Update: Thailand’s King Gives Royal Nod To Same-Sex Marriage
Update: Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has finally signed a law that allows same-sex couples to get married. This makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to let gay and lesbian couples have the same marriage rights as straight couples.
The law will start on January 22, 2025, which is 120 days from now. This means that the first same-sex weddings can happen on that date.
The new law changes some words in Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code. Instead of using words like “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives,” it now uses words that include everyone, no matter their gender.
It also lets same-sex couples adopt children and have the same rights to their partner’s inheritance if they die. LGBTQIA+ activists, who have been working hard for over 10 years to make this happen, are really happy about the news.
According to AFP, One activist, Waaddao Chumaporn, said it’s a “monumental step” towards equal rights in Thailand. She wants to have a big wedding party in Bangkok for over 1,000 LGBTQIA+ couples on the day the law starts. Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, also said she was happy for “everyone’s love” on social media and thanked everyone who helped make this happen.
Update: Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. As reported by CNN on Tuesday, June 18th, the Thai Senate overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill, marking a significant milestone for LGBTQIA+ rights in the region. The bill received strong support, with 130 senators voting in favour and only four opposing it.
The legislation now awaits the king’s endorsement, considered a formality, before it can be officially enacted. Once published in the Royal Gazette, the law will come into effect after 120 days. Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only three places in Asia to recognise marriage equality. Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, founder of Love Foundation, an NGO advocating for LGBTQIA+ equality in Thailand, hailed the bill as a “monumental step forward” that will not only change the lives of countless couples but also contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.
Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. The lower house of parliament overwhelmingly supported the bill, with 400 votes in favour and only 10 against it in the final reading on Wednesday.
“I Want to Invite You All to Make History”
Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee, made a powerful statement before the vote. “I want to invite you all to make history,” he said. “We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality.”
A Decade-Long Fight for Equality
The passage of the same-sex marriage bill is the culmination of a struggle that has lasted more than a decade. LGBTQIA+ activists in Thailand have fought against conservative attitudes and values to achieve this milestone. If the bill becomes law, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian countries to recognise same-sex marriage.
The legislation will change references to “men”, “women”, “husbands”, and “wives” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms. This means that LGBTQIA+ couples will have the same inheritance and adoption rights as heterosexual couples. It’s a significant step towards equality and recognition for the LGBTQIA+ community in Thailand.
The bill now needs approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king before it can become law. If everything goes smoothly, the legislation could take effect within 120 days of royal approval.
