The Prime Minister of Thailand has announced his support for Bangkok’s bid to host World Pride in 2030 during his participation in the official Bangkok Pride Parade over the weekend.
Since taking office last year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s government has prioritised LGBTQ+ rights. In March, Thailand made a landmark decision by passing a same-sex marriage law, which will take effect this year.
“Thailand will continue to support gender diversity after successfully passing the marriage equality bill. We are looking forward to pushing for gender recognition and sex worker laws,” the Prime Minister said. “Our next aim is to host World Pride in 2030 together.”
Speaking at the start of the Pride parade at the National Stadium, Thavisin was accompanied by other senior party members.
Visitors from around the world are celebrating Pride Month in Thailand this June. Events are scheduled in several Thai destinations as the country strives to become a top “LGBTQ+ Friendly Destination.”
Bangkok Pride, which began over the weekend, will continue for a month and include numerous LGBTQ+-related events at various venues in Bangkok and other provinces. The government expects 860,000 people to participate in Pride activities in June, generating an estimated ฿4 billion for the economy.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) views the LGBTQ+ foreign tourism market as crucial for Thailand’s tourism recovery, noting that such visitors typically spend more and stay longer in the country.
However, Thailand still has significant progress to make on LGBTQ+ rights. The country was ranked 40th out of 175 in a Williams Institute study on support and laws for the LGBTQ+ community.
At the Pride Parade, the Prime Minister reflected on the journey towards equality. “In the past, everyone had to be patient when they shouldn’t have had to,” he said. “Until today, the push for the Marriage Equality Act is nearing the finish line. I want to assure everyone here that this government will move forward with the public sector no matter what.
“Equal marriage, sex worker, gender identity. I am very proud that our country warmly embraces and celebrates Bangkok Pride Festival 2024. I think this is an important change in another dimension, and I would like to forward this pride and celebration of the right to love to more than 20 provinces across the country. Our next aim is to host World Pride in 2030 together.”
World Pride, licensed by InterPride and organised by one of its members, is an event promoting visibility and awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) issues globally. Following World Pride Sydney in 2023, the event will be held in Washington, DC, in 2025 and Amsterdam in 2026. The bidding process for the 2028 event is currently underway, with the host city for 2030 expected to be announced in 2026.
