Thailand on Tuesday, officially enacted its landmark marriage equality bill, allowing same-sex couples to legally marry. The law, signed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was published in the Royal Gazette and will come into effect in 120 days.
This major step forward makes Thailand the third country in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalise same-sex marriage. The law is expected to take effect in January of the following year.
The bill, which ensures full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender, passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier this year, in April and June, respectively.
“Congratulations to everyone’s love,” wrote Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on X, with the hashtag #LoveWins.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon confirmed that city officials will be ready to register same-sex marriages as soon as the law is implemented. The legislation amends Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, replacing gender-specific terms like “men and women” with gender-neutral terms such as “individual.”
The Pheu Thai-led government, which has made marriage equality one of its key goals, also aligned itself with Bangkok’s annual Pride parade in June, where thousands celebrated in one of the city’s busiest districts. Organisers of Bangkok Pride announced on Facebook that they will host a wedding for couples who wish to register their marriage on the first day the law becomes effective.
Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019, followed by Nepal in November 2023. India, however, has adopted a different approach, leaving the decision on legal rights for same-sex couples to the government.
In Singapore, while a colonial-era law criminalising gay sex has been abolished, the definition of marriage remains narrow. The country’s constitution prevents the courts from challenging the traditional definition of marriage, which is restricted to between a man and a woman.
(With inputs from Associated press)
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