets and all that Fun City has to offer. Ganymede strives to be a full service resort facility for the discerning gay traveler; but don’t worry. Ganymede Resort and Spa is straight friendly too.

Ganymede Resort and Spa: 413/85, 86 Moo 12 Jomtien Complex, Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Phone and Fax: +66(0)38 304 037
Web: www.ganymede-jomtien.com  email: info.ganymede@gmail.com

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