Phuket concludes first InterPride conference held in Asia
More than 300 Pride organisers and delegates attended the five-day InterPride conference in Phuket, which ended with a closing event on Coral Island.
Phuket has concluded the first InterPride General Meeting & World Conference held in Asia and the Global South, with more than 300 international Pride organisers and delegates attending the five-day gathering from 28 October to 1 November 2026.
Held under the theme “Pearl of Asia”, the conference focused on LGBTQIA+ rights, inclusion, diversity and international cooperation. It was the first time the annual event had been held in Asia since InterPride was founded in 1982.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, in collaboration with Nikorn Marine Group, organised the closing event, “Pride Vibe: Island Hopping”, at Kahung Beach on Koh Hae, also known as Coral Island. Delegates travelled by boat from Chalong Pier and took part in a beachside drag show, a fashion presentation featuring local Phuket textiles by Phuket Vocational College students, tie-dye workshops, face painting and local food activities.
PPAO Deputy Chief Chalam Atthatham said the organisation was proud to help host the gathering and that the closing event highlighted Phuket’s natural attractions, hospitality and openness to diversity. He said the PPAO remained committed to developing a safe and welcoming city for visitors of all identities.
Nikorn Marine Group Managing Director Wirintra Papakityotapat said the company was honoured to support the event and present Phuket’s marine tourism to international delegates. Andaman Power Association Phuket President Supakorn Suwan described the conference as a milestone for Pride networks in Phuket and Thailand, saying it had strengthened international cooperation and connections across the global Pride network.
The conference was organised by the Andaman Power Association, which organises Phuket Pride, the Foundation for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Rights and Justice, and Naruemit Pride, which organises Bangkok Pride.
