Thailand’s celebration of the historic new equal marriage law, which allows same-sex marriage registration, has been covered by major media outlets across the globe.
A nationwide celebration took place one day after the law went into effect on Wednesday.
The BBC reported that around 180 same-sex couples registered their unions at one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls, at an event organised by city officials to mark this legal milestone.
The London-based outlet interviewed a couple, Police Officer Pisit Sirihirunchai and his partner Chanatip Sirihirunchai, who registered their marriage and said "We have been ready for such a long time… We have just been waiting for the law to catch up and support us."
Germany’s Die Welt reported that hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand married on Thursday as the kingdom’s equal marriage law came into effect following decades of activism.
The Marriage Equality Act makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia, and the third in Asia - after Taiwan and Nepal - to legalise same-sex and transgender marriage.
The country joins more than 30 nations that have enacted equal marriage laws, with the Netherlands leading the way in 2001.
The Guardian also covered the celebrations and included a photo gallery showcasing same-sex marriage registrations. One image featured Thai actor Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo Panatkool celebrating their nuptials at the Phra Nakhon district office in Bangkok.
Srettha Thavisin, who was prime minister when the legislation was passed in June last year, described the day as one "close to the hearts of many Thais."
The law marks a momentous victory for the LGBTQ+ community, which has long fought for the same rights as heterosexual couples.
Under the legislation, same-sex couples can now register their marriages with full legal, financial, medical, adoption and inheritance rights.
