Thailand will bid to host World Pride in 2028, to reflect the country’s acceptance of and open mindedness regarding LGBT+ issues.
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke quoted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin as saying that his government will fully support the bid and, if the country is selected, he would allocate budget for the hosting of the event. The event would also help boost the economy and tourism, Srettha said.
The 2024 World Pride event will be held in Australia. In 2025 it will be in the US and the Netherlands in 2026.
Srettha was speaking during a meeting in which participants discussed marriage equality and a proposal to allow transgender people to be covered by the country’s universal health coverage.
Chai said a draft marriage equality law will be put on the Cabinet agenda next Tuesday, and Parliament is expected to consider it in early December.
There should, however, be a roadmap for the process, which must include opinions from all sides, he said.
Srettha hopes that a marriage equality bill, ensuring the same legal rights for same-sex couples as those for heterosexual couples, would pass without difficulty.