Once legalized, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to allow for marriage equality, cementing the country’s reputation as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in the region.
In a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights, Thailand is set to become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after the kingdom’s Senate overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Tuesday.
The bill, which passed with 130 senators voting in favor and only four opposing, still requires endorsement from the king, a formality, before becoming law 120 days after its publication in the royal gazette.
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The First Southeast Asian country to recognise same-sex marriage
Once legalized, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to allow for marriage equality, cementing the country’s reputation as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in the region.
“The bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand,” said Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, founder of Love Foundation, an NGO campaigning for LGBTQ+ equality in Thailand. “The potential impact of this bill is immense. It would not only change the lives of countless couples but also contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.”
The bill grants LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights and recognition as heterosexual couples, including rights related to inheritance, adoption, and health care decision-making.
“Beyond the legal implications, the passage of this bill would send a powerful message of acceptance and inclusion,” Panyaphon said. “It would inspire the younger generation to come out and live their lives authentically, it would showcase Thailand as a progressive and inclusive country – attracting tourists and businesses … and will foster a culture change where LGBTQ+ individuals feel accepted and supported.”
Bangkok residents Pokpong Jitjaiyai and Watit Benjamonkolchai, who plan to get married as soon as the law is passed, expressed their excitement and hope for a “domino effect” in other countries.
The marriage equality bill was supported by all major parties and marks a significant step in cementing Thailand’s reputation as one of the friendliest countries in the region towards gay, lesbian, and transgender people. Previous attempts to legalize same-sex marriage over the past decade had stalled.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who attended Pride Month celebrations in Bangkok earlier in June, has been keen to showcase Thailand as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ people, including voicing support for a bid to host World Pride in 2030.
As only the third territory in Asia to embrace marriage equality, Thailand remains an outlier in a region that has been slow to grant LGBTQ+ rights, where members of the community often face discrimination, prejudice, and even violence. Rising religious conservatism and colonial-era laws have made life difficult for the LGBTQ+ community in much of Southeast Asia, with same-sex relations criminalized in several countries, including Myanmar and Brunei.
While challenges remain, Thailand’s milestone decision to legalize same-sex marriage is a significant step towards greater equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community in the region.
Lead image of participants march on Sukhumvit road while holding a rainbow flag during the Bangkok Pride Parade 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 1, 2024 courtesy of Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
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