Thailand turns Pride Month into an international festival

The "rainbow" bear next to Phuket Old Town Hall has donned a new outfit for Pride Month 2024 - Photo: VU THUY

This year, LGBT Pride Month is being celebrated widely in Thailand, against the backdrop of the Thai House of Representatives passing a marriage equality bill at the end of March 2024.

This was a landmark event, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.

In Phuket's Old Town, the streets are decorated with vibrant LGBT rainbow flags, attracting many tourists to take photos and explore.

With its already colorful retro architecture, shops and restaurants along the streets of Phuket's century-old town also display rainbow flags, making the streets even more vibrant during Pride Month.

The most crowded check-in spot is the giant bear statue right next to Phuket Old Town Hall, located at the intersection of PhangNga and Phuket roads in the old town area.

Nong White Bear, originally white, has changed color throughout Phuket's various festivals, eventually donning the rainbow colors of LGBT Pride Month.

Ms. Patsee Permvongsenee, Managing Director for Southeast Asia, South Asia and the South Pacific at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that Thailand organizes numerous activities for the LGBT community every year.

But this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with the Thai government, is elevating it to an even bigger event to attract tourists to Thailand, making Thailand a top destination for the LGBT community, and promoting "rainbow economy " activities aimed at the LGBT community.

"Many major events are taking place this June in celebration of LGBT Pride Month in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket... Thailand wants to project an image of an open country. All tourists, regardless of nationality, language, or gender, are welcome."

"Similar to how Thailand elevated the Songkran water festival in April from a local cultural event to an international one, we also want to make Pride Month an international celebration not only for the LGBT community, but also for all those who support gender equality," said Patsee Permvongsenee.

The Bangkok Pride Parade, held on June 1st, kicked off Pride Month 2024. Bangkok closed many central streets to accommodate tens of thousands of participants.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and ministers from various ministries directly participated in the parade, marking the first time a Thai prime minister has taken part in this event.

Ms. Patsee Permvongsenee also stated that LGBT customers are considered to be a high-spending group and a very promising tourist group.

Here are some images of Phuket Old Town - one of Thailand's tourism capitals - during Pride Month 2024:

Main streets such as Rasada Road, PhangNga Road, Krabi, Dibbuk and Thalang in Phuket Old Town are ablaze with rainbow colors during Pride Month - Photo: VU THUY

Local shops in Phuket see this as an opportunity to attract tourists - Photo: VU THUY

Rainbow flags adorn the streets of Phuket - Photo: VU THUY

With many buildings featuring distinctive Chinese and Portuguese architecture, the rainbow flag has become an interesting highlight of the streets in Phuket's Old Town - Photo: VU THUY

A Pride Month check-in wall on a Phuket street - Photo: VU THUY

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thai-lan-dua-thang-tu-hao-thanh-dip-le-hoi-quoc-te-20240612155051436.htm