The star of the show has arrived; catching everyone’s attention with its indescribable charm. This signifies the celebration of 2023’s exquisite Pride Month. Naruemit Pride, along with Bangkok and 30 other organizations which stand with equal rights for all genders, are organizing “Bangkok Pride 2023” to establish acceptance for every gender identity in the Thai society, and create an area which allows for cultural creativity for the LGBTQIAN+ community.
Furthermore, “Bangkok Pride 2023” is held under the concept of “Beyond Gender: Which Gender inequality issues would you like to overcome?” Six Pride Parades are hosted under road closures, endorsing the theme of “LGBTQIAN+’s well-being; The Importance of well-being towards the quality of life.” The parade will begin on 4 June 2023, starting at Pathumwan intersection, along the Siam Piwat side of Rama I road, and finishing at Ratchaprasong intersection, on CentralWorld’s open space.
In this pride parade, we have received honors from Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party; Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the prime ministerial candidate of the coalition government Pheu Thai Party; and Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, who will be joining us. The parade welcomes more than 10,000 LGBTQIAN+ participants, along with several artists and celebrities, such as Grace (Kanklao Duaysianklao), Moddam (Kachapa Tonjaroen), Koen (Pataradanai Setsuwan), Sai (Intira Charoenpura), Pompam (Niti Chaichitathorn), Keng (Tachaya Prathumwan), Ple (Irin Sriklao), Lin (Mashannoad Suvalmas), Nat Kitcharit, and Ton (Thanasit Jaturaput). The representatives of Miss Grand Thailand, led by Fa (Engfa Waraha), Charlotte Austin, and Aum (Taweeporn Pringchamrat) are also joining. Moreover, not only talented directors like Anucha Boonyawatana, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, Mom Rajawongse Chalermchatri Yukol, and actor Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, but also influencers like Mor Lab Panda, Benz Apache, Kun Jom Palang, Sitang, Yinglee, Powerpuff Gay, Peryo Pythana, and Pangina Heals from Drag Race Thailand, are invited to paint the town.
Chumaporn Taengkliang —the president and founder of Naruemit Pride—made a statement concerning Bangkok Pride 2023, “as an organizer, I would like to thank everybody who came together with hopes and efforts to make this parade a success, and created a space for equality. This parade does not aim to only celebrate the LGBTQIAN+ community, but also to send our love and support forwards, towards one another. We also aim to demonstrate that we, LGBTQIAN+, coming from different backgrounds and occupations, can become a driving force in economic growth with our brimming competence and capability. With that being said, what’s more about this parade is that we are welcoming World Pride organizers from India, Canada, Shanghai, Australia, Amsterdam, and the USA to celebrate with us as well.”
The fun begins with talented artist Keng Tachaya’s song “Ka Tha Khun Phaen (Khun Phaen’s Spell),” along with the sounds of the Sabat Chai Drum, more than 150 marching band members and letter choreographers, filling the heart of the city in an astounding resonance. The area in front of Siam Paragon will also transform into an open stage, for people to showcase their talents and enjoy the thrilling music from the DJs. Furthermore, the billowing 144.8 meters pride flag will be exhibited to the crowd, as a symbol of amendment of Section 1448, issued on marriage equality, with the people of the LGBTQIAN+ community walking alongside. The parade will temporarily stop at Wat Patumwanaram, where we will share a moment of silence in remembrance of our deceased LGBTQIAN+ friends, acknowledging their honorable fights for justice and hopes for equal rights for all.
Bringing glamor to our celebration, six Naruemit Pride Ambassadors will be present in our parade as representatives of the collective voices from the LGBTQAIN+ community:
Right at the front is the “Community,” led by Drag Queens dressed to the nines will also join in parts of bringing in the spice and sparks. This leading parade will also feature the issue of Gender X – where we ask all to acknowledge and accept the rights to all genders, including the intersex, trans, and non-binary people of the Thai LGBTQIAN+ community. Bops from the pop genre will continue to blast throughout this section.
Not to be outshined by the first parade, the “Purpose” section prides itself in being consisted of cabaret performers, reflecting an imagery of the message “My body, my choice.” A call against the Sex Workers Abolition Act will be evident here, in order to return the occupational rights and freedom to sex workers and creators. Legalizing sexual wellness products, supporting quality education on sex and consent in schools, raising awareness on the rights to one’s own body will also be featured – all to rally against rape culture and domestic violence. The rhythms and rhymes of hiphop and rap music will set this section on fire, along with students from Thammasat University.
Make way for the third section and its echoing, dance-inducing Northeastern beats, led by beauty queens from Miss Grand Thailand, including Fa (Engfa Waraha), Charlotte Austin, and Aum (Taweeporn Pringchamrat). “Relationship,” is its theme – flaunting the might of couples in long-standing relationships, walking and presenting the concept of the chosen family. Urging our modern society to open up and accept relationships in all forms, the parade also brings great hopes to establish marriage equality and the rights to form families. LGBTQIAN+ couples are here in our biggest gathering yet, where love is also in the air.
“Environment” finds itself as the main theme of the fourth section of our parade, filled with heavenly harmonies of Bangkok Gay Men’s Chorus, Thailand’s first chorus group of gay men. Brimming with the LGBTQIAN+ community’s talent and capability, we also present the motif of “peace & earth,” demanding that protections be made for the rights of Earth and its natural resources, for a just and equitable future. This section is vibrant and classy, with jazzy tunes, blues music, and white doves symbolizing peace.
Various celebrities from the Thai showbiz will unite and make their appearances in celebration of the fifth section, named “Health.” This part of our parade rallies for people of every sex and gender’s equitable rights to access healthcare and gender-affirming welfare for transsexuals. Funky K-Pop, T-Pop, and J-Pop will keep you energized throughout this parade
Wrapping up the end of our parade with the much anticipated section, “Security.” Pita Limjaroenrat, prime minister-elect from the Move Forward Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, prime ministerial candidate of the coalition government Pheu Thai Party, and Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, will be joining this final part with great honor, along with various representatives from the official sectors. The section conveys the concept of “I’m Home,” mainly aiming to affirm the rights for all LGBTQIAN+ to own and belong to safe, secure spaces, supported and having peace guaranteed by all official sectors. Liberty in finding spiritual peace and acceptance of all religious beliefs for every individual will be powerfully represented by the songs of the rock genre in this section.
All fun and excitement will not be gone by the end of our parade, as events celebrating pride will still be ongoing at the Pride Stage, right in front of Centralword. Vibrance and entertainment await us all in the forms of concerts and drag queen fashion shows, guaranteed to make jaws drop in awe, and to swell every heart with pride for being part of the creative and very fabulous LGBTQIAN+ community.
Bangkok Pride 2023 is another powerhouse successfully created by the great glam, swag, and sheer talent of the LGBTQIAN+ community, expressing greatly charismatic potential. We are ready to pass our torches of forces onwards to fellow Pride organizers in holding more than 22 local Pride festivals, within 12 provinces all over Thailand, in hopes of creating more spaces for LGBTQIAN+ individuals, and alternatively boosting the country’s economic and tourism growth.
The success of this event showcases Naruemit Pride’s potential as organizers, and its ambitions towards a greater milestone: to introduce Thailand as a potential host for World Pride 2028, a destination for LGBTQIAN+ individuals from all over the globe, and a place where people of the community could enjoy greater qualities of lives, and that Pride could be celebrated all year long.
