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Initial Reaction to Homosexuality in Thailand
In the mid 80’s, faced with the devastating consequences
of HIV infection in Thailand the initial official
response was one of denial to both the disease as well
as associated factors like Homosexuality. During this
period those practicing homosexuality, both in men and
women were condemned. In fact, homosexuality was often
attributed as a source of spreading sexually transmitted
diseases, resulting in danger to public health.
Till date there is a divided opinion on the Thai
acceptance over the issue of homosexuality in Thai
society. The winds of change and influence of western
education as well as developing contacts with westerners
have resulted in greater acceptability of homosexuality
in The Thai society. |
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A Homosexual
Thai at a Gay Parade |
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Acceptance of homosexuality in Thailand
It must be noted though that there is no official legal
sanction against homosexuality in Thailand, unlike some
other South East Asian countries. What is felt though,
is not a wide acceptance of the fact and its
acknowledgement of the same. This is primarily due to
the fact that ancient Thai society was conservative and
traditional.
The intricate fabric of the Thai society does still
exercise a wide range of cultural sanctions that
stigmatize Thai homosexuality. These sanctions are
neither legal nor binding on any individual, but they
are rather felt throughout Thai Society in a rather
oblique way in the acceptability of such people in
respectable society and within the confines of the
family.
In spite of the western perception of a much liberated
Thailand on homosexuality, the scenario though much
improved and liberated from what it was in the early
80’s has yet a long way to go. Much has been cited from
ancient Thai Buddhist tenets to establish the lack of
self-control as anti-Buddhist aspect of homosexuality.
Homosexuality has been described as a ‘willful violation
of "natural" (hetero) sexual conduct resulting from lack
of ethical control over sexual impulses’.
There exists, two broad schools of thought regarding the
acceptance of homosexuality in contemporary Thai
Buddhist society. The first group comprises of those
accepting, homosexuality while the other group is
unyielding. Those who accept that homosexuality is a
condition which is beyond the control of homosexuals and
has not much to do with Karmic misdeeds have taken a
liberal stance. There are others who maintain that
practice of homosexuality is a sinful violation of
ethical and natural philosophies of Buddhist tenets of
life.
The Changing face of Thai society towards Homosexuality
In spite of the traditional Buddhist society and the
complex traditions of an age old system the fabric of
the Thai society has gradually but steadily become more
open to homosexuality among both men and women. As if in
a show of acceptance of the homosexuality, Thailand is
host to three annual gay pride events in Pattaya,
Bangkok and Phuket.
Added to this is the reputation of Bangkok’s open sex
society, with Ladyboys and
tomboys as a regular feature, it might seem to the
regular tourist here that Thailand is the ideal
destination as far as issues about homosexuality are
concerned. Like in most other parts of the world,
homosexuals are still fighting it out for better
understanding. It must be said though that Thailand has
managed to incorporate homosexuals in regular day to day
activities of life. There are many homosexuals who have
reached the very top of the socio-political ladder or
tasted the best of corporate success.
Bangkok has over 60 gay bars and sex establishments that
are dedicated to homosexuals. One can often see gay men
walking arm in arm in public, in fact the common public
is quite cool with such scenes.
Thailand’s acceptance of homosexuality may be termed as
an emerging face of an otherwise traditional society in
to accepting something that is still in its nascent
stages as far as acceptance in the society is concerned
but the initial hurdles have been thoroughly and
successfully crossed over.
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