Hundreds of same-sex couples are set to tie the knot on Thursday as Thailand officially becomes the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize marriage equality. The landmark legislation, passed last year and now in effect, represents a huge victory for the LGBTQ+ community after more than a decade of relentless campaigning.
“This can be an example to the world,” said Kittinan Daramadaj, president of Thailand’s Rainbow Sky Association. “Thailand has true marriage equality.”
Under the groundbreaking law, same-sex couples will gain full legal, financial and medical rights, including adoption and inheritance protections. For many, the legislation signals a new chapter in inclusion and progress in a country long celebrated for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture.
Prime Minister Phyogtharn Shinawatra hailed the achievement at a ceremony last week, where she welcomed LGBTQ+ couples and activists to government offices. “This shows that Thailand is ready to embrace diversity and accept love in all its forms,” she said.
Celebrations are planned across the country to mark the historic occasion. In Bangkok, at least 200 couples will tie the knot in a mass wedding at a busy shopping mall organized by Bangkok Pride and local authorities. A colorful “pride carpet” will be rolled out for the newlyweds, with performances by celebrities and drag queens.
Rainbow flags are also being flown from the coastal city of Pattaya to the mountain city of Chiang Mai as symbols of love and resilience.
“This is a victory not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for all of Thailand,” said a participant in Bangkok. “It shows that love truly knows no boundaries.”
Thailand’s victory joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian jurisdictions to recognize same-sex marriage. However, rights experts warn that Thailand could remain an outlier in a region where progress on LGBTQ+ rights has been slow.
Globally, more than 30 jurisdictions, mainly in Europe, the Americas and Australia, recognize same-sex marriage.
While Thursday’s celebrations mark a significant milestone, advocates stress that the fight for equality is far from over. Activists are now pushing the Thai government to allow transgender people to legally change their gender, a long-awaited recognition for the country’s estimated 314,000 transgender people.
“There is a misconception that transgender people in Thailand are fully embraced, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Hua Boonyapisomparn of the Transgender Alliance for Human Rights Foundation.