Sawasdee kap!
We’re Bryan and Doug, Founders of Big Gay Ice Cream. If there’s ever a time when a vacation is necessary, it would be now. Where would we go? Thailand, of course! Unfortunately that’s not yet possible. So instead we are taking a virtual vacation to the amazing country and offering you a change to WIN A VACATION FOR TWO when it’s safe to travel again. We both love Thailand as it’s a place that welcomes all, much like we do in our stores – so please join us on our journey over the next few weeks as we discover what delicious treats the Land of Smiles has to offer!
WIN A BIG GAY VACATION TO AMAZING THAILAND
Enjoyed Bryan and Doug’s travels to Thailand? Well you too are in with a chance to WIN a trip to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket with flights for two from a US international airport to Thailand, including 9 nights luxury hotels included. Simply fill out your name, email address, contact telephone number and your state of residence, as well as your Instagram username for a chance to win. Make sure you FOLLOW @gothaibefree and @biggayicecream on Instagram too! We’ll be checking to see if you have.
Special thanks to our hotel partners
137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok | 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai | The SIS Kata
Plus many other Big Gay Ice Cream goodies to be won!
Follow Bryan and Doug’s adventures in amazing Thailand
I visited Thailand back in 2019. My friend, Andy Ricker, the James Beard award-winning chef of the Thai restaurant Pok Pok in Portland, Oregon. was getting married there. So, as you can imagine, I knew a great deal of my trip would involve food, and I knew I was in good hands.
An added bonus: it was the same week as my birthday. Initially I was worried about not speaking the language and not being able to read signs. Even in places like Norway I was sorta able to figure out the signs. But in Thailand? No way. But honestly, that worry disappeared almost immediately. It’s not with exaggeration when I say my trip to Thailand was one of the most comfortable travel experiences ever. Everywhere I went, people were warm, welcoming and helpful. Sure, it helped that so many people spoke English (or at least enough to make a transaction), but a lot of that had to do with the formality of courtesy embedded in the culture.
Everywhere I went people greeted each other (as well as said goodbye the same way) with the formal way of a head bow with hands held up in a “wai” – as if in prayer – saying, “Sawasdee kap/kha.” Following this simple custom goes a long way to ingratiating yourself with locals. Oh, & definitely take your shoes off when expected. That’s a non-negotiable!
Bryan xo
More of Bryan and Doug’s Thailand adventure
Join Bryan as he discovers Thailand’s ancient, Northern city of Chiang Mai, from heartwarming grassroots projects to stunning natural wonders. He also shares two wonderful recipes inspired by the city.
Bryan goes in search of something beyond the sun, sand and paradise that Thailand’s infamous southern island, Phuket is famous for. His journey inspires some refreshing desserts that could work as either sweet-treats or delicious cocktails.
Bryan heads to the Thai capital for ‘one night in Bangkok’ and takes on its grand outdoor market at Chatuchak to discover retail-therapy, Thai style. His travels inspires a Big Gay Ice Cream take on a classic Bangkok recipe.
Read more >
Bryan ventures off on an adventure to the Golden Triangle to discover that there is far more to Thailand than the heavily touristed spots. His journey to Thailand’s far Northern borders inspires two mouthwatering recipes.
Read more >
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions apply. Contest open to legal US residents only of the 50 States and the District of Columbia aged over 18 on August 1, 2020 (except 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Missisippi). Contest begins midnight EST July 27, 2020 and ends midnight EST August 28, 2020. Winner will be drawn within 4 weeks of closing date, based on correct and factual data entry including an Instagram handle. That Instagram handle must be following @gothaibefree on Instagram at the draw date (at any time 4 weeks from contest closing date.) Only one entry is allowed per email/Instagram handle, plus full and clear entry of all contact details. Failure to complete answers and contact details will result in disqualification. No purchase is necessary. Odds of winning the prize depends on the total number of eligible entries received during the promotion period. Winner will be notified by email. Sponsor is the Tourism Authority of Thailand, NYC Office, 61 Broadway, Suite 2810 New York, N.Y. 10006, USA. Sponsor’s decision is final. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the prize, consisting of ONE (1) set of TWO (2) return economy flights between an international airport in USA with connectivity to Thailand, and an international airport in Thailand – inter-USA domestic transfer flights are not included; and 3 x economy one-way flights for TWO (2) people between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai and Phuket, Phuket and Bangkok; with one of equal value. Hotel prizes are supplied as vouchers with their own individual terms and conditions including blackout dates. The three hotel prizes include vouchers for THREE (3) night’s hotel stay including breakfast for TWO (2) people at 137 Pillars Suites, Bangkok, THREE (3) night’s hotel stay including breakfast for TWO (2) people at 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai, and THREE (3) night’s hotel stay including breakfast for TWO (2) people at the SIS Kata in Phuket. Prize may be substituted by partners and subject to further terms and conditions. Prizes are mutually exclusive and are subject to availability. We will try our best to ensure that all elements of the trip link up, but by entering you recognize that there may be parts of your prize that are unavailable at time of booking/travel and you may have to seek alternative accommodation at your own expense. Consolation prize fund consist of 10 Big Gay Ice Cream recipe books.
Winner may not substitute any part of this prize for cash. Employees, officers, agents and directors of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Big Gay Ice Cream and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, contest, fulfillment and marketing agencies, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling & spouse and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and persons living in the same households as such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Promotion. By participating, you agree to these Official Rules and to the decisions of the judges and Sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects. Void in any state not listed above and where prohibited by law, rule or regulation. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
Flights must be booked as soon as possible, with at least 6 week’s notice, to fly before September 30th, 2021.
You agree that by entering the competition, and should you be selected a winner that your names and an image of you (chosen by yourself) may be used in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s promotion.