APCOM’s 6th Thailand LGBTQI+ Biz Forum was held on 13-14 June 2025 at Chamchuri Square, Bangkok, this year’s forum highlighted the theme “Innovating Inclusion: New Frontiers in LGBTQI+ Business Leadership,” which emphasized the power of participation and shared leadership for all.
The forum elevated dialogue and drove real action around economic empowerment, workplace equality and inclusive growth. It also explored wins, challenges and opportunities for LGBTQI+ social and economic inclusion, which deal with Thailand’s marriage equality law and the impact on the economy. Joining the forum was a diverse range of stakeholders, including business leaders, policymakers, development partners, and community advocates, to collectively advance equality for LGBTQI+ communities in Thailand and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Inclusion drives our economic growth. Now we all know that when business is truly equal, innovation roars, productivity rises, and society really benefits. And businesses that ensure equal opportunities attract talent, they retain their employees, and they build their resilience.
And we know that a more diverse team is more creative and makes better decisions, and they understand the market more deeply. We believe these are the key successes in today’s world, that is fast and unpredictable.
For Thailand and this region, this work is really important. Inclusive small and medium enterprises grow faster and more productive and lift the economy. So inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do but the smart thing to do.
Adam Coin from Australian Embassy to Thailand
We are building on from Thailand’s leadership with the passing the Marriage Equality Act in January 2025, becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legally recognize same-sex marriage. Legal reform, however, is only part of the journey—social and economic inclusion must follow,
… the private sector can do significantly more to support true inclusion of LGBTQI+ community to support Thailand becoming a trailblazer for the region and also globally, where currently there’s a pushback on our community.Midnight, APCOM
The event featured 6 dynamic sessions over two days with 14 distinguished speakers who generously shared their expertise to drive a meaningful dialogue on LGBTQI+ inclusion, bringing together a diverse array of experts, advocates, and leaders. We extend our sincere appreciation to the powerful speakers who shared their invaluable insights:
- Innovation in Diversity: Emerging Trends in LGBTQI+ Inclusive Policies
- Beyond the Rainbow: Realizing the Economic Impact of LGBTQI+ Inclusion
- Innovative Policies for Inclusion
- From online Business to Society
- Designing LGBTQI+ Friendly Workplaces: Tools and Practices
- Pleasure for Inclusion
We were joined by 8 community booths showcasing their wares for guests to buy and support their cause, and get to know their organization better. Of course, we had many lively performances from our diverse communities, bringing some upbeat entertainment to the forum.
Some key takeaways were:
- Inclusion is good for business – more innovation, talent attraction, and economic growth.
- Visibility matters – exhibitions, fashion, and volunteering create pathways for social change.
- Policy reform is urgent – marriage equality is not enough without gender recognition and anti-discrimination laws.
- Thailand is poised to be a regional leader in LGBTQI+ inclusion if momentum continues.
Agenda
Friday 13 June 2025
| Time | Activities |
| 10.00 AM – 10.30 AM | Registration Booths start from 10.00 AM – 7.00 PM |
| 10.30 AM – 10.45 AM | Main MC Welcoming (Wrapped up Video from last year event)M StrangerFox |
| 10.45 AM – 11.20 PM | Opening Remark: Adam Coin, Counsellor Economic, Australian Embassy to Thailand Group Photo |
| 11.20 AM – 11.30 AM | Show 1: Celebration of Equality (Thai Traditional Dance) Thai Music and Dance Club of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce |
| 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM | Innovation in Diversity: Emerging Trends in LGBTQI+ Inclusive Policies (ENG) Speaker: Steph Galera, Head of Southeast Asia, Open for Business |
| 1.30 PM – 2.00 PM | Stage Break |
| 2.00 PM – 2.10 PM | Show 2: Drag show Notty Naughty Gurl |
| 2.10 PM – 4.10 PM | Beyond the Rainbow: Realizing the Economic Impact of LGBTQI+ Inclusion (THA)Moderator: Gigi Margarita, RSAT Speakers: Chinavich Ratanachinakorn, Business Partner – Bootleggers Group CompanyVipada Vijakanakul, Asst.Manager, Major Cineplex Group Mega BangnaSupabhorn Pengnonyang, Project Manager, IHRI |
| 4.10 PM – 4.30 PM | Booths Tour by MC |
| 4.30 PM – 6.30 PM | Innovative Policies for Inclusion (THA)Moderator: Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, Member of Parliament, People’s Party Speakers: Suparnee Pongruengphat, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, UNDPChattraphon Ditthasriphon, Justice Officer, senior professional level, Rights and liberties protection departmentsAttorney Chawinroj Theeraphatcharaporn |
| 6.30 PM – 6.40 PM | Show 3: Long drum dance and Thai boxing performance Wat Yannawa School |
| 6.40 PM – 7.00 PM | Group Photo and Booth Tour |
Saturday 14 June 2025
| Time | Activities |
| 10.00 AM – 10.30 AM | Registration Booths start from 10.00 AM – 7.00 PM |
| 10.30 AM – 10.50 AM | Main MC Welcoming (VDO promoting HERO Awards 2025 and HERO Party BKK 2025) + Booths TourYod Wittaya Saengarun |
| 10.50 AM – 11.00 AM | Show 4: PRIDE Everyday (Thai Traditional Dance) Thai Music and Dance Club of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce |
| 11.00 AM – 1.00 PM | From online Business to Society (THA)Moderator: Naphat Kruthai, SOGIESC Inclusion and Corporate Engagements Officer, APCOM Speakers: Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, Founder, Chroma ThailandKanchita Kitjansian, Chief Operating Officer, SocialgiverAnusorn Monsonthiti, Educator, Senior Professional Level, Education section leader, Bangna district office |
| 1.00 PM – 1.30 PM | Stage Break |
| 1.30 PM – 1.40 PM | Show 5: Special ShowSWING Foundation |
| 1.40 PM – 4.40 PM | Designing LGBTQI+ Friendly Workplaces: Tools and Practices (THA)Moderator: Nikki Natthineethiti, Founder of Transtalents Consulting Group Speakers: Srisakul Sungsri, Head of Human Resource, B. BraunNatpitchaya Iamcharoenchok, Senior HR Advisor, CHEP Thailand Ltd |
| 4.40 PM – 6.30 PM | Pleasure for Inclusion (THA)Moderator: Poramet Tangsathaporn, News Reporter, Bangkok Post Speakers: Aquapatindra Vanijvarmindra, Operations Manager, KrubbPol Phattarapol, Marketing Manager, Jack’DChayangurn Ardam, Owner, Thai Relaxing Massage, Silom |
| 6.30 PM – 6.50 PM | Closing remarksSurasak Chalermsri, Thai Board of APCOM Foundation Group Photo (5 minutes) |
| 6.50 PM – 7.00 PM | Show 6: Drag show Notty Naughty Gurl |
Thailand LGBTQI+ Biz Forum aims to promote diversity and inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities in Thailand. APCOM advocates on advancing the rights, and protection of people with diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) and LGBTQI community. The forum is the space for various sectors who support the beautiful and diverse shades of “PRIDE ” to create new opportunities and partnerships on supporting LGBTQI communities in all areas.
