Phuket has been celebrating gay pride for over 10 years now, with the first festival held back in 1999. Since then, the festivities have slowly grown to the week long event that we see this year.
The event was kicked off last Sunday with a pool party at CC Blooms Hotel. Since then there has been a charity auction to raise money for HIV and AIDS charities and a nightly street party on Soi Paradise. But the week isn’t over yet and there is still the Cross Culture Understanding seminar, the Mr Gay Phuket competition and the volleyball tournament to look forward to.
This weekend there will be a stage erected at Loma Park, Patong (just minutes from the school) for the big stage show and dance event which will be held on Friday and Saturday night. The park will open from 4pm with entertainment scheduled right up until 11pm including fireworks displays and a floating lantern memorial. As well as the entertainment from the main stage there will be booths all around the park selling everything including drinks, food, clothing, and promotional pride gifts.
The event will close in style on Saturday with the Grand Pride Parade through the streets of Patong, ending up at Loma Park for the final big stage show.
Whilst the event hopes to raise awareness and celebrate gay pride, everyone is welcome whether gay, straight or somewhere in between!
