Apiwat "Porsch" Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo "Arm" Panatkool waited about 10 years to have their marriage legally recognised in Thailand. (ABC News: Lauren Day)
When actor Apiwat "Porsch" Apiwatsayree proposed to his long-time partner Sappanyoo "Arm" Panatkool in 2014, he was overwhelmed with joy, but the magical moment quickly soured.
Same-sex marriage still wouldn't be legal for another decade and in conservative Thailand, the couple was bombarded with online bullying and hate speech.
"I must say 11 years ago, 80 per cent of the 'netizens' bullied us," Arm told the ABC.
"They did not understand, they had never even seen it, a man kneeling and proposing to another man, and they bullied us but we just ignored it."
Earlier this month, the couple celebrated a lavish wedding with around a thousand guests and today, they will finally make their marriage official, as Thailand becomes the first country in South-East Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
Legal recognition has been a long-time coming for same-sex couples in Thailand. (ABC News: Lauren Day)
Arm is grateful for everyone who pushed for the historic new legislation.
"I want to say thank you for our past activists who fought for the same-sex marriage law and this equality matter," he said.
"Thank you very, very, very much for fighting for it.".
Porsch, who first fell in love with Arm 17 years ago, said this moment had been a long time coming.
"I think it's a birthright that you should have since you were born as a human being," he said.
"The right to have a home, to have education, to love, to build your family, this is only the first step in Thailand to have that right. We still have more and more to come".
The new law grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender and makes Thailand only the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage.
The United Nations praised Thailand's Equal Marriage Bill as the best example of a non-discrimination policy for other member states to follow, saying other countries could learn from Thailand's journey.
But some of the country's nearest neighbours, including Myanmar and Malaysia, still criminalise homosexuality, with hefty jail sentences attached.
Porsch said he hoped those still fighting for equal rights would be inspired by Thailand's experience.
"We cannot force, we cannot make everyone understand us. But this act, I'm sure it will shine and give a little bit of light in the hearts of those people in those country to keep fighting," he said.
"I would love to send the encouragement to those people in different countries, different societies, to keep fighting.
"Let's pass the hope to the next generation".
Thailand's same-sex marriage goal
When the Equal Marriage Bill comes into effect today, Thailand is hoping to smash a world record.
Bangkok Pride says it hopes that over 500 couples across the capital and more than 1,448 nationwide will officially register their marriages, breaking the previous record for the largest LGBTQIA+ marriage registration set in Brazil in 2014.
The number 1,448 is the symbolic of section 1448 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code, which used to state that "marriage can only take place between a man and a woman".
One of the couples tying the knot in the historic event will be 31-year-old Natnicha "Nung" Somparn and her partner Sorsomrudee "Patt" Thippayatum.
Natnicha "Nung" Somparn and her partner Sorsomrudee "Patt" Thippayatum are one couple preparing to tie the knot as Thailand's same-sex marriage laws take effect. (ABC News: Lauren Day)
They too had a wedding party in December 2023, before the bill passed the Thai House of Representatives and Senate in June 2024.
"I was so happy, I cried, I had tears coming down," Nung told the ABC.
"It was finally announced."
She quickly texted her long-time partner Patt.
Natnicha "Nung" Somparn and Sorsomrudee "Patt" Thippayatum had a wedding party after the bill passed the final political hurdle in 2023. (Supplied)
"It's like we can look ahead further together. We can think about the future in which we grow old together, we can see a clear picture".
One thing the couple had worried about was that without a marriage certificate, they may be unable to provide consent for medical procedures in the event of an emergency.
Patt said being able to make their marriage official was a huge relief.
"We don't have to be worried anymore," she said.
Thailand's new marriage laws gives same-sex couples full financial, medical and legal rights. (Supplied)
"If anything happens to us we can help each other now. We also can do future financial planning together if one dies first what the other one can manage".
Nung also hopes Thailand can set an example for other countries in the region.
"I think our success can be a small wave to encourage other countries," she said.
Patt agreed.
"In countries that are considering this law, they can look at us as an example," she said.
"If Thailand can do it, we have passed it, they can do it too".
Same-sex couples are lining up in Thailand to celebrate the country's new marriage laws. (Supplied)
