In this submission, Manushya Foundation, together with GIRLxGIRL, Young Pride Foundation, Tamtang Foundation, LGBTQ+ Wellbeing, Mermaid Pride, Intersex Thailand, Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), Mokeluang Rimnam, Patani Working Group for Monitoring on International Mechanisms, the Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand (IWNT), Indigenous Women’s Association for Development (IWAD), EMPOWER Foundation, Green World Network, Sab Wai Villagers, Phichit Villagers, Ka Boe Din Villagers, the Migrant Working Group, Women Workers for Justice Group (WWJG), Homenet, and the Thai CSOs Coalition for the UPR, examines Thailand’s compliance with recommendations from its 3rd UPR Cycle relating to the rights of women and LGBTIQ+ persons from historically marginalised groups (HMGs). Using an intersectional feminist lens, it analyses legal and policy gaps, structural inequalities that restrict meaningful participation, and persistent failures of protection. The submission concludes with specific, measurable, and results-oriented recommendations to ensure that the rights of marginalised women and LGBTIQ+ persons are respected and upheld.

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During the 3rd UPR cycle, Thailand received 119 recommendations directly relevant to the issues addressed in this submission; 85 were supported, and 34 were noted1.  Yet implementation remains weak. Our assessment finds that only two relevant recommendations have been fully implemented, both relating to marriage equality.

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This limited progress stands in sharp contrast to Thailand’s broader international human rights obligations. Thailand is a State party to CEDAW and CERD, has supported the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and has repeatedly committed, through the UPR and treaty body processes, to strengthening equality, non-discrimination, access to justice, and protection for women and marginalised groups. In practice, however, legal frameworks remain fragmented and implemented weakly, leaving marginalised women and LGBTIQ+ persons in Thailand to face intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination and barriers in accessing their rights, including criminalisation, exclusion from services, weak legal protection, violence, and reprisals.

This submission is structured as follows:

• Section 2 reviews legal frameworks on gender equality and non-discrimination.

• Section 3 examines barriers to political and public participation.

• Section 4 discusses criminalisation and reprisals against women and LGBTIQ+ defenders.

• Section 5 analyses the gendered impacts of climate change and business activities.

• Section 6 examines unequal access to healthcare.

• Section 7 discusses various forms of gender-based violence.

• Section 8 examines the economic rights of women, LGBTIQ+, and migrant informal workers.

• Section 9 discusses the systemic exclusion of Indigenous, rural, and ethnic minority women.

• Section 10 discusses the criminalisation and systemic exclusion of sex workers.

• Section 11 outlines recommendations to address the challenges raised in this submission.

Many of the challenges raised in this report intersect with broader discussions of climate justice, business and human rights, digital rights, labour rights, Indigenous rights, abortion rights, and protection of defenders. These are addressed in greater detail in separate joint UPR submissions by Manushya Foundation and the Thai CSOs Coalition for the UPR, which are signposted throughout this report.