For Thailand to qualify to host World Pride, big steps need to be taken, according to this year’s organisers and representatives of international organisations involved in Pride events.
Even though Bangkok Pride 2023 and its colourful parades took place last Sunday, the fight for Equal Marriage will continue until people are afforded the basic rights they should have and Thailand’s work to show its potential to host World Pride is still in progress.
The Bangkok pride parade took a longer route than last year in Silom. This year, the parade was 1.5km long. It started at the Bangkok Culture and Art Centre at the Pathumwan intersection and ended at Central World in the Ratchaprasong area. More than ten thousand people are reported to have taken part, which is more than last year.
A few big steps to be taken
As Bangkok Pride had been attracting much attention from people and support from the LGBTQ+ networks and communities, Chumaporn Tangkliang, the organiser of this year’s Bangkok Pride event aimed to support Thailand’s bid to host World Pride in the next few years. She explained that, for Thailand to qualify to host World Pride, a significant change in the law is needed. Thailand also needs up to 2 years to prove its Pride credentials, as it has only held Pride Parades for two years, far fewer than some other countries.
“The LGBTQ+ communities are definitely capable of co-hosting World Pride, but we need to collaborate with the government to pass the crucial Equal Marriage Law and legal gender recognition. This is one of the things that World Pride is considering for Thailand’s qualification and, whether Thailand can provide people with welfare and end discrimination.”
Representatives from InterPride, an international grouping of Pride event organisers, which joined this year’s parade, said that the movement, especially the youth, is inspirational. Their advice for Thailand is to keep pushing for the laws and welfare, keep doing what we are doing.
“Community people are socially accepted but, when it comes to legislation, for trans people specifically, when it comes to documents, there is a lot of work to do. We need equality, existence, visibility – everything that is given to heterosexual counterparts.” said Rahul Upadhyay, Vice President of InterPride.
Government stance on pushing for the laws and for World Pride
Bangkok Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, appreciates the way Thailand has been embracing diversity, as he saw more people joining the event this year. He was also quite positive on the prospect of Bangkok being a World Pride host in the next few years, if the laws are implemented within 4-5 years.
“Thailand has progressed so much on gender diversity acceptance, but the legal system couldn’t keep up with the pace. If the legal system goes hand in hand with society, I think it would be in resonance and that is more sustainable [for gender equity].”
He added that the parade was a symbolic expression, but may it be in our mind and soul to embrace the diversity of our friends. He said Pride has to be in our culture, not just in June. He also gave credit to community networks and supporters who made Bangkok Pride happen.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party, also confirmed that he and the Pheu Thai Party, who share the same vision on this agenda, would surely push to pass the laws within the first 100 days of their administration.
“It was already on the parliamentary agenda, at the very top. The committee has worked out all the details…so I think, if we take a look at it one last round, we can push it, because it’s been 10 years that they have been trying to make it happen.”
If the next coalition government is approved soon, Thailand is sure to see Equal Marriage Laws and for Bangkok (or any other potential city in Thailand) World Pride will not be so far out of reach. The goal for Thailand to host World Pride is not just a celebration of gender diversity, but is to ensure equal rights for people, regardless of their gender, and an improvement in the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
By Atikan Kulsakdinun
