Thailand recently made history by passing a landmark marriage equality bill, allowing same-sex couples to legally wed. The bill, endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and published in the Royal Gazette, will go into effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriage in January next year. Thailand now joins Taiwan and Nepal as the third place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
The legislation, which grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender, faced little opposition in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Despite Thailand’s reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, the country struggled for years to pass this law due to societal conservatism and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon confirmed that city officials will be ready to register same-sex marriages once the law is enacted. The government led by the Pheu Thai party has prioritized marriage equality and even participated in the annual Bangkok Pride parade to show support.
Organizers of Bangkok Pride announced plans to organize weddings for couples on the first day the law takes effect, symbolizing a significant step towards equality and acceptance in Thailand.
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