Nearly 2,000 gay and transgender couples married in Thailand on Thursday, as the kingdom’s equal marriage law came into force for the first time in Southeast Asia.
Thailand is by far the largest country in Asia to recognize equal marriage. More than 30 countries have legalized marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first country to allow same-sex relationships in 2001.
There were hugs and tears of joy at more than 800 district offices across the country, where 1,754 same-sex couples had tied the knot as of 4:30 pm (0930 GMT), according to the Interior Ministry.
Gay couple Sumali Sudsenet, 64, and Thanaphon Chokhongsung, 59, got married at the Bangrak District Office in Bangkok and the couple showed off their engagement rings to the media.
“We are very happy. We have been waiting for this day for 10 years,” said Thanaphon, dressed in a white gown.
The couple met through a mutual friend a decade ago and bonded over their passion for Buddhism and religious merit-building.
“Legalizing gay marriage increases our dignity,” Sumali told AFP.
“It allows us to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. My feelings today are so strong that I cannot express them in words.”
Thailand has a long-standing international reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ community, and opinion polls reported in local media have shown overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage.
At Siam Paragon Mall in downtown Bangkok, dozens of couples dressed in traditional and contemporary wedding attire gathered in a large hall for a mass wedding organized by campaign group Bangkok Pride along with city officials.
Officials helped couples fill out marriage forms in rows of tables, an administrative step before collecting their certificates.
Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, a 31-year-old trans man, married his 39-year-old wife, Maple Nathanicha Klintgavorn.
“So happy, like, oh my God… my heart is skipping a beat,” Kevin said.
His 65-year-old father, Phornchai, said, “I have always accepted (him). Whatever happens, everything is fine with me.”
The new marriage law replaces “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” with gender-neutral terms, also clears the way for transgender people to marry, and allows all married couples to adopt. Provides the right to inherit and inherit.
“Today, the rainbow flag flies proudly over Thailand,” Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra posted on Twitter.
reputation for tolerance
Thailand ranks high in recent indices measuring public attitudes toward LGBTQ people, but matching legal frameworks were absent before the kingdom passed a same-sex marriage bill in a historic parliamentary vote last June.
The law came into force 120 days after it was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Thai activists have been pushing for gay marriage rights for more than a decade, with their advocacy stalled by political unrest in the country, which is regularly rocked by coups and mass street protests.
Former Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin, who attended Thursday’s mass wedding event, took an apparent dig at newly appointed US President Donald Trump, who ruled on Monday that there were only two genders.
“Recently a leader of a country said there are only two genders, but I think we are more open-minded than that,” Shretta said.
Despite its reputation for tolerance, most Buddhist-majority states retain traditional and conservative values and LGBTQ people say they still face barriers and discrimination in everyday life.
“In the past, LGBTQ people were seen as demonized,” said Ployanaplus Chirasukon, who is married to his gay partner of 17 years, Kwanporn Kongpetch.
She supports an emphasis on gender identity recognition, including the right to change address.
“People who don’t identify with their biological gender are like homeless people,” she said.
“The ability to be able to change our titles will allow true equality.”
Dressed in matching beige suits, Apiwat “Porsha” Apiwatsri, 49 – who was in tears – and Sappanyu “Arm” Panatkool, 38, were handed their pink-bordered marriage certificates at a Bangkok registry office.
“We fought for this for decades,” Arm said.
“Today is a remarkable day (to celebrate) that love is love.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
