Hundreds of people began registering their marriages at a mall in Bangkok, as Thailand became one of the few places in Asia to legalize same-sex unions.

“Equal marriage has truly become possible with the power of all,” said former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was on hand for the mass wedding and was premier when the landmark legislation passed last year. 1,832 couples across the country registered marriages under the new law Thursday, according to the Thai Interior Ministry.

With first-mover advantage in Southeast Asia, Thailand could reap a windfall from its push for equal marital rights.