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Thailand has made history in Southeast Asia by becoming the first country to officially recognize same-sex marriage. By legalizing same-sex marriage, Thailand has sent a powerful message of respect for diversity and equality, while affirming its position as a modern and civilized nation. From major cities to remote rural areas, a festive atmosphere permeates everywhere. Images of couples exchanging vows in splendid attire have become the focus of media attention both domestically and internationally.
The mass wedding ceremony began in the morning at Paragon Hall, an event and convention center located in one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls, Siam Paragon. The event was organized by the rights advocacy group Naruemit Pride, whose name translates loosely to "creating pride".
Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, leading to hundreds of LGBT couples getting married on the very first day the law came into effect.
Dozens of officials and journalists were present as the first wedding ceremony began in the large, grey hall, with pink arches adorned with flowers as a backdrop, surrounded by images of the newlyweds. Each couple was individually checked by officials and officially recognized as legally married.
LGBTQ+ rights activists have hailed the historic step as Thailand officially became the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.
"Today we feel safe, peaceful, and happy. We are very pleased to have contributed to bringing the law on equal marriage to this milestone," said Ploynaplus Chirasukon (33), the first person to be married to her partner, Kwanporn Kongpetch (32), at the event.
Thailand is considered by foreigners to be one of the most open places in the world for LGBTQ+ people, but it took more than a decade of campaigning to legalize same-sex marriage. LGBT groups aimed to achieve 1,448 marriage registrations on the first day, a symbolic number related to Thai civil law, which included a key amendment that changed the terms "husband" and "wife" to "husband and wife".
The new law replaces traditional terms like "male," "female," "wife," and "husband" with gender-neutral terms, while granting same-sex couples the right to adopt children and inherit property.
These figures will be compiled from ceremonies across the country and submitted to the Guinness World Records organization to recognize Thailand as the country with the largest number of same-sex marriage registrations in a single day. According to the Bangkok Pride group, the number "1,448" not only has legal significance but also symbolizes hope for an inclusive society where all forms of love are celebrated.
Previously, the Thai Senate passed the same-sex marriage bill on June 18, following more than two decades of struggle by LGBTQ+ rights activists.
Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who played a key role in passing the law, described it as "a day close to the hearts of many Thai people."
