Kreangsak Leing
Occupation: Gay party organiser Workplace: G-Spot Entertainment
Known for organising parties with creative themes, Kreangsak has for six years worked tirelessly to conquer the gay high-end market in Bangkok, raking in rich profits to the tune of seven figures in a good month.
However, without prior warning, all of this changed in the blink of an eye when the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of nightlife venues over three months ago. Overnight, thousands found themselves without a job, including Kreangsak.
A self-described hyperactive character with a rags-to-riches story, he found himself at his lowest point in life.
“I was thrown off guard, it would have been easier for me to just have closed shop but I couldn’t just throw away the responsibilities. I had to shoulder taking care of my staff who have been with me through thick and thin. As money was barely trickling in, I had to cut their income by half to survive. I believe they realised it was better to have some income than none at all.”
“Due to the sudden closure of nightlife venues, people that owed me could not pay me. This made me go in debt of around a million baht, which is why when the applications for the 500-billion-baht soft loan scheme opened for small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the coronavirus, I was thrilled. However, my excitement was short-lived as the banks told me that I needed to have a credit line with them first to be eligible. This made me incensed because I didn’t have that.”
Kreangsak is convinced that the government has let people like him — middle-class folks trying to make an honest living — down in their time of great need.
“It is a good thing that I have always been a fighter because I don’t throw in the towel easily. However, weathering Covid-19 was a different ball game altogether. It was an overnight calamity that left me grappling for answers from the government which in my opinion did not address the issues people in the nightlife industry were thrust into. Their relief schemes were more tailored for businesses that would benefit people that could, in turn, be of benefit to them, not SME operators such as me and others. This entire experience has hit me hard not just financially but also emotionally.”
Now, Kreangsak is fighting the impact of Covid-19 on his turf. He has started an online perfume business and upgraded his business website to create an edgy attractive feel to it by including events designed solely for the LGBTI community in Bangkok.
To him, the regulations and relief schemes to date have been politically motivated. He said that he would suggest the government to rethink the issue and truly address what is needed for businesses to start generating income for themselves so people can survive in this industry.
“This could start with changing the closing time for nightlife venues from midnight to 2am. These establishments should be allowed to operate fully, given the positive stats of Covid-19 cases.’’