China’s LGBTQ tourists flock to Thailand to be themselves, ‘forget all upsetting things’

Bangkok is only a five-hour flight from Beijing, and Thai tourism authorities actively promote it as among Asia’s most open places to LGBTQ people

Another draw for tourists, inside and outside the LGBTQ community, is Thailand’s loose enforcement of prostitution laws and renowned nightclub shows

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A gay Chinese couple tour a condominium block in Bangkok last month. Thailand is proving to be a huge draw for LGBTQ people from China who are frequently scorned and ostracised at home. Photo: AP

Associated Press

Published: 2:34pm, 11 Sep 2023Updated: 8:30pm, 13 Sep 2023

Wen Xinyu travelled to Thailand in June, planning a two-week holiday around Bangkok’s Pride parade.

Instead, the 28-year-old stayed a month and a half, as her experience at the parade gave rise to discussions and discoveries in the Thai capital’s thriving LBGTQ community.

LGBTQ people from China, frequently scorned and ostracised at home, are coming to Thailand in droves, drawn by the freedom to be themselves. When Wen walked along the parade on the streets in Bangkok, “I felt like I was in a big party or a huge amusement park. We could forget all upsetting things and feel fun-filled,” she said.

Bangkok is only a five-hour flight from Beijing, and Thailand’s tourism authorities actively promote its status as among the most open to LGBTQ people in the region.

02:29

Thai pride parade celebrates diversity and calls for equal marriage and gender identities

Wen got interested in Thailand when her friend sent her a photo of rainbow-coloured, Pride-themed ice cream being sold on the streets.

China’s LGBTQ tourists flock to Thailand to be themselves, ‘forget all upsetting things’

Bangkok is only a five-hour flight from Beijing, and Thai tourism authorities actively promote it as among Asia’s most open places to LGBTQ people Another draw for tourists, inside and outside the LGBTQ community, is Thailand’s loose enforcement of prostitution laws and renowned nightclub shows