Chonburi, Thailand -- The 2nd Annual Pattaya Gay Festival parade took place on Dec 1, with Pattaya's gay community joining forces with local citizens and organizations in a Walk for Life Parade to raise AIDS/HIV awareness. Despite an unseasonal downpour, spirits remained high along the parade route fronting Pattaya's famous beach. Ten floats, two marching bands, and hundreds of marchers entertained onlookers while spreading important social messages befitting International World AIDS Day.

Festival events raised 3.5 million baht for charities such as the HEARTT 2000 Foundation, which provides low and no-cost medical care and pharmaceuticals for PWAs. Many members of the local gay business community showed how big their hearts were by sponsoring fundraisers in the months leading up to the festival and by organizing additional events and street parties on the weekend of the parade to the delight of visitors.

There were costumes galore on display during and after the parade, showcasing Pattaya's reputation as Thailand's capital of theatrical glamor and creativity.

Click here for pictures from last year's Pattaya Gay Festival.

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