Hundreds of same-sex couples are tying the knot across Thailand on Thursday as the country becomes the first in Southeast Asia to recognise marriage equality.
The landmark bill marks a momentous win for the LGBTQ+ community, which has fought for more than a decade for the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples.
Thai actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree, 49, who was in tears, and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, 38, in matching beige suits, were handed their pink-bordered marriage certificates at a registry office in Bangkok.
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“We fought for it for decades and today is a remarkable day that love is love,” said Arm.
The milestone sees Thailand become by far the biggest place in Asia to recognise equal marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.
The law on marriage now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives”, also clearing the way for transgender people to marry, and granting adoption and inheritance rights to all married couples.
Lesbian couple Sumalee Sudsaynet, 64, and Thanaphon Chokhongsung, 59, were the first to wed in Bangrak District and the couple showed the media their engagement rings.
“We are so happy. We’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years,” said Thanaphon, wearing a white bridal gown.
The couple met 10 years ago through a mutual friend and bonded over their passion for Buddhism and merit-making.
“The legalisation of same-sex marriage uplifts our dignity,” Sumalee told AFP.
“It allows us to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. My emotions today are so overwhelming, I can’t even put them into words.”
Dozens of couples dressed in traditional and contemporary wedding outfits trickled into a large hall in a shopping centre for a mass LGBTQ wedding organised by campaign group Bangkok Pride with city authorities.
