In a groundbreaking move for LGBTQ rights in Southeast Asia, Thailand has officially endorsed its landmark marriage equality bill, becoming the first nation in the region and the third in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. The bill received royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn and was published in the Royal Gazette late Tuesday, marking its enactment into law.

Key details of the legislation

The new law, which will take effect in 120 days, allows LGBTQ couples to register their marriages starting January 22. It amends Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code to incorporate gender-neutral language, replacing terms like “men and women” with “individual,” thereby granting married couples comprehensive legal, financial, and medical rights irrespective of gender.

“Congratulations on everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra remarked in a post on X, celebrating the historic achievement with the hashtag #LoveWins.

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A long road to equality

Thailand, known for its vibrant LGBTQ social scene and as a premier tourist destination, has faced years of challenges in passing this law due to its conservative social values.

Activists have long advocated for marriage equality, and this development is seen as a significant milestone for the community.

“This means a lot for Thailand to be the first country in Southeast Asia to achieve marriage equality,” said Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBTQ advocate and law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai.

“We show that diversity means diversity, and the government hears the voice of the people that we are ready to build inclusive societies where everyone will be able to form families, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, et cetera,” she told NBC News.

Future amendments and adoption rights

While the law permits married couples to adopt children without regard to gender, there remains work to be done. Currently, the terms “father” and “mother” have not yet been replaced with the gender-neutral “parent,” a change that Nada hopes to see incorporated when the law is revisited in five years. With this development, Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian nations to legally recognize same-sex marriage.

Taiwan was the first to pass such legislation in 2019, followed by Nepal last year. Additionally, Taiwan recently announced that Taiwanese Chinese couples can now legally register their cross-strait marriages on the island, further solidifying its position as a leader in LGBTQ rights in the region. As Thailand steps forward into a new era of inclusivity and acceptance, this historic legislation not only paves the way for legal recognition of same-sex relationships but also represents a broader cultural shift towards embracing diversity in society.