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eNCA
11 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in 'freer' Thailand
When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a friend's dinner party in China, it was love at first sight. "I thought he was handsome and pure," says Wang. "Our love has deepened over time." Nearly three years later, the gay Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which became Asia's largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year -– including for foreign couples. They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ pairs to tie the knot in the Southeast Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law's passage. AFP | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA "Thailand is a freer country," said Wang after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. "It's also more inclusive to our community." He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, but that "gradually" more will follow in their footsteps. "I think we are unique so far... but I hope we can have a positive influence." They enlisted the help of an agent and a consultant to organise the wedding and paperwork to finally make their dream come true. - Bureaucratic hurdles - Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, but same-sex marriage is not legal and social stigma is widespread. Despite a period of relative relaxation in the 2000s to mid-2010s, rights groups say recent years have seen a crackdown on the community's spaces and freedom of expression. Real estate agent Owen Zhu has a property business in Thailand that also helps gay Chinese couples come to Thailand to get married. Zhu, 40, said that the biggest difficulties couples like Wang and Song face are linked to paperwork, as well as prejudice. It is difficult for Chinese LGBTQ individuals to obtain the certificate of single status required by Thailand proving that they are not married, he told AFP. China also does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad. AFP | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA But Zhu believes that despite China's bureaucratic hurdles, there will be a rise in the number of Chinese couples looking to wed and even live long-term in Thailand. "There is large market demand from many Chinese same-sex couples," he says. "Thailand is a particularly tempting place, allowing freedom to do things not possible in China, like holding hands or kissing in public with a partner. In China, they may not dare do such things." Zhu says the simple act of signing a marriage document is deeply meaningful for his clients. "Though this piece of paper might not be recognised in China, in their hearts, they see it as recognition and acceptance from the world," he says. - Love ballads, vows - More than 30 countries have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001. Thailand was the third place in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. The kingdom ranks high on recent indexes measuring public attitudes towards LGBTQ people, but matching legal structures were absent before it passed the same-sex marriage bill in a historic parliamentary vote last June. Thousands of couples across the kingdom tied the knot in a mass wedding the day same-sex unions became legal in January this year. Chris Yan, a legal consultant who helped Wang and Song navigate Thai administration to formalise their partnership, says the process for foreigners to register their marriage in Thailand is fairly smooth as long as they can provide the necessary documents. AFP | Lillian SUWANRUMPHA "I believe it is more advanced than many other countries, since the cost in Thailand is quite low," he says. "They can stay in the country for longer and processing the documents is quicker." Surrounded by dozens of close friends and their ring-bearing small fluffy dog, Wang and Song sing love ballads to each other on a sandy Pattaya beach before tearfully reading their wedding vows. They will return home to China after their honeymoon, but hope to eventually retire in Thailand. Life is short, is the message they have for other couples like them. Wang said: "Be with the one you want to be with."
The Star
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in 'freer' Thailand
Thailand ranks high on recent indexes measuring public attitudes towards LGBTQ people. -- PHOTO: AFP PATTAYA, Thailand (AFP): When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a friend's dinner party in China, it was love at first sight. "I thought he was handsome and pure," says Wang. "Our love has deepened over time." Nearly three years later, the gay Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which became Asia's largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year -- including for foreign couples. They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ pairs to tie the knot in the Sout-East Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law's passage. "Thailand is a freer country," said Wang after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. "It's also more inclusive to our community." He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, but that "gradually" more will follow in their footsteps. "I think we are unique so far... but I hope we can have a positive influence." They enlisted the help of an agent and a consultant to organise the wedding and paperwork to finally make their dream come true. - Bureaucratic hurdles - Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, but same-sex marriage is not legal and social stigma is widespread. Despite a period of relative relaxation in the 2000s to mid-2010s, rights groups say recent years have seen a crackdown on the community's spaces and freedom of expression. Real estate agent Owen Zhu has a property business in Thailand that also helps gay Chinese couples come to Thailand to get married. Zhu, 40, said that the biggest difficulties couples like Wang and Song face are linked to paperwork, as well as prejudice. It is difficult for Chinese LGBTQ individuals to obtain the certificate of single status required by Thailand proving that they are not married, he told AFP. China also does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad. But Zhu believes that despite China's bureaucratic hurdles, there will be a rise in the number of Chinese couples looking to wed and even live long-term in Thailand. "There is large market demand from many Chinese same-sex couples," he says. "Thailand is a particularly tempting place, allowing freedom to do things not possible in China, like holding hands or kissing in public with a partner. In China, they may not dare do such things." Zhu says the simple act of signing a marriage document is deeply meaningful for his clients. "Though this piece of paper might not be recognised in China, in their hearts, they see it as recognition and acceptance from the world," he says. - Love ballads, vows - More than 30 countries have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001. Thailand was the third place in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. The kingdom ranks high on recent indexes measuring public attitudes towards LGBTQ people, but matching legal structures were absent before it passed the same-sex marriage bill in a historic parliamentary vote last June. Thousands of couples across the kingdom tied the knot in a mass wedding the day same-sex unions became legal in January this year. Chris Yan, a legal consultant who helped Wang and Song navigate Thai administration to formalise their partnership, says the process for foreigners to register their marriage in Thailand is fairly smooth as long as they can provide the necessary documents. "I believe it is more advanced than many other countries, since the cost in Thailand is quite low," he says. "They can stay in the country for longer and processing the documents is quicker." Surrounded by dozens of close friends and their ring-bearing small fluffy dog, Wang and Song sing love ballads to each other on a sandy Pattaya beach before tearfully reading their wedding vows. They will return home to China after their honeymoon, but hope to eventually retire in Thailand. Life is short, is the message they have for other couples like them. Wang said: "Be with the one you want to be with." - AFP
Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in ‘freer' Thailand
They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ pairs to tie the knot in the South-east Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law's passage. PHOTO: AFP PATTAYA - When Wang Zengyi, 41, and Song Jihan, 29, first met at a friend's dinner party in China, it was love at first sight. 'I thought he was handsome and pure,' says Mr Wang. 'Our love has deepened over time.' Nearly three years later, the gay Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which became Asia's largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier in 2025 – including for foreign couples. They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ pairs to tie the knot in the South-east Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law's passage. 'Thailand is a freer country,' said Mr Wang after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. 'It's also more inclusive to our community.' He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, but that 'gradually' more will follow in their footsteps. 'I think we are unique so far... but I hope we can have a positive influence.' They enlisted the help of an agent and a consultant to organise the wedding and paperwork to finally make their dream come true. Bureaucratic hurdles Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, but same-sex marriage is not legal and social stigma is widespread. Despite a period of relative relaxation in the 2000s to mid-2010s, rights groups say recent years have seen a crackdown on the community's spaces and freedom of expression. Real estate agent Owen Zhu has a property business in Thailand that also helps gay Chinese couples come to Thailand to get married. Mr Zhu, 40, said that the biggest difficulties couples like Mr Wang and Mr Song face are linked to paperwork, as well as prejudice. It is difficult for Chinese LGBTQ individuals to obtain the certificate of single status required by Thailand proving that they are not married, he told AFP. China also does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad. But Mr Zhu believes that despite China's bureaucratic hurdles, there will be a rise in the number of Chinese couples looking to wed and even live long-term in Thailand. 'There is large market demand from many Chinese same-sex couples,' he says. 'Thailand is a particularly tempting place, allowing freedom to do things not possible in China, like holding hands or kissing in public with a partner. In China, they may not dare do such things.' Mr Zhu says the simple act of signing a marriage document is deeply meaningful for his clients. 'Though this piece of paper might not be recognised in China, in their hearts, they see it as recognition and acceptance from the world,' he says. Love ballads, vow More than 30 countries have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001. Thailand was the third place in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. The kingdom ranks high on recent indexes measuring public attitudes towards LGBTQ people, but matching legal structures were absent before it passed the same-sex marriage bill in a historic parliamentary vote in June 2024. Thousands of couples across the kingdom tied the knot in a mass wedding the day same-sex unions became legal in January 2025. Mr Chris Yan, a legal consultant who helped Mr Wang and Mr Song navigate Thai administration to formalise their partnership, says the process for foreigners to register their marriage in Thailand is fairly smooth as long as they can provide the necessary documents. 'I believe it is more advanced than many other countries, since the cost in Thailand is quite low,' he says. 'They can stay in the country for longer and processing the documents is quicker.' Surrounded by dozens of close friends and their ring-bearing small fluffy dog, Mr Wang and Mr Song sing love ballads to each other on a sandy Pattaya beach before tearfully reading their wedding vows. They will return home to China after their honeymoon, but hope to eventually retire in Thailand. Life is short, is the message they have for other couples like them. Mr Wang said: 'Be with the one you want to be with.' AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
21 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
Gay Chinese couple fulfil wedding dream in 'freer' Thailand
"I thought he was handsome and pure," says Wang. "Our love has deepened over time." Nearly three years later, the gay Chinese couple are getting married in Thailand, which became Asia's largest nation to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year -– including for foreign couples. They are among the first Chinese LGBTQ pairs to tie the knot in the Southeast Asian country as it celebrates its first Pride since the law's passage. "Thailand is a freer country," said Wang after they signed their marriage certificate at a Bangkok registry office. "It's also more inclusive to our community." He believes they are the first gay Chinese couple to host a full wedding ceremony in Thailand, but that "gradually" more will follow in their footsteps. "I think we are unique so far... but I hope we can have a positive influence." They enlisted the help of an agent and a consultant to organise the wedding and paperwork to finally make their dream come true. Bureaucratic hurdles Chinese authorities decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, but same-sex marriage is not legal and social stigma is widespread. Despite a period of relative relaxation in the 2000s to mid-2010s, rights groups say recent years have seen a crackdown on the community's spaces and freedom of expression. Real estate agent Owen Zhu has a property business in Thailand that also helps gay Chinese couples come to Thailand to get married. Zhu, 40, said that the biggest difficulties couples like Wang and Song face are linked to paperwork, as well as prejudice. It is difficult for Chinese LGBTQ individuals to obtain the certificate of single status required by Thailand proving that they are not married, he told AFP. China also does not recognise same-sex marriages registered abroad. But Zhu believes that despite China's bureaucratic hurdles, there will be a rise in the number of Chinese couples looking to wed and even live long-term in Thailand. "There is large market demand from many Chinese same-sex couples," he says. "Thailand is a particularly tempting place, allowing freedom to do things not possible in China, like holding hands or kissing in public with a partner. In China, they may not dare do such things." Zhu says the simple act of signing a marriage document is deeply meaningful for his clients. "Though this piece of paper might not be recognised in China, in their hearts, they see it as recognition and acceptance from the world," he says. Love ballads, vows More than 30 countries have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to allow same-sex unions in 2001. Thailand was the third place in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. The kingdom ranks high on recent indexes measuring public attitudes towards LGBTQ people, but matching legal structures were absent before it passed the same-sex marriage bill in a historic parliamentary vote last June. Thousands of couples across the kingdom tied the knot in a mass wedding the day same-sex unions became legal in January this year. Chris Yan, a legal consultant who helped Wang and Song navigate Thai administration to formalise their partnership, says the process for foreigners to register their marriage in Thailand is fairly smooth as long as they can provide the necessary documents. "I believe it is more advanced than many other countries, since the cost in Thailand is quite low," he says. "They can stay in the country for longer and processing the documents is quicker." Surrounded by dozens of close friends and their ring-bearing small fluffy dog, Wang and Song sing love ballads to each other on a sandy Pattaya beach before tearfully reading their wedding vows. They will return home to China after their honeymoon, but hope to eventually retire in Thailand. Life is short, is the message they have for other couples like them. Wang said: "Be with the one you want to be with." © 2025 AFP
Business Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Wife of 3AC's Kyle Davies sells Singapore mansion for S$37 million -The Business Times
[SINGAPORE] A bungalow in Peirce Hill owned by the wife of failed Three Arrows Capital (3AC) co-founder Kyle Davies is in the early stage of being sold, at S$37 million. The price works out to S$2,144 per square foot (psf) on the freehold land area of 17,260 square feet (sq ft). The property, which is in the Ridout Park Good Class Bungalow (GCB) Area, was developed about 30 years ago. The intending buyer, in her early thirties, is understood to be the daughter of SC Capital Partners Group chairman and founder, Suchad Chiaranussati. His wife is the niece of Kwek Leng Beng, the executive chairman of City Developments Ltd (CDL). In November last year, CapitaLand Investment entered into a deal to buy a 40 per cent initial stake in SC Capital Partners for S$280 million, with the option to acquire the remaining 60 per cent in phases over the next five years. Davies' wife, Kelly Chen, who owns the Peirce Hill bungalow, is restricted from selling the property under a court order prohibiting the couple from disposing of their assets in Singapore. Chen bought the bungalow in 2021 for S$28.8 million. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Last week, Chen granted the option to purchase the property to Chiaranussati's daughter. Market watchers said the lawyers representing the intending buyer would have ensured that the relevant approvals have been granted or sought for the transaction to be completed. Davies founded 3AC, a cryptocurrency hedge fund, with fellow ex-Credit Suisse trader Zhu Su. The duo had built a fortune worth billions from their early investments in cryptocurrencies, but this was upended in 2022 when the crypto market crashed and Terra Luna collapsed. Zhu was arrested at Changi Airport while attempting to travel out of Singapore in September 2023, and sentenced to four months' prison under a committal order granted by the Singapore Courts, obtained by 3AC liquidator Teneo. Under a Singapore court order obtained by the liquidators in December 2023, Zhu is prohibited from disposing of his assets in Singapore, including two properties: a strata landed home in Goodwood Grand in Balmoral Road, and a GCB in Yarwood Avenue. However, there was no prohibition of sale on a Dalvey Road bungalow owned by Zhu's wife, Evelyn Tao, who sold the property last year for S$51 million. The Balmoral Road property is under Zhu's name. Zhu and Tao entered into a deal to buy the Yarwood Avenue bungalow for S$48.8 million in late 2021 as trustees for their infant child. The Peirce Hill bungalow is part of the Peirce Villas project developed by CDL. Bungalows in the 39 GCB Areas are the most prestigious form of landed housing in Singapore, with strict planning conditions to preserve their exclusivity and low-rise character. One generally has to be a Singapore citizen to be allowed to buy a landed property in a GCB Area. There are only about 2,700 bungalows in GCB Areas.
