2001 was a year of milestones for Thailand's pride events. In Bangkok, the third annual celebration grew to include a series of sports activities and "Pink in the Park," a daytime festival that included a mini-parade (above left), volleyball championship play-offs, entertainment, stalls sponsored by local businesses and community groups, swimming and plenty of food. [MORE]

Pattaya held its very first Gay Festival. Guessing from the photo above, the daytime parade attracted throngs of attractive onlookers. Organizers gave local charities 3,240,000 baht (almost $75,000) from proceeds of parties and events leading up to the parade. [MORE]

Phuket's annual Gay Festival is only a few weeks away. Although many hotels are already sold out we, have a few rooms set aside for our friends who are feeling spontaneous. If you would like to experience pride in an island paradise, visit www.purpledrag.com/pgf.htm. For a schedule of Phuket Gay Festival events, go to www.purpledrag.com/gfests.htm

Will You Win Our Contest #2?

Know a little about Southeast Asia? Want to win a fabulous free holiday for two? A free trip for a traveling companion? A big Purple Dragon discount, or some other terrific prize? Test your knowledge today. (All the answers are on our website, so it's not as difficult as you might think.) Answer three simple questions at www.clubsanook.com/newsletters/contest2.htm and you could be a winner!

Feeling Adventurous?

Some of our friends enjoy traveling in a group of like-minded gay men. Toto Tours, one of the most popular soft adventure organizers in the USA, has tapped Purple Dragon to be its exclusive ground operator in Thailand and Cambodia. Plan now to join their November 9th "Exotic Kingdoms" group tour of Bangkok, Kanchanburi, Krabi and Angkor Wat. Highlights of the holiday include river rafting, sea canoeing, cultural highlights, and a private river cruise aboard an antique rice barge to celebrate Loy Kratong, the Thai festival of lights. Click here for more details: http://www.tototours.com/02thai0.htm

February & March Festivals in Paradise

Throughout Asia

• February 12-14 -- Chinese New Years. Many businesses owned by people of Chinese origin will be closed. Also known as Tet in Vietnam, where practically everything shuts down February 12 through 19.

Indonesia

• February 9 -- HARI RAYA SARASWATI (Bali) Public Holiday devoted to Sang Hyang Aji Saraswati, Goddess of all knowledge and the arts. The last day of the 210-day Balinese calendar cycle, when blessings are made for Holy Scriptures, literatures, and all tools of learning. Offerings are made to books and libraries on this day but, ironically, its forbidden to read on Hari Raya Saraswati.

• February 13 -- HARI PAGERWESI (Bali) Public Holiday, literally the day of the "iron fence", devoted to Sanghyang Pramesti Guru, Lord of the Universe, when Hindus

• February 23 -- IDUL ADHA, Public Holiday.

• February 23 -- TUMPEK LANDEP (Bali) A day of devotion to Sanghyang Pasupati, the Lord of all things made of metal. Weapons, craftsmen’s tools, motorcycles, cars and busses will all have prayers and offerings made on their behalf on this day. Look for the cars and busses with elaborate palm leaf decorations tied to their front grills ­ they’ve just been blessed!

• February 26 -- BULAN PURNAMA (Bali) Celebrations and rituals during the evening of the full moon. Click Here for a full moon temple tour including dinner, guide, and traditional Balinese costume:

• March 15 -- TAHUN BARU HIJRIYAH, Public Holiday.

• March 28 -- BULAN PURNAMA (Bali) Celebrations and rituals during the evening of the full moon. Click Here for a full moon temple tour including dinner, guide, and traditional Balinese costume:

• March 29 -- GOOD FRIDAY, Public Holiday.

• March 30 -- TUMPEK UDAH (Bali) A day devoted to Sanghyang Sangkara, the Lord of all vegetation. Ceremonies are held in every agricultural village to insure God’s blessing on their crops. Also, SINGARAJA’S ANNIVERSARY. A day of celebration for the Capital City of North Bali.