extreme gaming 88 Hundreds to wed as Thai same-sex marriage law comes into force
This photo, taken on January 13, 2025, shows Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree (L) and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool showing Agence France-Presse their engagement and wedding rings at their home in Bangkok. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples are set to marry in Thailand on January 23, 2025, as the country makes history by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / Agence France-Presse)
BANGKOK, Thailand — Hundreds of same-sex couples are set to tie the knot in Thailand on Thursday as it becomes by far the largest nation in Asia to allow equal marriage.
A mass LGBTQ wedding in the capital, organized by campaign group Bangkok Pride with city authorities, expects hundreds of marriage registrations as the law comes into effect.
Article continues after this advertisementTransgender woman Ariya “Jin” Milintanapa, who has waited two decades for this moment, told Agence France-Presse she was “psyched.”
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION 'America needs us, says PH Ambassador to US amid Trump presidency GLOBALNATION Trump shuts down White House Spanish-language page, social media GLOBALNATION US State department chief, on first day, warns China“This day is important not just for us, but for our kids as well. Our family will finally become one,” she said.
Thailand ranks highly on indexes of LGBTQ legal and living conditions, and public attitudes, and Thursday’s milestone makes it the first Southeast Asian country to allow equal marriage.
Article continues after this advertisementThe kingdom’s same-sex marriage bill was passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, the third place in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Love and rights: Thailand’s same-sex marriage milestone
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Article continues after this advertisementThe law was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October and comes into effect after 120 days.
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.
Article continues after this advertisementMore than 30 countries around the world have legalized marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001.
quick slotCouples will be able to register at the main mass wedding at Bangkok’s central Siam Paragon shopping mall and district offices nationwide from 8:00 am on Thursday.
It marks the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a celebratory photoshoot last week: “No matter your gender or who you love, love knows no limits or expectations. Everyone will be protected under the same laws.”
READ: ‘Monumental step’ as Thai king signs same-sex marriage into law
Thailand has long had an international reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ community, and opinion polls reported in local media have shown overwhelming public support for equal 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 same-sex marriage rights for more than a decade, with their advocacy stalled by political turbulence in a country regularly upended by coups and mass street protests.
Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ activist, described the journey as a challenging, bittersweet battle.
“I am extremely happy, but my fight for the community continues,” she said.
She emphasised the need for gender identity recognition beyond biological sex.
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“Whether male, female or non-binaryextreme gaming 88, people should have the right to identify as they wish.”
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