Ah, February, the month of love! Valentine's Day is just around the corner - have you decided what to do for your sweet heart? If you're planning on a romantic dinner at Sphinx, best get there early...

Lots of saunas have opened their doors, so maybe, if you're single like the Whirlybird, you might want to spend Valentine's Day, how shall we say, "exploring".

Let's see, there's Abacus, City of Angels, K-why (love that name, I must say!), and Kinky Klub. Here's some information, from our friends at Dreaded Neds:

Abacus: Ramkhamhang Rd; Phone: (02) 732 - 3086; Located in a small soi between Soi 81 and Soi 83, opposite Ramkhamhang Hospital. A bit off the beaten tourist track, but a very nice new sauna (Dec '98) with gym, sauna,spa/pool, restaurant and even a "cyber corner" for the internet addicted. Open 3:00 - 11:00 Sun-Thurs and 3:00 - 1:00 Fri-Sat.

For that matter visit the Chamon page itself at http://www.chamon.com/start.html

K-why Sauna: 942/51 Charn Issara Bldg 1, Rama 4 Rd (near Suriwong Rd); Phone: (02) 267 - 2098; New upmarket sauna, located just behind Grace Cafe. Has gym, steam, sauna, video room, restaurant, also has massage available. Admission 170 Baht. Open from 4:00 till 11:00 weekdays and 2:00 till nidnight weekends.

Kinky Klub: 549 Rama 9 Soi 49, Rama 9 Rd, Suan Luang; Phone: (02) 267 - 2098; New sauna, has gym, spa, steam, sauna, beer garden, some interesting dark caves, also has massage available. Admission 150 Baht. Open from 4:00 till midnight.

At the city's more exotic locales, be aware that if you plan to spend Valentine's being entertained with "sexy shows" and such that drink prices are now about 200 baht each, and the lads expect about 1,000 baht for more private pleasures. The economy has certainly had an impact...

Over at the Dreaded Ned web site at http://www.dreadedned.com you can vote for your favorite venues as well as get detailed information on the gay scene in Thailand. Worth a visit!

Their top scores for 1999 (so far) as far as Pubs are concerned are as follows (number of voters on right hand side in parentheses):

1) The Balcony (14)
2) Sphinx (11)
3) Telephone (9)
4) JJ Park (5)

For discos, the numbers look like:

1) DJ Station (13)
2) Sphinx (5)
3) Khrua Silom (3)
4) Bank Studio (1)

Mr Ned will be the first to tell you such polls are highly unscientific, but they do reflect the preferences of Web browsers visiting his site. Cast your own vote and join the fun!

At the Telephone site http://www.telephonepub.com you can visit their new help / advice page for tips on love and relationships.

The new upstairs bar at Sphinx is marvelous but the police like it so much they visit every night and make a nuisance of themselves (as they do all the after hours hangouts, mind you). Here's hoping February will be different!

Pink Ink got an mail recently saying, "We are a newly open gay bar which is located on Sukhumvit Road. It is called "Ebony", our address is 10/21 Sukhumvit Soi 26 near Tara Hotel - Tel. 260-5749."

Till next month...