Novotel gets a week's notice

"I will wait until next Wednesday; if there is no statement of apology from the hotel, I will take legal action," he said at a press conference at the Office of the National Human Rights Commission.

Sutthirat, accompanied by advocates of gay and lesbian rights, filed an official report of last Friday's incident to the commissioners.

He said the controversy between him and the hotel would be over if the hotel issued its statement in time.

Besides admitting its mistake and apologising, Sutthirat also wants the hotel's statement to say that the sort of "archaic" social perspective displayed by its actions would not longer be its policy.

"I'm highly confident that a world-class corporation, such as Novotel (Accor), will eventually accept responsibility for their actions and policies; policies that have affected me personally, affected others who suffer discrimination of any type and affected those whose hearts have been touched by our struggle," he said in a statement in English that he distributed to the media.

The hotel is facing an international boycott from more than 100 gay and lesbian organisations. Rights commissioner Naiyana Supapheung supported Sutthirat's request and said she would soon summon the hotel's representatives to ask about the case.

Sutthirat's fight to protect his rights as a transvestite has served as a wake-up call for gays and their advocates.

Natee Theerarojnapong, president of the Gay Political Group of Thailand, told the commissioners yesterday that his rights had been violated by life insurance companies that refused to sell him life insurance for his "soul mate", and demanded that the commission investigate such policies.