Thailand Marks First Year of Marriage Equality at InterPride Phuket
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The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) took the InterPride stage to honor the efforts of former prime ministers Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra in passing the Marriage Equality Act, calling it a turning point for Thai society in recognizing the rights of all genders. MSDHS advisor Anukchai Ruangrattanakar participated in the global InterPride 2026 event in Phuket province, speaking at the ceremony celebrating the first anniversary of marriage equality in Thailand. The event was organized by the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket together with the APCOM Foundation from October 30 to November 1, 2026.
Anukchai emphasized that the success of the marriage equality law stemmed from the dedication of former prime ministers Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, both of whom believed that the love of every Thai citizen deserves equal legal recognition. Collaboration across all sectors made Thailand the third country in Asia and the first in ASEAN to legalize same-sex marriage, reflecting the kingdom's genuine LGBTQIA+-friendly image.
The law's enforcement under the Paetongtarn administration in January 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Thai society, both legally and socially. Legally, it guarantees that "people of all genders" have the right to form families, leading to gender-neutral legal amendments such as replacing "husband and wife" with "spouses" and "men and women" with "persons." Socially, marriage equality demonstrates that Thai society has progressed to respect the dignity of all genders; when everyone feels safe, they can live openly and with pride — a benefit not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for all members of society.
This achievement underscores Thailand's leadership on rights and freedoms in the region, helping attract tourists, investors, and global talent who value open societies, while creating economic opportunities in tourism, investment, and Thai branding.
However, the work does not end with the marriage equality law. Under Minister Nikor Somklang, MSDHS will continue advancing policies and social measures to ensure equal opportunities for all in education, employment, and safe living, while fostering understanding among officials and promoting respectful, neutral communication to sustain an equitable society.
Building a truly equal society requires everyone's participation. This event reflects the readiness of all sectors to engage seriously. MSDHS stands ready to listen and collaborate with all parties to resolve issues and remove barriers so that people of all genders can genuinely access their rights and opportunities.
At this InterPride meeting, Thailand — represented by Bangkok Pride, government agencies, the private sector, and partners — submitted its final bid book to host WorldPride 2030. "I invite all citizens to send encouragement and cheers to Team Thailand as we speak with one voice on the road to WorldPride 2030, to make history and turn Bangkok into a city of opportunity and equality for everyone," Anukchai said.
