When rainbow colours cover one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares on Sunday, crowds joining the city’s pride celebrations may feel a little more optimistic about the future. In an election last month, Thai voters firmly rejected Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former coup-maker who has ruled the country for nine years, in favour of opposition parties promising reform, including greater LGBTQ+ rights such as equal marriage. “Now is a time of new hope for the LGBT community,” says Nahmmoei Pratimaporn, a beauty queen and online influencer who is an ambassador for Bangkok Pride. It’s possible that equal marriage could be passed before the end of the year, she adds. “We believe it’s going to happen quicker than we expected. It’s going to create a big wave, a big impact in society.”