King of Thailand Approves Same-Sex Marriage
THAILAND – The king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, recently approved same-sex marriage.
Thailand has become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage after King Maha Vajiralongkorn gave royal assent to a new law, according to the Royal Gazette on Tuesday. The law, which was passed by parliament in June, will officially take effect in 120 days, paving the way for the first same-sex weddings to occur in January.
LGBTQ activists have celebrated the legislation as a “monumental step” towards equality in the region. Thailand now joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriages.
The new law replaces traditional gendered terms like “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with gender-neutral language. It also grants same-sex couples equal rights in areas like adoption and inheritance.
The passing of this law marks the end of a long journey for LGBTQ rights advocates, who have spent years campaigning for marriage equality. Waaddao Chumaporn, a prominent LGBTQ activist, praised the law, calling it a significant victory for human rights in Thailand. She is organizing a mass wedding for over a thousand LGBTQ couples in Bangkok on January 22, the day the law goes into effect.
Siritata Ninlapruek, another LGBTQ advocate, expressed deep emotion, saying that the fight for equal rights has spanned over a decade. “We are all delighted and excited,” she told AFP, her voice trembling with joy.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shared her congratulations via the social media platform X, celebrating the victory for love with the hashtag #lovewins. She acknowledged the collective efforts that made this achievement possible.
While Thailand has long been known for its acceptance of LGBTQ individuals, especially compared to its neighbors, many parts of the predominantly Buddhist nation still hold conservative views. Despite the progress, LGBTQ people in Thailand continue to face challenges and discrimination in their daily lives.
Globally, more than 30 countries have legalized same-sex marriage, starting with the Netherlands in 2001.