Bangkok saw an explosion of glamour, gilt, and glitter Sunday as the country’s LGBTQ community celebrated their first Pride parade in almost 16 years — but attendees warned true equality was still distant.
Bangkok’s “Naruemit Pride 2022” — Naruemit means “creation” in Thai — was organised by a coalition of non-governmental groups with the city’s newly ratified Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also throwing his weight behind it.
Allies and people of all genders, including drag artists, sex workers, feminists and even a few furries — people who are interested in or dress up as animal characters with human personalities — bounded down one of the megalopolis’s main throughways for the first official parade since 2006.
While the country has a highly visible LGBTQ community, many still face major hurdles and discrimination in the conservative Buddhist-majority kingdom.
Parliament has yet to legalise same-sex marriage, with the cabinet in March pushing back a proposal recognising the unions equally.
Speaking at a recent Pride Month event, newly elected Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced that Pride Month would be one of the 12 monthly festivals in Bangkok. As a result, Thailand’s capital city is celebrating Pride Month 2022 in full swing. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally of the community, here are 7 different events where you can celebrate Pride Month 2022.
Bangkok Pride: Rainbowtopia
With an aim to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community, Rainbowtopia will showcase art, music, movies, talks, books, and more at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre between 17-19 June 2022.
Explore art exhibits featuring 40 artists, participate in talks and panel discussions, stroll through the markets, and enjoy live music this Pride Month only at Rainbowtopia.
More details about Rainbowtopia:
Venue:
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
939 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Pride Month: Pride Of All Genders
SCG Foundation joins Bangkok’s Pride Month celebration by taking over the 3rd floor of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 1 June 2022 to 3 July 2022. The foundation is hosting an art exhibition led by five young Thai artists. The show also includes:
- A hybrid panel discussion.
- A pride wall activity.
- A pride floor where people can sing and dance.
More details about Pride Of All Genders:
Venue:
New Gen Space: Space for All Generations by SCG Foundation, 3rd Floor, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre
939 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Pride Parade Cruise
Everybody loves a good cruise party. So Bangkok Island is celebrating Pride Month with a massive pride-themed cruise party on 11 June 2022. The party is fueled by DJ sets and performances by opulent drag queens, namely Notty, Lottery Lucky, GGYonce, and Angele Anang.
Grab your tickets while they last! Note that there are only 150 tickets available and each one costs THB ฿1,000.
More details about the party and tickets:
Venue:
Charoen krung (opposite soi 57)
Bangkok Dock Yanawa 10200, Thailand
Pride Wave
Tinder and APCOM came together to celebrate Pride Month 2022 in Bangkok by setting up an art installation in front of the centralwOrld. The 7-meter long and 3-meter high rainbow ribbon will be displayed to the public for free until 30 June 2022.
More details about Pride Wave:
Venue:
999/9
CentralWorld Company Limited
Rama I Rd, Bangkok 10330
PULSE Chroma 2022
As a tribute to Pride Month 2022 in Bangkok, PULSE is hosting its biggest event to celebrate diversity and equality of life from 1 June 2022 to 31 August 2022. PULSE Chroma 2022 is an art exhibition that displays diversity, inclusivity, and social well-being via different art forms.
W Bangkok’s Pride Month Special
W Bangkok celebrates love and equality with three different events spread across June. The event started on 3 June 2022 with the “Love Out Loud” panel discussion that tackled issues such as diversity in the workplace and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand. W Bangkok continues the celebration through the month with drag brunch on 25 June 2022, followed by the “Wed Your Ways—Love Wins” wedding fair from 15:00 onwards.
106 N S Sathon Rd, Silom,
Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Photo Exhibit: Parenting – An Equal Opportunity
Organized by the Swedish Institute, the photography exhibition highlights the effects of Sweden’s parental policy on gender equality. Note that Sweden was the first country to introduce parental leave for both mothers and fathers in 1974.
The 23 photos displayed at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 30 May 2022 to 12 June 2022 give you an insight into the conceptions of gender roles and expectations of equal partnership.
More details about the event:
Venue:
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
939 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330