27 Jan. 2025

Already approved by lawmakers in March and by senators three months later, the law legalizing same-sex marriage was promulgated in late September 2024 by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The first same-sex marriages took place on Thursday, January 23, 2025, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to legalize marriage for all.

Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The legalization of same-sex marriage in Thailand unfolded in several stages:

In March 2024, lawmakers were the first to give their approval by a large majority. They were followed by senators who approved the bill on June 18, 2024 with 130 votes out of 152. Only 4 senators voted against it and 18 chose to abstain. This overwhelming majority already marked a rare concession in a country divided between two political camps: the conservative bloc and the progressive opposition.

One final step remained for the law to officially take effect: royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This was accomplished as announced, according to tradition, by the Royal Gazette (the country's official journal) on September 24.

The First Same-Sex Marriages Took Place on January 23, 2025

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Thailand's law authorizing marriage between same-sex couples officially took effect. The new law no longer contains gendered references and grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples in matters of inheritance, property ownership, and adoption.

For the occasion, Thailand's Parliament displayed rainbow flags. In total, nearly 2,000 LGBTQ+ couples exchanged vows throughout the country. In Bangkok, a mass wedding was even organized by the Bangkok Pride campaign group in partnership with city authorities at Siam Paragon, one of the capital's largest shopping centers. Other couples visited the district offices of Bang Rak, a symbolic location as The Guardian explains, since it is a "popular wedding destination because its name means 'district of love'".

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared on social media: "Today, the rainbow flag flies proudly over Thailand". As for her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who attended the mass wedding in Bangkok, he stated: "Recently, the leader of a country (referring to Donald Trump) said there are only two sexes, but I think we are more open-minded than that".

The historic events of Thursday, January 23 thus mark the culmination of many years of campaigning by Thailand's LGBTQ+ community, at a time when homosexuality remains illegal in many Asian countries, such as Myanmar and Malaysia, where it can still result in prison sentences.

The First Southeast Asian Country to Legalize Marriage for All

Thailand thus becomes the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage and the third country on the Asian continent to legalize marriage for all, following Taiwan (which authorized it in 2019) and Nepal (which legalized it in 2023). The Kingdom of Siam now joins 35 UN member states (out of 193) that recognize same-sex marriage.

Legislation Also Aimed at Replacing Gendered Terms

Beyond marriage, the legislation also seeks to modify references to "women" and "men" and "husbands and wives" with gender-neutral terms such as "individuals" or "marriage partners". Furthermore, the law will also grant same-sex couples the same rights regarding adoption and inheritance as heterosexual couples.

The only drawback according to activists: the lack of recognition for transgender or non-binary individuals who will still not be able to change their gender on their identity documents. In the meantime, Thailand remains nonetheless an example of tolerance that attracts a large number of LGBTQ+ travelers.

For more information, rediscover the best and worst LGBTQ+-friendly destinations.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, to listen, to understand. For her, traveling is not about ticking countries off a map, but rather weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? Advise travelers with integrity, awaken their consciousness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble and sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often emerge far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a path, at the edge of a conversation, or in the quiet whisper of a world we finally take time to listen to…