Bangkok has launched the “Road to Bangkok World Pride 2028” art exhibition to celebrate sexual diversity in the Pride Month of June, hoping to boost the city’s chance of hosting the World Pride event in 2028.

Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and his deputy Sanon Wangsrangboon presided over the exhibition’s opening ceremony at Bai Bua Skywalk square in front of Bangkok Art & Culture Centre in Pathum Wan district on Monday.

The exhibition showcases over 80 works of artists from LGBTQIAN+ communities who competed in the Road to Bangkok World Pride 2028 competition. Ten outstanding works have been selected to feature on the giant banner in front of the centre.

First prize went to “The Road to Equality: Bangkok World Pride 2028” by Sorathorn Wangnitsuk. It features an image of Hindu god Indra riding on his Erawan elephant, the symbol of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), welcoming members of the LGBTQIAN+ from all races and nationalities to the Thai capital, signifying equality and the city’s readiness to host World Pride 2028.

The art competition was hosted by BMA and Naruemit Pride Co Ltd.

Chadchart said the exhibition is a prelude to Bangkok Pride on Sunday (June 4), when the city will celebrate and embrace diversity in gender, thinking, ideas, as well as mental and physical differences.

“Bangkok can be a liveable city for all if we embrace each other’s differences,” he said. “Accepting gender diversity is the first step toward acceptance of other aspects. We wish you a happy and joyous Bangkok Pride celebration, and hope that it will move us closer to hosting the World Pride 2028 event.”

Sanon added that June also marks one year since the start of Chadchart’s administration, when he joined the celebration of Pride Month 2022 on Silom Road.

“This year, the Pride Parade and celebration activities will be moved to Rama I Road, thanks to cooperation among related parties,” he said. “We invite all to join the celebration of diversity at the parade on Sunday, as well as visit the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre to witness giant paintings that highlight Bangkok’s readiness to host world-class Pride events.”

The event on Monday also featured a registration booth for Bangkok Pride participants, also known as “Rainbow Citizens”, via the Opn Me Wallet application.

The “Bangkok Pride 2023” parade will start at 4pm on Sunday at Pathum Wan Intersection, with Thailand’s longest Pride Flag carried along Rama I Road to Ratchaprasong Intersection before entering the square in front of CentralWorld, where the celebration will run until 8pm.