Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

Login

Remember Me

New to Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

6 Jul 2007

bangkok hotel apologises for transvestite ban incident

A nightclub at Novotel Bangkok, which was widely reported to have discriminated against a transvestite by barring him from entering its premises, has issued an apology admist a boycott that was underway.

Novotel Bangkok - part of the French-owned Accor Group - on Thursday issued an apology to a Thai transvestite barred from the hotel's nightclub almost two weeks ago. The widely reported incident has prompted Bangkok Rainbow Organisation and other local LGBT groups to launch a worldwide boycott of the Bangkok hotel and other Accor properties.

Featured on Bangkok Rainbow Organisation's website, the group says it would end the ''Novotel No Homosexual'' boycott campaign once the hotel apologises for the incident.
"On behalf of Novotel Bangkok in Siam Square, I would like to extend my sincere apology to Suttirat Simsriwong for the unfortunate incident that took place on Friday June 22 between her and the CM2 management and staff," said Novotel Bangkok manager Gerald Hougardy told a roomful of gay rights advocates and reporters.

Suttirat, who was in drag at the time, was barred from entering the the CM2 nightclub at Novotel Bangkok on the grounds that he was a kathoey, the Thai word for a transvestite.

Although Hougardy insisted that the hotel did not have a policy to refuse entry to people based on their sexual orientation, it accepts "responsibility for the error in judgement by our employees on the night in question," adding that such an unfortunate incident would not happen again.

"I accept the apology," said Suttirat, who added, "What's past is past." Suttirat urged gay rights groups to now drop their boycott of the Novotel Bangkok and other Accor hotels.

"In the future I will be a guest of the Novotel," said Sutthirat during the press conference organised by the hotel.

Thailand

Reader's Comments

1. 2007-07-06 19:11  
only such things can happen in BKK! hehe way to go BKK....I almost boycott Novotel Siam Square hehehehe
2. 2007-07-08 11:39  
what a way to go great!!! its about time others know who we are and what we are capable of doing. i am so proud to be gay!!
I will still boycott Novotel thou!
3. 2007-07-08 15:11  
Well...boy and girls scream with your lungs out "Gay Power!"
4. 2007-07-10 13:53  
exactly boycott Novotel and CM2

Please log in to use this feature.

Social


Select News Edition

Featured Profiles

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

Like Us on Facebook

Partners

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement