Twelve years ago, a Thai couple headed to a marriage registry office to participate in a mass wedding in Bangkok on Valentine's Day. Runtiwa Tankanopasuto wore a long white dress, while her partner Phanravee Chongtansattam wore a black tuxedo.
Officials welcomed them. However, when they arrived at the registrar's counter and presented identification documents identifying themselves as women, they were turned away. It was said that marriage between the two women was not allowed.
On Thursday, the couple finally got the chance to marry under Thailand's new law allowing same-sex marriage. When the law took effect, they joined hundreds of others in a mass wedding ceremony in Bangkok.
“We are very happy and excited because we have been waiting for this day for a long time,” Runtiwa said. “For 20 years we have loved each other and had to hide from society's disapproval. But now we can stand proud.”
The mass wedding ceremony began in the morning at Paragon Hall, an event and convention center located in Siam Paragon, one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls. The event was organized by the rights group Naluemit Pride, whose name roughly translates to “creating pride.”
The first wedding ceremony began in a large charcoal-gray hall with a pink arch decorated with flowers as a backdrop for photos of the bride and groom. Couples were married one at a time by authorities, whose documents were examined and officially registered as legally married.
“Today we feel safe, secure and happy,” said Proinapras Chiraskon, 33, who married her partner Kwanporn Kompech, 32, in her first marriage at the event. spoke. “I am pleased to have been able to help the Equal Marriage Act reach this point.”
Other weddings are being planned across the country, with organizers expecting more than 1,000 same-sex couples to wed on the first day.
The new law makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriages, and the third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal.
Thailand is widely seen by foreigners as one of the world's most open places for LGBTQ people, but it took more than a decade of campaigning to legalize same-sex marriage. Many people in this traditional Buddhist-majority country, especially the elderly, remain conservative. Still, it has become increasingly tolerant of social issues, especially in contrast to neighboring countries.
In 2022, Thailand became the first country in the region to legalize the sale and recreational use of marijuana. Upon the law's entry into force, the government distributed one million marijuana plants to households. Since then, hundreds of cannabis stores have popped up in urban areas. And last year, Parliament passed the Marriage Bill, which received royal assent and became law.
To celebrate the law, Thai Prime Minister Pethunthan Shinawatra presided over a glamorous photo shoot with dozens of couples planning to get married last week.
“Jean. The 23rd of 2025 will be the day we all write in history together that the rainbow flag was gracefully planted in Thailand,” she posted on her Instagram account. “Everyone's love is legally recognized with honor and dignity.”
Thailand, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, plans to start promoting itself internationally as an LGBTQ tourist destination.
Among those married in the Bangkok ceremony were Amnad Sanghon, a manager at an import-export company, and Afinun Manasan, a graphic designer who had been together for 14 years.
Like many other couples, Mr. Amnad, 42, and Mr. Affinun, 37, have achieved full legal rights, including the right to make medical decisions for their loved ones, and have been able to adopt or adopt a child in Thailand. had a motive to marry in order to receive the benefits of Inheritance law.
Wearing matching gray blazers, they had traveled to Bangkok from their homes in Prachinburi province, about 110km northeast, to take part in the opening day celebrations. After returning to Japan, they plan to hold another wedding ceremony with their family and friends. “I never thought this day would come,” Affinun said shortly after the wedding. “Our family is so excited because we never thought we would get married.”
In 2013, when Runtiwa, 59, and Phanravy, 44, were refused permission to attend their wedding, few Thais were advocating for same-sex marriage.
“At that time, no one had the courage to come forward and demand their rights,” Vanlavy said. “We knew we wouldn't be allowed to register, so the costumes were just a symbol. They were a symbol that we were partners in life.”
Their quest for marriage began with family health concerns and the realization that they lacked the legal right to care for those they considered their immediate family.
They then began trying to secure their rights through various legal means.
Her daughter, Chomchanok Tankanopast, was born to Runtiwa and her late husband 24 years ago. They knew they were gay when they got married. We both wanted a baby.
A few years later, Runtiwa met Fanlavy and fell in love. The two began living together and both considered Chomchanok their daughter, but Phanlavy did not have custody. The couple reached a roundabout solution. Ms Runtiwa's mother adopted Ms Fanlavy, legally making her her partner's sister and her daughter's aunt.
When Ms. Chomchanok turned 20, Mr. Fanlavy adopted her without any legal barriers.
“I'm still an aunt, but I'm also a mother,” Fanlavy said.
Now that they have the opportunity to get married, their lives will be much simpler, at least from a legal perspective.
“Even if society doesn't accept us, at least the law will accept us,” Runtiwa said.
