Thailand made history yesterday as it legalized same-sex marriages, the first in Southeast Asia. Activists celebrated decades of work with over 1,000 marriage registrations on the first day. Thailand became the third Asian territory to legalize same-sex marriages after Taiwan and Nepal. The new law amended the Thai civil code, changing “husband and wife” to “spouse.” Parliament flew rainbow flags, and shopping complexes hosted pride events to mark the occasion. A mass wedding in Bangkok saw 200 couples exchange vows in diverse attire, from Thai outfits to ceremonial uniforms. LGBTQ group Bangkok Pride
aims for 1,448 registrations and plans to compile figures from ceremonies nationwide and submit a request to Guinness World Records. District offices nationwide and Thai embassies overseas are also open for marriage registration. Former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was premier when the landmark legislation passed in 2024, called the day a victory for equality. Despite progress, there are still some challenges to overcome. Legal definitions of family still exclude queer couples. Nonetheless, Thailand continues to inspire hope for greater LGBTQ inclusion in fellow Asian countries like India, where the LGBTQ community is still fighting for marriage equality.
