002 คุณเจนนี่

Jenny Sirin Ajwichai, Director of Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation and one of the co-founders of Mukdahan Pride

From Mukdahan Pride to WorldPride 2030: The Power of Community, Local Culture, and Thailand’s Nationwide Pride Network

- Jenny Sirin Ajwichai, Director of Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation and one of the co-founders of Mukdahan Pride


  • Mukdahan Pride began through collaboration with the private sector before Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation became the main driving force behind its continued development.
  • Support from Bangkok Pride and the formation of the Pride City Network have helped connect Pride organizers across Thailand, with the goal of expanding to all 77 provinces.
  • Thailand’s key strength lies in connecting Pride with local culture, such as Mukdahan’s identity rooted in its eight ethnic groups, and in sharing knowledge with neighboring provinces.
  • The goal of WorldPride 2030 is to showcase Thailand’s potential through collaboration among the public sector, private sector, and civil society, while advancing laws and human rights protections.

Mukdahan Pride was first held in 2022, driven by the private sector in Mukdahan province and led by the Young Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce (YEC) of Mukdahan Chamber of Commerce, which invited Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation to join as one of the organizers. In the following year, the private sector wished to continue organizing the event and entrusted Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation to take the lead, as the foundation works on human rights, directly supports LGBTQIA+ communities, and has a strong community network covering the entire province.

At the same time, we had the opportunity to work with and receive support from Bangkok Pride in 2023, joining as part of a network of Pride organizers and NGO networks working on human rights across the country. This eventually developed into the Pride City Network.

From the starting point of a province-level event initiated by the private sector, we have now signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) within the Pride City Network with more than 50 provinces, and we believe the network will eventually expand to cover all 77 provinces nationwide. The Pride City Network is an important driving force that creates concrete positive impact, because Pride events in every area are truly rooted in the community. For example, in Mukdahan, we coordinate with many sectors, including NGOs working on the environment, health, and human rights; private-sector groups such as the provincial Federation of Thai Industries and YEC; and government agencies such as the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, which works with vulnerable groups and people with disabilities. We have also pushed for Pride-related issues to be included in the province’s strategic development plan.

One of Thailand’s most important strengths is its ability to connect the concept of Pride — pride in diversity — with local cultural dimensions. Mukdahan province, in particular, stands out for the cultural diversity of its eight Indigenous ethnic groups. In addition, mutual support among regional Pride networks is extremely important. Once the network in Mukdahan became strong, we were also able to share knowledge and support the emergence of Nakhon Phanom Pride in a neighboring province.

Looking ahead to 2030 and WorldPride 2030, Thailand is highly prepared to serve as host, because we have diversity in gender identities, cultures, and traditions, and are ready to welcome visitors in every region — whether in the North, Central Thailand, the South, or the Northeast, including Khon Kaen, Mukdahan, and Nakhon Phanom. This readiness is complemented by support from government agencies such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Ministry of Culture, which helps promote local identities such as Thai textiles.

The combined power of the public sector, private sector, and the Pride City Network will demonstrate Thailand’s readiness and serve as a key force in accelerating legal reforms, such as the draft Gender Recognition Act and subordinate laws related to the Marriage Equality Act. After we win the bid to host WorldPride 2030, we will see all sectors come together to celebrate this achievement at WorldPride 2030. Mukdahan province also intends to bring the cultural identity of the Phu Thai people — such as a Phu Thai dance procession — to join the celebration and welcome visitors from around the world on this international stage.

- Jenny Sirin Ajwichai currently serves as Director of Hor Kaew See Rung Foundation and as a representative of civil society networks working on HIV prevention, health, sexual well-being among children and youth, and human rights advocacy. Jenny is also one of the co-founders of Mukdahan Pride.


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