Twelve years ago, a Thai couple headed to a marriage registrar’s office in Bangkok to participate in a mass wedding ceremony on Valentine’s Day. Rangatiwa Thangkanopast wore a long white dress, and his partner, Phanlawi Chongtangstam, a black tuxedo.
Officials welcomed them. But when they reached the registrar’s desk and presented their identity cards, each of which was identified as female, they were taken back. They were told that marriage between two women was not allowed.
On Thursday, the couple finally got the chance to marry under Thailand’s new law allowing same-sex marriages. They joined hundreds of others in a mass wedding ceremony in Bangkok when the law took effect.
“I am very happy and excited because we have been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Ms Rangatiwa. “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 Bangkok’s largest shopping mall, Siam Paragon. It was hosted by a rights group called Naromet Pride, whose name roughly translates to instilling pride.
Dozens of officials and journalists were present when the first weddings took place in a large charcoal gray hall, with pink arches decorated with flowers as a backdrop for photos of the newlyweds. These couples were married one at a time by officials who checked their papers and registered them as legally married.
“Today we feel safe and secure and happy,” said Ploynaplus Chirasukon, 33, who married her partner, Kwanporn Kongpetch, 32, in the event’s first wedding. “We are pleased to have played a role in getting to this point in equal marriage legislation.”
Other weddings were planned across the country, and organizers say they expect more than 1,000 same-sex couples to marry on the first day.
With the new law, Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia – and only the third country in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal – to allow same-sex marriage.
Thailand is widely viewed by foreigners as one of the most open places in the world to LGBTQ people, but it took more than a decade to campaign to legalize same-sex marriage. felt Many citizens of this traditional, predominantly Buddhist country are conservative, especially older people. Nevertheless, it is becoming more tolerant on social issues, especially in contrast to its neighbors.
In 2022, Thailand became the first country in the region to legalize the sale and recreational use of marijuana. As soon as the law came into effect, the government gave 1 million marijuana plants to households. Since then, hundreds of weed shops have opened up in urban areas. And last year Parliament passed the Marriage Act, which became law with the King’s assent.
To celebrate the law, Thailand’s prime minister, Patongtern Shinawatra, presided over a colorful photo shoot last week featuring dozens of couples planning to marry.
“January 23, 2025, will be the day we all record together in history, that the rainbow flag has been beautifully planted in Thailand. on his Instagram account. “Everyone’s love is legally recognized with honor and dignity.”
Thailand, whose economy is largely dependent on tourism, plans to promote itself internationally as an LGBTQ tourist destination.
Among those planning to marry at the Bangkok ceremony were Amnad Singhong, manager of an import-export company, and graphic designer Afnon Mansang, who have been together for 14 years.
Like many other couples, Mr. Amanad, 42, and Mr. Aphinun, 37, are motivated to marry to gain full legal rights, including the right to make health care decisions for a loved one, and Thailand’s Adoption Benefit and Inheritance Laws
They came to Bangkok to be part of the first day’s celebrations and will hold another wedding ceremony with family and friends when they return home to Prachinburi province, about 70 miles northeast of the city.
“Our family is very excited because they never expected that we would be able to get married,” Mr Afnon said.
In 2013, when Ms Rangatiwa, 59, and Ms Phanlawi, 44, were removed from the wedding ceremony, few Thais were advocating for same-sex marriage.
“At that time no one had the courage to come out and demand their rights,” Ms Phanlawi said. “The dresses were just a symbol because we knew we wouldn’t be allowed to register. They were a symbol to say we were partners.
Their quest to marry began with a family health scare that made them realize they did not have the legal right to care for those they considered close family members.
After that, they started trying to get their rights through various legal maneuvers.
Their daughter, Chumchanok Thangkanupast, was born 24 years ago to Ms Rangatiwa and her then-husband, who has since died. When they got married, they knew they were gay. Both wanted a child.
A few years later, Ms. Rangatiwa met Ms. Phanlawi and fell in love. They began living together, and although both considered Ms Chumchanuk their daughter, Ms Phanlawi did not have parental rights. The couple worked out a roundabout way: Ms. Rangatiwa’s mother adopted Ms. Funlawi, legally making her her partner’s sister and her daughter’s aunt.
When Ms. Chumchanuk turned 20, Ms. Phanlawi adopted her without legal hurdles.
“I’m still an aunt, but I’m also a mother,” Ms Phanlawi said.
Getting married now will make their lives a lot easier, at least legally.
“Even if society won’t accept us,” said Ms Rangativa, “at least the law will accept us.”
