Over on the gaybuttonthai forum, a thread was started a few days ago informing readers that the English-language khaosad site was announcing the return of a Gay Pride week and Parade in Bangkok after a gap of 11 years. The dates were from May 15 to 20 with the Parade taking place on the last day.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/life/e...-step-bangkok/Organized by a number of LGBT organizations, the six-day Bangkok Pride event promises to host workshops, film screenings, and lots of parties. "We can not wait to make one of the most important LGBT celebrations a reality in Bangkok,” said Paul Heymans of Out BKK. “It’s time to fly our rainbow flags high and show the world that Thailand is also progressing towards free and equal rights for everyone.”
Then no sooner was it announced, the organisers changed their minds and postponed the event to November/December. This is out of respect for the mourning period for the late King.
I can't help feeling that the organisers will need to get their act together if the event is to be a success, the more so when in making the first announcement they had not even realised there could be public antagonism if they went ahead on the original dates. With the move to the end of the year, it will no doubt take place after the Royal Cremation. But it will also take place after what everyone acknowledges is the greatest Pride Parade in East Asia, the one in Taipei taking place this year on Saturday 28 October. Given that an estimated 82,000 attended the Taipei event last year and the numbers increase every year, hopefully Bangkok's will not be a damp squib.
For, sadly, it its earlier incarnations, the Bangkok Pride Parade which took place on Silom never really took off. Attendance in the Parade and by spectators was minimal. One reason, IMO, is that gay venues and other gay outlets played much too prominent a role. It was way too commercial. The beauty of Taipei's Parade is that the commercial sector plays only a very small role. Most of the organisation is done by dedicated and committed individuals.
No doubt a Bangkok Pride will attract some tourists, even though this year it will not be on Silom near the gay area. But can it succeed to anywhere near the level of Taipei 's of even 8 years ago when over 25,000 marched - or even of Singapore's still young Pink Dot Day which drew 28.000 last June?
Taipei Pride March 2009
Taipei_Pride_2009.jpg
Taipei Pride March 2011
Taipei_Pride_2011.jpg
Singapore Pink Dot 2016
Singaoire_Pink_Dot_2016.jpg
Photo: The Straits Times
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