Thailand has become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed the Marriage Equality Bill. The historic law, published in the Royal Gazette on September 24, 2024, will take effect on January 22, 2025, giving same-sex couples the right to marry.
The bill grants same-sex couples equal legal rights, including property ownership, inheritance, and adoption, and surpasses previous attempts to introduce civil partnerships. Thailand’s parliament and senate overwhelmingly supported the legislation, with votes of 400-10 and 130-4, respectively.
The law reforms the Civil and Commercial Code, replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral ones, ensuring equality for all couples. The landmark bill follows years of advocacy and setbacks, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.
