Bangkok Gays Rain On Singapore's Parade

Gay activists in Bangkok warned this week that Singapore could snatch Thailand's status as 'Asia's pink tourism capital' after the notoriously strict island state announced plans for a gay parade.

"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 Munthana Adisayathepkul from the Homosexual Political Group of Thailand (AP).

According to Singapore Today, the South East Asian country has been 'forging a reputation as the new Asian hot spot for holidaying homosexuals' after recent minor relaxations in their laws, though as recently as April local authorities refused to allow gay rights groups. Gays also face lengthy jail sentences if busted with cops using entrapment ('young and handsome decoys'). Oral sex remains a imprisonable offence, though authorities are understood to be decriminalising it soon (though only for heterosexuals).

The authorities also banned a gay themed film Formula 17 last month on the grounds that the movie encouraged homosexuality.

"It conveys the message that homosexuality is normal, and a natural progression of society," Singapore's Films Appeals Committee declared (Taipei Times).
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