In a historic move, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has signed a landmark marriage equality bill into law, making the nation the first in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriages.
The Royal Gazette announced the king’s endorsement on Tuesday, with the law set to take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriages starting in January 2025.
This legislation marks a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the region, as Thailand becomes only the third country in Asia following Taiwan and Nepal to legally recognize same-sex unions.
The law, which passed through both the House of Representatives and Senate earlier this year, grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender. It employs gender-neutral language, replacing traditional terms like “men” and “women” with inclusive terms and extending adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.
Activists have hailed the new law as a “monumental step” toward equality. Waaddao Chumaporn, an LGBTQ rights advocate, expressed hope that this change will foster a more inclusive society.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the announcement on social media, expressing gratitude for the collective effort behind the movement and using the hashtag #LoveWins.
Thailand has long been regarded as a relatively tolerant destination for the LGBTQ community, with public opinion polls indicating strong support for marriage equality. However, traditional values still prevail in many areas of the Buddhist-majority kingdom, and LGBTQ individuals continue to face discrimination and societal challenges.
