Thailand Begins to Accept Same-Sex Marriage

Twelve years ago, the couple went to the marriage registrar’s office to participate in a mass wedding ceremony on Valentine’s Day in Bangkok. Rungtiwa Thangkanopast wore a long white dress, and her friend, Phanlavee Chongtangsattam, wore a black tuxedo.

They were received by the authorities. But when they arrived at the registry office and presented their identity cards, both women, they were turned away. The marriage of two women, they said, was not allowed.

On Thursday, the couple had the chance to marry under Thailand’s new law allowing same-sex marriage. They joined hundreds of others in mass wedding ceremonies in Bangkok when the law took effect.

“I am happy and excited because I have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Mrs. Rungtiwa. “For 20 years, we were in love and had to hide from society’s disapproval. But now we can stand with pride.

The mass wedding ceremony began in the morning at Paragon Hall, an event and convention center in one of Bangkok’s largest shopping malls, Siam Paragon. It was hosted by a human rights group, Naruemit Pride, whose name means creating pride.

Dozens of dignitaries and reporters were on hand as the first wedding ceremony began in the charcoal-brown great room, where a pink flower-bedecked archway served as a portrait of the newlyweds. One by one, the officials who examined their documents and registered them as legal were married.

“Today we feel safe, secure and happy,” said Ploynaplus Chirasukon, 33, who married her husband, Kwanporn Kongpetch, 32, in the event’s first marriage. “We are proud to have contributed to equal marriage legislation.”

Other weddings were planned across the country, and organizers said they expected more than 1,000 same-sex couples to tie the knot on the first day.

With the new law, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia — and the third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal — to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Foreigners see Thailand as one of the world’s most LGBTQ-friendly places, but it has taken more than a decade to campaign to legalize same-sex marriage. Many citizens of this traditional country, which is mainly Buddhist, remain conservative, especially the elderly. However, it is becoming more and more tolerant in the social aspect, especially in contrast to its peers.

In 2022, Thailand will become the first country in the region to legalize the sale and use of recreational drugs. The government provided 1 million cannabis plants to households when the law went into effect. Since then, hundreds of lawn shops have sprung up in major cities. And last year, Parliament passed the Marriage Act, which became law with royal assent.

To celebrate the law, Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, led a colorful photo shoot last week with dozens of couples planning to marry.

“Jan. 23, 2025, is the day we will make history together, but the rainbow flag was planted with dignity in Thailand,” he wrote on his Instagram account. “Everyone’s love is legitimately recognized with respect and dignity.”

Thailand, whose economy depends heavily on tourism, plans to start promoting itself internationally as an LGBTQ tourism destination.

Amnad Sanghong, a manager at an import-export company, and graphic designer Aphinun Manasang, who have been together for 14 years, are among those planning to marry in a ceremony in Bangkok.

Like many other couples, Mr Amnad, 42, and Aphinun, 37, were pushed to get married in order to gain full legal rights, including the right to make health decisions for a loved one. , and will benefit from Thailand’s adoption and inheritance laws.

They arrived in Bangkok to take part in the first day celebrations and hold another wedding ceremony with family and friends on their way home to Prachinburi Province, about 70 kilometers northeast of the city.

“Our family is very happy because they never expected that we would be able to get married,” said Mr. Aphinun.

In 2013, when Ms Rungtiwa, 59, and Ms Phanlavee, 44, were kicked out of their wedding ceremony, few Thais defended same-sex marriage.

“No one had the courage to come out and claim their rights at that time,” said Ms. Phanlavee. “The clothes are just a symbol because we know that we are not allowed to register. They are a sign that we are partners in life. “

Their quest for marriage began with fears for the health of the family that made them feel that they did not have the legal right to give permission to care for those they considered close family.

After that, they started trying to protect their rights through legal action.

Their daughter, Chomchanok Tangkanopast, was born 24 years ago to Ms. Rungtiwa and her then-husband, who is now deceased. They found out when they got married that they were gay. Both wanted children.

A few years later, Ms. Rungtiwa met Ms. Phanlavee and fell in love. They began living together, and although both considered Ms. Chomchanok their daughter, Ms. Phanlavee had no parental rights. The couple found a devious solution: Ms. Rungtiwa’s mother adopted Ms. Phanlavee, legally making her her husband’s sister and her daughter’s aunt.

When Ms. Chomchanok turned 20, Ms. Phanlavee was accepted without legal barriers.

“I’m still an aunt, but I’m also a mother,” said Ms. Phanlavee.

Now, with the possibility of marriage, their lives will be simpler, at least legally.

“Even if society won’t accept us,” said Mrs. Rungtiwa, “at least the law will accept us.”