On Valentine’s Day twelve years ago, the Thai couple traveled to Bangkok to participate in a mass wedding ceremony at the marriage registrar’s office. Phanlavee Chongtangsattam, her companion, donned a black tuxedo, while Rungtiwa Thangkanopast wore a long white dress.
They were greeted by officials. However, they were turned away when they arrived at the registrar’s desk and showed their identity cards, which indicated that they were both female. They were informed that two ladies could not marry.
With Thailand’s new law permitting same-sex weddings, the pair finally had the opportunity to get married on Thursday. As the law went into force, they joined hundreds of others in Bangkok for a mass wedding ceremony.
We have been anticipating this day for a very long time, therefore I am thrilled and thrilled,” Ms. Rungtiwa remarked. We have loved one another for twenty years, despite having to conceal from society’s criticism. However, we can now stand with pride.
At Paragon Hall, an event and conference venue located in Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok’s largest retail malls, the mass wedding ceremony got underway in the morning. Naruemit Pride, a rights organization whose name means “creating pride,” hosted it.
The first nuptials took place in a vast, charcoal-gray auditorium with dozens of authorities and media present. The pink arches were decorated with flowers and served as backdrops for the newlyweds’ pictures.
Officials inspected the couples’ paperwork and formally recognized them as legally married, marrying them one at a time.
Ploynaplus Chirasukon, 33, who married Kwanporn Kongpetch, 32, in the event’s first marriage, remarked, “Today we feel secure, safe, and happy.” “We are pleased to have contributed to the equal marriage law’s advancement to this point.”
More than 1,000 same-sex couples are expected to tie the knot on the first day, according to organizers of other nuptials scheduled around the nation.
According to the new law, Thailand is now the first nation in Southeast Asia to permit same-sex marriages, ranking only third in Asia behind Taiwan and Nepal.
Although it took more than ten years of advocacy to allow same-sex marriage, Thailand is generally regarded by visitors as one of the more accepting countries in the world for LGBTI persons. In this ancient, predominately Buddhist nation, many people—especially the elderly—remain conservative. Despite this, it is become more accepting of social concerns, especially when compared to its neighbors.
Thailand was the first country in the region to legalize marijuana sales and recreational use in 2022. As the law went into force, the government distributed one million marijuana plants to homes. Since then, hundreds of cannabis stores have appeared throughout cities. Additionally, the marriage bill was enacted by Parliament last year and signed into law by the king.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the prime minister of Thailand, oversaw a vibrant photo session last week featuring hundreds of engaged couples in honor of the law.
She said on her Instagram account, “Jan. 23, 2025, will be the day that we all record history together, that the rainbow flag has been planted gracefully in Thailand.” “Everyone’s love is honored and treated with dignity by the law.”
Thailand intends to start marketing itself globally as an L.G.B.T.Q. travel destination, as the country’s economy is largely dependent on tourism.
Amnad Sanghong, a manager at an import-export business, and Aphinun Manasang, a graphic designer, were among those who were married at the ceremony in Bangkok. The couple had been together for 14 years.
Mr. Amnad, 42, and Mr. Aphinun, 37, were driven to get married, like many other couples, in order to profit from Thailand’s adoption and inheritance laws as well as to acquire full legal rights, including the ability to make choices on a loved one’s medical treatment.
They traveled from their home in Prachinburi Province, some 70 miles northeast, to Bangkok to participate in the first-day festivities, dressed in similar gray blazers. When they get back home, they’ll have another wedding ceremony with their loved ones. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. Aphinun remarked, “I never thought this day would come.” “Our families are thrilled because they never thought we would be able to get married.”
