LocationsParliamentary Space Where Every Voice Drives National Decision-Making in Thailand
June 29, 2025
In every thriving democracy, parliaments are more than just legislative bodies, they are spaces where laws, policies, and decisions represent the voices of the people they serve. Yet for too long, many communities in Thailand including women, LGBTIs, youth, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities have remained underrepresented, often left on the margins of public dialogue and excluded from the lawmaking process.
With a strong commitment to the principle of “Leave No One Behind (LNOB)” for sustainable development, UNDP partners with over 60 national parliaments around the world to strengthen their capacity for inclusive lawmaking, enhance civic participation, and build bridges between legislators and vulnerable groups.
With strong support from our core partners, Thailand is where UNDP works hand in hand with parliament to turn ambitious ideas into real change — shaping policies and laws that improve people’s lives.
In Thailand, we work closely with the National Assembly of Thailand to engage Members of Parliament, Standing Committees, government bodies, civil society organizations, and community changemakers in amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups and incorporating them into legislative processes.
To create a society where women thrive, LGBTI people and persons with disabilities are fully included, and young people lead the way in shaping the future.
Promoting Women’s Political Participation and Leadership in the Parliament
Thailand has made notable progress in advancing women’s leadership in the corporate sector, but this success has yet to be fully reflected in the political sphere.
In the 2023 general elections, the proportion of women Members of Parliament increased from 16% to nearly 20%. While this marks a positive step forward, women's representation in politics remains limited, Thai women are still underrepresented in comparison to global averages and international standards.
International Women's Day Film Talk 2025
“Why we need more women MPs in our Parliament?”
Women MPs are not only represented in Parliament. They are co-leading critical conversations on key legislative issues such as gender-based violence, gender-responsive budgeting, accessibility in gender-related laws, and the elimination of the pink tax. Their presence highlights the importance of building strong political institutions and leadership that reflect the diversity of our society, while also challenging traditional norms around women's roles in public life.
However, achieving gender equality in politics is not the responsibility of women alone. It requires collective action especially from male MPs to actively advocate for a gender-equal parliament and support more women to run for politics.
Beyond the numbers, it’s not just about how many women are in politics, it’s about women entering politics to champion greater representation for others.
The story of Visaradee is a powerful example.
Visaradee Techateerawat, Chairperson of the Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus
Visaradee Techateerawat, Chairperson of the Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus, began her political career at the age of 25 as a local politician in Chiang Rai province. Today, Visaradee is a source of inspiration for many, especially young women aspiring to enter politics. The Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus, of which she is a part, works closely with UNDP and other key partners to advance gender equality and strengthen women's participation in the political sphere.
“As the Chair of the Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus, I, along with members from various political parties, am committed to amplifying women's voices at all levels of politics whether through strengthening the capacity of female members or collaborating with LGBTIs communities to create policies and laws that are inclusive of all gender dimensions.” Visaradee Techateerawat, Chairperson of the Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus.
The Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus, which she chairs, has been working hand in hand with UNDP and other partners to make policymaking and legislative processes more gender-sensitive. To date, more than 50% of parliamentarians — 295 in total — have adopted this practice.
Embracing Love wins: Thailand’s First Marriage Equality for LGBTIs
On 22 January 2025, Thailand made history as the first country in Southeast Asia and the 37th nation globally to legalize marriage equality, ensuring that all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have equal rights.
Pride Parade 2025
Through UNDP’s journey in advocating for the equal marriage law, parliamentary engagement has played a key role in making this legislative milestone a reality for Thailand.
For years, UNDP has worked alongside parliament to create a space that is more inclusive — where everyone’s voice matters. The equal marriage law is not only a law for LGBTI people, but a law shaped by them, together with other key stakeholders, to ensure it truly responds to their needs. Even with the success of marriage equality, the work doesn’t stop here.
UNDP continues partnering with parliament to tackle gender-based violence and advance LGBTI inclusion in all aspects of parliamentary work, through the 'Advancing the Human Rights and Inclusion of LGBT People' initiative.
Kittinan Daramadhaj, President of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand
“I see UNDP as key stakeholders in bridging meaningful collaboration with civil society and the parliament. The parliamentary system has become increasingly inclusive, including CSOs to take part in legislative process through participatory approaches. UNDP works with us in multiple dimensions of gender equality. What began a journey rooted in pain has transformed into pride- and a driving force for advancing inclusion for all.” said Kittinan Daramadhaj, President of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand
Beyond working with Members of Parliament on law development, UNDP also collaborates closely with the Rights and Liberties Protection Department of the Ministry of Justice, alongside long-standing CSO partner, the Rainbow Sky Association, in driving this progress agenda forward.
“Success cannot be achieved by just the Ministry of Justice alone. Working with UNDP has been helping us since the beginning. Besides assisting in comparative law studies between countries, they have also helped raise awareness in society. This has provided awareness that LGBT people have the right to form families and the right to love like everyone else. Over decades, we have collaborated together, not only through seminars and various public relations activities but also through social movements and public awareness, contributing to Thailand's increased readiness to achieve our goals faster than expected” said Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of International Human Rights Division, Rights and Liberties Protection Department, Ministry of Justice
Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, Director of International Human Rights Division, Rights and Liberties Protection Department, Ministry of Justice
Youth and Ethnic Minorities Join the Legislative Conversation
UNDP works to strengthen democratic institutions with a strong commitment to inclusive governance by amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, particularly youth and ethnic minorities, in decision-making processes. Through strategic partnerships with the National Assembly of Thailand, civil society, and local communities, UNDP supports the development of more responsive and representative legislation that reflects the lived experiences of all people, especially those too often left at the margins of policy conversations.
Not only reflecting the needs of the vulnerable group to the National Assembly of Thailand, but this commitment has also been translated into concrete action. In collaboration with the Thai Young Parliamentarian Caucus, UNDP helped create a platform for vulnerable youth from diverse backgrounds to engage directly with members of the Caucus. In a landmark consultation, youth from marginalized communities shared the challenges they face, ranging from access to education and public services to identity recognition and rights, thereby bringing their perspectives into the legislative arena and the lawmaking process.
Youth and MPs
“As a passionate environmental advocate, I believe that the structure of Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping national environmental policies and legislation, which is why it’s essential for young people to have a seat at the table to voice their needs and concerns directly to lawmakers. With the support of UNDP, I’ve been given the opportunity to contribute to real-world policy discussions and advocate for meaningful change at the parliamentary level.” said Pittayaporn (Pie) Puttasin, UNDP Student Ambassador
Pittayaporn (Pie) Puttasin, UNDP Student Ambassador Thailand
This initiative builds on UNDP’s ongoing efforts to promote youth engagement in democratic processes, including connecting young people with Members of Parliament to co-develop solutions to development challenges. UNDP has also supported regional platforms for young parliamentarians and vulnerable youth to voice concerns on inequality and advocate for inclusive policymaking.
Advancing inclusion for Persons with Disabilities
People with disabilities, who make up around 4 million people in Thailand, remain one of the most marginalized groups in the country.
Systemic discrimination persists — from cultural beliefs and attitudes to policies and inaccessible infrastructure.
Together with the parliament, UNDP began by breaking down barriers to access, both in platforms and practices. UNDP works with standing committees in Thailand’s National Assembly to improve physical and digital accessibility and create spaces where persons with disabilities can actively shape laws. We also support inclusive public hearings that allow persons with disabilities to share their perspectives and contribute directly to legislative development.
Key efforts focus on building institutional awareness, strengthening capacity for disability inclusion, and reviewing existing laws to align with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) — with an emphasis on eliminating discrimination, ensuring universal accessibility, and improving social welfare systems.
Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Welfare
“As the Chairman of the Social Welfare Committee, I see collaboration with UNDP not merely as participating in projects, but as co-creating new standards for Thailand in advancing rights, not just welfare. Especially on issues concerning persons with disabilities, I believe UNDP possesses knowledge, tools, and an Inclusive Development framework that can elevate the work of the Thai parliament to align more closely with international standards. The Committee aims to collaborate with UNDP in three key areas: enhancing policy design to better address the rights of persons with disabilities; promoting employment of persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors; and expanding equitable access to digital technology.” said Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Welfare
A Parliament for Everyone: A Journey Ahead
Democracy is more than casting votes. It’s about being heard, seen, and included. The role of parliament as a space for all voices, especially those who have often been silenced, has never been more vital. Through partnerships with the National Assembly of Thailand, civil society and local communities, UNDP remains committed to supporting a legislative environment grounded in the principles of equality, representation, and inclusion. From advancing women’s participation and gender inclusive policies to empowering youth, ethnic minorities, and person with disabilities, this journey is still far from over, but it’s step toward a stronger democratic governance in Thailand, shaping the parliament belongs to everyone, and no one will be left behind.
UNDP in Thailand supports parliamentary engagement through core resources and complementary funding from various projects, promoting collaboration with the National Assembly of Thailand on cross-cutting issues.
More information:
Aticha Chaivichian, Partnership and Engagement Analyst ( aticha.chaivichian@undp.org)
Taratan Intarachatorn, Coordination and Communications Assistant (taratan.intarachatorn@undp.org
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