Thailand legalises marriage equality in triumphant first for Southeast Asia
September 26, 2024In a significant triumph for LGBTQ+ rights, Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
Earlier this year, the bill legalising same-sex marriage was approved by Parliament, and, according to ‘LGBTQ Nation’, it became law on Tuesday with the Royal Assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The law will be enacted in 120 days, allowing the first weddings to be anticipated in January. Thailand is now the third nation in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to acknowledge marriage equality.
Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ+ activist, expressed, “We are all delighted and excited. We’ve been fighting for our rights for over ten years, and now it’s finally happening.”
As a result of this development, marriage laws will no longer use the terms “husband” and “wife,” replacing them with inclusive, gender-neutral language such as “partner.” Same-sex couples will now enjoy the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, including rights related to adoption and inheritance.
“The law is a monumental step towards equal rights in Thailand,” Waaddao Chumaporn, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, told AFP.
Image Credit: Canva
Chumaporn is organising a large wedding ceremony for over a thousand LGBTQ+ couples in Bangkok on the first day that same-sex marriage becomes legal, January 22.
Although Thailand has been perceived as more accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals compared to its neighbouring countries, the legalisation of same-sex marriage follows years of political hurdles. LGBTQ+ advocates, including Apiwat Apiwatsayree, have anticipated this moment for over a decade.
“We’ve been waiting for a long time,” said Apiwat, who intends to marry his partner of 17 years.
Human rights and LGBTQ+ organisations worldwide hailed the achievement. Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher, stated, “Thailand has taken a historic step towards becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage for LGBTI couples. This landmark moment is a reward for the tireless work of activists, civil society organizations and lawmakers who have fought for this victory.”
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pushed the legislation forward, prioritising marriage equality as one of his key issues.
“Another important step for Thailand. The same-sex marriage law passes. Equality is concrete here in Thailand,” Srettha posted on X.
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