Phuket Pride Festival 2026 set for June 1-7 as Thailand pushes World Pride 2030 bid

Phuket is preparing to hold Phuket Pride Festival 2026 from June 1-7 under the theme "From Visibility to Equality", as the government urges public support for Pride events in Bangkok and Phuket and highlights Thailand's readiness to bid for World Pride 2030.

According to the government, the Phuket event is being organised by the Andaman Power Phuket Association and its partners from the Pride City Network. Planned activities include beach volleyball tournaments, Pride Talk forums, the Miss Queen Andaman Power 2026 pageant and a major pride parade.

The call for public participation came as the government promoted Pride events taking place this weekend in both Bangkok and Phuket. Deputy government spokeswoman Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn said the Bangkok Pride Festival 2026 would be held under the theme "Patch the World with Pride" as Thailand steps up efforts to position itself to host World Pride 2030.

The broader push follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Bangkok Pride to establish a Pride City Network covering 58 pilot provinces. The initiative is intended to help local communities welcome LGBTQ+ travellers from around the world while supporting human rights and the "rainbow economy" over the long term.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Nikorn Soemklang said hosting World Pride 2030 would mark the first time the global event is held in Asia. He also said LGBTQ+ travellers are seen as a high-potential tourism market with strong spending power and longer stays.