Is Thailand the next big LGBTQ wedding destination? Insiders think so

On September 24, Thailand celebrated the landmark passage of a marriage equality bill. The legislation, which goes into effect in January 2025, will solidify Thailand’s reputation as a progressive and inclusive destination. Wedding organisers and planners around the globe are already taking note, including Next Chapter LGBT, which has been helping Hong Kong LGBTQ couples tie the knot in remote ceremonies conducted by registered officiants overseas since 2018. Company co-founder Kurt Tung says the legislation, which makes Thailand the third Asian jurisdiction to recognise same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal, gives Thai couples the option to marry in person without having to travel. “We’ve been receiving more inquiries from hopeful couples looking to be wed in Thailand, but in order to proceed, we still have to wait for the bill to pass and for more details to be confirmed.” There are too many unknowns at this stage, Tung says, from “how regional officials will execute the law” to whether same-sex marriage registrations will be as legally binding globally as those of heterosexual couples. “Every year, we help 100 to 120 Hong Kong couples get hitched, whether in Zoom weddings or destination weddings overseas; but what they want the most is to share their happiness and celebrate with family and friends,” she says. Mario Lopez, president of Destination Weddings Expert in the United States, said: “This is so exciting, and we’re thrilled for the people of Thailand, as well as couples looking for a destination wedding in the country, to finally be able to legalise their commitment to each other. “This definitely opens the path for us to create a truly unique and stunning experience for our amazing couples and their guests.” Kirsten Palladino, co-founder and editorial director of Equally Wed, an online LGBTQ wedding magazine, and author of Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding, expects Thailand to see a surge in destination weddings involving queer couples. However, she notes that for destination weddings, it is not so much about the marriage licence in the wedding destination. She says that most couples in the US opt to get their marriage licence at home and have a symbolic wedding abroad, because it is complicated for non-citizens to navigate the legal system. “With Thailand’s legal recognition of same-sex marriages, it is making a profound statement to society that our marriages are to be treated with equal respect,” she says. “Now, just as we’ve seen in the United States, that acceptance and respect did not happen the instant we received federal marriage equality, but businesses who did believe in marriage equality – or at the very least weren’t actively fighting against it – began being more open about their inclusive values. “I think we’ll see this in Thailand, too. It will be easier to identify the LGBTQ-inclusive wedding vendors and venues now that it’s been deemed legally acceptable to work with LGBTQ weddings.” Matt Mitchell, creative director and founder of Mitchell Event Planning in the US, just completed a wedding, and that groom/groom couple is headed to Thailand for their honeymoon. He says the Thai king’s signing of the marriage equality bill will only add to the potential for Thailand to become a major player in the LGBTQ destination wedding scene. He notes from speaking with couples looking for locations for destination weddings that they are often looking for similar things: is it a safe and accepting location? Are the vendors/businesses LGBTQ-owned or allies? Can we offer our guests an experience? “Thailand certainly checks all these boxes,” Mitchell says. “They have always been known as an accepting country, but now are placing themselves as the leader in this space, as they are the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise LGBTQ unions. “While it is hard to say the exact breakdown of how business owners identify in Thailand, it will not be hard to find businesses that are either LGBTQ-owned or welcome, accept, and embrace LGBTQ couples.” He adds: “As far as experiences go, Thailand has it all – from the mountains of Chiang Mai to the bustling city of Bangkok to the scenes of paradise along the coasts and islands.” There are definitely some things that couples look for in destination weddings that Thailand can offer. “In my experience, many destination wedding couples are looking for amazing weather, food, and views – think the Greek Islands, Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, etc. Thailand offers all of these things at an unbeatable price,” Mitchell says. Lopez notes that his company has planned quite a few queer destination weddings, and says Thailand will provide opportunities for making couples’ experiences more personal. “We’ve experienced classic and elegant and also bold and dynamic approaches to the wedding weekend with our couples. With Thailand opening its doors to the LGBTQ community, we’re so excited to see some of the more breathtaking designs that will come of this,” he says. “It’s an opportunity for something truly unique. Being that the destination is a further travel experience than some others for the typical US traveller, we expect to see a number of elopements and small-group travel come from this.” Lopez also notes that while his company has not received any new inquiries for Thailand, it does expect that, as word spreads, things will change. “Once we start experiencing the amazing hospitality and dynamic culture that a Thai wedding is sure to deliver on, we will see an increase in interest,” he says. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s New York office created Go Thai Be Free in 2013, a portal, social community and team dedicated to the preferences and needs of LGBTQ travellers. It includes information on LGBTQ travel to Thailand, inclusive travel inspiration, first-hand stories from LGBTQ travellers, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels and experiences. Mitchell thinks that Thailand will be landing on plenty of lists for LGBTQ couples soon, noting that the law will go into effect on January 22 and that there are already plans to have a mass wedding for more than 1,000 LGBTQ couples, organised by the co-founder of the Bangkok Pride movement. “I think an event like this will only add to the excitement of this historic moment and have others feeling FOMO,” Mitchell says. “As for true destination weddings, I see this as a gradual build-up versus an explosion of demand. “On average, a flight to Thailand from the US takes 21 hours and 50 minutes. I think the daunting travel is the only thing limiting Thailand at this point. I can’t wait to watch them build their brand as a top LGBTQ destination wedding location for years to come.” While the Thai legislation is positive news for all same-sex couples in Asia, Tung at Next Chapter LGBT says members of Hong Kong’s LGBTQ community ultimately want to see marriage equality in their own city. Additional reporting by Ashley Chak

Is Thailand the next big LGBTQ wedding destination? Insiders think so

With its legalisation of gay marriage, there is growing interest in holding LGBTQ weddings in Thailand. Insiders expect a gradual increase