PHUKET, Thailand — Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill has been approved by the monarchy, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.
The bill, which had to be approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was officially signed into law Tuesday night when it was published in the Royal Gazette. It will come into effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ couples to register their marriages starting January 22.
The law, which amends the country’s civil and commercial code to use gender-neutral terms such as “individual” rather than “men and women,” was overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers this year. It grants married couples full legal, financial and medical rights, regardless of their gender.
“Congratulations for everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a statement. publish on X which included the hashtag #LoveWins.
Thailand, one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, is known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ social scene, but it also retains conservative social values that made passing the law a years-long struggle for activists.
“It means a lot” for Thailand to be the first country in Southeast Asia to achieve marriage equality, said Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBTQ rights advocate and law professor at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai.
“We are showing that diversity means diversity, and the government is hearing the voice of the people that we are ready to build inclusive societies where everyone can start a family, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.,” Nada told NBC News.
Although the law allows married couples to adopt children regardless of gender, the words “father” and “mother” have not yet been replaced with the gender-neutral word “parent,” which Nada said is the goal when the law can be amended again in five years.
Taiwan became the first Asian country to allow same-sex marriage in 2019, followed last year by the South Asian country Nepal. Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that Beijing claims as its territory, said last week that Taiwanese Chinese couples were now also able to legally register their cross-Strait marriages on the island.
