The Bangkok Gay Festival has always been about bacchanalia-cum-snook since it?s first inception in 1999. However, revellers this year reported a more sober experience - thanks to the new Thaksin?s administration?s effort to clean up the city.

According to sources, the four different Bangkok district police offices that govern the usual parade route had only granted permits on Friday, just 2 days prior to the parade which was held on Sunday, Nov 4 along Silom, Rama 4, Suriwong and Narachawat Rajanakanindra Roads.

?There were reports that floats would not be given the go ahead," said festival founder/organiser Pakorn Pimton. "Certain concerns?, he said in broken English, "were like the one float Kiss of the Spider Woman. The police don't want us making public events. The first time they didn't know its style - like guys kissing - and they didn't want it be regular."

For that reason, unabashed kissing and groping were closely monitored by the police who were discretely located in the predominately gay quarters like Soi 4 and Soi 2 off Silom Road.

In contrast to other well-known gay festivals like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which is argued by the gay community that it bas been overtaken by heterosexuals, NateeTeerarajjanapongs, Bangkok Pride Coalition's defacto figurehead, sees it differently.

"I'm very curious because I - at first - thought this government was very liberal about the sexual agenda. Purachai said he wanted to register same sex marriages, but they're trying to do no new rules for society. I'm not sure if it'll affect ordinary gay life but my feeling is that being gay in 2001 is very comfortable and very well accepted.?

An American raver who flew in from the Castro in San Francisco said the "parade was flamboyant and theatrical."

"The buffed Thai boys in bow ties really sucked me into to the Thai gay scene." he confesses."It wasn't exactly Mardi Gras, but if given more support by government, this event will on the calendar for most 'campers'", he added.

The lady boys were also out in divine force, swinging their hips with hour clock waists to cleavages of silicone that didn't miss a drumbeat. "We aren't here to hustle for customers, we [are] here because [we] are a minority group that this event represents," said Nittiporn Angella. "I'm with a friend. We are here to enjoy party together."

One lady boy dressed up to the nines in an angelic outfit complete with halo and stretch wings proclaims, "I'm not a man, I'm not girl, I'm an angel!" Then she hooks up a devilish looking casanova who does the salsa with her.
There was a heterogeneous mix of all sexes along Silom, especially the predominately gay Soi 2 where straights were seen exchanging booty and body fluids on the dance floor.

Silom was thronged with techno ravers. One 17-year-old medical student, Noc, was covered in spandex laced with raspberry oil. The crowd applauded her and a few party animals started licking at her fruity outfit.

However at 2 AM, the time when bars are supposed to close, the Sois were like a "morgue", said one resident of Bangkok. He however added that ?secret parties were organised all around town to avert the eyes of Big Brother."

But on a happier political note, Natee summed up the spirit of this event: "We want the world to know that we have variety. We have katoeys [Thai for ladyboys] as well as butch and straight acting men; we have wild and loud people; and quiet and straight ones as well," concludes Natee.

Check out Fridae's photo-coverage of the Bangkok Gay Festival.