Thailand to hold first same-sex wedding as new marriage equality law goes into effect
Thailand on Thursday became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex weddings, with 2SLGBTQ+ groups planning to mark the occasion with more than 1,000 marriage registrations in one day.
After years of campaigning, Thailand has become the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal, with a new marriage equality law coming into force on Thursday.
Thailand’s parliament flew rainbow flags on Thursday and shopping malls planned big Pride events to mark the implementation of the new law.
More than 200 couples lined up to say their vows at a mass wedding in a luxury Bangkok shopping mall, some dressed in white dresses, others in traditional Thai clothing, Western suits and riot police uniforms.
“It’s been 17 years, we met at school and we’ve been through a lot…we hope to see more equality in the future,” said Ploinaplus Chirasukon, 33, posing for photos after receiving a marriage license with her husband Kwanporn Kongpech.
2SLGBTQ+ groups hope to reach 1,448 wedding registrations on Day 1, a symbolic number that marks a key amendment to the section of Thailand’s Civil Code that changed the terms husband and wife to “spouse”.
Organizers also plan to compile figures from nationwide ceremonies for related agencies to inform the Guinness World Records that Thailand holds the world’s highest number of same-sex marriage registrations in one day.
“One-four-four-eight represents the fight for the right to marry for all genders. It represents the dream and hope of building an inclusive society that accepts and celebrates love in all its forms,” said the 2SGBBTQ+ group Bangkok Pride.
The government announced that district offices nationwide and Thai embassies overseas are also open for marriage registration.
“Marriage equality has really been done with all the force,” said former prime minister Sereta Tavisin, who was prime minister at the time of the legislation. It passed last year.
He celebrated the day as “close to the hearts of many Thais”.
According to legal analysts, the new same-sex marriage law will create more impetus to include 2SLGBTQ+ people in Thailand.
However, other norms, such as building a legally recognized family, remain a challenge for some couples.
“Ready for Change”
The definition of family – the father is a man and the mother is a woman – remains in the Thai legal code.
Bangkok Pride organizer Adcharaporn Thongchalam said Thursday’s rush to register marriages was about recognition, not records.
“This incident shows that many LGBT couples want this (marriage) certificate. It is a sign that Thailand is ready to change to equality. Same-sex marriage is only the first step,” Adcharaporn said.
