Thailand turns Pride Month into an international holiday

The "rainbow" bear on the side of Phuket Old Town Hall has a new outfit for Pride Month 2024 - Photo: VU THUY

This year, LGBT Pride Month was widely celebrated in Thailand, in the context of the Thai House of Representatives passing a marriage equality bill in late March 2024.

This is a landmark event that makes Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.

In Phuket's old town, the streets are decorated with bright LGBT rainbow flags, attracting many tourists to check-in and visit.

With its already colorful retro architecture, shops along the streets of Phuket's century-old old town all hang a rainbow flag, making the streets even more vibrant during Pride Month.

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

The Nong White Bear, originally white, has changed colour throughout Phuket's various festivals, also wearing the colourful flag of LGBT Pride Month.

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

But this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with the Thai Government, has raised the event to an even larger level 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 big events took place in June this year to celebrate LGBT Pride Month in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket... Thailand wants to show its image as an open country. All tourists, regardless of nationality, language, or gender, are welcome.

Similar to the Songkran water festival last April, which Thailand elevated from a local cultural event to an international event, we also want to turn Pride Month into an international festival not only for the LGBT community, but also for those who support gender equality," said Ms. Patsee Permvongsenee.

The Bangkok Pride Parade event on June 1st opened Pride Month 2024, Bangkok closed many central streets to organize a parade for tens of thousands of people.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and several ministers directly participated in the parade, marking the first time a Thai prime minister has participated in this event.

Ms. Patsee Permvongsenee also said that LGBT is a group of customers that are considered to have high spending ability and are a very potential group of tourists.

Some images of Phuket Old Town - one of Thailand's tourist capitals - during Pride Month 2024:

Main streets such as Rasada Road, PhangNga Road, Krabi, Dibbuk and Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town are bright 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 decorate the streets of Phuket - Photo: VU THUY

With many buildings built in bold Chinese and Portuguese architectural styles, the rainbow flag has become an interesting highlight for the streets of Phuket's old town - Photo: VU THUY

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

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