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Love Wins in Thailand: Country Celebrates First Day of Equal Marriage

This Week

Laotian Times/AFP – On 23 January, Thailand marked a historic milestone as its same-sex marriage law officially came into effect, with the LGBTQ+ community now being able to legally marry.  

With the law’s enactment, Thailand has become the largest country in Asia to recognize equal marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal. The revised legislation uses gender-neutral language, replacing terms such as “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with inclusive terms like “spouses.” 

The first day of equal marriage registration was marked by a grand event in central Bangkok, where over 300 couples registered their marriages amid day-long celebrations.

Couples attend their wedding at a marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on January 23, 2025 (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

In a large hall within a shopping center, dozens of couples dressed in traditional and modern wedding attire participated in a mass LGBTQ+ wedding ceremony organized by Bangkok Pride in collaboration with city authorities.

The milestone sees Thailand become by far the biggest place in Asia to recognise equal marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.

The law on marriage now uses gender-neutral terms in place of “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives”, also clearing the way for transgender people to marry, and grants adoption and inheritance rights to all married couples.

The law also extends adoption and inheritance rights to all married couples, regardless of gender, and allows transgender individuals to marry.

The highlight of the event was a high-profile gay couple married in Thailand as the kingdom’s same-sex marriage law went into effect, an AFP journalist saw, among the first of hundreds expected to do so.

Thai actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree, 49 — who was in tears — and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, 38, in matching beige suits, were handed their pink-bordered marriage certificates at a registry office in Bangkok.

Among those celebrating was also Namnua, a 21-year-old education student in Bangkok, who said, “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am very happy that equal marriage has actually happened.”

“Because it is not just a superficial matter like expressing love, but also includes various rights in the future that only married couples can have.”

Despite her joy, Namnua acknowledged the challenges of starting a family.

“Starting a family is a big deal and requires careful decision-making, not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for everyone. Starting a family with someone can’t just be about love. But one day, if you’re ready with the right person, you’ll be very confident that you want to start your own family.”

Meanwhile, in the northeastern Khon Kaen Province, a 34-year-old woman, who chose to remain anonymous, is planning to marry her partner under the new law.

 “Legally registering marriage will allow us [her and her partner] to access medical care for our loved ones just like heterosexual couples. This is very important,” she said. 

She also mentioned that while Thailand has long been relatively open to gender diversity, legal recognition has always been a challenge. However, today marks a turning point for the LGBTQ+ community, as things are set to change.

The journey to marriage equality in Thailand has been over a decade in the making. The bill passed its first reading in the Thai House of Representatives in December 2023 and was approved by the Senate in June 2024.

Lao LGBTQ+ Community Reacts to Thailand’s Progress

Thailand’s joy for this achievement has also reached neighboring Laos, where same-sex marriage is not yet a reality. Many LGBTQ+ individuals in Laos have praised Thailand’s progress while thinking about the challenges still faced in their own country.

“I’m happy to see Thailand becoming more socially progressive and open to accepting diverse sexual groups with greater legal rights,” said Tim, a 29-year-old resident of Phonekheng village in Vientiane Capital.

However, Tim noted that Laos still has a long way to go. 

“Personally, I don’t face any difficulties, even in my workplace,” he said, but added that he does not expect same-sex marriage to be legalized in Laos anytime soon.

Toppy, a 27-year-old resident of Phonethan village in Vientiane Capital, echoed similar sentiments. 

“I personally think it is still difficult,” he said, pointing out that gender-diverse individuals face inequality, particularly in rural areas.

“The law still imposes limitations on many LGBTQ+ groups, and societal acceptance is largely confined to major cities,” Toppy explained. “Most people will accept LGBTQ+ individuals as long as they’re not family members. When it comes to their own families, acceptance is often lacking.”

Thailand’s achievement has energized advocates across the region, sparking hope for further progress in LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality in Southeast Asia. Despite these positive strides, full acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in Laos remain distant goals, according to its members. 


© Agence France-Presse

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