Street Food - A Thai Tradition

Freshly cooked Fish at a street stall at Hanuman Statue

Upon first visiting Thailand, the first thing you notice is the abundance of food. People eat here constantly (how they stay so thin is a mystery for the ages) and for Thais, it is a communal experience.

Jomtien Beach has many great eating establishments  to choose from, not the least are the street vendors that are located in almost every soi (street) in town.

A variety of fresh food is prepared on the street

Although many tourists are wary of eating "on the street", it is generally safe (assuming you don't have a real delicate system). Be sure to ask for it "mai phed", if you don't want it spicy.

Fried Chicken & Spicy Som Tam (Papaya Salad)

Let your Thai experience be complete. Enjoy eating the "Thai way" It's cheap and delicious (arroy!!)

Loy Krathong on Jomtien Beach

The fireworks & music continued into the night until at least 3am as thousands of locals and tourists descended upon Jomtien Beach for Loy Krathong 2010.

Beautiful Krathongs sold on the beach

Setting up the food for the evening's events

Sunset on Jomtien Beach

Many Hotels along the beach offering Loy Krathong Parties

A roasted pig awaits a hungry crowd.

Fireworks filled the air throughout the night

Even small sparklers adorned the beach

Two young Thais about to launch their Krathongs

Floating Candles filled the air

Loy Krathong - A Festival of Lights

Floating Lanterns Fill the Sky at Loy Krathong

In Thailand, the word "sanuk" means to have fun. Throughout the year there are many celebrations and festivals but none more magical than Loy Krathong.

Loi" means "to float" and a "krathong" is traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk. During the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, Thais will float their krathongs on a river, canal or a  lake.

The Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one - you need only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal. Many people also add a few small coins, a lock of hair or fingernail clippings.

Traditional Krathong

 

On this night, hundreds of thousands of these tiny boats will be cast into the waters and the sky will be filled with fireworks and floating lanterns 'khom loy'. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples,homes and along the waterfront in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.

As dusk falls, thousands of people, Thais and Tourists alike will maker their way to the waterfront to enjoy this unique "Festival of Light".  Jomtien Beach offers a great location to enjoy these festivities.

As you approach the beach, you'll hear the sound of music coming from various stages punctuated by the sound of fireworks, There will be dozens of vendors selling beautiful "kratongs" for $2 or $3 US Dollars ...... and of course there will be Food EVERYWHERE!!

Once you settle in to your beach chair to enjoy the cool November breeze, you'll be in a front row seat for a spectacular light show that will go on from dusk to the wee hours of the morning. Vendors will be there to sell you food & Drink, fireworks, floating lanterns and kratongs to enable you to take part in the fun.

Thais & farang (westerners), Gay & Straight, Couples and families all look forward to this special night. We'll try and bring you pictures from this years' party tomorrow!!


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When the Sun Goes Down

Jomtien Complex

When the sun goes down, the action in Jomtien moves from the sandy beaches to the Bars and Nightclubs, most notably in Jomtien Complex.

As you you travel south from Pattaya on Thapraya Road, shortly after you pass the traffic light at Theprasit Road, a large complex of shop-houses comes into view on the right hand side of the road. This is known as Jomtien Complex.

Here you will find a wide array of Bars, Restaurants and Guesthouses, primarily marketing themselves to the gay market.

Among the most popular establishments are the Question Mark Bar, The Venue, Dolce Vita and Ganymede. Other gay bars in the complex are the L&N Bar, Two Faces, Sugar & Spice and Festival Boys.

The show at The Venue is a must see. There is no cover charge and the show begins around 10pm nightly. Great dancing and beautiful costumes.

The ever popular Question Mark Bar recently expanded next door and opened the Q.M.Bar.

Ganymede Bar & Residence is currently undergoing a major expansion adding a Sauna (with indoor pool) as well as a Karaoke Lounge next door. Both are anticipated to be open in December 2010 (we'll update you as they open).

You can either pub crawl your way through the complex or settle into one bar and watch the world go by. As they say in Thailand - "Up to You".


You'll find a wide range of dining options ranging from Antz Restaurant, where you can get a good meal for under 100 baht (about $3 USD) to the upscale dining experience of Pagoda.

Within walking distance, you'll find Thai Food, Italian, French,German,  American, Mexican and traditional Fish & Chips. Of course, you can also indulge in food from the street carts that pass by for about a dollar.

If massage is your thing, you'll not be disappointed. You can opt for a "traditional" Thai massage at the Thai Blind Massage Institute, where an hour session will run you about 170 baht ($6 USD) or if you prefer, the more "exotic" experience can be found at many bars in the complex.

You find that the staff in the bars are very friendly without being too pushy, the drinks are generally cheaper than in some other parts of town and unlike some areas there are not a lot of underage kids hanging around.

Accomodations in Gay Guesthouses range from basic to luxurious, depending on your budget. Among the Guesthouses in the area are Ganymede Residence, Haus Mewie, Two Faces,The Venue and Poseidon.

Boys Playing Pool at Ganymede Bar

And, if you can't find enough to keep you occupied in Jomtien, you can always hop on a baht bus and be in Boyztown or Sunee Plaza in a matter of minutes.

Dongtan Beach

One of Jomtien's biggest attractions for Gay visitors is Dongtan Beach located just 3 or 4 minute's walk from Jomtien Complex.

Dongtan Beach has a large and popular gay section. This long,sandy public beach is on the Jomtien seafront where the Thappraya Road meets the Beach Road. Look for the police station on the seafront then turn right and walk along the beach for about 500 meters.

The 'gay' area of the beach can be very popular, especially at weekends. Each section is operated by an individual who will serve food and drinks all day. A regular deckchair and umbrella will cost you about 30 baht for the day (more comfortable chairs are also available for a premium). You pay the bill when you leave.

You'll also see a lot of vendors walking along selling fruit, seafood, leather goods, CD's, Sunglasses and a myriad of other wares. You'll also find Thais offering massage, manicures and pedicures - be sure and negotiate price up front!

The area is very busy at weekends and most afternoons, and is very cruisey with lots of 'off duty' bar boys showing off their bodies while playing volleyball or frolicking in the water plus loads of other regular gay guys swimming and relaxing.

The Beach closes at dusk and no nudity or any kind of sexual activity is allowed.

Why then, Jomtien?

Ok, you've decided to pack your bags and fly to Amazing Thailand for holiday. There are a myriad of wonderful choices of where to stay - Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Pattaya..





Why then, Jomtien?

Jomtien Beach offers the gay traveler great value & variety in a centrally located beach resort area. Here are just a few reasons to choose Jomtien Beach.

• Jomtien Beach is a short 90 minute car ride from Bangkok's International Airport. The highways have recently been improved allowing faster transfer. A Taxi will run you $25-30 USD or the modern bus service will be around $4 USD.
• You are less than 2 hours from Bangkok allowing you easy access to the city without having to endure the traffic and air pollution on a continual basis. A taxi to downtown Bangkok will cost you $25- $30 USD or a Bus to Victory Monument will only run you just over $4 USD.
•  Jomtien Beach has many fine restaurants to choose from. French, German, Indian, Fish & Chips, Mexican, Italian, Thai .....and the list goes on.
• You'll find close to a dozen Gay Bars within easy walking distance of each other in Jomtien Complex. They range from open air beer bars to lavish Showbars.
• There are many Gay & Gay Friendly Guest Houses ranging from basic accommodation to luxury class. Rooms start at about $17 a night.
• The world famous "Gay Beach" is less than a five minute walk from Jomtien Complex. Here you can work on your tan, enjoy a drink or a meal, get a massage or pedicure and watch the beautiful people promenade by. 
• If Thai Massage is your thing, you'll find both traditional massage and that of a more erotic variety available at numerous venues.
• Shopping, Golf, Para-sailing, Bungee Jumping as well as  numerous Tourists Attractions are readily available during the day. 
• The popular gay spots of Boyztown & Sunee Plaza are easily reached via public transportation (known as Baht Buses) for only 10 baht (about 30 cents US). The trip takes 5 - 10 minutes depending on traffic.
• For the adventurous, Jomtien Beach is located in Central Thailand making it a strategic location for those wishing to explore other parts of the country from a central location. Bus Service can get you to most locations or you can hire a car and driver.

So there you have it. Just a few of the reason's to visit Jomtien Beach. In the coming weeks we'll explore these and other reasons in more detail. Hope to see you here!

Paradise Found!

Just a few short miles south of the "Extreme City" of Pattaya, Thailand lies the exciting beach resort town of Jomtien Beach.

Dongtan (The Gay) Beach

Here you will find great Restaurants, Shopping, a popular Gay Beach and a vibrant Bar & Nightclub scene.

Jomtien Complex

Most of the nightlife takes place in Jomtien Complex. Here there are many Gay Guesthouses, Bars, Restaurants and Saunas - all within walking distance of the beach.

The purpose of this blog is simple one. Through words & pictures I hope to entice everyone of you to drop what you are doing and book a flight to Thailand.

Paradise Found,