Pride forum in Phuket spotlights inclusion and safe spaces as festival continues

A Pride forum in Phuket brought together local officials, business leaders, community representatives and LGBTQIA+ advocates on June 4 to discuss diversity, equality and the creation of safe spaces across the island.

The event, titled Phuket Unfiltered, was organised by the Andaman Power Association of Phuket as part of the wider Phuket Pride Festival 2026 programme.

Attendees included Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri, representatives from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, executives from Simon Cabaret Phuket and officials from the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.

Organisers said the forum was intended to give young people, workers and local residents a platform to share views and propose ideas for future policies aimed at improving wellbeing and building greater inclusion under the concept of a “City of All-Inclusion”.

Discussions covered creative city development, the MICE industry and ways to improve quality of life for Phuket residents while reinforcing the island’s reputation as a welcoming destination for people of all backgrounds.

An interactive session used digital polling tools and public participation activities to collect feedback that organisers said would help guide future policies on safe spaces and wellbeing in Phuket.

The programme also included performances at Simon Cabaret Phuket and recognition of achievements by Phuket organisations and community groups.

The forum comes ahead of the Miss Queen Andaman Power 2026 pageant, scheduled for tonight from 4:30pm to 10pm at The Bay Arena at Jungceylon in Patong. Organisers describe it as the largest transgender beauty pageant in Southern Thailand.

The Phuket Pride Festival will conclude with the Phuket Pride Parade on Sunday, June 7, with participants set to march from Ratchaprajanukroh Road through Thaweewong Road to Patong Beach.

The events are part of a month-long Pride Month programme in Phuket, where organisers say they are continuing to promote the island as a leading LGBTQIA+ destination while supporting diversity, equality and inclusion across the community.