Celebrations and festivities indicate first day of Marriage Equality Act
Same-sex people across Thailand tied the knot at city offices and shopping malls amid smiles, weeping and activities as the long-awaited Marriage Equality Act actually took impact on Thursday.
“Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand, ” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in post with a rainbow-framed video on the social media platform X.
A large Gay marriage in the funds, organised by the battle group Bangkok Pride with city specialists, was staged at Siam Paragon with hundreds of wedding registrations expected.
Another marriages were planned around the nation, and organisers say they expected at least 1,000 people to marry on the first day.
Ploynaphas Jirasukhon, 33, and Khwanphorn Kongphet, 32, were the first to appear at Paragon Hall on the second floor of the shopping centre at 6. 15am on Thursday. They received their license when the celebration began at 8am.
“Today we feel secure and safe and happy, ” Ms Ploynaphas told The New York Times. “We are glad that we have played a component in the identical marriage law reaching this point. ”
Transgender person Ariya “Jin” Milintanapa, who has waited two years for this time, told AFP she was “psyched”.
“This time is essential not just for us, but for our children as effectively. Our family will eventually become one, ” she said.
Another pair at the Siam Paragon function, Rungtiwa Thangkanopast and Phanlavee Chongtangsattam, recalled their second attempt to file their union, 12 years back at a large wedding staged on Valentine’s Day by Bangkok government.
Officers welcomed them. But when they reached the registrar’s office and presented their identification cards, which show each to be sexual, they were turned away. Wedding between two people, they were told, was no permitted.
On Thursday, they suddenly had the chance to wed.
“ I am happy and excited because we have been waiting for this day for a very long time, ” Rungtiwa said. “For 20 times, we have loved each other and have had to conceal from society’s criticism. But now we can have happily. ” ( Story continues below )
LGBTQ Couples wait to receive their wedding certificates at a particular event organised by Bangkok Pride at Siam Paragon in Bangkok on Thursday. ( Photo: Reuters )
South Asian forerunner
Thailand ranks highly in studies of LGBTQ constitutional and living conditions, and public attitudes, and Thursday ’s step makes it the first South Asian nation to allow equal relationship.
The kingdom’s same-sex marriage bill was passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, making it the third place in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal.
The law was ratified by His Majesty the King in October and officially took effect on Jan 23.
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 legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001.
In Phitsanulok, four couples arrived at the Muang district office amid well-wishes from participants.
Vachiraphong Ployngarm, 33, and Ratthanon Raksasat, 40, were the first couple to register their marriage after having been partners for 18 years.
“We are very happy today. Last night, we could not sleep as we were so excited. Both of use have been waiting for today to register our marriage for a long time. We thank the government and concerned agencies to pass the same-sex marriage law, ” said Vachiraphong.
Thursday ’s events mark the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.
Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ activist, described the journey as a challenging, bittersweet battle, adding that more work lies ahead.
“ I am extremely happy, but my fight for the community continues, ” she said.
She emphasised the need for gender identity recognition beyond biological sex.
“ Whether male, female or non-binary, people should have the right to identify as they wish. ”
Pawan Iamwet, 35, and Kamonchanok Chumruan, 38, celebrate the official registration of their wedding during a ceremony at Siam Paragon in Bangkok on Thursday as the Marriage Equality Act took effect. ( Photo: Reuters )