(18 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok, Thailand – 18 June 2024
1. Various of LGBTQ+ caravan arriving at Government House from parliament
2. Various of people filing into Government House grounds, waving flags
3. One of leaders of LGBTQ+ community, Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn, embracing friends
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn, LGBTQ+ Advocate
“So excited and I feel happy – send love to all people in Thailand and around the world.”
5. Wide of couple, Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo Panatkool holding hands
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Apiwat Apiwatsayree, actor:
“The first thing is – yes!”
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sappanyoo Panatkool, business owner:
“Yes, finally, we feel, like, overwhelmed.”
8. Various of people in event
9. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Pokchakorn Wongsupa, LGBTQ+ Campaigner:
“We’ve been waiting for this bill our whole lives. We’re almost 70 now. It’s a historic day for Thailand and the world will remember Thailand for doing the right thing today and respecting the diversity in people.”
10. Wide of Akkharaphol Chabchitrchaidol and Vuthithorn “Woody” Milintachinda on stage
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Akkharaphol Chabchitrchaidol, business owner:
“Today marks a big milestone. We feel stability, we feel we can move on safely and for all LGBTQI+ Thais, this is an opportunity for you to be safe, you can come out and be you can be great contributors to a beautiful society.”
12. Wide of Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa coming on stage
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security:
“On behalf of the Royal Thai government I would like to earnestly congratulate all Thais and every voice that has been pushing this legislation forward. Today it’s finally happening in Thailand which makes us the third country in Asia and the first country in ASEAN for two individuals, not just ladies and gentlemen, two individuals who can tie the knot without references to ‘men’, ‘women’, ‘husband’ and ‘wives’."
14. Wide of media
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security:
“I am saying this to the world: if you want to come to Southeast Asia, if you want to get married, please come to Thailand. Congratulations everyone."
16. Wide of participants in party throwing bouquets of flowers in imitation of a wedding
17. Various of members of diplomatic community waving rainbow flags
STORYLINE:
Leading members of Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community on Tuesday marked the landmark passing of legislation recognizing equal marriage rights through the Senate with a party at Government House, in Bangkok, alongside government ministers who backed the move.
Manicured lawns normally kept pristine for the visit of leaders and heads of state instead played host to painting stalls, photo booths, balloons and ribbons and national anthems were replaced with thumping dance music.
“So excited and I feel happy – send love to all people in Thailand and around the world,” said Ann Chumaporn, who was one of the main drivers behind the move, after she embraced friends.
Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo Panatkool have been together for 16 years and now hope to marry at last. They said they were overcome when the bill finally passed.
“The first thing is – yes!” Said Apiwat, an actor and youtuber.
“Yes, finally, we feel, like, overwhelmed,” said business owner Sappanyoo.
AP video by Jerry Harmer.
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