About us and our Charities

Thanks for dropping by our web site. Pattaya for many years has deservedly had the reputation of being something of a gay Mecca for tourists from all over the world.  Also, events such as street parties, gay sports days, football and Mr & Miss Contests have long been a popular tradition here.  In November 2000, following the initiative of local businessman Jim Lumsden, a committee began the mammoth task of organizing the First Pattaya Gay Festival in which all gay and gay friendly businesses could be as involved as they wished.   Now seven years on and with nearly 20 million baht raised that little initiative has grown out of all proportion and the reputation of quality PGF Events, from dinners to street parties, means it has become a 'must do' in most Asian Gay Travellers diary.  Luckily for them, there are Events throughout the year and they are listed on this site either as PGF Committee or Member sponsored Events, all are great fun and worthy of consideration.

The year long party culminates around December 1st, World Aids Day. with a huge program of Final Events over a three or four day period each year.   From the 22 million baht raised to date the main benefactor has been the Heartt 2000 Charity, an HIV/AIDS related organisation here in Pattaya getting medications to patients in need, as well as other well known local Charities. One of the most satisfying aspects of the fund raising has been how both gay and non-gay people work together to improve the life chances of many Thai sufferers in the locality.   The volunteers and participants also have a great deal of fun along the way at high quality social events.

This year once again the nominated charities are Heartt 2000 and other local charities. Incidentally, Heartt 2000 (Help Ensure Aids Rescue In Thailand Together) is run by French Doctor Philippe Seur and he has already helped hundreds of HIV/AIDS sufferers, principally by diagnosing and purchasing, as cheaply as possible, the life saving drugs which people in the western world would take for granted.  Many of us who knows Dr Philippe's work will confirm the tremendous value of Heartt 2000's contribution to the health of the community, this has now becoming widely acknowledged by The City Council, Rotary and many more.  This web site will be actively updated so look in on us often.
Finally, please don't forget that the Pattaya Gay Festival 2008 is already underway BUT we still need Sponsor Members.
You can help by clicking on the Support PGF link above, or by attending PGF Events and buying the Lucky Numbers.  Events are held throughout the year to raise funds for the charities but large or small Donations are always welcome, see a Committee Member or email us direct.

Enjoy the year safely & actively for a good cause!

PGF Committee Chairmans Report for 2007

On behalf of the PGF Organizing Committee, I would like to welcome you to our 2007 Annual General Meeting. It has been my honour to serve as Chairman for this our seventh year.

As the year began, we were concerned that we would not be able to raise as much as we had in previous years. This was because of two main reasons.
1. Jim Lumsden, the founder of the PGF had indicated that he would take a year’s well deserved rest and not serve on the committee for 2007 and
2. the number of visitors to Thailand and Pattaya had suffered a decline due to economic and political situations.

As it turned out, Jim’s year of rest was a great success, as he worked just as hard on the 3 street parties and many of our fantastic Charity Dinners as he had when he was not resting. So instead of the expected result of the "seven year itch" we had our most successful year yet, raising 4 million Baht.

This year we also recognized one of our great supporters with the PGF’s first Man of the Year Award, presented to Bruno Pingle of Ocean 1 Tower, for the hundreds of thousands of Baht he has donated to the PGF for our Charities.

Our success this year are also due to the great support we received from all of the wonderful people who attended our various functions and dug deeply into their pockets to buy raffle tickets, flowers, or just make cash donations.
Special mention must be made to a few individuals who have made large contributions during this year, Neil Bernard, Archie Dunlop, Ron Weston (better known as Dame Ruby) and Honest Gems.

During the year we have given Dr. Phillip Seur of Heartt 2000 2 1/2 million Baht. As the cost of some medication has gone down, with more generic drugs available and more assistance was received from the Government medical scheme, he did not need as much money at the end of last year, but he will now be able to increase the number of patients seen and helped in the coming year.

We were also able to help the Mercy Centre with a donation of Baht 200,000 and give Baht 20,000 to Take Care to purchase condoms to distribute to bar workers.

This year we also helped the Ban Bung Juvenile Home with Baht 166,000 to purchase musical instruments and computers for the children in their care.

In conclusion, let me thank all the PGF members, committee members, visitors and Pattaya residents for their support and contributions throughout the year.

Without you we would not have been able to reach and help all of the people that the charities we support have helped through the year.

2008 should be a landmark year for the PGF. We have so far raised, in the seven years of the PGF’s existence, in excess of 22 million Baht and believe that the new committee will be able to reach the 25 million Baht mark in 2008.

Thank you
Richard Burk (Chairman 2007)

PGF Financial Report for 2007

Total income for the financial year ending 31 December 2007 was Baht 4 million, which exceeded the target by Baht 1 million.

Compared to last year the total income was higher by Baht 218,000, which was an excellent result given the economic and political situation in Thailand during the year. 32% of the total income was earned in the final festival weekend in December reflecting the increasing importance of this 4-day period. Other events of note were the opening street party and the first dinner at Bruno’s, which raised a further 30%.

Membership Fees totalled Baht 300,000 representing 25 members, below target numbers for 2007, but the loss was made up financially by 4 premier memberships. This covered 60% of the cost of running the events, raffles, advertising and printing for all the PGF promotions during the year. Events costs were Baht 167,000 higher this year due to running the additional mid year Street Party and the Festival Beach Party, both of which are high cost events.

Administration fees were zero for the year and 95% of total income was available for donation to worthy causes.

HEARTT 2000 was the main beneficiary during 2007, receiving a total of Baht 2.5 million, which was Baht 1.2 million less than last year. Due to lower drug costs and private donations received, there were 4 months when PGF donations were not required, a hopeful sign for the future? A donation of musical instruments and computers was made to Ban Bung Juvenile Home in conjunction with the Rotary Club at a cost of Baht 165,000. Baht 100,000 was given to The Mercy Centre in Pattaya earlier in the year to help them over a difficult period.

The Bank Balance at 31 December 2007 was Baht 3.8 million, an increase of Baht 940,000, which secures the contributions to HEARTT 2000 until the end of 2008.

2007 Financial Report here

 Committee for 2007
Richard Burk (Chairman)  John Nichol (Treasurer)  Barry Kenyon  (Minutes Secretary)  Glen Campbell  (Events co-ordinator) 
Steve Dickens  (Membership)  John Coughtrie  (Fundraising)  John Bryan  Phil Graham  Peter Storrow  Chris Munnerley  
Jim Lumsden has stood down for this year but will be an Advisor as required.

Committee for 2008
Richard Burk (Chairman), John Nichol (Treasurer), Mike Walsh (Secretary), Jim Lumsden (Events), Glen Campbell (Assist Events)
Peter Storrow (Membership), Chris Munnerley (Press & Website), Phil Graham (Advertising & Promotion), Mike Zeller