BANGKOK — On Thursday, a momentous event unfolded as hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand took the step to legally register their marriages, coinciding with the initial day of a new law that grants them the same rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples.
The new Marriage Equality Act positions Thailand as a pioneer in Southeast Asia and marks it as the third country in the Asian continent to embrace same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal.
By the end of the day, reports indicated that approximately 1,832 same-sex couples had completed their marriage registrations across the nation, according to the Department of Provincial Administration. Over a thousand couples registered their unions at various district offices, while 185 couples celebrated their commitment at a festive event held at a shopping mall in central Bangkok.
Among those who tied the knot were actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, who chose the Phra Nakorn district office in Bangkok for their ceremony. Expressing their joy, Sappanyoo remarked, “We can love, we love equally, legally.” His partner then added, “And we can build our family in our own way because I believe that every kind of love, every kind of family is beautiful as it is.” They celebrated their union with photographs on a terrace, smiling and waving, while holding a bouquet of flowers.
At the mall celebration, similar emotions were echoed by couple Pisit Sirihirunchai, 36, a policeman, and his partner Chanatip Sirihirunchai, 42, who also registered their marriage. Pisit said, “Don’t put a limit just because they are same sex or whatever they are. Love is a beautiful thing. We should not stop them.” Chanatip expressed a broader hope, stating, “I want to see the same-sex marriage law available in every country where LGBTQ+ couples are.”
Activists had expressed aspirations that at least 1,448 same-sex marriages would be registered nationwide on Thursday, highlighting their successful lobbying for an amendment to Article 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code. This pivotal marriage equality bill, which was smoothly passed through both parliamentary houses, amended Article 1448 to replace “man and woman” and “husband and wife” with “individuals” and “marriage partners.” These changes aim to bestow full legal, financial, and medical rights upon LGBTQ+ couples.
The new law ensures that partners will share equal rights and responsibilities regarding joint assets, tax matters, inheritance rights, and survivor benefits. During the event at Siam Paragon mall, former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led a procession of newly married couples along a rainbow-colored carpet placed outside the exhibition hall.
In a video message to attendees, current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared, “From now on, all love will be certified by law. All couples will live with honor and dignity in Thailand.” Srettha, whose Pheu Thai party was instrumental in introducing this new legislation, also made pointed comments that appeared to reference recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump concerning gender identity, stating, “a powerful country’s” new leader “announced clearly that there are only two genders in his country.” He then affirmed, “I believe our heart is bigger,” reflecting Thailand’s more inclusive stance compared to the cited nation.
Thailand has long been recognized for its acceptance and inclusivity; numerous individuals from around the world participate in the annual Bangkok Pride parade. However, advocates have faced prolonged challenges in establishing marriage equality within a society that is predominantly conservative. Even so, many members of the LGBTQ+ community note that conditions have markedly improved in recent years.
In preparation for this historic occasion, Bangkok’s city government organized workshops for district office personnel responsible for marriage registrations. These educational sessions aimed to foster awareness regarding gender diversity and provide guidance on how to appropriately engage with all who come for marriage registration services. The Interior Ministry also offered similar training.
Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Sanon Wangsrangboon, reflected on the significance of the occasion during one of the workshops, stating, “It’s like a missing piece of the jigsaw. Society is ready. The law is getting ready. But the last piece of the jigsaw is the understanding from officials.”
Globally, around thirty nations have legalized some form of same-sex marriage, with the majority located in Europe. In Taiwan, which became the first Asian country to permit same-sex marriage in 2019, 526 individuals registered on that day alone, according to the government’s Department of Household Registration.
