Thailand has made history by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriages. King Maha Vajiralongkorn gave royal approval to the law, which was passed by the parliament three months ago. The law will allow same-sex couples to register marriages legally starting from Jan. 22, granting them rights such as inheritance, tax allowances, and child adoption.
This landmark decision is a significant win for LGBTQ activists who have been advocating for equal marriage rights for over a decade. Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as one of the few countries in Asia that recognize same-sex marriage, and one of around 40 countries worldwide that guarantee equal marital rights.
While Thailand has had anti-discrimination laws in place since 2015, the formalization of marriage rights for LGBTQ individuals had been delayed. The government’s support for the law is a step towards promoting Thailand as an LGBTQ-friendly destination. The legislation, an amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code, is expected to be followed by further measures to recognize gender identity.