Thailand has become history by being the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights. The country, which ranks highly in LGBTQ-friendly living conditions, now joins Taiwan and Nepal as the third Asian nation to recognize same-sex unions.
The law, known as the Marriage Equality Act, passed in June and takes effect on Thursday, after being ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October. It introduces gender-neutral terms for marriage, adoption, and inheritance rights, and grants same-sex couples the same financial benefits as heterosexual couples. Additionally, they can make medical decisions for ill or incapacitated partners.
Thailand’s Prime Minister emphasized the importance of gender identity recognition beyond biological sex during a celebratory event last week. “Whether male, female, or non-binary, people should have the right to identify as they wish,” she said.
The historic event has been celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like Bangkok Pride and the Thailand City government, which organized a mass wedding in Siam Paragon. Around 180 couples registered their unions there early Friday morning.
Publicly, many Thai citizens expressed support for the law despite its limited adoption among traditional and conservative Buddhist-majority regions.
Globally, Thailand follows countries like the Netherlands, which became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. The shift reflects a growing global push toward equality for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/23/jubilation-as-thailands-marriage-equality-law-comes-into-effect