By: Bayero Ade
Thailand is set to make history as hundreds of same-sex couples tie the knot on Thursday, celebrating the implementation of the country’s groundbreaking equal marriage law. This development positions Thailand as the largest country in Asia and the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
According to Vanguard, a mass LGBTQ+ wedding, organized by Bangkok Pride in partnership with city authorities, will be held in the capital. The event includes official marriage registrations at the Siam Paragon shopping mall and district offices nationwide, as the law comes into effect.
For many, the day marks the culmination of years of advocacy. Ariya “Jin” Milintanapa, a transgender woman who has awaited this moment for 20 years, shared her joy with AFP: “This day is important not just for us, but for our kids as well. Our family will finally become one.”
The landmark same-sex marriage bill, passed in June 2024 and ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in October, eliminates gender-specific language from the definition of marriage. It introduces gender-neutral terms in place of “husband” and “wife” and grants same-sex couples equal rights in adoption and inheritance.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hailed the milestone, stating, “Love knows no limits or expectations, regardless of gender or who you love. Everyone will now be protected equally under the law.”
Thailand has long been recognized for its relative tolerance of LGBTQ+ communities and ranks highly on global LGBTQ+ equality indexes. However, activists note that the journey to equal marriage rights has been fraught with challenges, including political instability and opposition from conservative groups.
Siritata Ninlapruek, a prominent activist, called the achievement bittersweet, emphasizing that the fight for equality is far from over. “I am extremely happy, but my fight for the community continues,” she said, urging for broader recognition of diverse gender identities beyond biological sex.
With this move, Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and becomes the 34th nation worldwide to do so. While the milestone is widely celebrated, activists acknowledge the ongoing societal challenges in the predominantly Buddhist nation, where traditional and conservative values remain influential.
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