Bangkok, 1 June 2025 —Save the Children Thailand participated in the Bangkok Pride Festival 2025 parade under the theme “Schools Must Be Friendly to LGBTIQ+ Children” to voice a call for schools across Thailand to be safe spaces for all children, especially those with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. The parade included youth, families, civil society networks, and public figures such as Thitisan Goodburn, actor, model, and Mister International 2023, participating as a Voice of Save the Children Thailand;  Chotinapha Kaewcharoon, Miss Thailand 2025 and Top 10 Winner of Miss Thailand 2025; and Chanita Sreedakate Kretorn, Mrs. Thailand World Nakhon Nayok 2025 and Brand and Media Coordinator of Save the Children Thailand, who all came together to support creating schools where every child feels safe, authentic, and accepted.

Over the past year, Thailand has made notable progress on LGBTIQ+ rights, such as the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act, which allows same-sex couples to legally marry and adopt children. However, LGBTIQ+ children and families continue to face daily challenges, such as the lack of legal recognition for gender identity in official documents, or unequal rights for same-sex parents. In addition, although the Ministry of Education has repealed student hair regulations, there are still cases of schools enforcing haircuts without regard for students’ identities and diversity—raising questions about implementation and school culture that still fails to ensure safety for all children.

Save the Children Thailand affirms its commitment to promoting schools that respect gender diversity—especially on issues often faced by LGBTIQ+ children, such as bullying, lack of understanding from teachers and peers, restrictions on dress and hairstyle according to identity, and unsafe access to restrooms. The organization believes that listening to children and building understanding among teachers, education personnel, and parents is key to making schools feel safe and supportive for all.

To drive tangible change, Save the Children Thailand has collaborated with a wide range of partners. These include working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to develop safe spaces in four schools—giving students the opportunity to design and lead activities themselves; conducting training with parents to increase understanding of gender diversity; providing knowledge in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection; and supporting inclusive guidelines that empower students to dress and groom in ways that align with their identities. The organization also supports youth leaders in diverse communities to lead on gender equality and inclusion.

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director, Save the Children Thailand stated that “While Thailand has made important legal progress—such as the Marriage Equality Act—we cannot overlook the voices of LGBTIQ+ children and youth who continue to face unsafe conditions at school and in daily life. Schools must be spaces where every child feels respected in their identity—whether in their gender, dress, or expression. Save the Children calls on all adults—teachers, parents, and policy leaders—to listen to children sincerely and work together to build environments where they can learn, grow, and feel proud of who they are.”

Save the Children Thailand invites everybody to join the campaign Pride in Education through change.org  and welcomes volunteers who are passionate about helping to build a better, more inclusive society for every child. For more information and opportunities to get involved, please visit www.savethechildren.or.th