On Thursday, Thailand will witness hundreds of same-sex couples exchanging vows, marking its status as the largest nation in Asia to legalize equal marriage.
Bangkok Pride is organizing a grand LGBTQ wedding in the capital in collaboration with city authorities. As the new law takes effect, Bangkok Pride anticipates numerous marriage registrations.
Transgender woman Ariya “Jin” Milintanapa, who has waited for this moment for twenty years, expressed her excitement to AFP, as reported by malaymail.
“This day is important not just for us but for our kids as well. Our family will finally become one,” she said.
Thailand scores highly in indexes assessing LGBTQ legal rights, living conditions, and societal attitudes. This achievement marks it as the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
The landmark same-sex marriage bill was approved in a historic parliamentary vote last June, making Thailand the third country in Asia to implement such a law, following Taiwan and Nepal.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn ratified the law in September, with implementation set for 120 days later.
More than 30 countries worldwide have legalized marriage since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001.
Couples can register for the central mass wedding at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday at Bangkok’s central Siam Paragon shopping mall and district offices across the country.
This event represents the culmination of years of advocacy and previous setbacks in pursuing equal marriage laws.
During a celebratory photoshoot last week, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated, “Regardless of gender or whom you love, love transcends boundaries and expectations. Everyone will be equally protected under the law.”
