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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Lifestyle

Jubilation as Thailand’s marriage equality law comes into effect

Thailand Asia Sakchai Lalit Bangkok
Thai actors Apiwat 'Porsch' Apiwatsayree, right, and Sappanyoo 'Arm' Panatkool, left, pose for pictures in front of the Thai national flag after registering their same-sex marriage in Bangkok on January 23, 2025 [Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP]

Hundreds of couples are tying the knot in Thailand, as the kingdom becomes the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage.

The Marriage Equality Act, which was overwhelmingly passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October and comes into effect on Thursday.

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