Hundreds of LGBT+ couples wed in Thailand as historic marriage bill comes into effect
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Couples across Thailand celebrate legalisation of same-sex marriage, with hundreds tying the knot on the landmark first day. Hundreds of same-sex couples in Thailand tied the knot on Thursday as a landmark legislation took effect, making it the first nation in Southeast Asia to recognise marriage equality.
![[A same-sex couple attends a marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on 23 January 2025]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/07/GettyImages-2194758436.jpg)
Thailand’s LGBT+ community has spent decades advocating for the right to equal marriage. On Thursday, hundreds of same-sex marriages were registered at district offices nationwide – marking a historic step for the country, which is only the third nation in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognise marriage equality.
![[Kevin Pethai Thanomket (L) and Maple pose for pictures after registering their same-sex marriage in Bangkok on 23 January 2025]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/07/GettyImages-2194762120.jpg)
Under the marriage legislation passed by Thailand’s parliament and endorsed by the king last year, same-sex couples can now register their marriages with full legal, financial, and medical rights, including adoption and inheritance rights. “Today, the rainbow flag is proudly flying over Thailand,” prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X.
![[Wasana Liamyongyai (L) and Niramol Pongkan (R), a same-sex couple, pose during their marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on 23 January 2025]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/07/GettyImages-2194762233.jpg)
A mass LGBT+ wedding, organised by the campaign group “Bangkok Pride” in collaboration with city authorities, was held at Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok. Local reports said that similar celebrations took place nationwide, with organisers estimating at least 1,000 same-sex marriages on Thursday.
![[Same-sex couples gather onstage at a marriage registration event at Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on 23 January 2025]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/23/07/GettyImages-2194762333.jpg)
