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Thursday, August 14, 2025

Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, Effective January 2025

Thailand’s Marriage Equality Bill has officially become law, following endorsement by His Majesty the King and its publication in the Royal Gazette. This landmark legislation positions Thailand as the third country in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognize same-sex marriage.

The law will take effect 120 days after its publication on Tuesday, with same-sex couples able to legally register their marriages starting from January 22, 2025. LGBTQ+ activists are celebrating the occasion, marking a significant achievement in the pursuit of equal rights in Thailand.

“The law is a monumental step towards equal rights in Thailand,” said Waaddao Anne Chumaporn, founder of Bangkok Pride. Chumaporn also announced plans for a mass wedding in Bangkok on January 22 for over 1,000 LGBTQ+ couples to commemorate the occasion.

The bill, which passed its final reading in the Senate in June, represents the culmination of over two decades of advocacy by LGBTQ+ rights activists. It received overwhelming support from lawmakers in the upper house, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to enact marriage equality legislation.

Key provisions of the law replace gender-specific terms such as “husbands,” “wives,” “men,” and “women” with gender-neutral language. In addition to recognizing same-sex marriages, the law also extends adoption and inheritance rights to same-sex couples.

Renowned human rights expert and legal scholar Vitit Muntarbhorn highlighted the broad scope of the law, noting that it will amend around 60-70 sections of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Codes. During a recent forum, Muntarbhorn emphasized that several other laws, including the Surrogacy Bill and Gender Recognition Bill, as well as employment and welfare legislation, will need to be amended to align with this new framework of inclusivity.

While the Marriage Equality Bill is seen as a historic and progressive step forward, advocates continue to press for further legal changes to ensure equal protections for LGBTQ+ communities throughout Thailand. The upcoming marriage registrations on January 22 will be a significant milestone in this ongoing effort for equality.

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