Announcement with regards to the ILGA Foundation Board of Directors
In 2018, ILGA Asia was incorporated in Thailand as ILGA Foundation, a non-profit entity operating under Thai laws. This important milestone has allowed ILGA Asia to function independently since then, and to better provide technical and financial assistance to our members and the LGBTI communities across the region.
This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the strategic leadership of the Executive Board, the tireless efforts of our staff, and last but not least, the continuous, timely, and crucial support of the Thai Board of Directors of the Foundation: President Matcha Phorn-in, Vice President Bella Thanakarn Vongvisitsin, and Secretary-Treasurer Philip Limbumrung, who were invited by ILGA Asia Executive Board to become the legal representatives of the Foundation in Thailand, as required under Thai laws, to assist with the legal operations of the Foundation.
Since 2020, the President of ILGA Foundation Matcha Phorn-in has stepped down from her position to pursue a different journey. We cannot be grateful enough for her contribution to the establishment of our Foundation in the early days. Matcha’s wealth of knowledge in operating a Foundation in Thailand helped us overcome multiple challenges and reduce the risks involved.
We, at ILGA Asia, wish Matcha the best for her next endeavours, and we are confident that we will continue to see her in a new capacity. With Matcha’s departure, we would like to announce the changes in the Board of Directors as the followings:
Bella Thanakarn Vongvisitsin is an LGBTIQ+ rights advocate and tourism development scholar. She is currently a Co-founder and CEO of LGBTQ+ Tourism Asia, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Candidate at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her passion in research and professional career is to create community participation in planning and development. Reflected by her research and industry experiences, her expertise is directly connected to community-based tourism, tourism policy and planning, and destination management. She also contributes to LGBTIQ+ rights through regional and national platforms, such as co-founding Transpiration Power, a transgender youth network in Thailand and serving as the President of ILGA Foundation. Besides, she has also been invited by International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Foundation as a part of the Advisory Committee on trans travel. She has committed to integrate her expertise and advocacy to develop LGBTIQ+ inclusiveness in tourist destinations and hospitality and tourism sectors in Asia.
Vice President: Toto Kaona Saowakun
Secretary-Treasurer: Philip Limbumrung
With the new Board of Directors for ILGA Foundation, ILGA Asia will continue to build a robust and effective structure, and deliver our impact to the LGBTI communities across the region.
Warm regards,
Lieu Anh Vu
ILGA Asia Executive Director
