21-5-2024 (BANGKOK) In a resounding affirmation of Thailand’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity, the government, in collaboration with private and civil society organizations, is set to host a monumental five-day Pride event in the nation’s capital, Bangkok. This historic celebration, themed “Celebration of Love,” is designed to showcase Thailand’s readiness to cement its status as Asia’s “rainbow” capital.
At a press conference held on Monday to announce the event, organizers unveiled their ambitious plans for this year’s Bangkok Pride Festival, scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 4. According to Ann Chumaporn, founder and president of the Bangkok Pride parade, the festivities will encompass a vibrant array of activities, including a parade, concerts, public events, and the Bangkok Pride Forum.
“The reason we’re hosting [the event] over five days is to showcase Thailand’s ability to host bigger events, like the 2025 Inter Pride Conference and the 2030 World Pride parade,” Chumaporn explained. She further emphasized that the celebration will not only commemorate Thailand’s trailblazing efforts to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex unions but will also raise awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities.
In a remarkable show of support, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has confirmed his participation in this year’s Pride parade, which will take place on June 1 from 3 to 6 pm, traversing a route from the National Stadium to the iconic Ratchaprasong intersection.
Acknowledging the heightened security concerns raised by a recent warning from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding potential attacks targeting LGBTQ+ individuals during Pride month celebrations, Chumaporn assured that organizers have consistently placed a strong emphasis on security measures. She noted that LGBTQ+ individuals remain frequent targets of hate, particularly in Asia, and revealed that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be coordinating closely with the Royal Thai Police to ensure a safe and secure event.
Last year’s Pride festivities drew an impressive crowd of 100,000 participants, but organizers are anticipating an even larger turnout this year, with at least 200,000 attendees expected to join the celebrations.
Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), underscored the significant economic impact of LGBTQ+ tourism, noting that LGBTQ+ travelers contribute substantially to tourism revenue, spending an average of 40 times more than general visitors.
Extending beyond Bangkok, this year’s Pride events will be held in over 30 cities across Thailand, including popular destinations like Chiang Mai and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. Kiatphaiboon emphasized the importance of catering to the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “However, in order to be a Pride destination, all of the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals must be met. We’d like to be one of the supporters of the community.”
Separately, at a recent seminar, Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich underscored that LGBTQ+ rights extend beyond mere legal and regulatory reforms, encompassing improved accessibility to public resources and services.
Pongpanich asserted that the Pride celebration will not only contribute to the government’s ambitious target of generating 3.5 trillion baht (approximately £82 billion) in tourism-related revenue in 2024 but will also further solidify Thailand’s international reputation as a fair, inclusive, and progressive nation. “Our government sees that LGBTQ+ individuals not as a burden but as an important force that could help Thailand advance in all aspects of life,” he declared.
Pongpanich also confirmed that officials from his ministry would join the parade this year, sending a powerful message of solidarity with Thailand’s LGBTQ+ communities.
