Thailand has taken a historic step towards marriage equality with the official enactment of a groundbreaking bill that permits same-sex couples to legally marry. The law was recently published in the Royal Gazette following approval by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and is scheduled to be implemented in 120 days.
This progressive move paves the way for LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand to officially register their marriages starting in January of the following year, positioning Thailand as the third country in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill, which ensures full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners regardless of gender, smoothly passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate in April and June respectively.
In light of this significant development, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her joy, stating, “Congratulations to everyone’s love,” and included the hashtag #LoveWins. Despite Thailand’s reputation for tolerance and inclusivity, the journey towards marriage equality has been a prolonged struggle due to prevailing conservative values within Thai society. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have often encountered discrimination in their daily lives.
Overcoming historical conservatism in government and state agencies posed a challenge for advocates of gender equality. However, Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon announced the city’s readiness to facilitate the registration of same-sex marriages as soon as the law takes effect. Notably, the legislation amended the country’s Civil and Commercial Code by replacing gender-specific terminology, such as “men and women,” with gender-neutral language like “individual.”
The Pheu Thai party-led government has prioritized marriage equality as a key objective, aligning itself with events like the annual Bangkok Pride parade to demonstrate its support. The festivities, which drew thousands of participants to one of Bangkok’s bustling commercial hubs, symbolized a broader societal shift towards greater acceptance and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights.
In light of the forthcoming legalization of same-sex marriage, the organizers of Bangkok Pride shared plans on social media to host a mass wedding for couples eager to formalize their unions on the inaugural day of the law’s enforcement. This progressive step signals a significant shift towards greater inclusivity and equal rights for all individuals in Thailand.
