Phuket gears up for Discover Phuket Pride 2024 to boost tourism

Phuket City Municipality, in its drive to bolster tourism and uphold inclusivity, is preparing for the forthcoming Discover Phuket Pride 2024 @ Old Town festival. Set to take place on Saturday, June 29, the event is designed to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community and contribute to the urban area’s economic expansion.

The announcement of the event by Saroj Angkhanapilas, the Mayor of Phuket Town, underscored the communal effort encompassing the municipality, government bodies, civil society organisations and the private sector to actualise the event.

Saroj highlights the goal of the event as to showcase Phuket as a welcoming community for diverse sexualities in society. This event is set to demonstrate the understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, said Saroj.

“Phuket, known internationally as a tourist hotspot, embraces its status as a city open to various rights and diversities. Among these is the LGBTQ+ community, which advocates for the rights of individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.”

The event is aimed at promoting cohabitation and equality by raising awareness of LGBTQ+ rights and fostering societal acceptance. Pride parades, like Discover Phuket Pride 2024 @ Old Town, are held yearly in June, known as Pride Month, in memory of the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

The event, scheduled between 5pm and 7pm in Phuket’s historic Old Town area, will host a vibrant parade featuring the grand rainbow flag, a global emblem of LGBTQ+ pride and diversity. Over 300 participants have already signed up to join the procession, indicating the community’s fervour and support.

Alongside the parade, the event will host a variety of activities coordinated by government agencies, private businesses and community groups. These include concerts by acclaimed artists, campaigns to raise awareness about sexually transmitted diseases, and initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism and the local economy, said Saroj.

“‘Discover Phuket Pride 2024 @ Old Town’ is set to be a celebration of diversity, equality, and unity, further cementing Phuket’s status as an inclusive and welcoming destination for all travellers.”

With its fusion of cultural heritage, entertainment, and advocacy, the event is poised to become a standout feature on Phuket’s annual calendar, drawing visitors from across the globe, reported Phuket News.