In what promises to be an exhilarating display of diversity, equality, and unity, Bangkok is all set to host an extraordinary Bangkok Pride Month celebration in June. Prepare to be dazzled as the city becomes a beacon of love, acceptance, and empowerment for the LGBTQIAN+ community and its allies.
Throughout the month, Thailand’s vibrant capital will welcome a lineup of sensational events including the Bangkok Pride Parade on June 4 that will fill the streets with colour and fun. Last year’s full-form pride parade under the Bangkok Naruemit Pride banner is being renamed Bangkok Pride for the 2023 edition, as the organizer is hoping to win the honour of stagingWorld Pride sometime in the future. There are a number of favourable factors making this a definite possibility, including the possible more progressive policy of a new government that will lead to the enactment of the marriage equality law.
“Diversity is good and its meaning spans everything, not only gender. The word is not black and white nor it is like a computer with an exact capacity. If we want Bankgok to be a global livable city, we must embrace diversity,” said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt at a press conference for Bangkok Pride.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) official will be taking part in this year’s parade as co-host for the first time. The private sector including Marriott International and social platform Tik-Tok will also be participating.
The pride, which has “Beyond Gender” as its theme, will campaign for four issues, namely Gender Recognition, Marriage Equality, Sex Workers, and LGBTQ+ Equal Rights to Health.
The Bangkok Pride Month 2023 will feature various vibrant and creative activities, including six parades representing the LGBTQIAN+ community that aim to communicate and amplify their voices.
The parades will be organized on the theme “LGBTQIAN+ well-being”, emphasizing the importance of well-being for individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities in improving their quality of life. The parades will involve social and community organizations, activists, and LGBTQIAN+ community networks. They are:
Parade 1: Community – This will highlight the concept of ‘Beyond Gender Binary’ and advocate for the recognition of gender identities, including intersex, trans, and non-binary individuals within the diverse Thai LGBTQIAN+ community. The parade will be accompanied by pop music.
Parade 2: Purpose – Incorporating hip-hop and rap, the aim is to underscore the message “My Body My Choice” and advocate for the decriminalization of sex work to ensure rights and occupational freedom for sex workers and sex creators. The parade will also support the legalization of sexual wellness products, promote comprehensive sex education and consent in schools, and challenge cultural norms that perpetuate violence and abuse within families.
Parade 3: Relationship – Adding colour to the event with traditional Thai music (Morlam) and narrating the concept of “Chosen Family”, this parade aims to promote open acceptance of diverse relationships and families, leading to legal recognition of same-sex unions and equal rights under marriage and constitutional law.
Parade 4: Environment – Focusing on “Peace & Earth”, this parade advocates for the protection of the planet and natural resources to ensure an equal and fair future for all genders. The parade will be accompanied by jazz and blues music.
Parade 5: Health – Addressing equal rights to healthcare, this parade is designed to advocate for equal access to medical services for all genders. It will also call for gender-affirming care for transgender individuals and support the legalization of gender-affirming products. The parade will feature K-pop, T-pop, and J-pop music.
Parade 6: Security – With a rock music theme, this parade will express the importance of safety and security for LGBTQIAN+ individuals. It will call for support and safe spaces from all sectors and advocate for individual mental well-being and religious inclusivity for all genders.
In addition to the parades, Bangkok Pride Month 2023 will feature various events and parties throughout June, with performances by the Bangkok Gay Men’s Chorus on the Siam Center stage on June 4.
Visitors can also enjoy film festivals, parties, cruise parties, drag brunches, and pride-themed events hosted by hotels such as Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, W Bangkok, and Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. Venues include Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, Samyan Mitrtown, Siam Discovery, Siam Center and CentralWorld.
Outside Bangkok, there will be two main events: Pattaya International Pride Festival 2023 on Pattaya’s beach road between 23-25 June 2023, and the Amazing Chiang Mai Pride 2023 on Night Bazaar Road-Thaphae Gate from May 28 to 20 June. The parade itself takes place on May 28.
By Thai PBS Feature Desk
