“This year has a special significance as we will celebrate His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 60th year as the beloved monarch of Thailand,” says Khun Daeng. “The parade will stretch for almost a kilometer from the Duangjit Resort to a new destination at the north end of Patong Beach where participants and their friends will enjoy a beach party that will last late into the night.”

Festival History

Gay pride on stage

Phuket’s annual Gay Pride Festival started eight years ago when Khun Daeng convinced his fellow gay business associates to join in a celebration of diversity. The first year drew a small but enthusiastic response. But under Khun Daeng’s management for the first five years, the number of participants and visitors grew until now the Phuket Gay Pride Festival is the largest in the country attracting 1000 participants, 5000 visitors who come to the island to join in the festivities and another 30,000 local residents and visitors who watch the kilometer long celebration of pride and diversity.

A heavy logistic for fun purpose

The Boat Bar truck during 2006 festival

“The festival is an effort by many gay businesses around Patong Beach to bring more fun to the local hospitality industry. We have up to 15 large six and ten wheels trucks carrying dancers and performers with colourful, exciting costumes,” continues Khun Daeng. “Each gay business picks a theme and dresses and performs to that concept. For example, my staff at the Boat Bar will dress like pirates for a tropical Caribbean party. Plus we have famous Bangkok and international cabaret performers who join the festivities.”

Daniel See, assistant co-ordinator to festival 2007

Smiling on a party day

Daniel See is the General Manager of Club One Seven, a gay friendly bed and breakfast at the south end of Patong Beach, and assistant co-ordinator to this year’s festival.

“The gay community around Phuket Island is growing with a variety of services for gay friendly visitors. This year the organizing committee comprises businesspeople who were impressed by Singapore-based Nation V gay events held on Phuket over the past couple years and feel it is time for the local Thai gay community outside the gay entertainment community to become more involved in supporting the Pride Festival,” explains Daniel.

Chanok “Tangmo” Kaewseenuan

Gays & transexuals partying together

Chanok “Tangmo (watermelon)” Kaewseenuan of Tangmo Group has 10 gay oriented businesses around Patong Beach which employ 450 staff. Khun Tangmo was the Chief Co-ordinator for the past two years which saw a dramatic increase in support from both Bangkok and Pattaya gay communities.

“This year we will focus on the importance of charity to less fortunate members of the community,” shares Khun Tangmo. “Also, we need to show the international visitors that Patong Beach is a safe and fun place to holiday. We will make donations to the local hospital for social programs with a portion of the proceeds from this year’s events.”

Kittipong “Ball” Wongkittigul

Dancing in Patong's streets

Kittipong “Ball” Wongkittigul, perhaps the Patong gay community’s most entertaining club manager of the renowed My Way cabaret plans to celebrate the four main regions of Thailand in costume, song and dance during the parade and in his famous nightly cabaret shows.

“We’re going to get off the trucks and into the streets,” Khun Ball explains, “We’re spending 400,000 Baht for a spectacular show of extravagance for our 150 performers who will create a stunning Thai fantasy.”

The Phuket Gay Pride Festival is endorsed by the local government as an important event to publicize Patong Beach and Phuket as a welcoming gay friendly destination for visitors from around the world to enjoy Thai style happiness and freedom.