Thailand has made history as hundreds of same-sex and transgender couples celebrated the nation’s new equal marriage law, which came into effect on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The milestone positions Thailand as the largest country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal.

Thailand’s former prime minister Srettha Thavisin (R) arrives with same-sex couples at a marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on January 23, 2025. Scores of same-sex and transgender couples married in Thailand on January 23 as the kingdom’s equal marriage law went into effect, with two high-profile gay actors among the first to do so. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)

Among the first to tie the knot were high-profile gay actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree, 49, and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, 38, who exchanged vows and received their marriage certificates at a registry office in Bangkok. “We fought for it for decades, and today is a remarkable day that love is love,” said an emotional Arm.

The law, passed by a historic parliamentary vote in June 2024 and ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, uses gender-neutral terms, replacing “husband” and “wife” with inclusive language. It also grants same-sex couples adoption and inheritance rights, making it a landmark step for LGBTQ+ rights in Southeast Asia.

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Lesbian couple Sumalee Sudsaynet, 64, and Thanaphon Chokhongsung, 59, who have been together for a decade, were among the first to marry at the Bangrak district office. “We’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years,” said Thanaphon. Her partner Sumalee added, “The legal recognition uplifts our dignity and grants us the same rights as heterosexual couples. Words cannot express how overwhelming this feels.”

Mass wedding celebrations took place at the Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, organized by Bangkok Pride in collaboration with city authorities. Hundreds of couples, dressed in both traditional and modern attire, registered their unions in a joyful and symbolic event.

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(COMBO) This combination photo shows couples posing after registering their same-sex marriages in Bangkok on January 23, 2025. Scores of same-sex and transgender couples married in Thailand on January 23 as the kingdom’s equal marriage law went into effect, with two high-profile gay actors among the first to do so. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP)

One such couple, trans man Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, 31, and his wife, Maple Nathnicha Klintgaworn, 39, radiated happiness. “Oh my God, my heart is beating so fast,” Kevin exclaimed. His father, Phornchai, expressed unwavering support: “I have always accepted him. It doesn’t matter; love is love.”

Global Impact and Local Context
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the momentous occasion, posting on X, “Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand.” Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in a speech at the wedding event, took an apparent jab at U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks limiting genders to two, declaring, “We are more open-minded than that.”

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Thailand’s progressive step reflects its reputation for LGBTQ+ tolerance, bolstered by opinion polls showing overwhelming public support for equal marriage. However, despite this victory, challenges persist for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Buddhist-majority country, where traditional and conservative values remain prevalent. Activists continue to advocate for broader rights, including the recognition of gender identity and the ability to change titles to reflect one’s true self.

With over 30 countries legalizing same-sex marriage since 2001, Thailand’s move adds momentum to the global push for equality. LGBTQ+ advocates across Asia are celebrating this moment as a beacon of hope for further advancements in the region.