Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and chairwoman of the National Committee on Soft Power Development, is supporting efforts to push for a law recognizing transgender people by 2030. This initiative is part of Thailand’s bid to host World Pride.
Ms. Paetongtarn made this announcement at an event launching this year’s Pride Month festival, which will run from May 31 through June. The event was held at Siam Discovery shopping center on Tuesday.
She noted that the bill on gender recognition and transgender rights, proposed by the main opposition Move Forward Party, was voted down on February 21. The bill was rejected by a vote of 256 to 152, with one abstention.
During the House debate, several MPs deemed the bill’s content as “extreme” and openly opposed it.
Pheu Thai has long been committed to promoting equality for all, she emphasized. The Thai Rak Thai Party, which evolved into the People Power Party and eventually Pheu Thai, has historically campaigned for better recognition of LGBTQ+ rights.
She also highlighted that on March 27, the Pheu Thai-led government successfully pushed for the marriage equality law to pass in the House of Representatives. The law is expected to receive final approval from the Senate and be enacted later this year. Additionally, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau plans to bid for the right to host World Pride 2030.
Saruntorn Asaves of Siam Piwat Co, the operator of Siam Discovery, announced that a wide range of events are planned for next month.
