Thailand celebrates first same-sex marriages

An upmarket Bangkok shopping mall's playing host to in excess of 100 couples getting married to mark the first day on which same-sex partners could legally wed in Thailand.

In spite of the country's famed tolerance of gay relationships, it's taken the LGBTQ+ community decades of campaigning to achieve this milestone. Actor Sappanyoo "Arm" Panatkool, was among the first to tie the knot.

"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."

Thailand's political landscape has endured considerable instability, including a coup in 2014, which has been blamed for the apparent holdup in marriage reform. However, as a consequence of pro-democracy protests by the younger generation in 2020, the issue has been pushed to the forefront. Hoping to garner support from younger voters, politicians have been quick to react to their demands, supporting the legislative reform by a convincing 400 votes to 10.

As marriage is codified in clause 1448 of the Thai Civil code, activists were intent on celebrating with an equivalent number of weddings on the first day. Amongst modifications within the clause, gendered terminology has made way for inclusive, non-gender specific phrasing. Each marriage certificate embodies the recipient's right to get engaged, marry, collectively manage their assets, inherit from their partner, and adopt children together. Government teacher, Chayapa Rattanakewil's applauded the move, celebrating that her spouse is now afforded the same favourable conditions that she herself receives as a civil servant.

"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."

The amendments to clause 1448 make Thailand merely the third Asian country, and the first Southeast Asian country, to welcome marriage equality.

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