Thailand’s Move Forward prioritises marriage equality as Bangkok makes WorldPride 2028 push

Thailand, which has one of Asia’s most visible LGBTQ communities, is hoping to host WorldPride 2028

Pita, leader of the Move Forward Party that won the most seats in the May 14 election, is prioritising a same-sex marriage bill that earlier failed to pass

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A person waves a rainbow flag during an anti-government protest on September 19, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:58pm, 30 May 2023Updated: 7:13pm, 30 May 2023

Thailand’s Prime Minister-in-waiting Pita Limjaroenrat has vowed to drive through an equal marriage act if he can form a government, as Bangkok announced a bid to host WorldPride in 2028 in a capital with strong claims to being Asia’s most open city.

Thailand has one of Asia’s most visible LGBTQ communities, an image of tolerance which pulls in millions of foreign tourists each year. But the law has not kept up with the social attitudes of many Thais, with the same-sex marriage bill failing to pass the last parliament.

Pita, leader of the Move Forward Party that won the most seats in a May 14 election, says the law is a priority of the eight-party coalition he leads, if it is allowed to take government in coming weeks.

Taiwan is the only other Asian territory to have passed a marriage equality law, while a Japanese court ruled on Tuesday that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, a decision activists said was a step towards marriage equality.

Speaking on Monday at the launch of Bangkok’s WorldPride 2028 bid, surrounded by drag queens and accompanied by a soundtrack of the Village People’s YMCA, the telegenic 42-year-old Pita said: “I don’t see this as Pride month … but it’s Pride always.”

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