Mass wedding and celebration in Thailand as same-sex marriage law comes into force

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration organized workshops and lectures for officials handling marriage registration to raise awareness and offer guidance on appropriate communication. Thai American public relations executive Robert Conner expressed hope that Thailand’s marriage equality law would spread awareness to neighboring countries and inspire them to consider decriminalizing same-sex activities. This change is also expected to benefit Thailand’s tourism-dependent economy by attracting LGBT travelers. Despite progress, Conner noted that legal language changes around marriage did not extend to family law, leaving some same-sex couples without legal protections for their children. Couples who have waited years for this moment, like police officer Pisit Sirihirunchai and his partner Chanatip Sirihirunchai, celebrated their legal marriages. Transgender individual Thanomkhet shared his journey to acceptance and marriage with his partner Klinthaworn and her son, reflecting on years of campaigning in Thailand that changed his father’s views. Anticha Sangchai and Vorawan Ramwan, a lesbian couple, who considered themselves married for three years, also officially tied the knot. They emphasized the importance of legal recognition and expressed excitement that their marriage is now legally recognized. Couples across Thailand are rushing to get their marriages legally recognized, showing the significance and impact of the recent marriage equality law.

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