But, while Singapore was unwelcoming, officials in Phuket embraced the party
scheduled to be held this November. It quickly won the approval of Phuket
Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura and organizers have been busy preparing advance
publicity.
Now, local residents say they're worried that the event may create a noise
problem and thousands of gays could discourage straight families from
vacationing in the area still getting over the effects of the tsunami that hit
the area last December.
Nation Party organizers met last week with behind closed doors with the
governor, Kata-Karon Municipal officers and a representative of the Tourism
Authority but no final decision was taken. Additional meetings have been
scheduled.
"We are worried that we might not be able to control the situation. Karon is a
place families visit. We don't have problems involving sex. We don't want
teenagers seeing and copying bad behavior," Kata-Karon mayor Thawee Thongcham
told the Phuket Gazette.
"Some [local residents] are worried about noise, and some say that drunk
revelers might have sex on the beach. It could destroy the image of Karon."
Organizers say they are cautiously optimistic the event will go on as scheduled
at Karon Beach from November 4 - 6. Last year's party in Singapore attracted
some 8,000 revelers.
With some of the best beaches in Asia and a strong LGBT community, Phuket has
been one of the top gay resorts in the Far East.
