Gay Guide Pattaya, Gay Thailand: news, diary, images, maps, links. A guide to gay life in Pattaya | ||||||||||
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| WEEKLY REPORT NEWSLETTER 7 days ending October 13 2009 CONTACT US: pgreport@gmail.com | ||||||||||
This page was last updated on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 14:25 (Thailand time) | ||||||||||
| A weekly report of gay events in Pattaya & Thailand | ||||||||||
WEEKLY REPORT NEWSLETTER 7 days ending October 13 2009 | ||||||||||
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brought to you by
www.gayaffairspattaya.com | |||||||||
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The first PG Weekly Report was published
on November 26, 2006 | ||||||||||
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Pattaya News
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An appeal from Thais4Life Readers of the PG Weekly Report, and Gay Affairs Pattaya, will be well acquainted with the work of Thais4Life – the methods used to raise funds and the distribution of those funds. Full information, including annual accounts, are published on their website www.thais4life.com and also contained in our information brochure available at the bookshop. The Thais4Life Charity Bookshop, located in Soi Yensabai Condotel, off Soi VC, is our principal visible and main local presence. We have in the bookshop now, approximately 26,000 titles - and all these books have been donated to enable us to raise funds to help destitute Thais – including those in orphanages etc.
In recent months, probably due to the
economic conditions, there has been an unprecedented demand for our
books – especially those in European Continental languages – German,
Dutch, French, Italian, and also Scandinavian languages, as well as
English. |
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Although our sales are generally up on previous years, the inflation in Thailand has also created additional demands on resources available for our beneficiaries. We are appealing to anybody – residents in Thailand, visitors already here who have brought books with them, or overseas readers contemplating a visit to Pattaya – who may have a few books that they no longer require, to donate them to the Thais4Life Charity Bookshop. If you are in Bangkok, any books for Thais4Life may be left at The Balcony, Silom Soi 4, and here in Pattaya they can be left at the bookshop, at Oscars Bar in Boyztown, at the Bondi Beach Bar/Guest House on Dongtan Beach, or if you in Pattaya you can give us a phone call and we will collect the books from you.
We would also be interested in receiving
magazines and periodicals, eg.
Thank you – we hope that you can help us
at this time ! |
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Baby Nong Non – can you help? You may have recently seen on Pattaya People the reporting about one-year-old baby boy Nong Non who was born without a fully developed anus. He was found living with his parents, both scrap collectors, in an unhygienic makeshift shed, in severe pain and discomfort and requiring surgery which they were unable to afford. Nong Non has now had an operation to correct this defect thanks to the generosity of local businessman Darren and thanks to him with the help of others, including Thais4life, both Nong Non and his family are now living in a new more hygienic home which requires furnishing. How can you help? The family urgently need furniture.
For further information contact David at Oscars in Boyz
Town or Thais4Life in Soi Yensabai Condo, South Pattaya. |
 Photo courtesy of Pattaya People |
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GayTingTong Party at Memories On Monday October 12 GayTingTong.com held its annual forum party Memories Music Bar in Sunee Plaza. The soi was closed in front of the bar to accommodate the large turnout. There was a free buffet provided along with free booze and dancing by the Beer Lao Dancers. The highlight of the evening was the "mucking" of the moderators with yellow liquid "gunk": Oogleman of GayTingTong and Gaybutton of Gay Thailand. Gaybutton's "mucking" by four attendees received the highest auction bid of 4000 Baht for charity.
Both were good sports to participate in
these antics. Entertainment included a "target shoot" wherein customers
threw wet sponges at two shirtless Thai guys plus ZZRichard. |
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Just before the rain started, the last event held was a lucky draw with prizes for tour packages to Chiang Mai as well as dinner certificates for Balkan Express Restaurant. Overall, the evening raised 71,000 Baht which will be donated to the following charities: Heart 2009/Dr. Phillippe Seur, S.W.I.N.G., and Pattaya Street Kids.
For more photos, go to the GayTingTong
website at |
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Latest news from The Venue
The Venue: week commencing Monday 12th
October.
Get your tables early. Shows begin at 10pm
nightly. Shows change every two nights. |
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"Living Statues" at Royal Garden Plaza If you visit Royal Garden Plaza at certain times of the day be sure to look out for these guys – the "Living Statues". They are part of the build up for the opening of the "Louis Tussauds Waxworks" scheduled for October/November in the old cinema on the second floor at Royal Garden. The statues, which appear five times daily on weekdays and seven at weekends, can be found at either entrance to the shopping plaza.
You must call by and see them, it must
take forever to apply all that make-up, plus like all Thais guys they
can be quite mischievous when there is a camera about. |
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Dusit D2 October events DEEP SPLASH FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 Be tempted by our attentive & super friendly staff and entertained by selective & delightful performances. Enjoy our deep splash’s special drink promotion “you & me” buy 1 get 1 free from 7pm – 9pm throughout the month of October Free admission. The fun begins from 9pm onwards
For
more information or reservations please contact: |
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One Night in Prague – Czech wine dinner at dusitD2 The dusitD2 baraquada on Pattaya Second Road are inviting you this month to "One night in Prague – Food, fun, fashion and wine dinner" on 24 October 2009. "An award winning guest chef will delight your evening with a sumptuous 5-course wine dinner menu complemented by Czech beer, wine and absinthe. Plus entertainment with a spectacular jewelry fashion show, live music, a fabulous bohemian glass display and a photo expo." 1,400++ THB per person.
The wine dinner commences at 7pm in the
s.e.a. restaurant |
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The deep & dark party Party with creatures of the deep this Halloween at dusitD2 baraquda Pattaya as deep bar is transformed into a spooky and mysterious playground where mermaids play and sea monsters drink away. Free admission. Click poster for more info
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Sunee News GayTingTong.com held its annual forum party on 12 October at Memories Music Bar. The soi was closed in front of the bar to accommodate the large turnout. There was a free buffet provided along with free booze. The highlight of the evening was the "mucking" of the moderators with yellow liquid "gunk": Oogleman of GayTingTong and Gaybutton of Gay Thailand. Gaybutton's "mucking" by four attendees received the highest auction bid of 4000 Baht for charity. Both were good sports to participate in these antics. Entertainment included a "target shoot" wherein customers threw wet sponges at two shirtless Thai guys plus ZZRichard. Just before the rain started, the last event held was a lucky draw with prizes for tour packages to Chiang Mai as well as dinner certificates for Balkan Express Restaurant. Overall, the evening raised 71,000 Baht which will be donated to the following charities: Heart 2009/Dr. Phillippe Seur, S.W.I.N.G., and Pattaya Street Kids. For photos, go to the GayTingTong website at http://www.gaytingtong.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5645 Up2U Restaurant has announced its "Neue Speisekarte" (new bill of fare/menu) which includes 16 German selections along with a la carte sidedishes. A glass of red wine costs 45 Baht. Sundance is scheduled to re-open on 24 October. It will be an open air beer bar and no longer have A Go Go dancers. Villa Rouge A Go Go is scheduled to re-open on 25 October. Balkan Express Restaurant has added a new liquor drink: "Obama Whiskey' which is promoted with the slogan, "its time for a change". Uniform Bar is undertaking plans to convert to an A Go Go bar. Stay tuned... SuneePlaza.Info will sponsor a Sunee Plaza street party on 15 November. For information, go to: http://www.suneeplaza.info/cgi-bin/page.pl?p=special Krazy Dragon A Go Go will hold a "Snow Party" on 15 November.
For an up-to-date map of Sunee Plaza, go
to
www.gayaffairspattaya.com/maps/maps.htm |
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NEWS FROM SUNEE PLAZA
New
Members in SPI!
White Night Restaurant
Duc's Coffee Shop & Bar new list of
DVDs OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS
Uniform Bar
We all wish Tim and Graham well in the new
venture and it will be nice to see another gogo venue in Sunee Plaza.
Ting Tong Forum Party
Party at Redgys and Place 2 B
WHITE
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 23rd October Heartbeat at Mike's Bar La Cage
Sunee Plaza Grand Street Party
For more information see
www.suneeplaza.info |
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Pattaya Gay TV is now online The latest internet guide to promote gay life in Pattaya and Thailand is now available online – PattayaGayTV.com The channel hopes to re-create the atmosphere of gay events held in Pattaya and to broadcast them to share with everyone. The reports will also be rebroadcast by partners worldwide in their own networks and channels. Pattaya Gay TV would also like you to invite them to your event so that they can make a report to broadcast or you can send them your own video. As part of their service to the gay community they would also like to hear from you if you have ideas for future TV programs.
For more information visit
www.pattayagaytv.com
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Pattaya Gay Festival 2009 end of season events The Pattaya Gay Festival are now putting together the final plans for their closing events for the 2009 Festival. On October 29 the PGF will be holding a Charity Dinner at Amor Restaurant in Boyz Town and on November 6 The Copa Showbar will host the PGF "Mr Sexy Body Competition" at the popular Boyz Town venue.
The Final Four Days of this year's
festival will include:
The Pattaya Gay festival has been in
existence since 2001 and in that time has raised almost 27 million Baht
mainly for HIV/AIDS related charity use. |
 Search for a Star Street Party: Feb  Rear of the Year winners 2009: May |
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The Festival is an annual event that starts in February with an opening street party and concludes around 01 Dec (World Aids day) with 3 or 4 events on consecutive days. Events are held throughout the intervening months organized by the Pattaya Gay Festival and their supporters. These events include dinners at different restaurants, sports activities, entertainment evenings at various bars, fun competitions and street/beach parties. |
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Amor Restaurant in Boyz Town On Thursday October 29 Amor Restaurant will be hosting a PGF Charity Dinner. The cost of the dinner is 1270 Baht net, 500 Baht of which will go to PGF Charities, plus the same charities will benefit from a 10% donation of all wine and drinks sales. On Thursday November 26 Amor will also be having their annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The cost for the dinner is 950 Baht with Family style service and all you can eat. For further details of these events click on the posters below.
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Le Café Royale News and Events On Tuesday October 20 Le Café Royale will be hosting a "Night of Cabaret" to celebrate the first anniversary of El Duo at Le Café. The evening promises "dancers, singers and special guest performances" with 10% of all proceeds going to Thais4Life. From 10pm to Midnight in the Piano Bar. On Thursday November 19 Le Café Royale will be celebrating their 19th Anniversary with a "Casino Royale" theme. The evening will feature the Cafe's renowned outdoor buffet followed by an evening of live entertainment with a selection of international artists. Plus a free lucky draw and "games of chance". More details of these events can be found by clicking on the posters below.
Regular entertainment: Le Café
Royale have "dinner music" every evening from 8pm in the Piano Bar. |
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Bar La Cage: News
Diary for October October 23rd HEARTBEAT. A Special 50’s pop music night. Lager and Lime and Snowballs on promotion. October 31st Halloween Party. Fun and frolics all night long with the Ghouls and Ghosties. We transform the bar into a dark and scary, Creepy Crypt! Traditional Halloween games, Apple Bobbing etc. Face painting. Prizes for best Costume and lots of drinks promotions. Free buffet 9.30 – 11 pm. Come if you Dare!!!! Mike’s Bar La Cage . Soi V.C. 273/98. 0894028741
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"Spooks, Spirits and Specters!" Pattaya Players (home of Pattaya's Professional Amateurs) is proud to announce its second annual Halloween Haunted Ghost Tour entitled, "Spooks, Spirits and Specters!" on Saturday, October 31, 2009.
This chillingly haunting script was
written by local Pattaya residents, Christopher Parsons and Ray
Lightbown. Parsons will also be directing the haunted tour. |
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"Spooks, Spirits and Specters!" takes unsuspecting spectators on a 30 minute guided walking tour of Horseshoe Point's breathtaking Three Kingdoms Park, highlighting ghost stories from all around the world. At each stop, the macabre Tour Guides will retell the legends of ghostly visitations and other scary tales of infamous poltergeists and haunted happenings, while the Pattaya Players troupe members portray the sinister specters! In addition to the Ghost Tour, there will be many activities, rides and games for children and adults of all ages to enjoy! If being scared is not your thing, come and enjoy a myriad of traditional Halloween games and fun carnival rides! There will be Pony Rides, Aqua Bubbles, A Jumpy Castle and Bobbing For Apples among many, many others! In addition, fair-style food and drinks will be on sale all night long courtesy of Horseshoe Point's delectable catering services! Experience the thrills that are sure to come during this exclusive one night only event. Taking place from 6pm onwards, tickets will be sold at the event (on the night of) only.
The admission price will be 200 Baht per
person and will come with 10 complimentary tickets. Each attraction,
game and ride will require a set amount of tickets, depending on the
activity. The tour itself will require the entire 10 tickets. Additional
tickets will also be available for purchase in multiple packs – with
greater discounts being offered on larger "family fun packs." For
specific details, please visit our website at www.pattayaplayers.org. |
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The 5th annual Miss International Queen™ Pageant The 5th annual Miss International Queen™ pageant is scheduled to be held at the Tiffany's theatre in Pattaya on October 26th -31st, 2009. Striving to advance and support today’s transgender/transsexual, Miss International Queen™ Pageant offers great opportunities for transgender/transsexual from all over the world to present their individual beauty and intelligence in a friendly atmosphere. The pageant is limited to the first 25 qualified entries. Applications are accepted and considered from persons between 18-36 years old. There will be 5 days of activities and preliminaries (October 26 – 30), the final competition on Saturday, October 31, 2009 Miss International Queen™ Pageant is produced and organized by Tiffany’s Show Pattaya Co., Ltd., the world’s largest transvestite/transgender cabaret show and supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The prizes on offer are: First Runner-up: US$ 2,000 + Trophy + Sponsor's Gift Second Runner-up: US$ 1,500 + Trophy + Sponsor's Gift Best Evening Gown: US$ 1,000 + Trophy + Sponsor’s Gift Best National Costume: US$ 1,000 + Trophy + Sponsor’s Gift Best Talent: US$ 500 + Trophy + Sponsor’s Gift
Miss Congeniality (chosen by the
contestants):
Miss Photogenic (chosen by the
Press): |
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The Bondi Beach Bar & Guest House The Bondi have Nightly entertainment Sunday A pianist from 4.00pm til 8.00pm to serenade you as the sun goes down Monday and Tuesday we have Willy on the keyboard with open mic so all you budding singers can "sing with our Willy" or you can just sit and relax and enjoy the show. Wednesday our own pianist again will play for you until Bingo (Bingay) starts at 9.30pm Thursday Willy and Mandy with all your favourite tunes Friday special cabaret nights with invited guests from Thailand and Europe Saturday Willy and Mandy entertain
PLUS we have many new host waiters
to tend to your every need!
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Sam's Mexican & American Grill Specials
Western Chicken burger
Ribeye Steak Dinner
Enchirito (A cross between a
burrito & enchilada) 99 Baht
Sam's Mexican American Grill is located
in Jomtien Plaza
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Showtime at Sawadee Boys The popular go-go bar Sawadee Boys on Pattayaland Soi 1 now host a cabaret show every weekend. "Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening starting at 11.45pm, we host a Cabaret show with stars from Alcazar's famous Katoey show, who perform alongside 6 sexy male dancers." Everybody is welcome, so why not go along and see for yourself.
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Sunday Brunch Buffet at Casa Pascal One of the best Sunday Brunch Buffets in Pattaya is coming soon – Sunday, November 01, 2009. Enjoy your Sunday with your Family and Friends at Restaurant Casa Pascal!
Delight in the extensive buffet that offers: Cold Appetizers including smoked Salmon, Rock Lobsters, Prawns, Crabs, Great international Salad Bar & Thai Salads Abundance of Appetizers, Italian Antipasto Cold Cuts, Terrines, Beef Tatar Live Pasta & Flamed Beef & Pork Tenderloin Station Soups and lots of other Asian and European Main Dishes And of course, the Sunday’s Breakfast Items B.B.Q Grill with Lamb Chops, Ribs, Sausages, Chicken Great Desserts such as Chocolate Mousse, Creams, Tarts, Parfaits And a Fruit Pancake Station will boost your appetite. Including a Glass of House Champagne Do not forget to reserve your table! Adults 899 baht net, Children (under 12) 599 baht net For your reservation : (038) 723-660 or (081) 983-4182 (Kim)
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Star Boys
Erotic Special Sexy Boy
Show:
Star Boys is on Pattayaland Soi 1 and is
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A cautionary tale: Canadian gay couple detained in Dubai for one month A gay couple planning to spend a day in Dubai before returning to Toronto after a trip to India were detained at Dubai airport for carrying the prescription arthritis drug Celebrex which is banned in the United Arab Emirates.
The couple, Rocky Sharma and Stephen
Macleod, who have been together for ten years, were stopped upon arrival
in Dubai on |
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In Stephen's suitcase there was a bottle of the prescription arthritis medication Celebrex and on it's discovery he was told Celebrex is a controlled substance in UAE. The partners were then detained even though they did not present themselves to border officials as a couple. “I think they thought we were gay and we would have some party drugs with us,” says Sharma. “They were definitely targeting people who are young, from the western world and nicely dressed, like they are going to party.” The UAE has very tough drug laws. Even over-the-counter medications that include traces of codeine are restricted. Possession can result in lengthy jail sentences, heavy fines or the death penalty, according to an advisory issued by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). They were not given an opportunity to contact a lawyer or consular officials but Sharma managed to contact friends at home on his Blackberry, which he had on him at the time of his arrest. Those friends gave him the emergency contact number of the Canadian embassy in Abu Dhabi, which Sharma called before his Blackberry was confiscated. Sharma’s family also contacted DFAIT in Canada but their efforts were stymied by the long weekend. “When I sent the message, we were thinking we were going back home,” says Sharma. “That’s when I took it out of my bag and sent the SOS message. They were taking us toward the airport, but I’m glad I sent it because they were taking us to the detention centre. We were very lucky about that.” Sharma and Macleod were forced by their captors to submit urine samples for drug testing. Sharma says they were told they were being held pending the results of the urine tests. They were kept in a filthy prison cell with eight other prisoners for 10 days before they were sent to separate prisons. “If you get a blanket and a pillow you’re very lucky,” he says. “For the first few days we slept on the floor. The bathroom conditions were just a hole in the ground for 200 people. Food was just rice with some kind of sauce on it three times a day.” For the next 18 days, Sharma and Macleod could only communicate with each other via the case worker provided by the Canadian consulate. “That was one of the worst parts, because I had no idea how he was doing, he had no idea how I was doing,” says Sharma. “We were told by the embassy not to even hint that we were a couple, to act like we were only friends, and that’s what we did.” Homosexuality is punishable by death in UAE. Even when the couple was formally declared innocent by the Dubai prosecution on Aug 18, they were kept another 11 days while their paperwork was processed. DFAIT currently advises travellers to the UAE to “exercise high degree of caution” but does not issue an official warning against travel. Anyone carrying personal medication is advised to consult the UAE Ministry of Health Drug Control Department before travelling to confirm that the medication is allowed in the country. Sharma says he and his partner will never return to the Emirates after their experience.
Article from NewGayTravelGuide.com |
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BOYLETS Boylets features newcomers Joeffrey Javier, Charles Delgado, Rusty Adonis and Francis Sienes and is directed by Crisaldo Vicente Pablo, whose other offerings include the controversial adult movies Showboyz, Quicktrip, Duda and Moreno. The movie focuses on middle class teenager Krys and his friends who spend their time steeling copper wire, gambling online and offering sexual services to gay customers. The film is screening in Manila on October 14, 2009 at selected theaters: Robinsons Galleria, Remar-Cubao, Isetann-Recto and soon later to be shown in Cebu and Davao.
You
can watch the trailer below which does contain some "adult content". You
have been warned!!! |
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Taiwan Gay Pride Asia's largest gay pride parade will be held in Taipei on Oct 31.
Taipei’s gay pride parade, with a turnout of 18,000 last year, is Asia's largest. First held in 2003 with some 500 participants, the event grew quickly to 3,000 the second year and 5,000 the third. The parade will begin at Kaidagelan Boulevard (in front of the Office of the President), going through Ai-Guo W. Rd., Chung Hua Rd. and passing several LGBT historical landmarks, before returning to Boulevard where a concert and party will be held. Malaysia-born pop singer Fish Leong, who is widely popular in the Chinese pop scene after launching her career in Taiwan more than a decade ago, has been named the “Rainbow ambassador” and will perform at the concert. The organisers will donate 20% of personal donations to help rebuild the tribal villages devastated by Typhoon Morakot when it slammed into Taiwan on August 8.
Photo: blog.taiwan-guide.org |
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Hong Kong Pride 'Be proud, be yourself' is the theme for Hong Kong’s second gay pride parade to be held Nov 1 this year. “’Be Proud’ is an attitude. It represents self-confidence, courage, honour, and joy. It means striding with assurance, with energy and full gear! ‘Be yourself’ is a living direction, and cannot be isolated by age, race, colour, language, gender and sexual orientation,” organisers explain on the parade's website. Organisers Women Coalition of HKSAR, Rainbow of Hong Kong, Midnight Blue, Nutong Xueshe, Gay Harmony say they expect to attract a greater turnout than last year’s 1,000 participants. Although the parade is only the territory’s second, the same organisers and the LGBT community in Hong Kong have commemorated International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) with a parade for three consecutive years since 2005. The rally and parade will begin at 2:30pm at Southern Playground, Wan Chai and will proceed along Hennessy Road (Westbound) to Chater Garden, Central where a street party will be held. Individuals or groups interested to perform at the party can contact join@hkpride.net. Photo: Towleroad.com
Source: Fridae.com |
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Counterfeit sex drugs: 11 deaths and 24 coma
cases Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority recorded a total of 302 adverse reaction reports including 11 deaths and 24 coma cases associated with the use of counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs and other illegal aphrodisiac products in the country in 2008 and 2009. Ray (not his real name) was until recently an engineer working in Singapore. He had lost his job not because he had fallen victim to the economic crisis but because he was no longer able to perform his job after the brain damage he had suffered after consuming counterfeit Cialis. Like Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) is a prescription drug used to treat genuine erectile dysfunction. Studies have found that such drugs are being increasingly being used by gay men who do not have erectile dysfunction, and often with recreational party drugs. The 30-year-old gay man slipped into a coma and was hospitalised in a high dependency unit for almost a month due to complications he had suffered due to a severe drop in blood sugar levels. The counterfeit drug was found to contain dangerous levels of glibenclamide, a powerful prescription drug used to treat diabetes. In a separate case, 26-year-old Brandon Boh and his German partner Rene Daniels, 45, were both found unconscious and foaming at the mouth by a friend in separate rooms in the latter’s flat in Singapore. The older man survived but Boh died - 16 days later after he was found - of pneumonia and swelling in the brain. According to the Singapore Straits Times, a coroner's court in July heard that the pair is believed to have taken counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs. Glibenclamide, which is also known as glyburide, was found in Boh’s body. The two are not isolated cases. A well-connected Singaporean gay man Fridae spoke to says he knows of six gay men being adversely affected by such drugs in 2009 alone although he declined to reveal personal details about the individuals.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) reported on its web site that they have recorded a total of ten deaths (excluding the case mentioned above) associated with the use of illegal aphrodisiac products and 24 coma cases in 2008 and 2009. HSA told Fridae in an email interview that it had received a total of 302 adverse reaction reports associated with the use of illegal aphrodisiac products from February 2008 to June this year. Of these 302 reports, 76 were confirmed cases while 226 were suspected cases (the patients did not admit to taking of any such products). Hong Kong’s The Standard newspaper on May 20 last year reported two deaths and 51 cases in connection with the consumption of unregistered impotency drugs; and that similar cases have been reported in Japan. Researcher Shih Ling Kao from Singapore’s National University Hospital wrote in the February 12, 2009 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) that a total of 150 non-diabetic patients with severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) were admitted to the five public hospitals in Singapore between Jan 1 and May 26 last year. All the patients except one were men, and they ranged in age from 19 to 97. Seven patients remained comatose as a result of prolonged neuroglycopenia (shortage of glucose in the brain), and four subsequently died. When consumed by healthy, non-diabetic patients in high doses, glibenclamide causes severe lowering of blood sugar which can lead to serious adverse effects such as seizures, coma and worsening of existing medical conditions in susceptible patients. The symptoms of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia may include shakiness, palpitations, nervousness, sweating, sleepiness, hunger, dizziness, confusion and/or having difficulty speaking. HSA says it has recorded cases of patients who have become permanently immobile, uncommunicative, and had to be put on tube feeding. “Some of these patients were admitted to hospitals in a comatose state and passed away without gaining consciousness. Those who came out of coma suffered permanent neurological impairment such as requiring tube feeding, or lose their ability to communicate. The pain and suffering experienced by the patients and their families are really not worth any short-term effects that people think they can get from consuming these products." Said Ms Chan Cheng Leng, Director of HSA' Pharmacovigilance Branch.
The counterfeit or unapproved drugs were at one point so easily available in Geylang - Singapore’s best known red light district which is also popular for its eateries – that even street side diners were offered the pills for several dollars apiece. A check with several clinics in Singapore revealed that a pack of four Viagra or Cialis tablets costs an average of S$80 not including consultation fees. (As all three erectile dysfunction drugs are prescription-only medicines, a consultation with a doctor is necessary.) Roy Tan, a healthcare professional in Singapore, recounted that his former boyfriend became dizzy and went into a daze for several days after consuming what is believed to have been a counterfeit ED drug offered by a friend. “Even though he managed to turn up for work, his colleagues told him that he was in a daze for a few days and he, himself, could not recall what he did during that period.” While some counterfeit drugs may be packaged identically and at times almost indistinguishable to be passed off as the real thing, the fake drugs are more often than not made under poor manufacturing conditions with no proper quality controls or professional oversight. HSA has since February 2008 seized 650,000 units, amounting to more than S$1.6 million (US$1.15 million) of illegal products in more than 40 major enforcement operations targeted at illegal sexual enhancement products.
Other than counterfeit drugs such as Cialis and Viagra, other illegal products HSA has flagged include Power 1 Walnut, Santi Niubian - also known as Santi Bovine Penis Erecting Capsule - and Zhonghua Niubian, some which have been found to contain up to six times the recommended dose of glibenclamide used to treat diabetic patients. Researchers and the authorities cannot be sure if the presence of glibenclamide in the counterfeit drugs is deliberate or due to accidental contamination. Shih and his co-researchers have speculated in the same NEJM cited above that “simultaneous contamination of several brands of drugs is consistent with a common manufacturing source” given that the drug packaging contained names of fictitious overseas factories which cannot be traced. Tan who is medically trained suggested that if the addition of glibenclamide is deliberate, the counterfeiters might have intended for the drug to lower the consumer’s blood sugar level as it would cause one’s adrenal glands to secrete more adrenaline. “This makes your heart pump faster and harder. The increased blood pressure forces more blood into one's penis and gives a harder erection.” He however warned: “But they are playing with fire, since the patient may go into hypoglycaemic (lower than normal level of blood glucose) coma and develop brain damage.”
Key advice for consumers (Source: Health
Sciences Authority, Singapore)
Symptoms of hypoglycemia
How can hypoglycemia be treated? |
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SILOM POOL-PARTY
Ticket 1.150 THB The ultimate late afternoon party at Silom - for men only!
Join the real Gay Pool Party with best DJs
of Bangkok's gay scene. Starting at 4pm up to midnight! |
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The Party is limited to 350 guests. Save your ticket now. Your ticket includes a free drink of your choice. Snacks served during the evening. Low prices for drinks, just 80 Bath for water and 100 baht for Beer. The gay friendly UNICO-Hotel in the heart of SILOM AREA has an incredible roof garden on 19th floor, with a large swimming pool. The whole area will be turned to an open-sky discotheque. Did you ever enjoy sunset over the roofs of Bangkok, while dancing into the dark night? Music - Dancing - Cruising nonstop. Tribal - Deep House - Electronic - Trance will stimulate your feelings. Tickets available at: Total reservation Outlets at BTS Mo Chit and Victory Monument. Total Reservation Office at Siam, Emporium, Siam Paragon and Total Reservation at Mall Department stores www.liberty-party.net |
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The Balcony's Indian Buffet The Balcony in Silom Soi 4, Bangkok held a FREE Indian Buffet for the pub's members and their guests on Sunday 11 October. Balcony's Chefs made a magnificent spread for the afternoon feast with a comprehensive menu of many favourite Indian dishes. As is customary at these afternoon buffets, some of the waiting staff got dressed up for the occasion ... and the remainder had to do the work!!
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Balcony's October News
MEMBERS FREE BUFFET With an exotic and extensive menu on offer we hope that our members will enjoy this feast as a little “Thank You” for your support over the past few months. The Bar will be open at 3.30pm and the buffet starts at 4.00pm.
Balcony Members FREE
HALLOWEEN PARTY
DRAUGHT CHANG BEER PROMOTION
OCTOBER DRINK SPECIALS Finlandia Grapefruit is our ‘Bottle Special’ for just 999 Baht/bottle including ALL your ice and standard mixers. Buy any flavour of Bacardi Breezer and get a free shot of Rum & Chocolate Cocktail. Jugs of Sangria with fresh fruit & ice for just 300 Baht Amarula B52 is our cocktail of the month. Like an original B52 but with a fruity flavour. Excellent wines from Australia, California, South Africa, and Chile priced from 150 Baht per glass or 800 Baht per bottle. Champagne and Sparkling wine for that Special Occasion from just 850 Baht/bottle.
STAFF BIRTHDAY PARTY
BALCONY MEMBERS
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Silom Soi 4 Halloween Party On Saturday October 31 "the spookiest party in Bangkok" is being hosted by the bars and clubs in Silom Soi 4.
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Long Yang Club Thailand |
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Silom Soi 2/1 News and Events
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Telephone Pub News and Events
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Loy Krathong at Riverhouse
Classic House Massage and River House
Massage |
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Power Boys in Chiang Mai Power Boys Chiang Mai is proud to present the first official photo of our Lavender Cabaret Team. Every night, our beautiful lady boys and handsome men will put on three fun, high-energy shows at 9.30, 10.30, and 11.30. Our shows are always free, and there is never a cover charge. Power
Boys Chiang Mai will open on Monday, October 5 for our soft opening with
the Grand Opening for Power Boys and Lavender Lanna Hotel to take place
November 20-22. |
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Starting October 5, we will open nightly at 8pm. Our male revue will be on stage at 8pm every night, and we will offer happy hour daily from 8pm to 9pm with 99 baht baht well drinks and domestic beer (drinks normally 150 baht with a price range up to 25,000 baht for ultra-premium bottle service and champagne). PBCM is located at the bottom level of the Lavender Lanna Hotel. The hotel also offers a number of other outlets expected to open in the first week of October including a 24-hour restaurant, a massage and salon open until 1am nightly, a swimming pool complex with steam room and fitness room and open to outside guests for 20 baht entry, and will soon open a beautiful rooftop restaurant named Lavender Sky.
For
more information, please visit our websites at www.powerboyscm.com or at
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Phuket Street Party program leading up to Phuket Gay Pride Party 2010 Here is the schedule for a series of Street Parties to be held in the Paradise Complex, leading up to the Phuket Pride Festival 25-28 February 2010.
31 October Halloween Party
http://www.gaypatong.com |
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Samui Fantasia 2009 Sunny beaches, pristine blue seas and soft white sands. Koh Samui will play host to gCircuit's next big event, Samui Fantasia 2009 on the 27th and 28th of November. For the uninitiated, Samui, besides being one of the most beautiful islands of Thailand, is also renowned for holding the Full Moon parties, which is one of the biggest beach parties in the world. For this year, gCircuit will do a mega two-day beach party for the boys! With our amazing line up of DJs, trademark productions and beautiful Samui as the host venue, make sure you join us for gCircuit's final event of 2009.
Bonus Party for Samui
Fantasia 2009: BeachOUT |
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gCircuit is excited to announce the addition of another party to Samui Fantasia 2009, BeachOUT. This event will be held at Weekender, on the beautiful Lamai beach. The highlight of the event will be Samuiâ's very first parade on the beach. Expect extravagant costumes, wild sights, sexy boys and hot music. It's Mardi Gras on the beach, Samui style. So make sure you join us for this outrageous party and get ready to join in the year's sexiest parade! Oh, did we mention it's free entry for everybody.
Early bird combo ticket sales for
Samui Fantasia 2009 will commence from the 1st of October to 15th of
October 09. Purchase tickets during this time to enjoy huge
discounts. For full ticketing information, please go to
www.gcircuit.com. |
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Some ideas for Phnom Penh Click on the posters to enlarge
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A Gay Pub in Siam Reap
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GayThailand.com
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Sexy Asian Guys Gallery
Just a reminder about the gallery at
www.gayaffairspattaya.com
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Sexy Asian Daily Male
The Gallery is a collection of the
featured "DAILY MALES" which are updated regularly. Visit |
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Gay Patong www.gaypatong.com |
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Ting & Tongs Gay Thailand Forum
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Sunee Plaza Gay Alliance
SUNEE NEWS: "The Sunee Plaza Gay Alliance was organized recently. It includes the following six businesses: Balkan Express Restaurant, Come In Bar, Crazy Pub Bar, Don Plaza Hotel, Po Pot Restaurant and Guest House, and Wunderbar. The Alliance sells two discount cards, both valid for one year: the "Silver Card" costs 500 Baht and offers a 10% discount, and the "Gold Card" costs 1000 Baht and provides a 15% discount." More details are available on their website (in German and English) at http://www.suneeplaza.net/
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SPICE! Magazine online
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TOQ's Adventures in Thailand
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Gay Boy Thailand
The good life in Bangkok http://gayboythailand.com/bangkok-thailand/
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Fridae - Empowering Gay Asia Fridae - Empowering Gay Asia - Asia's Gay and Lesbian Personals ...Gay and lesbian portal featuring personals dating, regional news, city guides, support resources, safe sex information, and gossip.
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Cambodia Out A Cambodia GLBT Community website dedicated to help support the community, and let people from around the world know that there is a "gay" Cambodia. What to see, where to go, where to stay. Where to party.
www.cambodiaout.webs.com
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Khmer RainbowTours Khmer Rainbow Tours is a One-Stop travel service. We have been in business over 10 years in Bangkok, and now are providing services to the Kingdom of Cambodia. We can custom design packages for your customers.
We are proud to be involved in Phnom Penh Gay Pride. We have arrangements with GLBT hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs and places to relax. We can provide personal gay guides (not a sex tour), along with transportation throughout Cambodia.
Contact us for a great Pride Get Away Package. |
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GayHolidayinThailand |
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Dragoncastle.net
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The Queer Fab Life in Cambodia |  | |||||||||
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Thailand Scene ThailandScene.com a GLBT Community website. It gives the most up to date venue listings and maps for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Bali. Check out the Community Events section to see what is happening in the region. If you have any events or photos you want posted, please send them to us. Check out the new “Dating Section”. |
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Date : 17 – 26 October 2009 This famous festival is held from 17 to 26 October, at various Chinese temples and shrines in Phuket town.
No one is quite sure about the origins of
the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, but historians reckon it was started by
the Chinese community about 150 years ago. One matter is beyond doubt it
is one of the most spectacular of all the vegetarian festivals held in
Thailand.
Apart from adhering to a strict
vegetarian, diet those who join the festival make offerings to the Nine
Emperor Gods to to secure a year of health. They use the festival to gain cleanliness of the body through a vegetarian diet, dressing in white and abstaining from all pleasures including the consumption of alcohol and sex. Crowds are attracted to the Phuket festival because it continues to display traditional practices that have largely disappeared in cities where the Chinese communities embrace a vegetarian diet, but little else of the ancient customs. In Phuket town, visitors watch in awe at fire walking, body piercing and other acts of self mortification, some of the feats quite scary. Men and women puncture their cheeks with various sharp objects, believing the Chinese gods will protect them from harm. This festival is not for the feint hearted. There are six Chinese temples in Phuket town, but the main site is the Jui Tui Shrine, not far from the fresh food market. The traditional raising of a 10-metre high lantern pole signals the start of the festival. Celebrants believe that the Hindu god, Shiva, descends bringing spiritual power to the venue.
Apart from the spectacular and sometimes
shocking displays of self mortification, there are handy escape routes
to the roadside food stalls laden with an astonishing variety of
vegetarian dishes.
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Date : 27 October - 2 November 2009
An amazing procession of hanging lanterns,
Krathong design contest, Miss Yi Peng beauty contest, light and sound
presentation in Ping River, the ancient Thai Lanna Krathong activities,
local cultural |
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SPICEROADS JOURNEYS BACK TO A BANGKOK OF OLD BY BICYCLE A boat laden with fresh produce pulls up to a house on stilts. A monk praying at a temple. Bronze bowl makers hammer away in front of an open fire. These are the sights you are likely to see as you leisurely explore the Bangkok of Old, the new day tour from SpiceRoads Cycling Adventures. Suited for all riders, including families, the Bangkok of Old tour explores several downtown districts along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River and its connecting canals to experience the serene way of life of the old Bangkok communities.
The tour begins by exploring Bangkok Noi
Canal and the Thonburi Locomotive Depot before cycling quiet back
alleyways to visit the bronze bowl makers hard at work in the Baan Bu
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On the way cyclists stop at two fascinating temples — Wat Suwannaram was founded in the Ayutthaya period (12th and 13th century) and was formerly the site of the Royal Cremation Ground for members of the Royal Family and high-raking officers until the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.); and Wat Sri Sudaram which was built in the period of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) as a memorial of his sister. The cycle tour continues on country lanes and elevated pathways to three floating markets - Taling Chan, the newer Wat Saphan and Lat Mayom. After a local lunch of Thai dishes at Lat Mayom, the trip then joins the sellers on the water and by long tail boat explores the local canals, fruit orchards and orchid nurseries. The cycling is 30 kilometres on very minor roads, elevated pathways, through alleys, temples and villages. Cyclists won’t believe they are so close to Bangkok. The Bangkok of Old tour is THB 2,500 per person and pick up at 7:30 am and drop off at 4 pm to Bangkok hotels by minivan is included, as are refreshments, lunch, a mountain bike and helmet. The tour departs every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with a minimum of two people. SpiceRoads is a specialist bicycle tour operator based in Bangkok offering a range of two-wheel tours throughout Asia. SpiceRoads tours cater for every level of cyclist and range from day-trips to complete country explorations.
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Rice Art: Artistry on an organic rice field The “Thais Love Thai Rice” campaign was set up earlier this year by Greenpeace, perhaps world’s highest-profile environmental activist group, to demonstrate the value of the Thailand’s heritage of rice cultivation. Its members have planted and sculpted with rice varieties a living field as an artwork on a rice paddy in Ratchaburi province southwest of Bangkok, and the rice field is now ready to be observed. The ‘rice art’ project is aimed at encouraging the Thai public to recognise the importance of Thai rice and with protecting the country’s food crop from the ongoing threats of genetic engineering and the impacts of climate change. Two organic rice species with two different colours were selected as rice seedlings to create art: an irrigated local rice variety in green and a traditional black rice variety. Greenpeace’s rice field occupies approximately 10 rai (4 acres) of land, and the rice seedlings have grown into an impressive tableau of rice art depicting the rice farmers’ traditional way of life. The activist group said the cultivation has been done on the principles of sustainability, protection of biodiversity and providing all people access to safe and nutritious food.
According to Greenpeace, the country’s central plains, where the art field was cultivated, is recognised as one of the most fertile rice producing areas in Southeast Asia, while rice is the most important food crop in the region, which accounted for about 25 per cent of the world's total rice production last year. As said by a local farmer on the organisation’s website, giving the same amount of yields, organic agriculture tends to use a very low investment of less than Bt1,000 (US$30), comparing to around Bt4,000 ($120) of agro-chemical agriculture.
For more information on the rice art
produced by this sustainable ecological farming, check out
www.greenpeace.org (TNA) |
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Chiang Mai Zoo snow dome The newly-opened 580-square-metre Snow Dome is the latest attraction in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Soon to be the new home and play pen for Chiang Mai’s famous panda family — Chuang Chuang (the male panda), Lin Hui (the mother), and Lin Ping, their cub born on 27 May, the Snow Dome also features a separate area where visitors to the zoo will be able to see, touch and feel, and even frolic in the ‘snow’. The Chiang Mai Zoo Snow Dome is set to be very popular with children and families. For visitors from Thailand, the countries of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the mention of snow generates great excitement as it conjures up images of a picture-perfect wintry landscape they have yet to experience.
Frolic in the Snow The Snow Dome includes a snow terrace, a huge slide, and a viewing platform. Visitors can make their own Snowman or snow sculpture, or simply frolic in the snow. Families and friends can engage in snowball fights or experience the thrill of riding down a huge slide on a donut ski. The Snow Dome is connected to the existing panda display area and features a specially-designated zone and an observation deck from which visitors can enjoy viewing the pandas. Chiang Mai Zoo authorities are scheduled to move the panda family into their new quarters and display area at the Snow Dome when the cool season in Thailand comes around again in the fourth quarter this year. The panda nursery is also located in this complex. Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, the proud parents, are both on loan from China. In the meantime, wrap up warmly and enjoy the snow at the Chiang Mai Zoo Snow Dome. Visitors will be provided with a coat and shoes to keep warm while inside the dome. The admission fee is 150 baht each for adults and 100 baht for children less than 135 cm in height. Visits are limited to 20-minutes. The zoo runs a total of 12 Snow Dome sessions per day with the first session beginning at 9.00 a.m.
www.tatnews.org |
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The GaiaONE has to be flown overnight from Osaka in special temperature and pressure-controlled packaging. BANGKOK – Villa Market, one of the capital city’s premium grocery store chains, has announced another first for the nation: the availability of the world’s first tomato priced at Bt10,000, or US$350. The tomato in question is a rare hybrid tomato cerise that was created in a special Japanese laboratory in Osaka , where researchers cross-bred an Heirloom tomato with a Momotaro to achieve the perfect blend of texture and sweetness. The resulting hybrid, known only as TM-2354K1.1112, was then further cross-bred with an Italian San Marzano tomato to reduce its size to a perfect near-cherry size, a process which took almost nine years to develop. The resulting tomato, which has been named the GaiaONE, is considered to be the world’s best tomato because it not only combines the best of all known tomato varietals, but is grown in very specific conditions. “For the first part of its life, the GaiaONE is hydroponic,” explained Amy Melford, Villa’s PR manager. “It lives in pure mountain spring water and is exposed only to sunlight filtered for UVA and UVB light. Then the vines are transplanted to a special compost made exclusively from the feces of Kobe beef cows. This gives the GaiaONE its unique flavor, which has the highest rating on the unagi scale of any tomato ever.” Such perfection doesn’t come without costs, however, and in addition to its production expenses, the GaiaONE has to be flown overnight from Osaka in special temperature and pressure-controlled packaging, resulting in the stiff 10,000 baht price tag for a single tomato. According to Amy, Villa plans to build a special display for the GaiaONE in the produce section. “We’ve had some very special items before, such as the 720 baht/kilo USA white peaches, or the 560 baht/kilo Australian butter lettuce, but this is really a new level for us,” she explained. Also, the GaiaONE has to be handled with special foam-latex tongs, so it’s best to separate them from our ordinary, 400 baht/kilo hydroponic Dutch tomatoes.” Although the GaiaONE won’t be in stores until September 30th, excitement has already begun to build among Villa customers. “I absolutely must have them for my avacado tarragon salsa,” said Bridgitte Lancaster-Merrill, a British expatriate whose husband works at Citibank, and who has pre-ordered a dozen GaiaONE tomatoes. “They’ll go perfectly with my 18,000 baht/kilo Kopi Luwak coffee, and 375,000 baht/kilo white truffles.” Her sentiments were echoed by S. Mortimer Haumann, a fund manager who has pre-ordered several kilos of GaiaONEs for what he expects to be the “world’s greatest Bloody Mary.” “It’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s about others not having the money. That’s what makes expat life truly enjoyable.”
www.notthenation.com |
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You are what you eat
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Kung Fu guide to photo-taking techniques
Pooping Crane Technique |
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That's the Weekly Report for this week. |
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The small print |
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| RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE | All rights reserved. © 2007 to 2009 Gay Affairs Pattaya |
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Phuket
Vegetarian Festival 
Yi
Peng Festival
BANGKOK’S
11th INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DANCE AND MUSIC
Villa
Market Unveils World’s First 10,000 Baht Tomato 
