It’s pronounced “pu-KET,” not…well, you know what I mean…
The island of Phuket is Thailand’s most notoriously unrepentant party
mecca. Off the country’s western coast in the tropical Andaman Sea, if
you are looking for the dignified exotism of this Southeast Asian
nation of Buddhist temples and introspective thought, turn around, get
back on the plane and head for Chang Mai. In Phuket, it’s all about
the here, the now, and the very skimpy waredrobe.
Particularly when Pride hits.
Thailand has long been a gay haven, with Bangkok and Pattaya being
by-words for unapologetically open displays of rainbow-hued revelry.
And with good reason: The country’s dominant religion, Buddhism, has
no specific condemnation of homosexuality, rather, sexual orientation
is all part of the heavenly cycle of reincarnation, where what one is
today is a consequence of actions done in a past life. In the Buddhist
mind, if you are gay today, you were adulterous in a past existance.
If that is truely the case, Newt Gingrich had better start coming up
with is drag name now.
Running in the last weeks of April, Phuket Pride commandeers most of
the island (it’s a small place), but the lion’s share of it lands
squarely in the beach town of Patong. To a large extent
English-speaking, Patong proudly cozies up to the party-hardy spirit
of all orientations no matter what time of the year, and gleefully
revels in the fact it is a classily trashy sort of place. But just to
make sure you don’t end up in a booby-bar, keep the Royal Paradise
Complex within eyeshot. Pride Week or not, half the businesses there
are run by or cater to gays, a concentration that gives WeHo or SoBe a
serious run.
Things kick off with the no-cover pre-Pride pool party at CC Bloom’s
Hotel (named after Bette Midler’s character in “Beaches”–just how gay
can you get?) in the town of Karon, just south of Patong, and roars
through the rest of the week. Films, charity auctions, daily street
parties, cruises, scuba dives, the Mr. Gay Phuket contest, gay
volleyball, and even a few symposiums all culminate in the massive
Grand Pride Parade and dance party along Patong’s waterfront (stick
around for the sunsets, they are heavenly). And be prepared for some
serious glam; the Thais, as a rule, like it sparkly. Their temples as
much as their drag queens can reflect supernovas.
While a fireworks show is the official closer, organizers encourage
party people to take the afterglow to the Royal Paradise Complex and
Soi Tan bars and clubs into the very wee hours of the night.
For more info, go to phuket-pride.org or call Steele Luxury Travel at 646-688-2274 to organize a great itinerary in Thailand including discount business class flights and low hotel rates