Thailand has officially legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the third country in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal. The landmark bill was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and published in the Royal Gazette, with the law set to take effect in 120 days. This means that LGBTQ+ couples will be able to register their marriages starting in January next year.
The bill, which passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier this year, grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed his support for the new law, congratulating everyone on this significant step towards equality with the hashtag #LoveWins.
Despite Thailand's reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, the road to marriage equality has been challenging due to conservative values prevalent in Thai society. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have faced discrimination, and advocates for gender equality have struggled to bring about change in a historically conservative government and state agencies.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon announced that city officials are prepared to register same-sex marriages once the law is enacted. The legislation amends the country's Civil and Commercial Code by replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral language, reflecting a more inclusive approach to marriage.
The Pheu Thai party-led government has prioritized marriage equality as a key goal, aligning itself with events like the annual Bangkok Pride parade. In a show of support, organizers of Bangkok Pride have announced plans to hold weddings for couples seeking to register their marriages on the first day the law goes into effect.
