An Australian lawyer paid a dowry worth 2.1 million dollars to marry his Thai boyfriend, as the country legalises same-sex unions.

Lawyer Brett Andrew Boon, 50, and his partner Surachet Najaiklam, 41, were wed in a lavish ceremony at the Lertnimitra Hotel in Chaiyaphum province, on January 19.

The heartwarming occasion was marked by a traditional Buddhist Thai wedding procession, followed by a water-pouring ceremony to symbolise the couple's union.

Footage shows homosexual lovers filling a champagne tower in front of overjoyed family and friends from both Thailand and Australia. They then used a sword to cut their five-tiered wedding cake together.

Brett had also presented an eye-watering 2.1 million AUD dowry, which included cash, a luxury car, a riverside home, and an arsenal of diamond jewellery.

The sum - part of a benighted ritual referred to locally as a 'sinsod' payment - is traditionally given by men to the family of the female bride as a form of compensation for them losing a high-earning member of the family. Foreigners are typically expected to pay more - particularly if the partner is young and attractive - and relatives display it at the ceremony for friends and neighbours to talk about.

The couple said they had met 10 years ago, while Surachet was taking up law in Australia.

Brett said: 'I am impressed by Surachet's honesty and I always feel comfortable and warm when I am with him. He makes me happy in every way.'

His Thai partner added: 'We have been together for over 10 years now. Our parents are aware of our love and they didn't forbid it, so we have stayed together the whole time.

'Brett is a man of his word and a man of action. Throughout our relationship, he has never disappointed me. I am thankful to the Thai government for passing the same-sex marriage law which allowed me to marry the man I love.'

The couple's wedding was held just days before the historic marriage equality bill, overwhelmingly approved by the Senate last year, is set to take effect in the country.

On January 23, Thailand will become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage.

It is the third in Asia to recognize same-sex unions after Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.