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An estimated 10,000 people had a day of fun in Lumphini Park as Bangkok Pride Coalition launched its Pride Week 2003 with "Pride in the Park".

With booths from all the major sponsor venues, gay organisations and other gay businesses in Bangkok - and even some businesses from Phuket - there was lots to see and do.

Food and refreshments were provided on the Balcony, Tarntawan and Telephone booths, Sphinx had info on their new restaurant opening in Phuket, and there were the always slightly risque games at the Long Yang Club and Durex booths, and there was even a dunking device - if you aim was good enough with the ball you got to create a very wet t-shirted lad! Utopia was also doing their live webcam and fun postcards from the park as they have in previous years. If you needed to create a hair fashion statement, Cutey and Beauty and Starry both had booths, for a more outlandish statement face/body painting artists were on hand, and of course a selection of fashion and beach items from Aquarius. There was also information available from many local gay community organisations.

The Rainbow Collection CD, which includes the official Pride 2003 theme song, was for sale, as where advance tickets and movie posters for the new "Beautiful Boxer" movie due for release later this year. The cute star who plays Parinya in the movie caused quite a stir poolside when he was convinced to remove his shirt - which got the crowd well and truly warmed up for the sexy swimsuit competition!

With 9 contestants this year, the Dragoncastle sponsored sexy swimsuit competition held poolside just behind the booth exhibition area saw some fierce vote buying at the last minute as people boosted the pride of the contestants and the coffers of Bangkok Pride - 13,000 baht was raised during the voting! And expect Balcony and Cutey & Beauty to be busy over the next few weeks as people visit to sneak another look at this year's top placed contestants!

For the serious sports fans there was volleyball all day as well (and the sport continues during the week with tennis today and bowling next Saturday), and the lucky draw included some great prizes - if you had a ticket the results should be on the Bangkok Pride website soon.

Some pictures from the day are available in the gallery here and more pictures should be up on the Bangkok Pride website soon.

And the fun continues all week:

• Monday - "Colourful Bangkok" Artists Reception at Dick's Cafe Bangkok
• Wednesday - White Night Party at Dick's Cafe Bangkok
• Thursday - Balcony Isaan Party, Silom Soi 4
• Friday - Utopia Awards at Roxy Bar & Club, Silom Soi 4
• Saturday - Utopia Dinner Cruise
• Sunday - Pride Parade and party in Silom
• Monday - Silom Soi 4 "Over-time" Party

Full details are in the calendar here and on the Bangkok Pride website.

Congratulations to the Bangkok Pride Coalition and all the participants for organising a great day, and I hope to see you all around town this week and at the parade on Sunday!