Fridae

Munthana Adisayathepkul, founder of Thailand's leading lesbian group Lesla said that Singapore had become a dangerous competitor to Thailand, according to an AFP report on Thursday.

"Singapore is trying to make itself the centre of gays and lesbians in Asia which at this moment is Thailand and we are trying to support the government to support us fight this shift," said the key member of the Homosexual Political Group of Thailand (HPGT). The group was formed in early July to harness the voting power of Bangkok's some 150,000 gays and lesbians as the city is set to elect its new governor on Aug 29.

Under the HPGT banner, Munthana and other gay and lesbian activists have been trying to lobby Thai government at every level to ease prejudices against gays which she said harms the kingdom's pink tourism industry.

Prominent Thai gay activist Natee Teerarojjanapongs who is also a HPGT member and working towards becoming the country's first openly gay senator in two years' time, said government support would be crucial if Thailand were to remain Asia's key holiday destination for gays.

"If we want to be a gay paradise, the government has to support gay groups as it will draw a lot of tourists and income to the country," Natee told AFP.

He added, "This is particularly important after Singapore announced this year they will organise a gay parade which will affect the success of the Bangkok Gay Festival."

There are however no known plans for Singapore to hold a gay parade at any time.