Couples say “I do” as Thailand legalizes same-sex marriage

The BBC spoke to LGBTQ couples in Thailand at a mass ceremony on the same day the country legalized same-sex marriage.

More than 100 couples got married at Siam Paragon, a luxury mall in central Bangkok on Thursday when the law came into effect.

LGBTQ couples now have the same rights as other couples to manage assets, inherit, adopt and make decisions about their partner’s medical treatment.

Districts across Thailand try to outdo each other with parties and giveaways like cupcakes, goodies and free plane tickets to celebrate the legal milestone.

Thailand has long been seen as a haven for LGBTQ people – it remains an outlier in Asia – but activists say they are fighting for further changes because many laws are still not gender neutral.