King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has signed a same-sex marriage bill into law, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legally recognize such unions. The bill had been in the works for a while, as it had been cleared in the Senate in June, but it needed royal endorsement from the king to be ratified. Following the king’s endorsement, the Royal Gazette stated that the law would come into effect on January 22, 2025.
Many LGBTQ+ activists have labeled this decision as historic, as it is the conclusion of years of campaigning for same-sex marriage equality in Thailand.
The law itself has also been labeled as extremely progressive. This is because it not only utilizes gender-neutral terms but also grants same-sex couples adoption and inheritance rights.
Activists are over the moon over the same-sex marriage law in Thailand
Ann Chumaporn who is an LGBTQ+ activist and co-founder of the Bangkok Pride movement, told the BBC, “Today we’re not only getting to write our names on marriage certificates, but we are also writing a page in history…that tells us that love never set a condition of who we were born to be.”
She also labeled the decision as a triumph for equality and human dignity in Thailand. Additionally, Chumaporn revealed that plans are already in the works to organize a mass wedding for more than 1,000 same-sex-couples on January 22nd.
This pioneering same-sex marriage law in Thailand means that the LGBTQ+ community in the country can bring stability and equality to thousands of couples in the nation. The struggle for equality has been ongoing for over ten years, according to activists.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took to X to congratulate the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand, saying, “Congratulations on everyone’s love. #LoveWins.”
Is the country paving the way for marriage equality in Asia?
One of Thailand’s most prominent political leaders also spoke on this subject. Former Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has openly supported the bill, labeled the decision as a “significant step” for Thailand.
The former PM took to his X account to say: “Equity and equality have become concrete in Thai society. Gender diversity will eventually be fully accepted. Congratulations.”
The legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand might become a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. The country is only the third one on the continent to legalize same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal did so.
Despite this lack of laws, some countries are slowly working towards increased equality for their citizens in Asia. For instance, Singapore outlawed a colonial-era law that banned gay sex in 2022. However, they also amended the constitution so that no one can legally in court challenge that marriage is between a man and a woman.
