Thailand has become the third country in Asia to recognize marriages of same-sex couples, with a new law coming into effect on January 22. The bill marks decades of efforts by activists and is seen as a historic step towards greater equality.
American businessman Jacob Holder met his Thai husband Surapong Koonpaew in 2021 and got married in the United States two years later. They returned to Thailand, where they live and work. Their union will now be recognized under Thai law, allowing them to build a life together as a family.
However, despite the progress, same-sex couples still face hurdles. The couple’s son, Elijah Bprin, was born through legal surrogacy in Colombia but does not have a legally recognized relationship with his father due to Thailand’s traditional definition of a family.
Thailand’s health ministry is working on a draft bill to allow same-sex couple surrogacy, but the process and its success are unclear. The new law will also enable same-sex couples to adopt a child, although experts warn that this could lead to discrimination if the legal definition of a parent is not adjusted.
Analysts say that the passage of the marriage equality bill creates more momentum for greater inclusion of LGBTQ people in Thailand, which has a reputation for its tolerance towards the community. However, advocates emphasize that social acceptance still requires more than just changes to the law.
For Jacob and Surapong, who are planning on having another child soon, the new law brings hope. They want to show lawmakers that same-sex couples can have a normal functioning family like anyone else.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-01-20/historic-thai-law-recognises-same-sex-marriages-but-not-all-families-are-equal