Chinese Couple Finds Wedding Joy in Thailand's 'Freer' Environment

[andy]

When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a friend's dinner party in China, it was, by all accounts, love at first sight.

"He was considered handsome and pure," Wang remarked, adding that their "love has deepened over time."

Almost three years on, the gay Chinese couple are celebrating their marriage in Thailand. The country became the largest nation in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year, a law that notably includes foreign couples.

They are among the first Chinese gay couples to marry in the Southeast Asian country, coinciding with Thailand's first Pride celebration since the landmark legislation passed.

"Thailand is perceived as a freer country," Wang commented after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. "It's also more inclusive towards their community."

He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, expressing a hope that "gradually" more will follow. "They feel unique so far... but hope to have a positive influence."

The couple sought assistance from an agent and a consultant to organise both the wedding and the necessary paperwork, ultimately fulfilling their long-held dream.

Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles

Owen Zhu, an agent who assists gay couples in getting married in Thailand, anticipates an increase in Chinese couples looking to wed and reside in the country.

While Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, same-sex marriage remains illegal, and societal stigma is still widespread.

Despite a period of relative relaxation between the 2000s and mid-2010s, rights groups indicate that recent years have seen a clampdown on the community's spaces and freedom of expression.

Owen Zhu, a 40-year-old real estate agent, operates a property business in Thailand that also supports gay Chinese couples in marrying there.

Zhu noted that the primary challenges faced by couples like Wang and Song are related to paperwork and, unfortunately, prejudice.

He said that it is difficult for Chinese gay individuals to obtain the 'certificate of single status' required by Thailand as proof that they are not already married. Furthermore, China does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad, adding another layer of complexity.