One of the best places to experience Songkran in Thailand is in Chiang Mai, featuring Lanna Thai style celebrations throughout this northern capital of Thailand. Songkran in Chiang Mai is celebrated on a grand scale (more…)

So, I was chatting with one of my readers the other day. He is going to Thailand next week to visit his girlfriend and was wondering if I had any suggestions for what a Thai girl might like as a gift. (more…)

The word “Songkran” originally comes from the Sanskrit language and means “move into”, referring to the orbit of the sun moving into Aries. It marks the end of a year long cycle and is the beginning of the new solar year. Thus Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration.

The Songkran celebration is notably the Kingdom’s most fun filled (sanuk) festival and is celebrated nation wide each year. The holiday is 3 days long from April 13-15, but in many parts of Thailand it is celebrated for much of the month of April.

Most of the world recognizes Songkran as a fun filled time when people of all ages (but especially children and young adults) flock to the streets to shower each other with water. This refreshing solution to beating the April heat in Thailand ranges from harmless water pistols and splashing to bottles, buckets and water cannons delivering a soaking deluge of water to the unwary. However, many may not know that there is a deeper significance to Songkran.

Obviously as a New Year celebration Songkran is a time for new beginnings, and it is also considered to be a time for thanksgiving. It is a time for people to reflect on acts of thoughtfulness and kindness that they have experienced and to consider how these acts bring peace, happiness and well-being. It is also a time for reunions and most Thai’s return to their family homes to renew family ties.

Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural values and the underlying significance of Songkran is the process of purification and cleansing. This is a cleansing of all evils, ills and misfortunes that may have occurred and starting the New Year fresh with all the is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

Here’s one of the things that keep me away from Pattaya.  I know some guys love the nightlife in Pattaya, the Thai girls and the general loose attitude that prevails.  At one point in my life I would have been drawn to this like a moth to a flame as well.  However, one thing I’ve never liked is having to deal with people who have uncontrolled tempers…like this guy.

Seems that a few days ago there were two beer bar owners who had a disagreement about property lines and an offending clothesline.  The end result was Mr. Fred Frank Hansen (43) the German owner of The Party Salon and Pub being repeatedly stabbed by Mr. Jean-Marie Philbert (43) the French owner of Canary Bay Beer Bar.  Yep that’s right, Mr. Philbert stabbed his neighbor because his clothesline was in the territory of his property.

The whole fracas started when Mrs. Philbert took a walk with her two year old son and noticed the clothesline from The Party Salon and Pub straying onto their property.  She then spoke with one of the Canary Bay bar girls and asked her to remove it.  Mr. Hansen, hearing the request became upset and came out from his bar, starting an argument.  The argument rapidly escalated and Mr. Hansen attacked Mrs. Philbert.  Mrs. Philbert, with her baby still in her arms began calling out to her husband for help.

As soon as Mr. Philbert heard the raised voices outside and saw Mr.Hansen attacking his wife, he rushed from the kitchen, armed with a knife. He intervened in the attack, stabbed Mr. Hansen five times then ran back into the bar, with bar girls having witnessed the whole incident. Neither Mr. Philbert nor his wife attempted to escape, but waited to surrender themselves to the police.  Mr. Philbert was duly taken into custody and will be charged with causing bodily injury with a knife.

Crazy town crazy people.  Be sure when you visit Pattaya you’re very careful what you do with your dirty laundry.

And now we return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Some of you have probably visited Nana Plaza in Bangkok or have at least read my post regarding the history and future of Nana Plaza. Well in that post I told you about the declining business in Nana Plaza last year and continuing into this year. It seems that the major owners in Nana Plaza have decided to protect themselves by diversifying.

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I never thought of human rights as high on the agenda for Thailand, but they have surprised me by making a change to their laws which will make life for Thai kathoeys much easier.

Under Thai law all males are required to report for the draft when they turn 21.  If they voluntarily enlist Thai males must serve between six to eighteen months depending on their education and if they are drafted they must serve for 24 months.

Under their current draft system ladyboys have been rejected for suffering from a mental disorder.  This has made life much harder than necessary because in Thailand men are required to prove that they have completed their national service when applying for jobs or bank loans.  Once they show their military rejection forms they are automatically disqualified from many jobs and loans.

A senior officer in the Royal Thai Armed Services said Wednesday that they will be creating a new category for military service to categorize draftees as neither male nor female.  And they will cease using the mental disorder rejection for kathoeys immediately.

While the military tries to find a new word for this new category ladyboy conscripts will be turned away and given a form that states they have an illness that cannot be cured within 30 days.

To qualify for the third category, transsexuals will have to report for the draft for three years in a row to prove they are really trying to live as women.

This should open up many avenues of opportunity for the Thai ladyboys who will now be able to get better jobs as well as bank loans to finance such things as cars and houses.  I congratulate the Thai military for their open minded stance on Thailand’s ladyboys.

Here’s a bit of a plug for the Hilton chain of hotels, but if you’re going to be in Thailand over Songkran you might want to consider pampering yourself a bit. Hilton’s are great hotels and the one’s in Thailand are no exception, but they are 50% cheaper than in the U.S. or the U.K. What better chance to pamper yourself a bit and save some money in the bargain. (more…)

If you love a party then take a look at what’s on tap at some of the hottest nightspots in Bangkok for this weekend.  Everything from the best DJ’s in SE Asia to pool parties, tequila and cabarets.  Bangkok’s nightlife is world renown and there is a very good reason why.  If you’re looking to let loose here’s where to go this weekend.

Thursday March 27^th, 2008

Arcadia Pool Party - Live bands as usual in the main room, with our Arcadia DJ set to finish the night at 2am. Punk - Rock Karaoke, Guitar Hero Competition, Live Bands, Arcadia DJ Set. This month for part of the evening, you can sign up to sing your favourite indie song from our set list. We have all the lyrics to the best songs. Here’s your chance to sing with a live band! Meanwhile, upstairs on the roof terrace, we have a “Guitar Hero” competition throughout the night. Winner stays on, the person with the highest rank at the end of the night wins a prize.

Also, if you would like to get wet for us, feel free to use the new swimming pool! If you would like to come early, from 8pm we will be showing the new Joy Division movie on the roof. Food is available from the restaurant, with cheap drinks all night. Entrance 150 Baht with one free beer. 20 + I.D. Required.  Arcadia Bay Ta Ra - Kao San Road

Friday March 28^th, 2008

Soul Central at Club Culture - Soul Central began their production career in 2000, putting out a number of releases on labels such as Soundmen On Wax, Henry Street Records and Kenlou as well and their own Clean Cut imprint.  In addition to their world-beating production, Soul Central is continuing to travel the world as one of the world’s most dynamic DJ teams. Never afraid to drop peak-time anthems or soulful vocals, Soul Central are unique in their understanding of how to combine a true, underground house sound with a big room party vibe. With an adventurous sound that can be both tough and dynamic and smooth and soulful, they purvey a diversity that puts them in a league of their own. 20 + I.D. Required.  Club Culture - Sri Ayudthaya Rd. (Phaya Thai BTS)

Friday March 28^th, 2008

Olmeca Gold Tequila Party - GLOW AND OLMECA GOLD TEQUILA PRESENT Olmeca Gold Tequila Party “Tequila Gals are Back!!!” with DJ Gaz Mel, Sexy Drinks! Sexy Girls! Sexy Music! Come prepared for a night of great music and good times and a whole lotta TEQUILA!! Come and join OLMECA GOLD and GLOW NIGHTCLUB along side Canadian DJ GazMel presents as they present to you “Tequila Girls are Back!!”. What to expect aside from a club full of sexy people: Music: Minimal, Electro and Tech House courtesy of DJ GazMel. Live Performances: Professional Dancers for your viewing pleasure. SPECIAL GAME: A CHANCE TO WIN A BOTTLE OF OLMECA.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS:

Tequila Promotion : Olmeca Gold only 1,800 baht/ a bottle (normally 2,300 baht)
Tequila shot : 160 baht / a shot (normally 200 baht)
Tequila cocktails : 180/ a drink (normally 220 baht)
Magarita, Tequila sunrise, Tequila sunset, Maxican surfer, Tequila slammer girl (Glow’s special cocktail)
Entrance 200 baht and 1 drink (Tequila shot or Tequila cocktails only). Start 9pm till late. 20 + I.D. Required.  Glow - Sukhumvit Soi 23

Saturday, 29 March 2008

Magic of Minimal at Glow - “MAGIC OF MINIMAL” with DJ E.K., DJ MAGIC MUFFIN AND DJ PLAN B. Music is minimal elecro and more electronic beats. Dancers on stage. Entrance: 200 baht + 1 drink. Start 9pm-late. 20 + I.D. Required.  Glow - Sukhumvit Soi 23

Saturday, 29th March 2008

Deeper, Speed and Rome at Luminous - Luminous presents DEEPER, SPEED & ROME “TURN BACK TIME” with DJ B (hip-hop, reggae, old school on the 1st floor), DJ Night (from Rome with a ladyboy cabaret show)

It seems that many of the men that visit Thailand have a preconceived notion that all of Thailand’s ladyboys are also prostitutes. It’s true that normally foreign men only meet the ladyboys that work in bars and restaurants, however this is only a small percentage of all the kathoeys in Thailand. (more…)