The Thai Marriage Equality Act, passed by the Thai Parliament in 2024 and endorsed by King Vajiralongkorn, officially came into effect on January 23, 2025. Nearly 2,000 same-sex and transgender couples formalised their unions on the first day of implementation.
Celebrations were held across the country, including a mass wedding ceremony at a luxury mall in Bangkok, where over 200 couples exchanged vows. Couples showcased diverse attire, ranging from traditional Thai outfits and white wedding dresses to Western suits and ceremonial uniforms. Thailand’s Parliament displayed rainbow flags in honour of the occasion. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, wrote on Facebook, "The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand."
The Thai Marriage Equality Act
The new law amends Article 1448 of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, replacing terms such as "man and woman" and "husband and wife" with "individuals" and "marriage partners." It ensures LGBTQ+ couples have the same legal, financial, and medical rights as heterosexual couples, including the ability to manage joint assets, handle tax obligations, adopt children, inherit property, and make critical decisions in medical emergencies.
Thailand’s reputation as a progressive and LGBTQ+-friendly nation is further solidified by this development, which has received overwhelming public support, according to opinion polls.
Decade-Long Fight for Equality
The road to legalising same-sex marriage in Thailand was long and challenging. Advocacy efforts began as early as 2013 when LGBTQ+ couples sought marriage certificates at district offices. Progress was disrupted by the 2014 military coup but gained momentum with the emergence of reformist political parties like Future Forward in 2019 and its successor, Move Forward, in 2023.
"This is a very important issue for me and everyone in our LGBTQ+ community," said transgender activist Dr Ranjita Sinha. An Oxford graduate and member of the Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal (ATHB), she is a social activist associated with multiple NGOs in Kolkata. Ranjita further stated, "Even though it is so late, people have learned to respect the dignity and love of every human being. I hope that other Asian countries, just like Thailand, will gradually move forward in that direction."
Regional and Global Context
Thailand is now the third jurisdiction in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalise same-sex marriages. Taiwan legalised same-sex unions in 2019 and later allowed gay couples to jointly adopt children. Nepal began registering same-sex marriages in 2023. However, many Asian countries, influenced by conservative ideologies, continue to resist such measures.
In India, same-sex relationships were decriminalised in 2018, but marriage equality remains unrecognised. Adam Harry, India’s first transman pilot, shared his thoughts on this progress. Adam became India’s first transgender trainee pilot in 2019, and in 2020, the Kerala government supported his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. He said, "In India, while homosexuality was decriminalised in 2018, we still don't have marriage equality. Thailand's move sets such a positive example. It's proof that progress is possible even when it feels like the world is going backward."
Challenges Ahead for Thailand
Despite this victory, activists highlight areas needing further reform. Gender-specific laws still exist in the Thai legal system, and same-sex couples face restrictions in surrogacy and the ability to use their preferred gender on official documents.
Thailand’s move is expected to boost its economy, especially its LGBTQ+ tourism sector, and attract same-sex couples from across Asia. However, the journey to full equality continues. As Ranjita Sinha notes, "Thailand opened our eyes to the path that needs to be taken to raise awareness of this type of action."
This landmark moment serves as a powerful example of progress and hope, inspiring advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights globally.