Officially launching Pride Month 2025 in Chiang Mai, a parade of power, love and equality

Chiang Mai Province opened a new chapter in its history in 2025 by becoming the first province in Thailand to officially launch Pride Month 2025 on May 25. Pride of Chiang Mai 2025 was held in grand style in the heart of the city with 25 parades under the theme of “The Power of Love, Equality, and Human Dignity,” reflecting the collective will of Chiang Mai residents and LGBTQIA+ networks nationwide.

The day-long event was filled with energy, hope, and collaboration between the public, government, and private sectors, making Chiang Mai an important landmark for sexual diversity in Southeast Asia.

Pride of Chiang Mai 2025: A Parade of Power, Love, and Dreams

This year’s Pride event began at the Chiang Mai Buddhist Center before the parade moved through Thapae Road, the Night Bazaar, and ended at Thapae Gate Square, a centerpiece transformed into a full-scale celebration of sexual diversity.

Parade Highlights:

• 25 parades, decorated creatively There are traditional Lanna costumes, fantasy costumes, and cutting-edge LGBTQ+ fashion.
• Drag Show, contemporary dance, and shows from the LGBTQ+ community.
• A parade of over 30 civil society organizations, including schools, universities, and businesses.
• A musical parade float that serenaded the atmosphere with Pride songs and live performances by famous artists.
• The music, dancing, and smiles from people on both sides of the street created a warm and powerful atmosphere, reflecting the hopes of Thai society that is heading towards true gender equality.

Tha Pae Gate Square: A stage for acceptance and positive energy.

After the parade ended at Tha Pae Gate Square, stage activities began immediately from the evening until the night, focusing on creating a space for creativity, community voices, and knowledge about human rights.

Significant activities at Tha Pae Gate Square:

• A forum on human rights and LGBTQ+
• A Pride Ambassador 2025 contest to find community representatives
• Live music performances from local and national artists
• The "Diverse Lives" exhibition tells the stories of LGBTQIA+ in Thailand
• A sexual health consultation area, free HIV testing, and condom distribution
• Thousands of participants flocked to Thapae Gate Square to participate in both entertainment and educational activities. Whether they were teenagers, young adults, families, or couples of all genders, they came together to create a new image for “Love Without Permission.”

Pride Chiang Mai’s 9th Year: From a Small Event to a National Movement

The 2025 Pride in Chiang Mai marks the 9th consecutive year of the festival, which originated from a collaboration between the civil society, the LGBTQIA+ community, and local activist networks. Each year, the event has grown in size, activities, and participation from government, private, and international agencies.

One of the highlights this year was the participation of LGBTQ+ youth who participated in a large number of workshops and discussion forums, showing that advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in the present era is no longer just a matter for the older generation, but is an ongoing process in which the younger generation plays an important role.

In addition, there were seminars and a fashion show at Pantip Lifestyle Hub, which presented stories through clothing. And open up a space for new LGBTQIA+ designers to present their work that reflects their identity, culture, and hope for the future.

Next mission: From celebration to policy advocacy

Although Pride is full of colors and fun, the essence of the festival still lies in the movement for equality, especially in the issues that are still challenges for Thailand.

Key issues raised at the event:

• Progress on the draft of the Marriage Equality Act, which was considered in 2024
• Demanding gender-neutral health rights, such as access to PrEP and mental health care
• Combating stigma in the workplace and schools
• Promoting LGBTQ+ learning in the education system
• Affirming the rights of transgender people to express themselves in everyday life
• Many forums at the event discussed in depth the “post-Pride world” and how to move forward to turn what was celebrated into tangible policies

Reflection of the new society in Thailand

The images of high school students in uniforms holding the Pride flag alongside their families, office workers who took time off to walk in the parade, foreigners holding signs supporting marriage equality, and monks who watched the parade with smiles were all reflections of the changing Thai society.

Chiang Mai is not just holding an event to “make news” or “be a tourist attraction”, but is sending a message to the world that Thailand is ready to be a regional leader in human rights and is ready to listen to the voices of people of all ages and genders.

Pride of Chiang Mai 2025 is a reflection of Thailand on a day that truly embraces diversity and understands the dignity of being human. From the powerful parade to the seminars, performances, and activities to create knowledge on human rights issues,

Chiang Mai is not just holding an event to “celebrate”, but also to speak out for millions of people who demand the same thing: “Love that does not need permission, equality that is not a matter of the future, but a reality that must happen today.”