Thailand made history on Thursday as nearly 2,000 same-sex and transgender couples tied the knot, celebrating the country’s new equal marriage law—a landmark first for Southeast Asia. The joyous occasion was marked by hugs, tears, and resounding cheers at more than 800 district offices across the country.
Images of couples embracing, smiling through tears of joy, and exchanging vows under colorful decorations captured the spirit of the momentous day.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 1,754 same-sex couples had officially registered their marriages by mid-afternoon. Among them were Sumalee Sudsaynet, 64, and Thanaphon Chokhongsung, 59, who became the first lesbian couple to wed at Bangkok’s Bangrak district office.
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“We are so happy. We’ve been waiting for this day for 10 years,” Thanaphon told French news agency AFP. Her partner Sumalee added, “The legalization of same-sex marriage uplifts our dignity. It allows us to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. My emotions today are so overwhelming, I can’t even put them into words.”
A Nation of Acceptance and Pride
Thailand, long known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ community, has set a new standard for equality in the region. The country is now the largest nation in Asia to do so.
At Siam Paragon mall in the heart of Bangkok, dozens of couples gathered for a mass wedding organized by Bangkok Pride in collaboration with city authorities. Dressed in an array of traditional and modern wedding outfits, the couples’ happiness was palpable as they filled out marriage forms and collected their certificates.
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Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her support for the historic moment, posting on X: “Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand.”
A Law Rooted in Equality
The new marriage law uses inclusive, gender-neutral language, replacing traditional terms like “husband” and “wife” with neutral alternatives. It also grants equal rights to all married couples, including adoption and inheritance rights—a monumental step for transgender and same-sex couples in the country.
Here’s some more sapphic joy from the day’s festivities to remind you that good things still happen in the world:
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