• Source:JND
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Thailand has become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage. King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted royal assent to the bill, and the first same-sex marriages are expected to take place in January. 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the occasion, posting congratulations on social media platform X, thanking all sectors for their support and adding the hashtag "lovewins". 

Over 30 countries have legalised same-sex marriage since the Netherlands first did so in 2001.

The royal endorsement, published in the official gazette on Tuesday, means the law will come into effect in 120 days, on January 22, 2025. The law, a result of two decades of efforts by activists, was approved by the Senate in June. Thailand, a popular tourist destination, is already known for its LGBT culture and tolerance.

Activists praised the move as a monumental step, making Thailand the third country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal.

The law, which passed smoothly through the House of Representatives in April and the Senate in June, provides full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender. It replaces gender-specific terms like "men", "women", "husbands", and "wives" with gender-neutral language, and also extends adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.

Victory After Years of Activism 

The King's formal approval signifies the successful conclusion of years of campaigning and previous failed attempts to pass equal marriage legislation. Thai activists have been advocating for same-sex marriage rights for over a decade, with their efforts often hindered by the country’s political instability, including frequent coups and mass protests.

Last week, LGBTQ activists also held a drag show in Bangkok to celebrate the progress and express their excitement for the law's upcoming implementation.

Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019, followed by Nepal in South Asia last year. Last week, Taiwan, a self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing, announced that cross-strait marriages between Taiwanese and Chinese couples can now be legally registered on the island.


(With inputs from Agency)

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