The largest island in Thailand – roughly
the size of Singapore –
PHUKET
is an international destination attracting visitors
from Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States.
With 17 sandy beaches, access to the amazing Pha Na
Bay with its dramatic rock formations, and numerous
smaller islands, PHUKET has vaulted to become one of
Conde Nast’s Magazines top ten tropical resort
destinations in the world.
And no wonder. From fantastic food, to world class
water sports (a top world snorkeling and scuba diving
destination), from fabulous shopping to a vibrant night
life, PHUKET has something to offer every traveler.
And your money goes a lot farther here than in other
places. (You can life the high life in PHUKET for weeks
for the same amount of money one week in Hawaii or the
Caribbean would cost you.) There are countless smaller
boutique hotels and guesthouses – both stylish
and inexpensive – as well as the usual array of
the world’s top hotel chains.
The weather is tropical with plenty of sunshine. Don’t
bother bringing a lot of clothes with you – life
on the Island is casual. Though the High Season –
from late November to early April – when it is
cold in the northern hemisphere and the temperatures
range from the mid 80’s for highs to the mid 70’s
at night – attracts the most people, PHUKET is
now a year round destination. The attitude is laid-back
tropical fun. But whether you are an adventurer, sports
enthusiast, sightseer or world class shopper or night
time person - you will never be bored here. There is
simply too much to see and do. Or you can do absolutely
nothing at all.
While many travelers to PHUKET come here and simple
never leave, PHUKET’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT allows
visitors to explore not only the rest of Thailand –
from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you can also easily connect
to Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Malaysia or Myanmar. There
are active Gay scenes in Bangkok, Pattaya (an hour or
two south of Bangkok,) and Chiang Mai in the north.
If you want to explore the island, go native and rent
a motorbike for around five dollars a day.
And, like Amsterdam, Sitges, Fire Island and San Francisco,
PHUKET is one of the world’s most exciting Gay
playgrounds. Parasail, snorkel, play golf, ride an elephant,
canoe in hidden caves, sightsee, take a Thai cooking
school course, have a tailor make you a custom suit,
dance the night away or just spend lazy days on the
beach. PHUKET has it all – adventure, sun, nightlife,
shopping, great food and friendly people. They don’t
call Thailand The Land of Smiles for nothing. This may
just be one of the friendliest places on earth. If you
haven’t been to PHUKET you simply haven’t
seen what Gay life can be like.
The Gay lifestyle on PHUKET is centered in the tourist
hub of Patong Bay where there are dozens of Gay venues
– hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shops. There
is always something going on in the Gay hub near the
Paradise Hotel, and any excuse for a party fits the
Thai lifestyle. From the Gay Festival in April to the
Vegetarian Festival in October – there are unique
holidays and celebrations all year long. Nobody anywhere
likes to have fun (“Sanuk in Thai – it’s
almost a religion).
The Gay traveler will feel right at home in PHUKET.
Legal in Thailand, gays here are welcomed and respected
and the prejudice found elsewhere in the world simply
doesn't exist. Katoys – transvestites –
have long been a part of Thai life – respected
and accepted by the general population. Whether you
come with your partner or a group of friends, or even
by yourself, you will find a wide variety of Thais who
will welcome you with open arms.
Meet new friends at local bars and clubs, or on the
beach, PHUKET has long been the antidote to loneliness
and boredom. There is an active ex-pat Gay community
here and lots of Thais, and it’s easy to make
friends and find companionship
99% Buddhist – Thailand is Southeast Asian in
culture, Western in lifestyle and a safe and nurturing
environment for all travelers of whatever age, sex,
religion, ethnicity, country of origin or sexual identification.
And don’t forget to bring your camera –
PHUKET is surrounded by natural beauty and spectacular
ocean vistas, sunrises and sunsets.
NOTE ON THE TSUNAMI:
The 2004 Tsunami wrecked havoc on parts of the island,
but everything has been totally rebuilt and restored.
If you didn’t know there had been a Tsunami you
would never guess based on the restoration. On PHUKET
it’s as though the Tsunami never happened.
Upcoming
events:
Phuket Gay Pride Festival 2008.
Dates are to be confirmed. There has been a discussion
about moving the festival to 6-9 August 2008.
More information here
Do you want to be the first to know.
Sign up for our newsletter
The newsletter will have more details and more updated
information than the web site. The gay patong newsletter
has 4000 members.
Weekly events:
Thursday –
Connect’s Thursday
Buffet with 10 Thai dishes, soup, fruit 20:00-22:00
Only 200 THB/person excl drinks.
Saturdays –
Connects gay day tour to Kai
Island 11:00-19:00. Every week since 1999. This
tour will probably bring you the best memories from
your stay in Phuket.
Sundays
Go to the Weekend Market in Phuket town. Thalad rot
fai
E-Newsletter Subscribe to our e-news letter below.
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Now with 4000 member.
Connect Guesthouse is located in the
middle of the Gay area, yet only a short 5 minutes walk
from the beach. Our room rates at Connect starts at
450 THB in low season.
If you book and pay online by SIPS (Siam Commercial
Bank) you can get 10% discount on our already very
low prices.
We have a on-line reservation
system. You can check availability, rates and make
reservations online with an immediate confirmation.
All rooms at Connect have private bathroom with shower,
Internet connection, Electronic Safe, Kettle for Coffee/Tea,
Air conditioning
NEW: Breakfast is included in the price NEW: Big balconies on room 602,603,617,618,621
and 623
Link to Connect Guesthouse
Connect
Guest book:
Read what recent guests at Connect has to say. We started
with this Internet Guest book 1998 when we first opened
Connect.
Guests from 28 countries are represented.
Connecting people -
Rooms for rent, food to eat, Internet
to surf, friends to meet. Come and enjoy.