More than a thousand LGBTQ couples across Thailand will marry as same-sex unions become legal
One of today's biggest events is happening at a luxury mall in central Bangkok, where more than 100 couples are getting married
The law kicked into effect on Thursday after a sustained campaign that one activist described as a "long fight full of tears"
LGBTQ couples now have the same rights as other couples to manage assets, inherit, adopt and take decisions about their partner's medical treatment
But activists say they are fighting for more changes because many laws are still not gender-neutral
Thailand has long been seen as a haven for LGBTQ people - but it remains an outlier in Asia
The BBC reports from Bangkok mall where couples say 'I do'
Image source, ReutersThank you for following our coverage of this momentous day in Thailand, where hundreds of LGBTQ couples have already tied the knot as the country legalises same-sex marriage.
We are now wrapping up our live coverage, but celebrations are set to continue across the country.
The BBC has spoken to several couples on their long fight to get here.
Read more:
Paweena Ninbut
BBC Thai in Bangkok
This is a "big day" for Thailand, says Bangkok's governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who was at the mass wedding event in Siam Paragon earlier today.
"I think it reflects an inclusive society, not just in terms of marriage, but also in our beliefs, cultures, and religious," he tells the BBC.
"We embrace everyone who's different."
Image source, BBC/Paweena NinbutThailand is the third jurisdiction in Asia, after Nepal and Taiwan, to legalise same-sex marriages.
In May 2019, Taiwan’s parliament became the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriages, two years after the island’s constitutional court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to marry. This was celebrated by LGBTQ+ communities across the region. In 2023, the legislature passed an amendment to allow gay couples to jointly adopt children.
Nepal registered its first same-sex marriage in November 2023, following an interim Supreme Court order in favour of it. However, local officials had not been consistent in following the order. In 2024, the federal government directed all local governments to register same-sex marriages.
Image source, EPASurendra Panday (left) and Maya Gurung became the first LGBTQ couple to register their marriage in Nepal in November 2023
Watch: Couples say 'I do' as Thailand legalises same-sex marriage
More than 100 couples have gotten married at Siam Paragon in a mass ceremony. They share their joy and excitement with the BBC.
Paweena Ninbut
BBC Thai in Bangkok
Image source, BBC/Paweena NinbutGay lawmaker Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, who has been a driving force behind the marriage equality laws, says this milestone was reached "with the love of the people".
"Without everyone's love, marriage equality bill wouldn't have succeeded.
"I'm not a believer in love, but today I have faith, and I believe love can change everything," says Tunyawaj, a People's Party MP.
His party is the successor of the reformist Move Forward party which has been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ rights.
"We, the LGBTQ community, never imagined that we could get married or build a family.
"Today, I feel very happy for everyone to see that they have received an equal right," Tunyawaj says.
Jonathan Head
BBC South East Asia Correspondent
Activism and bold political reforms played a crucial role in Thailand's journey toward marriage equality.
Different LGBTQ groups had come together in the Change 1448 campaign - 1448 is the clause in the Thai Civil Code covering the definition of marriage - and later under the Rainbow Coalition for Marriage Equality.
They learned to work with political parties in parliament to persuade them to change their stance on the law.
In the 2019 election which returned Thailand to civilian rule after five years under a military government, a new reformist party called Future Forward, which fully supported equal marriage, did unexpectedly well. They won the third-largest share of seats, revealing a growing hunger for change in Thailand.
Future Forward was later dissolved by a controversial court verdict, setting off months of student-led protests calling for sweeping reforms.
In 2023, the party's successor, Move Forward, performed even better than in 2019. Again, it was clear that the desire for change was felt across Thai people of all ages.
Move Forward was blocked from forming a government by conservatives who objected to its call for wholesale political reforms. But by then, equal marriage had become less contentious.
Paweena Ninbut
BBC Thai in Bangkok
Image source, BBC/Vandaya VijayPaungpetch Hengkum (left) and Permsub Saiaung have been dating for 17 years
One couple tell the BBC marriage certification is their "life's guarantee".
Permsub Saiaung, who has been with her partner Paungpetch Hengkum for 17 years, recalled the challenges she faced signing a medical consent form when Paungpetch got into an accident.
"That was the hardest moment. Marriage certification is our life's guarantee," says the 54-year-old.
Image source, Getty ImagesPaetongtarn at the opening of the Bangkok Pride ceremony in June last year
The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand, says Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
"More than two decades of fighting to pass the #MarriageEquality, external law, and two decades of confronting prejudices and societal values, have finally brought us to this day," she wrote on Facebook.
Paetongtarn, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, lauded this milestone as a "collective achievement".
"This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society’s greater awareness of gender diversity, and our embrace of everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion - our affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity."
Image source, ReutersIt's coming up to 13:30 in Thailand and we've seen dozens of LGBTQ couples register their unions in the past few hours alone - more than a thousand of them are expected to marry by the end of today.
If you're just joining us now, here's what you need to know:
Stay with us as we bring you the latest.
Image source, Getty ImagesThanyawat Kamonwongwat
Thanyawat Kamonwongwat, a transgender MP of the reformist Move Forward Party, is also expected to attend today's event at Siam Paragon.
Thanyawat submitted the first draft of Thailand's same-sex marriage bill in 2022 - it did not reach its final reading, but another was tabled the next year.
Move Forward won more seats than any other party in the 2023 election in what analysts dubbed a stunning vote for change.
The party was blocked from forming a government by conservatives who objected to its call for major political reforms.
But by this time, equal marriage had become less contentious and the bill passed parliament last year with little opposition.
Lulu Luo
Reporting from Bangkok
Image source, BBC/Lulu LuoZhang (pictured in blue) says he hopes the move will inspire the rest of Asia
A Chinese gay man choosing only to be identified by his surname Zhang says he came to Thailand to celebrate the occasion with a dozen of his friends from China.
“We’re excited, we’re also very jealous. Thailand is so close to China, but in another sense it’s so far away,” Zhang told the BBC.
He did not want to reveal his full name because LBGTQ+ rights are a controversial subject back home.
Same-sex marriage is not allowed in China, as is the case across most of Asia, barring Nepal and Taiwan.
“We do hope this will inspire the rest of our region," Zhang says. "If it can happen in Thailand, Nepal and Taiwan, we have hope it will eventually happen elsewhere.”
Jiraporn Sricham
BBC Thai
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was only in the past decade that Thailand's LGBTQ movement really took off.
While the long-awaited passage of the marriage equality law is a milestone, observers believe the community still faces challenges.
Narupon Duangwises, who researches queer theory, says the influence of the military, which has ruled the country at various points, and a conservative education system have “entrenched gender bias for 80 years”.
“Many Western countries have had marriage equality laws for 10-20 years. But still, there are a lot of LGBTQ youths who are bullied in schools," he says. "Therefore, the law does not guarantee the right to freedom in their daily life."
On the popular island of Krabi, Amornrat Pngwacharakorn and her partner of 23 years Jaruk Thapthimthong were the first in their district to register their union.
Their district office set up a balloon-and-bouquet filled photo spot for couples.
Photos on local media , externalshow Amornrat and Jaruk dressed in matching beige kebayas, a traditional outfit for women in southern Thailand. They were accompanied by friends and family as they signed their marriage certificates.
In Kathu, a district in the west of Phuket island, officials will ring a gong to mark the day.
Close to 900 district offices across Thailand have opened their doors to same-sex couples who want to marry today.
Jonathan Head
BBC South East Asia Correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesWhile much of Thailand is now celebrating - the next question being asked is, could other countries in South East Asia follow suit?
In the Philippines, there is growing acceptance of LGBT couples living together openly. But the Roman Catholic Church vehemently opposes same-sex marriage.
In Vietnam, like Thailand, there are no religious or ideological obstacles, but campaigning to change the law is difficult under a repressive regime.
The influence of Islam in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei makes the notion of equal marriage a non-starter. LGBTQ communities there face discrimination and prosecution. And in Brunei, sex between men carries the death penalty.
So Thailand hopes to benefit from being a pioneer.
The country is already seen as a safe and welcoming destination for LGBTQ holiday-makers.
Now, with the legal recognition of their marriages, they will be able to raise children here and grow old together with nearly all the rights and protections given to heterosexual couples.
Here's more on how Thailand got here.
Thailand has always been known for its tolerance and acceptance, but today is a huge milestone for the country's same-sex couples, says the BBC's Jonathan Head.
The BBC reports from Bangkok mall where couples say 'I do'
Districts across Bangkok are trying to outdo one another with parties and gifts to celebrate what is a legal milsetone for LGBTQ couples.
At Bang Rak - the "district of love" - couples will be treated to cupcakes and pink sausages, according to local media.
The first pair to register their marriage here will also get round-trip air tickets to Chiang Mai.
Restaurant vouchers are on offer at Bang Sue, the District of Honesty, for the first 20 couples to register their unions.
Officials at Sai Mai are reportedly ready with T-shirts and bags for the first 50 couples. Elsewhere, local businesses are wooing newlyweds with photo booths and more gifts.
Image source, EPAFor some couples it's been a long journey to get married - in more ways than one.
A couple from Phetchabun, a province in north-central Thailand, set out at 03:00 in the morning and travelled 400km (249 mi), through thick smog in Bangkok, to get their marriage registered, Thailand's Matichon newspaper reported.
Sumalee Sutsainet, 64, and Thanaporn Sutsainet, 59, were the first to arrive at the Bang Rak district office, three hours after they started their journey.
Bang Rak - which means district of love in Thai - is a popular choice for couples looking to register marriages.
Certificate in hand, the couple said they will start planning a wedding.
Panisa Aemocha
BBC Thai
Image source, Napasin Samkaewcham/ BBCAki Uryu (left) and Warin Kheanpikul are among the couples registering their marriages today
"Now I can say, welcome my husband. I am so excited," says Warin Kheanpikul.
She and her partner Aki Uryu have "dreamed for so long” of this day.
"It is like i have started my new life," Aki says.
In an earlier interview, Warin told the BBC she never thought marriage equality would happen in her lifetime.
Aki, who is Japanese, moved to Bangkok to be with Warin. Life in Japan, which does not recognise same-sex marriages, is difficult for the LGBTQ community, Aki said.
“In Thailand, I can hold hands with my partner, walk together. No one says anything. It’s just different. It feels right."
Image source, BBC/Vandana VijayWarin and Aki after registering their marriage
Image source, Getty ImagesSrettha's Pheu Thai party had made marriage equality one of its major goals
Former Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin, who was vocal in his support for the LGBTQ community during his time in office, has tweeted his congratulations, saying "equal marriage has truly become possible with the power of all".
Srettha's Pheu Thai party, which still leads the ruling coaliton, pushed for marriage equality - but the bill also had broad support, clearing parliament last year with a thumping majority.
"From now on, there will no longer be a 'man' and a 'woman', but 'individual' and 'individual' who are equal 'spouses,'" he said in a post on X.
"I congratulate you wholeheartedly on your love."
Image source, Getty ImagesActors Apiwat Apiwatsayree (left) are registering their marriage today
Actors Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo Panatkool, who held an unofficial wedding ceremony two weeks ago, are among the couples getting their union recognised today.
Apiwat, widely known as Porsch, starred as Dr Bright in the popular series Together with Me and its sequel.
Sappanyoo, also known as Arm, is known for his role in the 2023 series Ai Long Nhai: The Endless Love.
Both shows are part of the "Boys Love" genre - romcoms and dramas about relationships between men.
Image source, Getty ImagesThey had their wedding ceremony in January