Yotchanan Wongwattana, together with the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, led the Pheu Thai Party team in the "Bangkok Pride 2026" parade, highlighting that equality must be promoted across all dimensions and supporting Thailand's bid to host World Pride 2030.
31 May 2026 GMT+7 Yotchanan Wongwattana, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and advisor to the Pheu Thai Party, along with Nikorn Somsaklang, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, as well as party executives, Members of Parliament, and Pheu Thai Party members, joined the celebration amid rain to support the event. The “Bangkok Pride Festival 2026” was held under the theme “Patch the World with Pride.”
This year, the Pheu Thai Party joined forces with civil society to demonstrate equality through a parade under the global theme “Peace, People, Pride,” consisting of
Peace – equality without discrimination and creating a safe society for all genders.
People – reflecting the core of the Pheu Thai Party’s commitment to the public, respecting human rights and human dignity equally.
Pride – pride in the identity of the LGBTQIA+ community and Thailand’s achievement in enacting marriage equality laws, preparing to step onto the world stage.
The participation aimed to highlight diversity, create safe spaces for everyone, and express confidence in Thailand’s potential to host “World Pride 2030,” competing with world-class cities like Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The Pheu Thai Party reaffirmed its stance alongside diversity, opening safe spaces for everyone regardless of gender or status.
Yotchanan spoke about attending the event, “Today, I joined Pride Month to promote equality in all aspects. The parade featured diverse groups, including LGBTQ+ and specially, autistic participants. We believe equality must be expanded in every dimension and form to prepare for our bid to host World Pride. It is an important event, and a significant milestone that is not easily achieved. Now, only we and Barcelona remain in the race. We have advanced marriage equality and various projects to demonstrate the type of equality Thailand offers, which strengthens our competitiveness. Today’s event is another opportunity to communicate and expand awareness that Thailand is ready for equality.”
The bid to host World Pride 2030 is important in two dimensions: economically, this global event will be a key driver for the “Rainbow Economy,” attracting tourism revenue and significantly enhancing Thailand’s cultural capital. Simultaneously, in terms of rights and freedoms, hosting the event will affirm Thailand’s position on the world stage, highlight the success of marriage equality laws, and establish Thailand as a leader in embracing, respecting diversity, and valuing human dignity genuinely, being the first country in Southeast Asia to officially enact this law.
