BANGKOK — On Thursday, Thailand took a significant step towards equality as the Marriage Equality Act officially came into effect, allowing hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples to formalize their unions. This law grants same-sex couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, marking a historic moment for the nation as it becomes the first in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal.
An anticipated 300 couples are set to celebrate their newly recognized marital status at a large event hosted in a shopping mall in central Bangkok. This gala will serve as a vibrant celebration of love, with many more couples expected to register officially at various district offices across the country. Among those participating are well-known actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo ‘Arm’ Panatkool, who recently wed at the Phra Nakorn district office in Bangkok.
“We can love, we love equally, legally,” expressed Sappanyoo, emphasizing the importance of their union. Apiwat added, “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.” The couple was all smiles as they later posed for photographs while holding a bouquet of flowers on the office terrace.
Activists are hopeful that at least 1,448 same-sex marriages will occur on this day, a nod to Article 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which has now been updated to reflect modern values. The newly legislated marriage equality bill rephrased previous terms like “man and woman” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners,” aiming to fully extend legal, financial, and medical benefits to same-sex couples.
For comparison, Taiwan saw 526 same-sex couples register their marriages on its first day of legalization back in 2019. Under Thailand’s revised legislation, partners will benefit from equal rights in managing joint assets, tax responsibilities, inheritance rights, and survivor benefits.
Despite Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, with numerous attendees at events like the annual Bangkok Pride parade, advocates have faced challenges in securing a marriage equality law within a mostly conservative society. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community still encounter discrimination; however, there is a growing sense of progress in recent years.
Couples previously interviewed about the new law expressed joy and relief, including those who have been in long-term relationships. Patherine Khunnares, a web designer aged 37, shared that she and her partner, Vivian Chullamon, 36, enjoy a strong support network of friends and family that embraces their love. “While marriage isn’t everything we need emotionally, we believe that we should have the same basic legal rights as heterosexual couples,” she stated. “Being legally recognized would ease our worries about the future.”
To aid in the transition, Bangkok’s city government has conducted workshops for district office staff responsible for marriage registration. These workshops focused on gender diversity awareness and effective communication strategies for those seeking marriage services. Similar educational initiatives have been provided by the Interior Ministry, aiming to foster understanding among officials regarding the new law.
“It’s like a missing piece of the jigsaw,” said Bangkok Deputy Gov. Sanon Wangsrangboon during one of the workshops. “Society is ready, the law is getting ready, but the last piece of the jigsaw is the understanding from officials.” Currently, around thirty countries globally have implemented some form of same-sex marriage, with the majority of these locations situated in Europe.
