Surat Pride and Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ People in Surat Thani

I care for patients in Surat Thani, and I've heard many young people say, "It's much harder to come out in the provinces than in Bangkok." Some drive to another province for an HIV test because they're afraid of running into someone they know. Some have kept their feelings about their identity to themselves for years. That's why I believe Pride in a smaller city means just as much as it does in a big one.

Where Pride came from: from Stonewall to marches worldwide

On the night of 28 June 1969, New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in Greenwich Village where gender- and sexually-diverse people gathered. Raids like this were common at the time, but this time people fought back. It became several nights of protest, remembered as the Stonewall Uprising.

A year later, in June 1970, the first commemorative marches were held in New York and several other US cities. That was the beginning of Pride marches that spread around the world, and the reason June became Pride Month.

So Pride didn't begin as a party. It began as a demand for the right to exist without being harmed.

Pride in Thailand

• Early years. Thailand has had celebrations by gender- and sexually-diverse people in Bangkok and Phuket since around the late 1990s, mostly festive and tourism-oriented events.
• Setbacks. At times events were cancelled or faded away. In 2009, for example, the Chiang Mai Pride march couldn't go ahead because it was blocked by opponents, showing that acceptance was still far from universal.
• A big comeback. Since 2022, the Bangkok Pride parade has returned as an official event with huge participation, alongside calls for marriage equality.
• A milestone. The Marriage Equality Act came into force on 23 January 2025, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia where couples of any gender can register their marriage (read marriage equality). In the same year, government agencies co-hosted Pride Month events in many provinces.

Although the law has moved forward, there is still work to do, such as a gender recognition law, which is still being drafted and debated.

1. 28 Jun 1969
   Stonewall Uprising

   People rose up against a bar raid in New York

2. Jun 1970
   First Pride marches

   Commemorative marches in New York and other cities

3. Late 1990s
   Celebrations in Thailand

   Bangkok and Phuket, mostly festive events

4. 2009
   Chiang Mai parade blocked

   Showed acceptance was not yet universal

5. 2022
   Bangkok Pride returns

   Held officially, with calls for marriage equality

6. 23 Jan 2025
   Marriage equality in force

   Thailand is the first in ASEAN where couples of any gender can register

Gender recognition legislation is still being pushed.

Why we still need Pride

Some people ask, "You can get married now, so why still march?" From a doctor's point of view, the answer is health.

• Research explains that stigma, having to hide who you are and fear of rejection create chronic stress known as minority stress, which raises the risk of depression, anxiety and substance use (see LGBTQ+ health).
• Visible acceptance in a community, such as Pride parades, rainbow flags in shops or clinics that clearly state they're welcoming, helps people know they're not alone.
• In research, teenagers accepted by their families and schools have lower risks of depression and suicidal thoughts than those who are clearly rejected.

Surat Thani, a city that can embrace every identity

Surat Thani isn't only about nature and seafood. Its people are more open-minded than many expect. In 2025 we invited people in Surat to celebrate Pride together through activities, art, music and conversations about sex education, because sex education isn't just about sex; it's about understanding yourself and respecting others.

What we want to build isn't just a once-a-year event, but a safe space that's there every day, for locals and for visitors on the islands nearby, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

What does a safe space mean in real life?

1. Being called by the right name and pronouns without having to explain again and again (see gender identity).
2. Receiving health care without judgement, including HIV/STI testing, PrEP and hormones.
3. Having someone to talk to about emotions and family when coming out makes home tense.
4. Confidentiality. Your health information belongs to you and isn't disclosed without your permission.

Safe space

Called the right name

• Chosen name and pronouns
• No need to explain again

Non-judgemental health services

• HIV/STI testing
• PrEP and hormones

Mind and family counselling

• When coming out strains the home
• Helps families hear each other

Confidentiality

• Your health data is yours
• Not disclosed without permission

Dr. Kris Clinic and Kris Care Space

Dr. Kris Clinic is a family medicine clinic in central Surat Thani that cares for the sexual health of people of every gender, including HIV/STI testing, PrEP/PEP, vaccines and gender-affirming hormone therapy. Kris Care Space is another service of the clinic, focused on couples and family counselling, art therapy (see art therapy) and activity therapy.

If you're confused about your identity, feel that your body doesn't match who you are, or just want someone to talk to without being judged, come and talk with us, at the clinic or online, in English if you prefer. Transitioning or coming out isn't something you have to rush. Often the harder part is getting past the fear inside yourself, and we want to be there with you.