Approximately 300 pairs will unite in a collective ceremony in central Bangkok on Thursday, January 23, as same-sex marriage gains legality in Thailand.
Following years of advocacy and numerous challenges, Thailand is set to be the inaugural nation in Southeast Asia to implement full marriage equality.
The extensive same-sex marriage legislation secured the king of Thailand’s official approval and was released in the Royal Gazette on September 24, 2024. It will come into effect tomorrow, January 23, 2025.
The marriage equality initiative, which progressed smoothly through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, revised the Civil and Commercial Code to replace the terms “men and women” and “husband and wife” with “individuals” and “marriage partners.” This change will grant LGBTQ couples complete legal, financial, and medical rights.
On January 15, Government House welcomed numerous LGBTQ couples and activists for a photo opportunity and discussions with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and various senior officials to commemorate the law’s implementation, making Thailand the foremost in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage.
The organizers of Bangkok Pride have partnered with pertinent government agencies to orchestrate a grand celebration in central Bangkok and assist couples wishing to register their marriages on the inaugural day.
They reported that over 300 couples have signed up to formally unite on Thursday during this event.
“(The law) signifies the restoration of our dignity, affirming that we too possess dignity as human beings,” stated Ann “Waaddao” Chumaporn, a gender equality advocate and the chief organizer of Bangkok Pride. “That day will hold great significance for all the couples who have navigated this journey together. I wish to express gratitude to everyone and every love that has diligently fought so that today could finally be realized.”