CIVICUS discusses Bangkok Pride and LGBTQI+ rights in Thailand and Southeast Asia with Ryan Silverio, Executive Director of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, a civil society organisation that advances the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

Over 300,000 people flooded the streets of Bangkok from 30 May to 1 June in Asia’s largest Pride event. This was a historic celebration, marking the first Pride since Thailand’s same-sex marriage law took effect in January. The festival offered both a moment to celebrate and a renewal of the struggle for rights, highlighting Thailand’s position as a regional leader on LGBTQI+ rights while underscoring that the fight for full equality continues, in Thailand and across Southeast Asia.

What made this Pride different?

This year’s Pride was particularly meaningful as it came just months after the marriage equality law came into effect. This was a historic breakthrough that allows same-sex couples to marry and places Thailand among the region’s most progressive countries on LGBTQI+ rights.

The celebrations expressed real joy at this achievement, but Pride was more than just a party. It was also a protest and a reminder that equality is something to keep fighting for. Pride is an exercise of freedom of assembly and expression, and in Thailand it carries regional weight: it sparks conversations on rights in neighbouring countries and builds solidarity with communities where public expression remains impossible.

What’s the status of LGBTQI+ rights in Southeast Asia?

When assessing LGBTQI+ rights and freedoms, we should consider the existence of anti-discrimination laws and enforcement mechanisms, whether LGBTQI+ issues can be publicly discussed without harassment, the recognition of couples’ rights or alternatives such as next-of-kin rights, protections against workplace discrimination and bullying in schools and whether police respond effectively to complaints.

On this basis, Thailand performs relatively well. It has no criminal laws against LGBTQI+ people, organisations can operate openly and engage with the government and same-sex marriage is legal. However, visibility doesn’t mean full equality and lived realities are uneven. Thailand should not be idealised as an LGBTQI+ paradise, but compared with places where LGBTQI+ expression and activism are criminalised or severely restricted – such as Brunei, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar – it is clearly on the better side. The Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste and Vietnam are also relatively open in this respect, although all still have significant gaps. Cambodia and Laos sit somewhere in the middle, with unclear protections and inconsistent policies.

What’s next for Thailand’s LGBTQI+ movement?

Thailand is relatively open to LGBTQI+ people, but there’s still much to achieve. In the short term, our priorities include passing a gender recognition law for trans people and protecting intersex children from unnecessary medical procedures. These reforms need to be built on inclusive policymaking and genuine dialogue between civil society and government so they reflect the needs of those most affected.

At the same time, the LGBTQI+ movement must stay vigilant. Thailand’s wider political context remains fragile, with restrictions on dissent and cases of human rights defenders being jailed. The LGBTQI+ movement must remain critical and ensure progress on sexual orientation and gender identity is not used to justify repression in other areas of human rights.

Thailand’s landmark decision to legalise same-sex marriage offers an opportunity to inspire change across Southeast Asia. Thailand can use its position to strengthen ASEAN human rights mechanisms and stand in solidarity with people in countries where rights are more restricted. But we can’t do this alone. We need support from friendly states and regional bodies to amplify our voices and protect our rights.