Being able to get married is a privilege people may take for granted as they navigate their day-to-day lives. Despite the freedom to marry that LGBTQ+ Americans have had since 2015, many LGBTQ+ people throughout the world are still fighting to get that right into their laws. One country that had a longstanding history of LGBTQ+ activism is Thailand. In response to a widespread support for gay marriage throughout the country and longstanding public pride events every June, as of January 2025, gay couples across Thailand are now able to get married and have their union recognized and legally protected.
The path to legalizing gay marriage in Thailand was one with many obstacles. In 2014, there was an attempt to give recognition to same-sex couples, but not the same rights as heterosexual couples, which was interrupted by a military coup. It took a decade for the idea and law to be presented again.
When trying to pass the law in 2024, to acknowledge both heterosexual and homosexual couples, the law was framed in gender neutral language. It took out phrases like “husband and wife” and replaced them with “marriage partners.” Additionally, while the prior proposed law aimed for only acknowledgement of gay couples and not the same rights provided to heterosexual couples, this one provided equality in legal and financial rights.
The law first had to get approved in both the house and the parliament. It achieved and surpassed this goal in June 2024 with a majority of 400 votes in favor to 10 votes against in the house and only four against in the senate. Then, Thailand’s King, Maha Vajiralongkorn, sent a royal assent to approve the law back in September 2024, and the law has taken effect as of Jan. 23, 2025. The date was chosen due to being 120 days after the assent.
“23 January is the day that we all mark in history, that the rainbow flag has been planted in Thailand gracefully,” Paetongtarni Shinawatra, Thailand’s Prime Minister, said in a post on her Instagram on Jan. 15 with a photo featuring LGBTQ+ couples and activists who were all wearing wedding dresses and suits. “All the love from all the people is accepted legally with respect and dignity.”
To celebrate gay marriage being legalized, the Thai LGBTQ+ rights group, Narumeit Pride held a mass wedding event. 200 couples signed up to get married during the daylong Jan. 23 event and ceremonies happened with 10 couples at a time.
“When the district officer was signing, I felt my tears brimming inside. We have fought for two years, but others have fought for 20 years, and today is a success,” Nathnicha Klinthaworn, a live-streamer and salesperson said to NBC News.
While Thailand has successfully taken the step to legalize gay marriage, it is one of few countries in Asia to do so. Prior to this, Nepal and Taiwan had been the only countries to have same-sex marriage legalized.
Although this is a moment of joy for LGBTQ+ people and supporters throughout Thailand, there are still steps that need to be taken to further LGBTQ+ rights. Further activism efforts aim to legitimize and validate the experiences of transgender people living in Thailand. While the “Gender Equality Act” was legalized in 2015 to give more rights to LGBTQ+ individuals, there are still barriers to legally changing your gender. On a wider scope, activists want same-sex marriage legalized all throughout Asia, which will take a lot of time and support from both the people and the legislative bodies governing those remaining countries.
