As usual, Pan Pan Narkprasert is busy, and the LGBTQ community in Bangkok is buzzing about it.
During the spring months, the queer scene in Bangkok— and beyond —was radio silent due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown that ensued. However, tucked away at home, Pan Pan was working hard on something bigger than we could’ve ever imagined.
The former Drag Race Thailand host teased his fans for weeks about an upcoming ‘big announcement,’ a cliff-hanger that he provided only tiny glimpses of with mysterious Instagram posts and solo drag performances that he was doing ‘Live’ throughout the shutdown.
Marketing this big announcement, like everything else he does, was artful, and to assign Pan Pan any single job title would not do justice to his variety of skills. So, let’s just cut to the chase: he is an icon and maker of all the things. Every color in his palette of talents was painted into his latest project, and he’s now open and welcoming everyone to join him at the House of Heals– his very own drag showbar in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi District.
More than just a bar
“Imagine this- a plane crashes in the middle of the Amazon jungle, and you start to see all of these wonderful creatures that are in drag. They’re everywhere- like on a safari. You also see a carousel, a birdcage, decorative golden animal heads… and, of course, cocktails.”
The House of Heals is more than just a bar- it’s a home, a place of residence, and a hub where people can come to feel accepted and safe to be who they are and to let loose on the dancefloor. The mother of the house is Pan Pan’s drag persona, Pangina Heals, and every little detail was under her microscope while the venue was being built. The entire experience was crafted by drag queens, members of the LGBTQ community, and allies.
“Every single part of the club and the show was considered by a drag queen. Even with all of my art background, this was not a simple task. I’ve been using my brain in ways that I’ve never done in my entire life.”
The venue had its grand opening on 17 July 2020, which was a first-time event in more ways than one. First, House of Heals is a pioneer of LGBTQ spaces opening in the Victory Monument area.
Second, it is the first permanent residence of Pangina Heals. Though she has performed on stages and been streamed on platforms all over the world, this is her very first home that is entirely her own. However, she made it very clear that her venue was made just as much for her as it is for everyone else, regardless of how they identify.
“At House of Heals, we challenge people’s minds about what drag is and what drag could be. We also want to challenge people to have these otherworldly experiences when they go to a nightclub. It’s all about the experience. In our house, everything is cohesive, and everyone is involved.”
The show itself lives up to every single word that Pan Pan uses to describe his club, and why he opened it in the first place. The energy inside the venue is electric, colorful, and teeming with joy. The performers are elegant, passionate, and bursting with an energy of pride that cannot be matched anywhere else in town.
Though the club itself is new and the upcoming events are all being developed as the space gets comfortable in its heels, the vision that Pan Pan has is evident both in his energy and with his words:
“People deserve more. Better music, better performances, and the people we have are legends in Thailand. People who will get you to hit the table, slap your knee, and throw dollar bills. We want people to be like Oh. My. God.”
You can visit House of Heals at 515 Five Fifteen Victory, which is right below Victory Monument BTS Station, Exit 4.
