The spirit of Pride Month is about to unfold in every corner of Bangkok, inviting people of all stripes to join hands and hearts in embracing the spectrum of human diversity.
As soon as June hits, the city is painted in rainbow colours with vibrant celebrations, parades and events that honour the legacy of the Stonewall uprising and champion the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance.
Guru By Bangkok Post lists events and activities that fly the rainbow flag, loud and proud, during Pride Month.
Bangkok’s Pride Parade 2023
Embrace the spirit of Pride Month by joining the vibrant Bangkok's Pride Parade. Set to take place on June 4 at 2pm, this year's parade centres around the theme of "LGBTQIA+ Well-being", highlighting the significance of cultivating emotional, mental and physical wellness for individuals across diverse sexual orientations, as it greatly impacts their quality of life. Combining six themed parades into a single celebratory march, it promises to be the largest parade Bangkok has ever seen.
Among the main themes is the "Purpose Parade", which conveys the message "my body, my choice" to advocate the rights and occupational freedom of sex workers and sex creators, including supporting comprehensive sex education and consent in schools. To promote equal health rights, the "Health Parade" rallies for the right to access medical services for people of all genders and demands gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. Roaring with the concept of "I'm Home", the "Security Parade" serves as a testament to affirming the rights to a safe and secure environment for LGBTQIA+ people, while promoting religious inclusivity.
Sashay and strut your way to Pathumwan Intersection, where the Bangkok Pride movement takes off. The parade will march along Rama I Road, leading to the finale at CentralWorld, where the rainbow road reaches its dazzling conclusion with spectacular shows.
Pride with Aof Pongsak
Where: Lost & Found Bangkok, Riverside Plaza Bangkok, Charoen Nakhon Road
When: June 2
Lost & Found Bangkok kicks off the first weekend of Pride Month by hosting a live performance by one of Thailand's most iconic queer singers, Aof Pongsak. Tickets are priced at B950 when purchased online via mhg.to/o4tgw and B1,200 at the door, with a complimentary drink included. Visit fb.com/lostandfoundbangkok.
Take a stance
Where: W Bangkok, Sathon Road
When: June 2
From dusk till dawn, W Bangkok marks Pride Month with an eventful night, presenting loud and proud with the concept of "In The Night Of Celebration And Self-Expression". The hotel, which is no stranger to throwing LGBTQIA+-friendly events, kicks off celebrations with a lean-in panel discussion that includes Silvy Pavida, a Thai-Italian singer who champions body positivity, as one of the guest speakers. As the sun sets, the event transforms into "W After Dark," a glamorous cocktail party where glitter and sparkles won't be in short supply. Expect live fashion and drag shows and an inspiring slide show highlighting cherished pride moments. Reservations at bit.ly/TakeaStance.
Road To Bangkok World Pride 2028
Where: Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), Rama I Road
When: Until June 30
Naruemit Pride, the spearhead behind Bangkok's Pride Parade 2023, paves the rainbow road to Pride World 2028 by setting up Bangkok as the proud host city. They kick off pre-events with an art exhibition, "Road To Bangkok World Pride 2028", offering a kaleidoscope of creativity that reflects the boundless creativity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Through a careful selection process, 80 talented queer artists have been chosen to work on the campaign, but only 10 exceptional works are on display at the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC).
Adding to the already buzzing atmosphere, Naruemit Pride marks a significant moment with a grand unveiling of the Pride District, selecting Siam Square as a symbolic landmark for diversity and acceptance. The lifestyle district will be the inaugural location for registering Rainbow Citizens, a heartfelt initiative to foster a more inclusive and protected environment for Thailand's diverse population. Visit naruemitpride.com.
Glam up, twerk down
Where: The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road
When: Until June 30
If you need a place to crash and glam up before joining Bangkok's Pride Parade on June 4, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, is it. Working in collaboration with the team of Wibwabwub, a biodegradable glitter supplier, the hotel has professional make-up artists on call for its guests to douse themselves in glitter and shine like a rainbow, as well as a shuttle service to the starting point of the parade.
Twerk your way into the month with a twerk class at The Standard Gym on June 10. Get ready to shake, pop and drop it low as you dive into the exciting world of twerking and discover the joy of movement in a whole new way. Taught by twerk instructor Front Pimpitcha, the hotel's guests and gym club members can join for free, while a day pass for visitors costs B800.
The hotel’s tearoom Tease has been taken over by artist Eric Tobua and will be home to an otherworldly tea party from Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, until July 15. Like the Mad Hatter hosting his own whimsical tea party, the artist showcases a collection of headpieces, taking design notes from the concept of daydreaming and Pride Month's colour palette. Visit standardhotels.com/bangkok.
Pride cruise
Where: Bangkok Island, Saphan Phut Road
When: June 9-10
Bangkok Island's Pride cruise sets sail through waves of rainbows for a two-day extravaganza. Two main stages are set up on the party boat, with a line-up of fun and fabulous entertainment to make a splash. On Friday, pack your sweatbands because drag queen Miss Srimala takes charge of the aerobic dance moves on the outdoor stage, along with thumping disco, house and techno beats by DJs. Equally sweaty and fun is the hall stage, where Sakkarin "Golf" Tasomboon will perform a breathtaking aerial show.
No Pride Month celebration is complete without the dazzling spectacle of a drag queen show! Sashaying down the outdoor stage on Saturday will be an army of drag performers led by the fierce Kana Warrior and Kandy Zyanide. But that's not all! Enchanting burlesque entertainer Madame Rouge graces the hall stage and showcases her incredible vocal talents in a karaoke session. The dress code is "feather fancy", so get your fashion game on and be prepared to ruffle not only your feathers but also the features of the queens.
The last entry is at 7pm, with a return time to the dock at 11pm. A single ticket costs B800 per day and B1,200 for a two-day pass. Visit fb.com/pridecruisebangkok.
Yellow Channel X MBK Center
Where: MBK Center, Ground Floor, Meeting Point Zone
When: June 9
Oh, honey, get ready to sashay and slay because the drag queen community, Yellow Channel, and MBK Center are teaming up to celebrate in the most drag-esque way imaginable. Unlike other pride celebrations, the event draws inspiration from Drag Race. Just picture a jaw-dropping runway presentation that will make your wig fly, featuring not just a few but more than 100 celebrated drag queens serving looks that would make RuPaul gag with delight. And darling, there's more! This spectacular event would be incomplete without a lip-sync battle. Watch as these fierce performers bring their A-game to the stage, leaving you screaming "Yaaas, queen!" at the top of your lungs. Shoppers at MBK Center have the opportunity to redeem a limited-edition pride tote by spending a minimum of B3,000 between June 9-16. Visit fb.com/yellowchannel.
Diva's Pride Dance
Where: MBK Center, 4th floor, Zone A
When: June 11
Diva Thailand paints the town, or in this case, the shopping mall, rainbow with a dance flash mob right at MBK Center. Starting at 3pm, get ready to witness the magic as "Diva's Pride Dance 2023" takes the spotlight and transforms the shopping centre into a vibrant celebration of love and acceptance. So, gather your squad, hit the dance floor and dance your heart out to show the world that love is love! They invite you to jump into the fun by registering for the dance team at bit.ly/3MUJ3G7.
Genderless Party
Where: Oriental Residence Bangkok, Saffron Collection, Witthayu Road
When: June 9
Screaming loud and proud under the theme "Genderless Party", Oriental Residence Bangkok, Saffron Collection, hosts a pride party featuring a live band and DJs. DJ Rattana (Na of Polycat) takes a detour from his usual stage presence and steps into the DJ booth, ready to deliver unforgettable beats that will have you dancing non-stop. Rock your most fabulous outfit in a fashion contest and compete for incredible prizes. Get ready to show off your style and slay the runway with your impeccable fashion sense. Tickets start at B1,800 via shop.line.me/@orientalresidence.
Vibrant DiversCity
Where: Siam Center, Rama I Road
When: Until June 30
Siam Center is transforming into a vibrant "DiversCity". Local artist Mr Kreme is tasked with designing the decoration for "The World Of Freedom And Pride 2023", combining a vibrant rainbow spectrum with the artist's adorable monsters. Visitors can explore and be inspired by pride-themed artworks from other artists displayed throughout the store.
To make weekends even more special, Siam Center is putting on a dedicated pride weekend space, where artists and bands from GMM Grammy will take the stage for exclusive gigs. Moreover, a series of charitable workshops will be held, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to organisations affiliated with the UNDP.
On June 3, make sure to secure your seat at the "Freedom & Pride Talk", a thought-provoking discussion on gender equality in Thai society. It promises to be an engaging event where vital topics will be explored. Visit fb.com/SiamCenter.
