Thailand celebrates first same-sex marriages

Dozens of couples have married at a Bangkok shopping centre. The event's to celebrate a law change which now allows same-sex couples to marry in Thailand.

Although the country's considered as gay-friendly, it's taken LGBTQ+ supporters years to reach this point. For actor Sappanyoo "Arm" Panatkool, who's just married, they've finally achieved their goal to show their love through marriage.

"So today, today, finally comes true. And we fought for it for decades. And, today is a remarkable day that, love is love. We can, we allowed to have love as a normal people."

The political problems in the country had caused a long delay to the law change. But, in 2020, it was part of young people's democracy protests. This moved things forwards because political parties needed their support.

The laws on marriage are written in section 1448 of the Thai Civil code. For this reason, organisers hoped there would be 1448 marriages on the first day. The law's been updated and now includes non-gendered language. Same-sex couples have the ability to get engaged, marry, manage their wealth together, have rights to their partner's property if they die and start their own family.

Chayapa Rattanakewil's delighted by the change. As a government school teacher, she'll be able to share the benefits that she receives from her job with her partner. She thinks it's the best way of treating people fairly.

"I think now is the moment [for same-sex marriage]. Because civil servants have some benefits and we should have been allowed to use them [for our partner]. I want the best for my partner, so I'd like to share my benefits with her. It's the best kind of equality."

Same-sex marriage is now legal in three countries in Asia. Thailand's first in Southeast Asia.

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