Same-sex couples celebrated their new marriage rights by obtaining wedding certificates in Thailand.

Footage shows how homosexual lovers registered their marriages at a government office in Phetchabun province as the country's same-sex marriage law came into force today, January 23. They lauded the hard-won legal widening, which they said would afford them spousal rights like heterosexual couples.

Overjoyed Italian national Michael D'Ottavio, an English language teacher, said the law allowed him to legally marry his Thai partner of nine years, Samart Petchdee.

Speaking in Thai, he said: 'I've been living in Phetchabun Province for around nine years and I've known Samart since I arrived here. We grew close and fell in love as we spent time with each other. My relatives in Italy also know about our relationship and are happy for us.

'When we learned same-sex marriage would finally be allowed, we were ecstatic because we've been waiting for many years. After registering our marriage today, I plane to take Samart to visit my family in Italy. We will have our honeymoon there.'

Lesbian partners Watcharin Chanduangta and Kanokwan Wichaisin also arrived at the office to register their married status. Watcharin said: 'My partner and I have been dating for two years and we're very happy that the law on equal marriage was approved to give equal rights to all genders. This will allow us to do many things together, like making joint transactions and having property rights, like a normal married couple. We plan to hold our wedding in early 2026.'

Thailand's landmark marriage equality law was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate in September last year. It came into effect today, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage and the third in Asia after Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.

However, critics claim the law is a cynical move by the government to tap into the lucrative 'pink dollar' tourism market, with gay men and those still 'in the closet' often attracted to the openness and freedom of the rapidly growing LGBT nightlife in places such as Bangkok and Pattaya.

Earlier this month, an Australian lawyer paid a dowry worth 2.1 million dollars to marry his Thai boyfriend.

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.