(28 August 2025 at 15.08 hrs.) At Rattanakosin Room, Bangkok City Hall (Sao Chingcha), Phra Nakhon District, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, presided over the declaration of intent ceremony to drive Bangkok toward becoming a fully “Human Rights City” (Bangkok Human Rights City) in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

“Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) firmly believes that human rights are the heart of sustainable development and the foundation for peaceful coexistence. Today’s declaration reaffirms our vision of developing Bangkok as a “Livable City for All,” upheld throughout the past three years since I assumed office on 1 June 2022. This is to ensure that everyone can live in the city with equality, human dignity, be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of status, and have equal access to services and opportunities, leaving no one behind,” Governor Chadchart stated.

● Meaning of a Human Rights City

A Human Rights City is a city where local government and citizens work closely together to ensure that human rights principles are reflected in laws, policies and everyday practices, with an emphasis on diversity and ensuring all voices are heard.

● From Policy to Practice for Real-life Human Rights

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) recognizes the crucial role of city-level initiatives in promoting human dignity, equality, and inclusive development at the local level. Over the past years, the BMA has actively focused on enhancing the quality of life for all residents through its “9 Guiding Policies” strategy. It translates the vision into practical actions across key dimensions, including:

• “Education and Access to Opportunities” dimension includes providing inclusive education for students with special needs across 158 BMA-affiliated schools and the employment of 407 persons with disabilities.
• “Quality of Life and Welfare” dimension includes the launching of BKK Food Bank in all 50 district offices to reduce inequality and make Bangkok a city of sharing from those who have more to those who still have less; the improvement of the BMA buildings and premises, including Bangkok City Hall, district offices, and hospitals to comply with Universal Design (UD) standards; and the development of 87 footpaths totaling 774 km according to the new UD standard to ensure accessibility and convenience for everyone.
• “Diversity and Participation” dimension includes the opening of BKK Pride Clinic for gender-diverse health services, supporting the gender-affirming dress code, and providing public gathering spaces under a democratic system.

● Collaboration is the Heart: Inviting All Sectors to Join in Creating “Bangkok, Human Rights City”

Although progress has been made, the BMA still faces numerous challenges in improving the quality of life for its citizens. The BMA recognizes that it cannot achieve this goal on its own. Therefore, it requires collaboration from all sectors, including citizens, communities, religious leaders, civil society, the academic sector, the business sector, and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, to promote and advance human rights initiatives in Bangkok.

Additionally, the BMA also places significant emphasis on cooperation and solidarity with other cities in Thailand and abroad, as well as with ASEAN institutions and international partners. This collaboration aims to promote knowledge exchange and foster people-centered urban development cooperation. The BMA firmly believes that its commitment to becoming a Human Rights City will lead to collective prosperity, peaceful coexistence, and a future where all people live with dignity, free from discrimination, and with mutual respect.

“The BMA reaffirms its strong and sincere commitment to drive the city toward becoming a fully ‘Human Rights City,’ and warmly invites everyone to join together in building Bangkok that respects human dignity, fosters participation, and ensures sustainable quality of life,” Governor Chadchart concluded.

The witnesses at the declaration of intent ceremony include Mr. Torsak Chotimongkol, Chairman of Advisor to the Governor of Bangkok, Mrs. Wantanee Wattana, Permanent Secretary for the BMA; Assoc. Prof. Tavida Kamolvej and Mr. Sanon Wangsrangboon, Deputy Governors of Bangkok; Mr. Phanumas Sukamporn and Mrs. Kesee Chantraprapawat, Advisors to the Governor of Bangkok; Miss Pitikan Sithidej, National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand; Dr. Seree Nonthasoot, UN Committee member on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and member of the BMA Development Strategy; Dr. Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul, Project Manager, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Thailand Office, as well as the BMA executives and members of the diplomatic corps.
—————————