Thailand has made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, with hundreds of gay couples now legally married.
Thailand’s most prominent gay couple and Thai actors Apiwat “Porsche” Apiwatsayeri (49) and Sappanyu “Aam” Panatkul (38) got married at a registry office in Bangkok. The couple exchanged pink marriage certificates.
Thousands of people witnessed the wedding. “We have fought for this for decades, and today is a remarkable day to realize that love is love,” Aam said.
With the law coming into effect in Thailand, Thailand has become the first Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal.
Instead of men, women, husbands and wives, the country will now use gender-neutral terms. In addition, the law also allows transgender people to marry. All same-sex married couples will be allowed to adopt and inherit.
Lesbian couple Sumalee Sudsaynet (64) and Thanaphon Chokhongsung (59) are the first to legally wed. “We are very happy. We have been waiting for this day for about 10 years,” said Thanaphon, dressed in a white bridal gown. “By legalizing same-sex marriage, we will also get the same rights as couples of men and women. Words cannot describe this moment,” Sumalee told reporters.
Many couples, wearing wedding rings and traditional wedding attire, flocked to the LGBTQ community wedding organized by Bangkok Pride. The area was filled with joy, with long lines of officials helping couples fill out marriage forms and many other people.
The same-sex marriage bill was passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June. The law was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in September and came into effect 120 days later. Hundreds of people are expected to register their marriages every day once the law is in place.
