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January 26, 2025

Anna Murray 

On January 23, Thailand's long-awaited equal marriage law went into effect. The country becomes the first in Southeast Asia to acknowledge marriage equality.

On January 23, hundreds of couples across Thailand received their marriage certificates. Couples are breaking into smiles or sobbing over the long-awaited occasion.

The legislation was passed by both houses of parliament in June 2024. It was later approved by the Thai king in September 2024. It is a significant step toward LGBTQ+ rights.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that this marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society's greater awareness of gender diversity, as well as Thailand's embrace of everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, race, or religion — an affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity.