(Bloomberg) — Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved a law passed by parliament three months ago.
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The royal assent to the same-sex law was announced in a notice in the Government Gazette on Tuesday night, with a clause stating that the legislation will come into effect 120 days after the date of publication. The new law will allow same-sex couples to legally register marriages from January 22.
Under the new law, Thailand will recognize same-sex marriages registered by couples 18 and older, along with their rights to inheritance, tax deductions, child adoption and more. It is seen as a victory for LGBTQ activists, who have been fighting for the same rights to marry as heterosexual couples for more than a decade.
Although Thai law has protected LGBTQ people from most forms of discrimination since 2015, attempts to formalize marriage rights have stalled. The government of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pushed for the law, arguing that it would also boost Thailand’s reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly tourist destination.
Thailand is the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal, and is among about 40 countries worldwide that guarantee equal marriage rights. The country stands out in Southeast Asia, where little progress has been made in recognizing the rights of the LGBTQ community, which often faces discrimination.
Thailand’s House of Representatives and Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill earlier this year. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hailed the royal assent to the law.
“Thank you for the support from all sectors. It’s a collective fight for everyone,” she posted on X.
The so-called Marriage Equality Act is technically an amendment to Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code. The government is expected to move forward with legislation to recognize gender identity.
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