Fridae

The Nation.VI party, the largest gay and lesbian event of its kind, will go on as scheduled at the host hotel Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa from Oct 20-22, 2006.

Since the military coup in Bangkok on September 19 resulting in the former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra being ousted, the situation has stabilised as Thailand's newly designated interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was sworn in last Sunday. He is expected to serve as prime minister until democratic elections are held in October 2007.

According to local media reports, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has endorsed the appointment of the 63-year-old senior royal advisor and former army chief. The news of appointment of the interim PM is also said to be warmly received by many Thais.

Organisers Fridae say the 3-day event will go ahead as planned as the resort island of Phuket is unaffected by the developments in the Thai capital.

The Phuket Governor's office and Tourism Authority of Thailand have assured visitors of the city's stability and the safety of travellers.

"Tourism and businesses in Phuket have been going as per normal. We would like to assure visitors that Phuket welcomes and provides a warm and friendly environment for holidaymakers. TAT Phuket fully supports Nation.VI and looks forward to receiving Fridae's guests in a few weeks to come." Said Suwalai Pinpradab, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region 4 Office.

Worapot Ratthasima, Vice-Governor of Phuket also stressed the city's support of Nation which is being held for the second consecutive year in Phuket. "Despite the situation in Bangkok, Phuket has remained stable in the past weeks and we assure all visitors to the island that Phuket is unaffected. Nation has the support of the Governor's office to go on as we assure all visitors that the city is calm and is expected to be in full swing for high season travel in the upcoming weeks," he said.

Held since 2001 the annual event has grown from a one-night party in a disused theme park in Singapore to an international multi-day festival of gay and lesbian pride attracting thousands from all around the world. The event is expected to attract partygoers from Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan as well as other parts of Asia, Australia, UK and the US. W@Nation, an all-girl party co-organised by famed women's party organiser Two Queens of Singapore, will be held concurrently in Phuket over the same weekend.