Bangkok and Naruemit Pride Unveil WorldPride 2030 Host Bid Plan at BACC

Naruemit Pride, organiser of the Bangkok Pride Festival, in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Pride City Network from 58 cities across Thailand, held an event to launch the strategic document Bidbook Road to Bangkok WorldPride 2030 and the campaign 100 Voices: Road to Bangkok WorldPride 2030 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) on 16 October 2026. This official declaration of readiness took place during the final 30 days before the host selection process to propose Bangkok as the host city for WorldPride 2030, competing against Barcelona. The entire plan is driven under the core concept Until All of Us Are Free, which aims to advance Bangkok as a safe space and a global hub for human rights.

Public Sector Collaboration and the 100+ Voices Network on the Global Stage

Pornphrom Vikitsreth, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, who presided over the opening ceremony, affirmed the readiness of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to coordinate cooperation with civil society, the private sector and the public to open a Safe Space where everyone can proudly express their identity. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration also aims to promote creative tourism that integrates urban culture and community identity to sustainably welcome visitors from around the world. Meanwhile, Ann Chumaporn, Founder and President of Bangkok Pride, stated that 2030 is an important milestone to prove that the marriage equality law has translated into tangible quality of life, dignity and freedom, while opening space for Asia, home to more than half of the world's population, to serve as the centre of global dialogue.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of 100+ Voices, which brings together more than 100 voices from gender-diverse individuals, human rights activists, government agencies, the business sector, the media, artists, the education sector, youth, healthcare personnel, the tourism sector, families, older people and persons with disabilities. Notable figures from various sectors who joined in expressing this commitment included Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister; Supaluck Umpujh, Chairwoman of The Mall Group; Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister; Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Leader of the People's Party; representatives of the Pheu Thai Party; Thanaporn Tantiyanon, Managing Director of ONESIAM Shopping Centre Business Group; Saranya Charoensiri, Senior Director from MBK; Chanida Klyphun, Head of Public Policy, Thailand from TikTok; and Anucha Boonyawatana, former President of the Thai Film Director Association. The event also featured a special performance by JR Bubbulgum, recipient of the Bangkok Pride Award Pride Popular of Singer 2026, alongside artists and representatives from civil society organisations including the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, the Service Workers In Group Foundation (SWING), the Rainbow Stream Group, Tangerine Clinic, IHRI, Goddess Bar, the Thai Blind Youth Club and the Children and Youth Council of Thailand.

The 5 R Strategic Principles Driving Towards WorldPride 2030

The drive for Bangkok to host WorldPride 2030 is founded on the goals and strategy of the 5 R principles, linking the history of the movement with international human rights standards. The five pillars reflect Thailand's readiness to host a global event sustainably and inclusively for all groups.

• ROOTS: Continuing a 32-year legacy since the first event in 1998 to honour the pioneers of the movement and demonstrate the strength of the history of human rights advocacy.
• REACH: Creating a historic milestone as the first WorldPride event in Asia, using Bangkok as a gateway to connect cross-border solidarity with the global community.
• RIGHTS: Moving towards 2030, which marks the fifth anniversary of the marriage equality law, to showcase standards of civil rights protection and comprehensive support for diverse families in Southeast Asia.
• RESILIENCE: Aligning with the global UNAIDS target to end AIDS by 2030, while eliminating stigma through a universal healthcare system that guarantees equal dignity and health for all.
• RESPONSIBILITY: Responding to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 10 on reduced inequalities, to leave no one behind.

Summary of the WorldPride 2030 Host Bid Launch Event

This bid to host WorldPride 2030 is of great significance to event organisers and the international conference and festival business sector, enabling them to plan activities to accommodate attendees from around the world. At the same time, hoteliers and hospitality operators in Bangkok and across the network of 58 cities nationwide can apply the safe space concept to elevate hospitality standards for travellers of all groups. Both Thai and international tourists will benefit from the development of creative tourism cities that sustainably embrace cultural diversity.