Thousands of activists, residents, and allies took to the streets on May 24 as Chiang Mai officially became the first city in Thailand to kick off the 2026 Pride season.
Marching under the theme “Inclusive City,” participants celebrated recent legislative victories while calling for greater equality and comprehensive legal protections for LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.
Beyond marriage equality
While the event celebrated Thailand’s milestone same-sex marriage law, organizers stressed that the fight for true equity is far from over.
Ahrtiey Sangsuwan, an organizer with the Chiang Mai Pride Working Team, highlighted the significant legislative gaps that remain.
“Actually, we reached the goal of the same-sex marriage law. But there are 50 laws that are not adapted to serve its context,” Sangsuwan explained.
“The main theme of the ‘Inclusive City’ came from these big ideas: why are we still celebrating if we face the truth that some of our friends in the community face discrimination?”
Organizers emphasized that bias remains deeply entrenched within institutions such as military camps, prisons, schools, and workplaces. Furthermore, daily public infrastructure still largely lacks basic gender-neutral facilities.
“Pride is not a happy ending for gender equality, not only in Chiang Mai, but also in Thailand,” Sangsuwan added. “We grew up. It is the truth. But growing up and not receiving equality is not something that synchronizes with each other.”
A historic pact and intersectional advocacy
In a landmark move for the municipality, government officials, private sector actors, and civil society groups signed an ‘Inclusive City’ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The agreement formally pledges to eliminate discrimination and ensure freedom and safety for all gender identities and sexual orientations in Chiang Mai.
The parade also blended local Lanna cultural pride with modern representation. Miss World Thailand 2026, Namphueng Kanteera Techaphatthanakul, made a prominent main-stage appearance.
As an ethnic Shan beauty queen and Chiang Mai native, Kantteera utilized the platform to champion her “Dare Your Dream” advocacy campaign, which focuses on empowering stateless children and youth through equal education.
Her message highlighted the crucial intersections of human rights, dignity, and social acceptance for everyone, regardless of citizenship or origin.
Solidarity with Myanmar
The event also served as a safe haven and platform for regional diaspora groups, with members of the Myanmar LGBTQ+ community actively participating in the parade.
“I hope that in Myanmar, we will also have the same equal opportunities as in Thailand to continue holding Pride events like this in the future,” said Joy, a member of the Chiang Mai Myanmar Community LGBT group.
“However, in Myanmar, LGBTQ+ individuals are facing a loss of their rights; their growth, personal freedoms, sexual expression, and identities remain heavily challenged, making it an uphill battle to achieve true acceptance and success.”
