Thailand Is the First in Southeast Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Participants in Bangkok celebrating the marriage equality bill (Photo: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
On Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024, Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, making the nation the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill was approved by parliament three months ago and will take effect on Jan. 22, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register marriages.
The new law will make amendments to the country’s Civil and Commercial Code by using gender-neutral words such as “individual” rather than “men and women.” Additionally, the law will grant full legal, medical, and financial rights to marriage partners of any gender.
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, known for its tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community and vibrant social scene. Despite adopting anti-discrimination laws to protect its LGBTQ+ civilians since 2015, passing the law was challenging due to the country’s conservative social values. Members of the LGBTQ+ community state that they still experience daily discrimination.
The leading Pheu Thai party of Thailand’s government focuses on prioritizing the goal of marriage equality. The party made their intentions known with the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June, where thousands of people gathered in the nation’s event district. Bangkok Pride organizers announced on Facebook that they will help couples hold weddings on the law’s first day in effect. Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration also advocated for the law and reasoned that it would strengthen Thailand’s reputation as an LGBTQ+-friendly tourism hub.
Some individuals are still calling for further revisions to the proposed legislation. While the law allows for married couples to adopt children regardless of gender, words such as “mother” and “father” are still being used instead of the gender-neutral alternative “parent.” There is still possibility for this change if the law is amended in five years.
Participant smiles while holding a poster in celebration (Photo: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
After the Netherlands legalized same-sex marriage in 2001, over 30 countries followed the legalization; Taiwan was the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, followed by Nepal in 2023. The legalization of same-sex marriage has been advocated for by Thai activists for more than a decade. Due to the political instability of the nation characterized by coups and mass protests, their goals were left unrealized.
The law represents a large step being taken towards gender equality in the nation. Local media shows strong support in response to the approval of the law. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sent congratulations “for everyone’s love” on the social media platform X with the hashtag #LoveWins.