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Thailand legalises same-sex marriage. Know which other nations allow it?


This landmark legislative action means Thailand has earned the title of the first Southeast Asian nation to permit same-sex marriage. Same-sex nuptial registrations have been eligible since January 23, 2025, and are now welcomed as legal citizens of society alongside heterosexual citizens.

A MILESTONE FOR LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY

In what felt like a decade’s fight against the state, the Thailand Parliament finally voted in favour of the Marriage Equality Act, and the royal seal of approval was stamped in 2024.

Hailing it as a colossal victory for the different gendered Thai populace, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra couldn’t remain silent, ‘This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society’s greater awareness of gender diversity,’ she articulated at the mass wedding event.

It was held at the Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok.

Over 200 same-sex couples wed in Bangkok as Thailand legalises same-sex marriage. The joyous event, hosted by Bangkok Pride, marked a milestone, with Woran Ramwan calling it a historic day.

OTHER COUNTRIES WITH LEGAL SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

  1. Netherlands: May 1, 2001, was the first nation to allow same-sex marriage

  2. Belgium: June 1, 2003

  3. Spain: July 3, 2005

  4. Canada: Some provinces have allowed it since 2003. Nationally accepted on July 20, 2005

  5. South Africa: November 30, 2006

  6. Norway: January 1, 2009

  7. Sweden: Materialised on May 1, 2009

  8. Portugal: Legalised on June 5, 2010

  9. Iceland: June 27, 2010

  10. Argentina: July 22, 2010

  11. Denmark: Legalised on June 15, 2012. Greenland followed in 2016

  12. Brazil: Legalised May 16, 2013

  13. France: Legalised on May 18, 2013

  14. Uruguay: August 5, 2013

  15. New Zealand: Legalised on August 19, 2013

  16. Luxembourg: January 1, 2015

  17. United States: Jun 26, 2015

  18. Ireland: Approved by referendum on November 16, 2015

  19. Colombia: April 28, 2016

  20. Finland: March 1, 2017

  21. Malta: September 1, 2017

  22. Germany: October 1, 2017

  23. Australia: December 9, 2017

  24. Austria: January 1, 2019

  25. Taiwan: The first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage on May 24, 2019

  26. Ecuador: Legalised by a court ruling on July 8, 2019

  27. United Kingdom: Same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales in March 2014. Northern Ireland did so in January 2020

  28. Costa Rica: Legalised on May 26, 2020

  29. Chile: Legalised on March 10, 2022

  30. Switzerland: Legalised by a referendum, effecting July 1, 2022

  31. Slovenia: Legalised by a court ruling, effective July 9, 2022

  32. Cuba: Approved by a referendum, effective September 27, 2022

  33. Mexico: National legalisation occurred by December 31, 2022, with some states legalising it earlier

  34. Andorra: Legalised on February 17, 2023

  35. Estonia: Effective January 1, 2024, became the first Baltic country to legalise same-sex marriage

  36. Greece: Passed by parliament, effective February 16, 2024

  37. Liechtenstein: January 1, 2025

  38. Thailand: First Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage on January 22, 2025

LEGAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS

Aside from the ability for same-sex couples to marry, the Marriage Equality Act covers other major legal aspects of a person’s life, including financial, medical, adoption, and even inheritance, granting comprehensive legal rights.

Through this act, the terms ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ are replaced by ‘individuals’ and ‘spouses’, making this legislation gender-neutral.

Kittun Dadhaj, president of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, expressed optimism, saying, “This could serve as a model for the global community, as Thailand now exemplifies true marriage equality.”

A LONG JOURNEY TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE

Forever, the situation with marriage equality has been bleak since achieving marriage equality in Thailand has been a gruelling process of activism due to the immense change in personal and social legislative norms. This is not only the victory of one but the victory of all who sought recognition and acceptance in society.

Many within and outside of Thailand hope that this historical step forward will encourage marriages of the same sex within southern Asian countries. Love can now be observed everywhere in Thailand and the rainbow flag has been raised.

With this historical milestone, Thailand, along with Taiwan, marks their recognition of same-sex marriages, which others in Asia have not done yet. It serves as a spark for others to follow suit and accept LGBTQ rights.

Published By:

Kavya Khandelwal

Published On:

Jan 24, 2025



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