The decision was made by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and announced today (July 12), after a competitive selection process involving three provinces: Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen.
The announcement came following a detailed presentation by a delegation from Phuket, which included notable figures such as Somphon ‘Vicky’ Sitthiwet, Vice President of Andaman Power Phuket Group; Somyot Pathan, President of Phuket Old Town Community Tourism Enterprise; and Bhummikitti Raktaengam, Chairman of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation.
They were supported by representatives of various private sector networks in Phuket.
High-ranking officials from Phuket also showed their support, including Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksombun, Thiwat Seedokbuab, Deputy President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO); Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas and Wirintra Paphakityaphat of the Tourism Council of Thailand Region 11 branch, which covers Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
With Phuket now selected to represent Thailand, the next step will be presenting the bid at the InterPride World Conference in Colombia in October.
If successful, Phuket will host over 1,000 LGBTQ+ leaders from around the globe in 2025, marking a significant milestone for both the province and the country.
The local community is rallying behind Phuket’s bid, urging everyone to support this endeavor and showcase the province’s readiness and enthusiasm to host this prestigious event, noted an official report of the announcement.
The InterPride World Conference, an annual event lasting five days, focuses on discussing the state of LGBTQ+ movements and exchanging experiences in achieving gender equality. The event is expected to generate up to B1.1 billion for the country.
In support of advancing rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Phuket, the Phuket Provincial Office, led by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, officially declared its support for gender equality and diversity by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) titled ‘Pride & Equality Phuket’ on Wednesday (July 10).
The MoU followed a month of Pride events across the island in June, marking ‘Pride Month’, starting with events in Patong and concluding with a grand parade throughout the streets of Phuket Town on June 29.
As part of Pride Month, Phuket hosted the inaugural meeting of the Asia Pride Alliance with representatives from various countries across the region meeting to discuss gender diversity and equality.
Phuket Town hosted the mainstay of Pride events throughout June. However, one of the more popular decorations, rainbow-coloured pedestrian crosswalks at the Chartered Bank Intersection, are being repainted in the usual red and white as a safety measure.
Phuket City Municipality has apologised for any disruptions to traffic while the work is carried out. The work, which began on Wednesday, was expected to take four days.