Hundreds of same-sex couples are set to tie the knot in Thailand on Thursday as it becomes the largest country in Asia ever to allow same-sex marriage.
A mass LGBTQ+ wedding in the capital has been organized by campaign group Bangkok Pride with city authorities, with hundreds of marriage registrations expected to take place as the law comes into force.
Transgender woman Aria “Jin” Mlintanpaa, who has waited two decades for this moment, told AFP she was “shocked”.
“This day is important not only for us, but also for our children. Our family will finally be united,” he said.
Thailand ranks high on indexes of LGBTQ+ legal and living conditions and public attitudes, and Thursday’s milestone makes it the first Southeast Asian country to allow same-sex marriage.
The state’s gay marriage bill was passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, the third in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal.
The law was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October and came into force 120 days later.
The law on marriage now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men,” “women,” “husbands” and “wives” and also grants adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.
More than 30 countries around the world have legalized marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first country to allow same-sex relationships in 2001.
Couples will be able to register for the main mass wedding at Bangkok’s Central Siam Paragon shopping mall and district offices nationwide from 8am Thursday.
It marks the culmination of years of campaigning and failed efforts to pass equal marriage laws.
Prime Minister Patongtaran Shinawatra said during a celebratory photoshoot last week: “No matter what your gender is or who you love, love has no limits or expectations. Everyone is protected under the same laws.” Will go.”
Thailand has a long-standing international reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ+ community, and opinion polls reported in local media have shown overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage.
However, much of the Buddhist-majority kingdom retains traditional and conservative values and LGBTQ+ people say they still face barriers and discrimination in everyday life.
Thai activists have been pushing for gay marriage rights for more than a decade, with their advocacy stalled by political unrest in the country, which is regularly rocked by coups and mass street protests.
LGBTQ+ activist Siritata Ninlapruek described the journey as a challenging, bittersweet battle.
“I am very happy, but my fight for the community continues,” he said.
She emphasizes the need for gender identity beyond biological sex.
“Whether male, female or non-binary, people should have the right to identify as they wish.”
