Thailand recently became the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, following the endorsement of a landmark marriage equality bill by the monarchy. The bill, which will take effect in 120 days, amends the country’s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral language and grants married couples full legal, financial, and medical rights regardless of gender. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra congratulated everyone’s love on social media, using the hashtag #LoveWins to celebrate the new law.
Thailand is known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ social scene, but passing the marriage equality bill was a yearslong struggle for activists due to the country’s conservative social values. Taiwan was the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage in 2019, followed by Nepal last year. Taiwan also recently announced that Taiwanese Chinese couples are now legally able to register their cross-strait marriages on the island.
Thailand, a popular tourist destination in Asia, is expected to attract LGBTQ couples who want to legally register their marriages starting January 22. The new law is a significant step towards equality and recognition of LGBTQ rights in the region, marking an important milestone in the fight for marriage equality in Asia.
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