Thailand has officially become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriages. The news comes after King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed the legislature back in June.
On September 25, King Vajiralongkorn signed the marriage equality law and it was published in the official royal gazette.
Under the new code, Thailand will recognize marriage registrations of same-sex partners aged 18 and above, along with financial, medical, legal, and adoption rights for the couples.
Additionally, it also amends the country’s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral words such as “individual” rather than “men and women.”
The brand new legislation takes effect 120 days from the date of publication, allowing same-sex couples to legally register marriages from Jan. 22, 2025.
“To all the love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted to X Twitter. “Congratulations on everyone’s love.”
แด่ทุกความรัก…
— Ing Shin (@ingshin) September 24, 2024
ยินดีกับความรักของทุกคนค่ะ #LoveWins ❤️
ขอบคุณการผลักดันจากทุกภาคส่วน เป็นการต่อสู้ร่วมกันของทุกคนค่ะ #สมรสเท่าเทียม
“The law is a monumental step towards equal rights in Thailand,” LGBTQ+ rights advocate Waaddao Chumaporn told AFP.
According to Chumaporn, the community is organizing a mass wedding in the country’s capital Bangkok to ring in the history-making date.
For well over a decade, the country has fought to make same-sex marriage a right. Although the country’s reputation is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly with its thriving queer culture and social life, Thai politics have seen push back on equality from more conservative and religious figures.
Thailand joins Nepal and Taiwan as the only countries in Asia to recognize marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
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