Thailand LGBT EXPO 2018
I went to

Hello. This is Takizuka from Monosus Thailand.
Recently, LGBT has been featured in Monosasu articles , so I would like to share some information from Thailand! As many of you may already know, LGBT people are everywhere in Thailand, and it is a given that LGBT people live their lives everywhere. I was surprised by the low voice of the beautiful waitress at the cafe I just happened to walk into, and at the cosmetics counter of a department store, I saw beautifully made-up transgender people and gay people happily talking about their obsession with beauty while selling their products. I often feel the difference from Japan.

This time, I would like to share with you my experience at the Thailand LGBT EXPO 2018, an event held in Thailand to promote LGBT.

What is gender in Thailand?

The countryside in Thailand is a different story, but in Bangkok, where I live, people of a wide variety of genders live everywhere. There are also neighborhoods where these people gather, and they are bustling every day. It has been reported in Japan that there are 18 different genders in Thailand! I think this number includes both sexual orientation and gender identity, but there is a high degree of sexual freedom in Thailand, and there are many different types of romance, so there is no need to think too hard about whether your sexual orientation is female or male, or what your gender identity is.

Also, the national character is accepting of this. Cosmetic surgery is also popular in Thailand. It seems to me that they are very stoic in their pursuit of "feeling happy." Also, in recent years, beautiful celebrities have become popular by changing from male to female, or from female to male, and such transformations have become accepted, and it is not uncommon for people who admire such a figure to change their gender as a fashion statement (although most people are scared and don't go as far as undergoing surgery).

Source: WOMEN THAI ( https://women.mthai.com/amazing-women/164821.html )

Former Miss Thailand, now a tomboy (woman dressed as a man), Jiap Lanna, is a doctor by profession.

Also, attracted by this freedom in Thailand, LGBT people who were in the closet in Japan (a metaphor for hiding their sexual orientation) come all the way from Japan to live as they are. After all, Thailand is an easy place to live, and it's also much easier to find a partner. It's not rare that they meet friends with whom they can share their worries, and are able to solve the problems they had been worrying about on their own.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't any problems along with it. From the perspective of normal people, they are still different, so they may be subjected to insensitive remarks, get into big fights and get hurt, or have trouble with their parents... There may also be conflicts due to self-hatred, or simply romantic troubles. HIV infection is still a serious problem in Thailand.

Sneaking into Thailand LGBT EXPO 2018!

Meanwhile, an expo organized by Thai LGBT group Bangkok Rainbow was held in January. The event was based on the concept of raising awareness of LGBT in Thailand, protecting human rights, and encouraging people to be LGBT. It introduced LGBT-friendly products, housing, fashion, jewelry, health, beauty, travel packages, hotels, and spas. It was only advertised in small print in local advertisements, and was not advertised extensively. So, although the venue was large, I was curious to see what it was really like, so I decided to go.

Arriving at the venue

On a Sunday during the expo, five of my friends and I took a taxi to the venue.
The venue is located in the north of Bangkok metropolitan area, about an hour by taxi, and then on the highway, beyond the airport.
I get out of the taxi, which is speeding along with its usual reckless driving, and head for the entrance.

There were LGBT signs hanging above and it was a very lively atmosphere!
But it wasn't the case, there were only a few people around. It was a very walkable venue. The first thing I noticed when I entered the venue was a lingerie store (for men and women). But it felt just like a department store...I didn't see anyone buying lingerie.

The excitement at Mr. Gay World in Thailand

As I went further in, the stage came into view.
After doing some research in advance, I found out that there was a competition in which gay men selected from all over Thailand would enthusiastically compete using their bodies as weapons in an attempt to fully show off their charms to the world.
Yes, this is the stage where Mr. Gay World in Thailand (hereafter referred to as Miss Gay) will be held! But, although the music is blaring, the stage is smaller than I expected.
To liven up the venue, some guys in shirts and pants started off doing a seductive dance.

Anyway, since I had some time before the Miss Gay contest, I went to the food court in the venue and ate Kuay Teow (Thai noodles), Khao Soi (noodles from northern Thailand), rose tea (rose-scented tea), etc. Kuay Teow is delicious when spicy! I ate quite seriously at a reasonable price, just like at a food stall. After I had my fill, I wandered around the venue.

There was a hotel spa promotion, mobile phone sales, and for some reason there were two UNICEF places where I was asked to sign a petition. Other than that, I didn't remember much.
Hmm, maybe that was a bit of a disappointment...?
Just as I was thinking that, the venue suddenly started to heat up with a roar.
The Miss Gay contest was born.

The audience quickly began to gather around the stage. First, a group of young women, so beautiful that you wondered if they were actually former men, performed a beautiful dance.

Provided by the Miss Ladyboy Association.
It's beautiful and cute.
Even for men who pretend to be normal, these women may be in a different league.
If there are any of them who are adamant and say, "No, but I'm a man first!", then I feel like they're just big-headed and unaware of reality.

Now, up next is the main event, the Miss Gay contest.
The contestants, who had been selected from each prefecture and had survived the strict (?) selection process, which required them to be "not just cool, but also smart!", appeared dressed in traditional costumes. Some even appeared in mysterious Pad Thai (Thai-style fried noodles) costumes. It may have been a good opportunity to learn about Thai culture (although the explanation was given in Thai only and very quickly, so I only vaguely understood it).
The host is someone who works as a commentator on Thai television programs (I forgot her name), and she is like Japan's Matsuko Deluxe.

I can't see the Pad Thai costume...too bad.

They then walked onto the stage one by one, and when he, popular for his cute, shy prince-like personality, walked the crowd erupted in cheers!
It's amazing...
But, overall, everyone is really cool! Or rather, to be honest, they're just normal! I asked my friend about it, and he said, "Well, when someone has a good-looking face, they're usually a bit shallow on the inside."
The answer I got was, "Wentworth Miller, who stars in the hit TV series Prison Break, is smart and cool..."
I couldn't say that. I convinced myself that maybe that's just how it is in Thailand.

LGBT becoming a normal part of our society

And after watching the national costume contest,
Hmm, maybe it was a little different from what I was expecting...

Somehow, I thought it was too healthy.
I know I'm a bigot, but I wanted to see a more free, open, lively and borderline LGBT image. That's my honest opinion.

However, I believe that the more LGBT people become socially accepted, the more they will be accepted as a normal part of society, like a neighbor, and that people will no longer need to worry unnecessarily about their own sexuality or have conflicts with society. By focusing on other things (such as the lifestyle and work they want to live), they will be able to live a life that is more suited to them.

There is still power in LGBT in Thailand.
There are many people who are proud of being LGBT.
Using her strong personality, she dances, captivates people, and falls in love.

If I have another opportunity, I would like to introduce you to the deeper LGBT situation in Thailand!