Thai actors Both Nuttapong and Newyear Kitiwhut. Image: Instagram/@newyear_kitiwhut
As Thailand is set to legalize same-sex marriage, Thai actors and longtime couple Both Nuttapong and Newyear Kitiwhut made their engagement official.
Both popped the question in a surprise marriage proposal documented through their respective Instagram pages on Wednesday, June 26.
In a separate video on TikTok, Both got down on one knee while holding the box containing the engagement ring in a room filled with bouquets of red roses. Newyear then said yes and the two of them shared a tight hug and a kiss.
@newyear.kitiwhut I said yes #สมรสเท่าเทียม ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – NEWYEAR
Both and Newyear, who starred in the 2021 Thai series “Top Secret Together,” have been in a relationship since 2012. The pair already got engaged in September 2023, but they made it official now that their home country will legalize same-sex marriage.
Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize marriage equality, after its Senate approved the bill last June 18. This will go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal endorsement and come into force 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.
The new legislation changes references to “men,” “women,” “husbands” and “wives” in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms, as well as gives same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones when it comes to adoption and inheritance.
Thailand will become the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can wed, following Taiwan and Nepal.