InterPride conference brings more than 300 delegates to Phuket
The InterPride General Meeting & World Conference 2026 is taking place in Phuket from 28 October to 1 November.
More than 300 Pride organisers and delegates from around the world are attending the InterPride General Meeting & World Conference 2026 in Phuket, which runs from 28 October to 1 November.
The conference is focusing on LGBTQIA+ rights, inclusion, diversity and cooperation among Pride organisations. Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae, representing Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom, and Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri hosted a welcome reception at Deevana Plaza Phuket Patong on Wednesday evening, 28 October.
Romdon highlighted Patong’s natural attractions, cultural diversity and role as a major tourism destination. Maneesri said urban development should go hand in hand with acceptance of diversity and respect for human rights and dignity. She said Patong Municipality was committed to creating an environment where people from different backgrounds could live together and participate in the city’s development.
The conference is being co-hosted by the Andaman Power Association, which organises Phuket Pride; the Foundation for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Rights and Justice (FOR-SOGI); and Naruemit Pride, which organises Bangkok Pride. Vicky Noppasorn Sompolsittivej, vice-president of the Andaman Power Association and a co-founder of Phuket Pride, introduced the event and its programme.
A pre-conference session for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse participants was held on 28 October. The programme also includes a workshop on Thai drag performance, titled “Drag Inclusive Power”, at the resort on Thursday, 29 October. Performers Miss Prism Galaxia, Elista and “Narawut Npp” were due to discuss the development of Thai drag from showgirl cabarets to contemporary performance.
The workshop is examining how costumes, make-up and performance express Thai identity, as well as drag’s role in providing livelihoods, creating safer spaces and building wider acceptance.
Organisers have also presented the Phuket gathering as an opportunity to demonstrate Thailand’s capacity to host major international LGBTQIA+ events, with WorldPride 2030 among the longer-term ambitions cited by the Thai team.
