Thailand is the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage
Thailand has achieved a milestone when it comes to LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) equality as it becomes the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize same-sex marriage.
Reuters reports that the law will take effect 120 days after royal approval and publication in the royal gazette. The bill had received majority support from the Thai senate.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin celebrated the passage of the bill on X, formerly Twitter. The Prime Minister wrote that the country would continue to “fight for social rights for all people”.
Reuters quotes Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, member of a parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage, as saying that they are proud to make history.
“We are very proud to make history,” they said. “Today love triumphed prejudice ... after fighting for more than 20 years, today we can say that this country has marriage equality."
Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the journey of our Equal Marriage Bill. I am proud of the collective effort of all stakeholders which reiterates the power of “unity in diversity” of the Thai society. We will continue our fight for social rights for all people… pic.twitter.com/QPtUqBNXyc
-- Srettha Thavisin (@Thavisin) June 18, 2024
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With the passage of the bill, Thailand not only becomes the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, but the third in Asia overall after Nepal and Taiwan.
Even before the passage of this bill, Thailand has been considered an LGBTQIA-friendly destination. This year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin led the march during Bangkok Pride wearing a rainbow-colored shirt.
Bangkok and Pattaya also host the annual White Party, a New Year all-white themed party that draws gay men from all over the world. Silom Soi 2 and Silom Soi 4 are also LGBTQIA-friendly locations that have famous gay bars and welcomes all gender identities and sexual orientations.
