{{Infobox officeholder | office = 22nd British Ambassador to Thailand | term_start = July 2021 | monarch = Elizabeth II<br>Charles III | party = | partner = Christopher McCormick | preceded = Brian Davidson | honorific_suffix = OBE | image = UK-15 H.jpg }}
'''Mark Gooding''' is a British diplomat serving as the 22nd British Ambassador to Thailand since 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mark Gooding OBE |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/mark-gooding |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tangsathaporn |first=Poramet |date=2025-01-18 |title=UK envoy unveils anniversary plans |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2942080/uk-envoy-unveils-anniversary-plans |access-date=2026-01-28 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gooding |first=Mark |date=2025-06-21 |title=UK signs up to help Mekong basin |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3054525/uk-signs-up-to-help-mekong-basin |access-date=2026-01-28 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref> Gooding previously served as British Ambassador to Cambodia from 2011 to 2013.<ref name=":0" />
== Career == Gooding was appointed British Ambassador to Thailand on 9 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Thailand: Mark Gooding |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-her-majestys-ambassador-to-thailand-september-2020 |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
Gooding supported the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in Thailand in 2024.<ref name=":0" /> Following the Act's legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand in 2025, both the British and American embassies in Bangkok hosted a "United in Love!" event for Pride Month in June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chowvigran |first=Nuttida |date=2023-06-26 |title=UK, US embassies hosting “United in Love!” event to celebrate Pride Month |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40028870 |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=nationthailand |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Gooding is openly gay, and is in a civil union with Christopher McCormick.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Tangsathaporn |first=Poramet |date=2024-04-15 |title=UK's envoy on mission to promote diversity |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2776282/uks-envoy-on-mission-to-promote-diversity |access-date=2026-01-28 |work=Bangkok Post |language=en}}</ref> Gooding and McCormick were among the first same-sex couples recognized in a civil union following the passage of the Civil Partnership Act in 2004.<ref name=":1" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:LGBTQ diplomats Category:Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Thailand Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)