Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are often reduced to buzzwords these days – keywords in presentations, workshops, and HR initiatives aimed at building more inclusive workplaces (of course, unless you decide to end any DEI initiative and programme. In which case maybe that is your sign you need a vacation, potentially to Thailand?). Yet, despite the investments, the results sometimes still feel disconnected from real-life experiences. So here’s a bold proposal: rather than seeing DEI as just a corporate checklist, let’s explore what it truly means to embody these values in everyday life.

One place that offers a powerful example? Bangkok. This city reflects DEI in ways that go beyond policies and training sessions. Here, inclusion isn’t just a concept, it’s a lived reality. Bangkok’s diverse communities, cultural intersections, and open expressions of identity provide valuable insights into what true inclusivity looks like in practice. It’s a city where diversity spans ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities, ensuring everyone finds belonging.

With these being said, here’s why I believe Bangkok deserves recognition as the honorary global capital of DEI.

1. Identity in Fluid Motion

Bangkok redefines the concept of identity in ways that challenge conventional norms. Here, gender expression is diverse, and self-identity is embraced rather than confined to rigid categories.

What stands out is the ease with which people express themselves. There’s no need for grand declarations or performative gestures. Identity is fluid, self-expression is celebrated, and acceptance feels woven into daily life. No one is forced to conform or explain who they are – they are simply free to be.

For workplaces striving to create inclusive cultures, there is a key lesson here: inclusion is not just about policies or workshops; it’s about fostering an environment where people feel truly accepted and valued.

2. Spirituality Meets Chaos

Stroll through Bangkok, and you’ll see golden Buddha statues tucked between street food stalls, neon-lit bars, and glassy skyscrapers. The city pulses with contradictions – ancient rituals alongside modern chaos, serene temples next to colourful markets. Here, spirituality isn’t confined to sacred spaces; it spills into everyday life, coexisting with the city’s wild energy.

What makes Bangkok remarkable is how effortlessly it embraces these contrasts. It’s a deeply spiritual place, yet it welcomes practices that might seem irreverent elsewhere. Sacred amulets are sold in crowded streets, and monks bless everything from motorbikes to tattoo parlours (fair to say this can also happen in some western countries, except you need to pay for it).

This openness to seemingly opposing ideas offers a valuable DEI lesson: people are multi-dimensional. One can be traditional and progressive, spiritual and playful, serious and spontaneous, all at once. True inclusion doesn’t ask people to fit into a single mold; it makes space for the full spectrum of human experiences.

3. A City That Welcomes Everyone

Bangkok is a city of belonging. People from all over the world come here, drawn by different dreams and desires. Solo travellers seeking purpose, couples on romantic getaways, digital nomads looking for inspiration, and partygoers embracing the city’s nightlife. What makes Bangkok special is its ability to accommodate all these different stories without judgment. You can find peace in a tucked-away temple, lose yourself in the chaos of a loud street, or sip cocktails at a rooftop bar with a skyline view. No one questions your choices or asks you to explain why you’re here.

This is what true inclusion looks like: creating spaces where everyone can find what they need, in their own way. It’s not about one-size-fits-all solutions; it’s about recognising and respecting individuality.

With Thailand recently legalising same-sex marriage, the country has taken a meaningful step forward in embracing love in all its forms. This milestone strengthens its reputation as a place where people are free to be themselves, making it one of the most welcoming and inclusive societies in the world, in my opinion. Of course, legal change isn’t the finish line – social equity means ensuring these rights are protected in everyday life and this is yet to be followed.

4. Extravagant One Moment, Simple the Next

As already pointed out above, Bangkok flows effortlessly between extremes. One moment you’re sipping a fancy cocktail at a rooftop bar with panoramic views, and the next, you’re sitting on a plastic stool, savouring a bowl of street noodles (one of the biggest weaknesses I have in life). The shift feels seamless – there’s no sense of hierarchy between the lavish and the humble. Both experiences hold value, and both are celebrated.

For organisations working toward meaningful DEI, there’s a powerful takeaway: It’s about adaptability and balance. It’s recognising that people bring both simplicity and extravagance to the table, and making space for both. True inclusion values all experiences, without placing one above the other.

Economic equity matters too. The person enjoying the street noodles might be doing so out of financial necessity, while another sees it as a charming adventure. DEI isn’t just about appreciating diversity – it’s also about making sure that those who have less aren’t excluded from opportunities and prosperity. Interestingly, many expats I have met chose to live in Bangkok due to perceived greater equity compared to their homelands, though it’s important to acknowledge that many locals continue to seek equitable opportunities.

5. Warmth and Kindness Everywhere

Bangkok moves fast, with its crowded streets and endless motion, and yet beneath the chaos lies a deep, genuine warmth. People go out of their way to help – whether it’s offering directions, sharing a meal, or simply smiling at a stranger. The kindness feels effortless, even when language or cultural differences make communication challenging.

Kindness doesn’t replace justice. DEI isn’t just about being nice – it’s about making sure systems are fair and inclusive at all levels. However it should also aim for: creating environments where people don’t just know they are included, they feel it. True belonging isn’t something that can be mandated; it’s something that is cultivated through everyday actions and mutual respect.

So, Why Bangkok?

While it isn’t about surface-level observations but about deep respect, thoughtful actions, and genuine equity, Bangkok reminds us that DEI also isn’t just about policies and corporate programs; it’s about embracing contradictions, meeting people where they are, and offering kindness without conditions. It’s about creating a culture where people are valued for who they are.

This city doesn’t just talk about inclusion, it embodies it. Every street, every market, and every interaction reveals an openness to diversity that feels natural and unforced.

This is why I strongly believe that we can foster a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion, and raise awareness of equity more effectively when we step away from slide decks and seminars for a moment and go to places where these values come to life.

Bangkok doesn’t teach inclusion; it shows you how to live it – one chaotic, colourful moment at a time. Some lessons stick best when experienced firsthand, hence why I think this city rich in culture, history, and art, can also serve as a great classroom.