Thailand has made history as the first country in Southeast Asia to sanction legal same-sex weddings, with LGBT organizations aiming to celebrate this milestone by facilitating over 1,000 marriage registrations in just one day.
Following years of advocacy from activists, Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the third region in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, with the new marriage equality legislation taking effect today.
Rainbow flags flew in Thailand’s parliament, while shopping complexes organized significant pride events to commemorate the enactment of the new law.
During a mass wedding event at a luxury retail mall in Bangkok, over 200 couples gathered to exchange vows, some donning white dresses, others in traditional Thai attire, Western suits, and ceremonial police uniforms.
Shopping complexes organized significant pride events to commemorate the enactment of the new law.
LGBT organizations aspire to achieve 1,448 wedding registrations on the first day, a symbolic figure referencing the specific section of the Thai civil code where a critical amendment replaced the terms husband and wife with “spouse.”
The event organizers, alongside relevant authorities, aim to gather data from ceremonies nationwide and submit a request to Guinness World Records to recognize Thailand as the country with the highest number of same-sex marriage registrations in a single day.
“One-four-four-eight embodies the struggle for marriage rights for all genders. It signifies the aspiration and hope for cultivating an inclusive society that embraces and celebrates love in all its forms,” stated the LGBT group Bangkok Pride.
According to government sources, district offices throughout the country and Thai embassies abroad were also open for marriage registrations.
“Equal marriage has truly become achievable with everyone’s collective effort,” remarked former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was in office during the passage of this landmark legislation last year.
He described the day as one that is “close to the hearts of many Thais.”
LGBT organizations aspire to achieve 1,448 wedding registrations on the first day.
Legal analysts believe that the new same-sex marriage law will generate increased momentum for the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in Thailand, a country renowned for its vibrant pride events and general acceptance of the community.
Nevertheless, obstacles such as the legal recognition of families remain a challenge for some couples.
The definition of familyโwhere a father is a man and a mother is a womanโpersists in the Thai legal framework.
Bangkok Pride organizer Adcharaporn Thongchalaem expressed that the urgent rush to register marriages today is about recognition rather than setting records.
“This event demonstrates the desire of many LGBT couples for this (marriage) certificate. It’s a representation that Thailand is ready for change toward equality. Legalizing same-sex marriage is merely the first step,” Mr. Adcharaporn stated.
Ireland was the first nation globally to implement same-sex marriage via a popular vote in 2015.
