By Thailand may have managed the COVID-19 situation successfully, with only one locally transmitted case in the past 4 months. But the global pandemic has had a devastating effect on the country’s economy.
It’s a well known fact that Thailand relies heavily on its tourism sector, with Bangkok being named as the world’s most visited city for 4 consecutive years. But the once bustling city is a shadow of its former self, with many restaurants and other tourism-related businesses going bust since the pandemic began at the start of the year.
As international travel bans continue with no end in sight, the kingdom has turned its attention to domestic tourism in a bid to prop up the country’s struggling economy. Large scale events are making a comeback, with the National Loy Krathong festivals and Phuket Carnival expected to generate ฿1.4 billion and ฿120 million in domestic revenue respectively.
As Thailand slowly returns to a sense of normalcy, one event making a comeback in 2020 will be XXO Party 2020.
Dear Straight People,
Meet Passakorn Supeepre from Thailand, the founder of XXO Party.
Currently into its 3rd edition, past attendees of XXO Party have been primarily foreigners, with tourists making up 60% of its ticket sales. With that in mind, I quiz Passakorn on why he decided to go ahead with organising XXO Party 2020, despite the ongoing travel restrictions.
Passakorn: It has been a long time since gay men have had a chance to attend a large scale gay party. It has been a stressful time for everyone and I think we can all use a break to let loose, party and dance our worries away.
What To Expect For XXO Party 2020
For the first time ever, XXO Party will be held aboard a cruise ship, in its first ever collaboration with Pride Cruise Bangkok.
Passakorn: Most gay parties are held indoors, so we wanted to try something different this year. That’s why we decided to try organising XXO Party this year on a ship, to deliver a new experience to our attendees.
Featuring a SuperHeroes VS SuperVillians theme, XXO Party 2020 promises an evening of good music, exciting performances and even food and snacks by Chef Anon from Kha restaurant. The cruise ship will also make for a photogenic setting, as guests will be able to snap IG-worthy shots during the sunset.
Passakorn: As this is the first time we are holding XXO Party on a cruise ship, attendees will get a different experience even if they have come for XXO Party before!
Held on Saturday, 7 November 2020 from 17.30 to 22.00, XXO Party have even pledged to donate a portion of their proceeds to Bangkok Rainbow, an independent non-profit organisation supporting LGBT+ well-being in Bangkok.
Tickets are priced at ฿900 from now till midnight, 6 November 2020. Tickets will be available at the pier on event day, at ฿1,200.
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
This post is brought to you by XXO Party.