26 July - Asarnha Bucha – national holiday
27 July - Khao Pansaa Buddhist holiday
12 August - Queen's Birthday – Mother's Day
13 August - Queen's Birthday – additional holiday

Cutey and Beauty Hair Salon
Special offer for July and August, Cut & Color get hair treatment FREE!.

11 July - Mr ICK Sport man contest at ICK
Dance Pub, Ramkhamheng Rd., Soi 89/2.

@Richard's Pub
01 July - Richard Farewell
04 July - Bar-B-Q Night
18 July - Quiz Night
17 August - Jim’s Birthday Party

Paradise Complex - Street Party
10 July - White party, 10:00 p.m.
24 July - Fashion night show on Carpet. Street Party Show
11 August - Blue Night, Celebration for Queen Birthday & Mother's Day, Street Party Show
27 August - Gay and lesbian night 10:00 p.m.

Club One Seven B&B
Happy hours enjoy the company of the "Family" with a COLD BEER by the pool from 4pm-7pm daily, cold beer@50 baht each (Heineken or Singha beer).

Tara gay sauna (New sauna in Phuket Town)
Every Saturday get FREE drinks, Entrance fee is only 120 THB. Open from 3PM until midnight.

Connect Guesthouse
Every Saturdays – Connects gay day tour to Kai Island 11:00-19:00.
Every Sundays - BBQ buffet at Connect, start at 8 PM, only 250 THB per person.

04 July - Independence Day Party in Boyztown.
07 July - Bingo Night at THE BONDI Jomtien Beach, From 9pm.
18 July - Pattaya Marathon
23 July - Mr Pattaya Pride competition at Boyz Boyz Boyz, Boyztown, Pattaya.
15 August - The Venue Pattaya Pride Gala Show

17 July - Grand Opening Club One Seven, Boutique Guesthouse & Male Sauna Chiang Mai.
29 August - Long Yang Club Chiang Mai -

LYC: Dinner Party at West Restaurant, Reservations with LYC required.
Email: lyc.cnx@gmail.com

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.

Samui Film Festival 2010

2nd Annual Samui Film Festival (SFF), 6-8 August 2010

Thai Open-air Cinema Tradition
Back in the days when most movies were shot without synchronized sound and camera originals were circulated to cinemas around the country, most Thai movies were projected from the backs of trucks onto canvas screens hung between trees. It was customary for the projectionist to provide live sound effects and the entire dialogue which oftentimes was filled with whatever regional references and topical humour seemed to work best with the crowd. Those were the peak days of open-air cinema in the Kingdom, the days when the craft was greatly appreciated and the activity was a major cultural and entertainment event for Thais in the provinces as well as in Bangkok.

While resorting to digital technology and modern projection equipment SFF wishes nevertheless to honour this local custom of Nang Klang Plaeng (“movies in the middle of the field”) and will aim at recreating the original atmosphere and magic of this bygone era. A fence surrounding the screen will be built in the traditional way, using palm leaves and other naturally available materials, and local delicacies will be prepared by Samui locals.

We invite both travelers and residents to take part in this unique open-air event, and anticipate a memorable weekend.
(adapted after a 2009 Bangkok Post article by Kong Rithdee, and additional online resources)

SFF Location
We are stoked to announce that this summer’s festivities will take place in the spacious gardens of the stunning Tamarind Springs Forest Spa, located off the main Koh Samui ring road between Lamai and Chaweng. The full address follows below:
Tamarind Springs
205/7 M.4 Thong Takian
Koh Samui 84310
Suratthani, Thailand

SFF Official 2010 Selection - Sneak Preview
SFF is proud to announce the early selection of the following films for this year’s event. Please note this is NOT the complete program, we are still receiving submissions and will announce the final selection in late May. Festival-goers can expect a dazzling assortment of extraordinary independent films, from poetic shorts to thought-provoking and sometimes bizarre feature documentaries. So far, among others the following titles have been chosen:

"Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love" (Senegal, 2009)                 
"Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love" is a music-infused cinematic journey about the power of one man’s voice to inspire change. Described by Rolling Stone as ‘‘a singer with a voice so extraordinary the history of Africa seems locked inside it.’’ Youssou Ndour bridges two worlds – that of a modern pop star, the highest selling African artist of all time, and a West African griot, a traditional musical storyteller. As a child, he followed in his grandmother’s footsteps and began singing at religious events; by the age of 23, he had become a household name from Europe to Asia. Director Chai Vasarhelyi follows Ndour for over two years – filming in Africa, Europe, and America – to tell the story of how he faces the challenge of promoting a more tolerant side ofIslam and eventually wins over audiences both at home and abroad.

"Food Fight" (USA, 2008)
When we walk into a supermarket, we assume that we have the widest possible choice of healthy foods. But in fact, over the course of the 20th century, our food system has been             co-opted by corporate forces whose interests do not lie in providing the public with fresh, healthy, and sustainably-produced food.

Fortunately for America, an alternative emerged from the counterculture of California in the late 1960s and early 1970s, where a group of political anti-corporate protesters - led by Alica Walkers (who later founded Chez Panisse) - voiced their dissent by creating a food chain outside of the conventional system. The unintended result was the birth of a vital local sustainable-organic food movement, which has brought back taste and variety to our tables.
        

"No Impact Man" (USA, 2009)
A guilty New York Liberal decides to practice what he preaches for one year. He turns off the electricity, stops making garbage, gives up TV, taxis & take out, and becomes a walking, bicycling, composting, tree hugging, polar bear saving, local food-eating citizen, all while taking his baby daughter and caffeine loving retail-obsessed television-addicted wife along with him. “No Impact Man” presents an intimate emotional portrait of a couple struggling through a severe and protracted change in their lifestyle. How do they cope with the constant stress and intermittent crises of this new way of living? Or, perhaps, when life is pared down, do some things become unexpectedly better and even easier?
        

"All In This Tea" (USA, 2006)
Flower Films presents All In This Tea, a feature documentary by directors Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht that follows the world-renowned American tea importer, David Lee Hoffman, to some of the most remote regions of China in search of the finest handmade teas in the world. Not since Robert Fortune clandestinely made his way through the tea growing districts of China in 1843 to steal plants and seeds for the British Empire has a westerner attempted to gain access to the hidden world of tea, where farmers have been making it for generations. As the Chinese open their doors to the global marketplace, Hoffman opens their eyes to their own ancient tradition that links them, and all of us, to the distant past, while introducing the west to one of China’s cultural gems—the artistry and exquisite taste of fine, handmade tea.
        

 "Voice Over The Bridge" (Myanmar, 2008)
A documentary of unexplored and remote Myanmar, where Khing Zin Shwe and Shwe Shwe Khaing share their lives and passions through their stories and voices.
 
Voice Over The Bridge follows the lives of these two vocalists and their music. The Great Songs praising the King were first heard in the ancient 13th century kingdoms of Myanmar. Centuries later, Khing Zin Shwe and Shwe Shwe Khaing sing the Great Songs from an ancient past, in a musical collaboration with contemporary western musicians.

Samui Top to Bottom "By Roving Resident Reporter, Adam Preston"

Throw a Ball and Strike a Pose is what they call the monthly bowling tournament for the gay community of Koh Samui.  Tournament is quite a grand word for it since there is lots of posing and plenty of throwing but far less strikes going on.  Some take it more seriously than others while many people just come to meet friends and watch the fun.  The bowling alley sells a good range of food and drink so there is something for everyone and of course visitors to the island are very welcome.  If you are on Samui the second Saturday of any month go check out the size of their balls from 9pm at Tesco Lotus Chaweng.

Travel to Samui just got a whole lot easier with a code share agreement between Bangkok Airways and Eva Air.  This means that travelers to and from Amsterdam, London, Vienna and Taipei will be able to check right through with only the minimum one hour transfer time at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.  By the way: does this take the prize for the most unpronounceable international airport name in the world or can someone tell me another?  Answers on a postcard to the Thai Puan editor please.





NEW ON SAMUI THIS MONTH
SPA
Gk Spa for Men.  Samui’s latest offering in spa services for men by men is located in a smart new shop on the main Samui Ring Road between Bophut and Mae Nam.  That’s the north coast area for people not familiar with the island.  If you are driving yourself then you can not miss the big rainbow flag and tropical island logo on the side of the building.  If you prefer they will come and pick you up by motor bike from most of the popular tourist locations.  Check out their web site for details www.gkmensspa.com or call 077-427167

TOUR
Samui Southern Islands snorkel and island hopping.  Avoid the hetro crowds, relax and enjoy small exclusively gay tour organised by Rainbow-Scuba & Tour.  The trip price of 1,500 baht includes private hotel pick up, private long tail boat, snorkeling equipment,  unlimited soft drinks and snacks.  For more details including short videos of previous trips follow the links from the web site  www.rainbow-scuba.com or call 086-2720890

EAT & DRINK
Thursday nights is all you can eat buffet for a mere 180 baht at COMA Restaurant,  Soi Samui Resort, Ban Tai.  COMA is a relaxing rustic style restaurant with open sides, Thai style thatched roof and ceiling fans.  The Ban Thai area on Samui’s north coast is half hour drive from Chaweng.   Well worth the drive any night of the week (but closed Mondays). See their web site for details www.coma.co.cc or call 082 2839739

MASSAGE
Treat yourself to the ultimate in private massage on your own private chartered yacht organised by Emerald Green Mens Club.  The price of 70,000 baht for two people includes a full day tour plus food and drinks throughout the day plus of course a range of body and skin treatments
provided by Emerald Green experienced staff.  See their web site for detailswww.emeraldgreensamui.com or call 087 8142260

NOT ALL FRENCH RESTAURANTS ARE EXPENSIVE
THE FURGAL GOURMAND’S GUIDE TO FRENCH CUISINE IN PATTAYA
"By Alan S. Brown"

Over the past several years, Pattaya has seen an explosion of fine dining choices, especially in South Pattaya and Jomtien. It's possible to have a culinary experience comparable to New York or Paris, but at a fraction of the cost. Prices range from downright cheap to a bit pricey. As French cuisine is among the tastiest and most popular in the world, we decided to take a look at some delicious French dining opportunities, here in Fun City, that won't break the bank. It turns out that Pattaya has quite a few restaurants offering French fare at good value. At most of the establishments mentioned in this article, you can enjoy a tasty French meal for less than 500 baht (excluding wine). What follows is a subjective listing of some of my favorites. All of the establishments mentioned here are gay friendly. If your favorite was omitted, you can email
Thai Puan and tell us about it.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at L'Arc French Restaurant (038 251 1921), which is located in Jomtien Complex (same soi as Poseidon Hotel). Lydeia and her partner, Christophe, opened it last November. The attractively decorated venue features modern furnishings and impressionistic art. For starters, I tried the carrot soup (110 baht) which was thick and creamy. My partner raved about his Quiche Lorraine (120 baht). For my main course, I ordered bavette cranolais of beef (390). Bavettle beef isn't seen that much outside of France and it turned out to be tender, juicy and succulent, indeed. My friend very much enjoyed his Marget De Canard Sauce Miel (grilled duck breast with honey sauce) (230), raving that it was unlike any other he had tried. There's an assortment of desserts. As a chocoholic, I went with the sinful Mousse Au Chocolat Maison (120).

Also located in Jomtien Complex is L'Olivier (038 251 689), which offers a complete dinner including soup, salad and cold cuts, main course and dessert for 290 baht. Main courses offered on the set menu change daily but typic-ally include such items as beef bourguignon, sea bass and bouillabaisse. A very reasonable a la carte menu is offered, as well as, Thai dishes.
There's inside, as well as, al fresco seating.

On the other side of Thappraya Road, down the Hanuman Statue soi, just beyond the Pacific Jomtien Hotel, is a very new entry: The Cosy Pool Restaurant (089 727 9434). This beautiful, converted mansion features open air dining area alongside a stunning swimming pool. They offer a three course set dinner, which changes weekly, for 290 baht. Recently the set menu included prawn cream soup, a choice of grilled pork or Spaghetti Alfredo and ice cream or sherbet for dessert.

Their extensive a la carte menu includes starters, such as terrine de pate (160) and the house quiche (170). Mains include grilled duck (390) and tenderloin beef steak with choice of sauces (430). You can enjoy a glass of house wine at 130 baht. The delicious food and unique poolside ambiance make Cosy Pool a place you should definitely try.

On Thappraya Road Soi 9, give Casa Des Amis (08 402 64989) a try. This elegant, yet relaxed, bistro features reasonably priced and succulent meals. A recent example from their menu was fettuccini pasta with porcini mushrooms and home cured smoked bacon at 350 baht. To add to the relaxing atmosphere are piano music and a vocalist. Give them a
call for complimentary pick-up.

You could easily spend a week trying the different reasonably priced French restaurants in the Day and Night area of South Pattaya without repetition. Monte Cristo (087 380 7148) is located where Renoir's used to be, adjacent to the now closed Flamingo Hotel. You can definitely stay within budget and eat like an epicure in this elegant and stylish brasserie. Their 290 baht set menu includes starter, main course, dessert and coffee. A glass of wine is 110 baht. The a la carte choices include a variety of starters, such as quiche, fish soup and smoked salmon. Special main courses include paella with sea bass and fresh taglia telle with sea food.

Day Night Soi 2, across and down from Tuk Com features a plethora of French offerings. La Cuisine Au Beurre ( 087 133 5471), an attractive open air bistro offers a set menu for 290 baht. A starter, main course (duck, pork or fish, was on offer recently), dessert and coffee or tea are included. One evening, I tried the filet steak, which for the price was excellent: juicy and flavorful. 255 baht gets you a mouth watering complete meal at Le Petite Planet (038 723 755), a cozy and attractive French restaurant, just a few steps from La Cuisine Au Beurre. The set menu includes starter, main course, dessert and coffee. Continuing down the same soi, you'll come to Chez Vicky, certainly one of the area's more quirkily decorated establishments. The proprietor was a transvestite performer in another life, and the restaurant is decorated with posters from various musicals, as well as, mannequins dressed to the nines. The 290 baht set menu includes a starter and a main course, such as chicken or beef stew. I found the latter delicious and savory and plan to go back soon. Across from Chez Vicky is Bordeaux Restaurant (038 721 524), a warm, modern restaurant with an air conditioned room, as well as a fan cooled room for smokers. You can choose from two and three course set menus at 290 and 390 baht, respectively. Examples of some of their delicious a la carte entrees were pan fried scallops with flamb?ed cognac (280) (unforgettable) and chateaubriand (540). There are also a variety of sinful desserts to top off your meal. Don't miss this one.

Finally, Sanong Brussels Resto-Bistro (038713 377), on Soi Yensabai Mansion, off Soi VC in South Pattaya, is a real jewel for food and value. (OK, technically it's Belgium but I guess that's close enough). The set menu (265) is on a sign board and there's a tremendous array of dishes to choose from. Everything but wine is included from starter to dessert and coffee. One of my favorites is the beef bourguignon. However, last time I tried the spare ribs which were pleasantly spiced and moist and tender. Apple pie a la mode was the perfect ending to the repast. There's also an a la carte menu and tasty Thai food (according to one of my dining companions).

So, when you have a yen for delicious French cuisine, but are light in the wallet, don't despair. Just try one of Pattaya's many reasonably priced French restaurants. Bon appetite.

Cutey and Beauty News

       

  

CUTEY AND BEAUTY HAIR SALON

Special offer for July and August, Cut & Color get hair treatment FREE!.
Tel 02-2312315 for appointment.

Pattaya News

Samui News

Rainbow Scuba & Tour "Komodo Gay Cruise"
28 Aug to 04 Sep, 7 Days 7 Nights
Price: 1500 EURO Plus Komodo National Park fees approx 35 USD,
Trip starts and ends in Bali. For more details: www.rainbow-scuba.com