LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/Getty Images
Updated on 25/09/24: Thailand just became the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the first in Southeast Asia. The law was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday after King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved it, NBC News reports. The law will go into effect in 120 days, on January 22.
The law gives same-sex couples the same legal, financial and medical rights as heterosexual married couples, including adoption and inheritance rights, the BBC reports. It also revises Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral words such as “individual” instead of “spouse” and “husband/wife.” However, the law continues to use the words “mother” and “father” instead of parent, though LGBTQ+ advocate Nada Chaiyajit told NBC News that this language shift will remain a goal when the law comes up for review in five years.
Thai LGBTQ+ activists celebrated the victory, with Chaiyajit telling NBC News it “means a lot” for Thailand to be the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
“We are showing that diversity means diversity and the government is listening to the voice of the people that we are ready to build inclusive societies where everyone can start a family irrespective of their gender identity, sexual orientation and so on,” Chaiyajit said.
Ann Chumaporn, co-founder of Bangkok Pride, also called the law’s passage “a triumph of equality and human dignity.”
“Today we not only get to write our names on marriage certificates, but we also write a page in history… that tells us that love has never been a condition of who we were born to be,” Chumaporn told the BBC, adding that she plans to organize a mass wedding for more than 1,000 gay couples on the day the law comes into effect.
Original story 18-06-24: Thailand’s Senate has approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Today, the amendment passed its final reading, with 130 of the 152 members of the Thai Senate voting in favor, four voting against and 18 abstaining. It must now be approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a gesture seen as a formality, CNN reports. The law will then come into effect within 120 days of its publication in the Thai Official Gazette. In April, the Thai House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the legislation, with 400 of the 415 lawmakers participating in the vote and expressing their support. The long-awaited change follows the arrival of a more liberal government in 2023 and decades of organizing by Thai LGBTQ+ activists.
“The bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand,” Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, the founder of the LGBTQ+ equality NGO Love Foundation, told CNN.[…] It would inspire younger generations to come out and live their lives authentically, it would showcase Thailand as a progressive and inclusive country – attracting tourists and businesses… and it would create a culture shift where LGBTQ+ individuals feel accepted and supported.
Thailand is expected to become the third Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, following Nepal in 2023 and Taiwan in 2019. NBC News reports that the same-sex marriage legislation will update Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, replacing gendered terms such as “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with gender-neutral alternatives such as “person” and “spouse.” In addition to being able to legally marry, same-sex couples will also have equal access to health care consent, inheritance, and child adoption. Transgender people will also receive these legal benefits, though they are currently still officially recognized based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
Over the years, Thailand has become a popular LGBTQ+ travel destination, with the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association calling the country “one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in the world.” [Asian] continent.” Legalizing same-sex marriage will tangibly improve the lives of Thai LGBTQ+ citizens.
Thailand could soon legalize gay marriage. It would change lives.
Three couples share how gay marriage would change their lives after marriage, and possibly change Thai culture too.
Speaking with Them In February, Shane Bhatla, deputy director of trans and intersectional justice issues at the Equal Asia Foundation, said same-sex marriage would put Thailand in a better position to host World Pride in 2028 and potentially spark an economic boost as more couples see Thailand as an LGBTQ+-friendly travel destination.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Chayin Tengkanokkul told Them that he believes gay marriage would normalize the LGBTQ+ community, both in Thailand and in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, where male homosexuality is illegal.
“Those countries are much worse off than us, so if we can set a good example for them that this is normal, it can have a domino effect,” Tengkanokkul said.
Make the most of what is queer. Sign up for Them‘s weekly newsletter here.
Originally appeared on them.
