Hundreds of same-sex couples in Thailand have tied the knot in a mass wedding as marriage equality comes into effect. Ahead of the historic day, LGBTQ+ couples share their experiences and their hopes for the future.
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00:00A historic day for Thailand's LGBTQ plus community, as marriage equality comes into effect.
00:09Hundreds of couples in Bangkok tied the knot in a mass ceremony held at a popular shopping
00:15mall.
00:16A landmark event filled with joy.
00:19I feel a sense of fulfillment.
00:21I feel that my family is more complete now.
00:24I feel happy and it's like a hope that I received.
00:29It's like when I want to eat something, I receive it.
00:34Four months ago, Thailand's parliament voted to pass the Marriage Equality Bill, making
00:38the country the first in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriages, and the third
00:44in the wider region, after Taiwan and Nepal.
00:47The bill replaces all references of men and women with partner, and grants same-sex couples
00:53the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.
00:57For Thai transgender woman Aryajin Milintanapa and her American husband Lee Ronald Bhatiata,
01:04marriage equality is long overdue.
01:06They have been together for over two decades and are raising a son from Lee's previous
01:11marriage and another son who is in Jin's custody.
01:15Ahead of their wedding, they expressed hope for their family's future.
01:19Now we have kids and this marriage license can lead us to a boat party for a garden for the kids.
01:26Just outside Bangkok, lesbian couple Karissa Pha Loivisuth and Nirman Nu Khunkhao live
01:32together in their two-story townhouse.
01:34It is difficult for unmarried couples in Thailand to buy property together, so the deed is only
01:40in Pha's name.
01:42But that can change after they're legally married.
01:59Now also getting hitched officially, one of the country's most high-profile gay couples,
02:05actors Sabanyuarm Panakul and Apiwatporsh Apiwatsiri, known for their appearances in
02:10popular LGBT-themed TV series known as BLs.
02:15They held their own ceremony just days ago before the law took effect.
02:19Over a decade ago, they received online backlash after the video of their proposal went viral.
02:26They say although the new marriage law coming into effect is a major milestone in Thai society,
02:31the fight for equality is not over yet.
02:36The couple says discrimination persists, and they will continue to advocate for more anti-discrimination
02:54legislation.
02:56Among the issues still on the table, transgender rights activists are calling on the government
03:01to allow trans individuals to legally change their gender identities.
03:06And while there is still much work to be done to further ensure their equal rights, on this
03:10momentous day in Bangkok, LGBTQ plus couples are celebrating a hard-fought step forward
03:16with a grand display of love and community.
03:20Patrick Chen and Wesley Lewis for Taiwan Plus.