Thailand’s capital is set to hold its first gay pride festival in over 10 years.
There will be six days of festivities including workshops, film screenings, LGBT+ social events and a pride parade.
According to the event’s new organisers, the reason for the decade-long hiatus was the increasing commercialisation of the festival.
“The pride parades of a decade ago were organised by the business sector, and capitalised on the gay movement, and were less focused on promoting visibility or acceptance for the LGBTQ community,” says Rapeepun Jommaroeng, the deputy secretary-general of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand.
The festivities were originally scheduled for May, but following the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej last year, the dates will now be changed.
“Out of respect of the national one year mourning period, and our love for the beloved late King, we will be postponing Bangkok Pride to the end of the year,” say the festival organisers, OUT BKK.
Bangkok’s pride festival is traditionally held at Silom Road—a popular gay nightlife hotspot —but this year will take place at a new location to be announced.
