Guest GayPattayan Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 Hi, Guys. For the first time, I am posting the message sent out with the weekly report each week -- generally not much substance -- that is in the weekly report -- but the "intro" gives me a "link" to the subscribers to the weekly report on the Yahoo.com GayPattayanGroup. Just thought some of you might like to see what the "note" is about, and whether it adds to or detracts from the weekly report itself. -- Allen (G.P.) A slightly longer delay in getting the WR out this week than anticipated; I failed to send some photos to the webmaster that I had expected would be used, and he couldn't reach me without longer delay -- so we did without. I did not discuss Loy Krathong in the WR this week, and probably should have. It is really one of the warmest, most charming and fascinating of the Thai festivals that foreigners can freely and fully participate in, and in which the Thais genuinely seem to enjoy our participation. Magnificent fireworks at Jomtien Beach all evening -- from around 7 to after 10 p.m. anyway, and most of the krathongs were put into the water after 9 p.m. or so, walking out into the calm waters of Pattaya Bay until about knee-high depth of the water, then releasing the little krathongs (wood, bread, some other materials, decorated incredibly beautifully, with a lighted candle and some "joss sticks" that, once lit, burn without flame usually after the candle burns out. We place the krathongs in the water with a prayer for whatever, and join together in the joy of releasing krathongs with friends and acquaintances. Usually the candles burn out or are blown out or splashed out after four or five minutes, but the joss sticks continue smoldering (burning) until the krathong has gone far from you. Everyone is in such good spirits and many Thais and foreigners are dressed up in Traditional Thai costumes, or whatever -- a joyous experience, shared with special friends. Strangely, I did not notice the full moon at the seaside, but when I stopped at a bar later with friends, the moon was shining directly overhead -- very, very brightly! I didn't get into Bangkok for the Bangkok Pride Parade or for the Pride in the Park event the previous day (where the swim suit and volleyball competitions took place) in huge Lumpini Park -- a park nearly totally gay for a day! Boxer fortunately was there and provided photos, as did guys from Telephone Pub and from The Balcony Pub. A lot of photos, but I hope you enjoy them. The sale of Throb - Splash by Kevin who has owned Throb - Splash virtually since redoing the building that used to be a cabaret show place across from Boyz Boyz Boyz in BoyzTown. He had to sell because he has come down with cancer of the voice box; his voice box has been removed, and until they can put in a replacement, Kevin is unable to speak at all, so writes out messages and, on the last night, a farewell message that Boxer reported on very well. The new owners will work with Le Cafe Royale in managing and renting the rooms in the Throb - Splash building, as modified already at the suggestion of the new owners. Le Cafe Royale will continue to manage rental of rooms and suites in that building, which is directly connected to the main LCR hotel facility. The final days of the Pattaya Gay festival (PGF) are not far away -- Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 1 and 2 -- but of course the 2007 PGF will start sometime fairly early in 2007, to continue to provide the immense amounts raised by this incredibly successful charitable effort to help maintain the free and low cost health services and medications provided by and through Dr. Philippe Seur and HEARTT 2000! They certainly don't raise as much as the Pattaya Orphanage, but I am certain there is no other AIDS - helping group in Thailand with anywhere near the fund raising success that the PGF makes possible for HEART 2000. And the services provided by Dr. :Philippe remain among the best in the world, I am sure! He is one remarkable guy! I hope you enjoy the weekly report this week. It is always great to hear how much getting the report means to so many of you, particularly those who can get to Thailand only once a year or so! Take Care! Allen (G.P.) WEEKLY REPORT ON THAILAND FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5, 2006 (Published November 6 after necessary delay) Boxer reports on Bangkok Pride Parade, "Bigger, better and more colorful", Sunday, November 5 Pride in the Park on Saturday, Nov. 4 -- a report from Boxer on the scene, supplemented by The Balcony Pub Hallowe'en is over, but information on Silom Soi 4's Hallowe'en Party "too good to ignore" Pattaya Gay Festival's Next Dinner, Sunday, November 19 at The Balcony Restaurant, North Pattaya Pattaya Gay Festival 2006 approaching Crescendo! Information on final events through December 2 Sunny Reports on Activities in Sunee Plaza and Day Night Areas Le Caf Quote
