![Mark Gooding (left), the British Ambassador to Thailand, and Remco van Wijingaarden, the Netherlands Ambassador, share their experiences at the Bangkok Post Pride Every Day forum on Wednesday at Lido Connect. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)](https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20240724/c1_2835097_240724200530.jpg)
Thailand’s record-breaking passage of the same-sex marriage bill has stifled progress on various LGBTQ issues to ensure equality and pride on a regular basis.
At the Bangkok Post Pride Every Day website, two ministers to Thailand, Mark Gooding of the United Kingdom and Remco van Wijingaarden of the Netherlands, delivered that message.
Before Thailand gained a foothold in Southeast Asia by acing the same rules, their nations passed them centuries later.
At the conference held on Wednesday at the Lido Connect Hall in Siam Square, the ambassadors discussed their encounters.
Both people agreed that passing for laws in Thailand would benefit the country in a variety of ways, but added that many things still need to be done to ensure that LGBTQ people in Thailand have full rights and legal protections.
The LGBTQ group in the UK continues to face a number of challenges, according to Mr. Gooding, despite the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill, which became law in 2014. Hence, it is important to reflect the issue of addition every day because LGBTQ lifestyle is never a one-month function during Pride in June, he said.
” Marriage fairness is a very important step towards fairness, but in the UK, we have to focus on various problems such as the regular discrimination, racist bullies in college, access to healthcare for LGBTQ citizens, as well as hate offences”, Mr Gooding said.
” Therefore, it is not specifically in the month of June when the Pride month is ]held worldwide ] (# ). I believe that the LGBTQ party, state, and civil society can work together to openly discuss the challenges that need to be addressed by the LGBTQ community.
Mr. Gooding described Thailand’s passage of the union equality act as a significant advance. Then, he suggested the emphasis must be on implementing it properly.
He furthermore pointed out that to further spread justice, all businesses must work as justice requires multi-sectoral speech.
” Similar marriage policy is absolutely amazing. But I do declare, that passing legislation is not the conclusion”, he said.
The execution is the next step, and the first step is to ensure that all laws are circulated so that citizens benefit after they become law. We do not want the persons to be delayed by some sort of report.
He expressed his excitement at being informed that Thailand would become the 44th nation to join the Equal Rights Coalition ( ERC ) as the framework.
A alliance of nations meets to discuss and debate promoting LGBTQ rights around the world.
” I think there will be more we can do together because Thailand has become the leader in Southeast Asia in passing the identical relationship rules,” said Mr. Gooding.
” There are many places in the world that face major drawbacks of LGBTQ right and other right, including women’s rights. Therefore, I do believe that we must work together to ensure the protection of our beliefs through international human rights.
The French practice
Even though the Netherlands was the first nation in the world to go same-sex relationship legislation in 2001, Mr. Wijingaarden argued that passing the bill was only the first step toward justice.
The costs needs to be translated into implementation laws, social protection, insurance, estate and various sections related to same-sex connections, he said.
He claimed that there are still challenges for the LGBTQ group in Thailand. Giving the case of his home state, he said transgenders also face major hurdles. In many countries, he said, LGBTQ individuals are still at higher risk of struggling with mental health problems and other issues.
” So, in the world, equal marriage does not only qualify to gay and lesbian but other acquaintances of the LGBTQ communities, and those other challenges are not only challenges for the Netherlands but also our years in the world”, he added.
He claimed that the passage of the costs would greatly enhance the happiness of Thai LGBTQ populations and remind people that marriage is about the union of two people who are in love.
It will also bolster Thailand’s reputation and attract more foreign investment from companies, especially those that prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion ( DEI), he said.
” I do wish the communities and their allies may continue to address other political issues to ensure that justice may be achieved abroad in Thailand,” said Mr. Wijingaarden.
” In the Netherlands, we have Pride quarter in August. I firmly believe that the fact that there are still many things to be done in order to achieve justice is something that needs to be addressed. It is a long-term method”.
Thailand’s involvement in the ERC is extremely important because it is a system where states can change their views, especially at the state level, on how to maintain greater diversity, he noted.
He stated that equality is not just about getting married but also about “how the government protects you.”
![The Bangkok Post Pride Every Day Forum, which was held on Wednesday at Lido Connect Hall in Siam Square, is greeted with attendees and sponsors for a photo. From left: Pongput Woraratanadharm, Chief of International Public Relations Strategy, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jitsak Limpakornkul, celebrity chef from MasterChef Thailand, Paulie Nataya Paomephan, Miss Trans Thailand 2023, Natthineethiti Phinyapincha, Founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, Richard Kua, Brand General Manager, Kiehl's Thailand, Mark Gooding, British Ambassador to Thailand, Worachai Bhicharnchitr, Vice Chairman, Bangkok Post, Remco van Wijngaarden, Netherlands Ambassador, Dr Norathep Sriprasit, Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, Dr Pitakpol Boonyamalik, Chief Executive Officer, Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, Nachale Boonyapisomparn, Vice President of the Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights, and Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, Bangkok Pride Youth and Global Outreach Representative. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )](https://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20240724/5216383.jpg)
The Bangkok Post Pride Every Day Forum, which was held on Wednesday at Lido Connect Hall in Siam Square, is greeted with attendees and sponsors for a photo. From left: Pongput Woraratanadharm, Chief of International Public Relations Strategy, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jitsak Limpakornkul, celebrity chef from MasterChef Thailand, Paulie Nataya Paomephan, Miss Trans Thailand 2023, Natthineethiti Phinyapincha, Founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, Richard Kua, Brand General Manager, Kiehl’s Thailand, Mark Gooding, British Ambassador to Thailand, Worachai Bhicharnchitr, Vice Chairman, Bangkok Post, Remco van Wijngaarden, Netherlands Ambassador, Dr Norathep Sriprasit, Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, Dr Pitakpol Boonyamalik, Chief Executive Officer, Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital, Nachale Boonyapisomparn, Vice President of the Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights, and Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, Bangkok Pride Youth and Global Outreach Representative. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )