Fridae

While there are doubts as to whether the 3rd Annual Bangkok Gay Festival and Parade will still go on this year, a group of business owners, community leaders and concerned individuals have formed, Bangkok Pride Coalition, a new group which has taken the initiative to organise other events to bring the community together.

Sources say that the festival organisers may have difficulty getting the necessary permits from the four different police districts that govern the usual parade route. The parade is to be held on Sunday, November 4 along Silom, Rama 4, Suriwong and Narachawat Rajanakanindra Roads.

The new coalition hopes to support the main festival through its weeklong festivities including a live art & music exhibition, tennis competition and gay festival river cruise.

Should the permits for the parade be unsuccessful, the local gay community and visitors may have to settle for the Coalition?s main event ?Pink in the Park? to be held at Lumpini Park on the same day.

The city's gay bars will also be hosting numerous parties over the festival period.

In (unverified) related news, Babylon and Chakran are reported to have resumed ?normal? operation while the city?s gay clubs and bars will be hosting numerous parties over the next few weeks to celebrate the gay festival.