On 21st February 2019, Chiang Mai observed its first LGBT Pride festival since 2009, after the city’s last Pride Parade was annulled due to persecution from counter-protesters.

On 21st February 2009, what would have been Chiang Mai’s second Pride Parade was terrorized and was forced to close down due to aggressive opposition. The parade was obstructed by around 200 protestors who encircled the parade with trucks and loudspeakers and hurled objects and insulted the participants.

The demonstrators were urging that the organizers cancel the parade since they observed gay parades as an insult to Chiang Mai’s culture. The demonstrators also barred other participants from being a part of the event. Moreover, there were reports that those police officers who were intended to be shielding the event did nothing to help the participants.

This incident led to the creation of the ‘Sao-sow-ed’ group and the announcement of 21st February as ‘Stop Violence against LGBTQIs Day’; however, Chiang Mai didn’t observe another Pride till this year.

Chiang Mai’s 2019 Pride was held on the 10th anniversary of this event. The Facebook event page stated that the day is used to recall that day or event which took place in 2009 and assemble the community. The community stated that they now stand for safety. The event stands for the right to be safe from violence. The community now stands for the right to improve their quality of life and mirror on the history of the LGBTQ community.

The 2019 Chiang Mai Pride Parade began at the Chiang Mai Religion Practice Centre, where the 2009 Parade would have initiated if it had gone along, and ended at Thaphae Gate. Also, a Chiang Mai Pride Ambassador 2019 Contest was held. The organizers also read out a statement of the history of the LGBT Community’s battle against violence and a candlelight vigil was carried out in memory of the 21st February 2009 event.