Thailand’s king signed same-sex marriage into law according to the official Royal Gazette, making it the very first Southeast Asian country to embrace marriage equality.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn offered his royal assent to the new law, which was passed by parliament in June and would take effect in 120 days. The first marriage are planned to take place in January.
Activists praised the signing as a “monumental step,” with Thailand becoming only the third country in Asia where same-sex couples can marry, following Taiwan and Nepal.
The law on marriage now utilizes terminology that is gender-neutral instead of “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives,” and same-sex couples now have the right to adopt and inherit.
The king’s formal permission signals the end of years of activism and failed attempts to implement equal marriage legislation.
“The law is a monumental step toward equal rights in Thailand,” Waaddao Chumaporn, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights activist, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
She intends to hold a mass wedding for over a thousand LGBTQ couples in Bangkok on January 22, the first day the law takes effect.
“We are all delighted and excited; we’ve been fighting for our rights for more than ten years, and now it’s finally happening,” Siritata Ninlapruek, an LGBTQ activist, told AFP, her voice cracking.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed gratitude “for everyone’s love” on X.com, formerly Twitter.
“Thank you for the support from all sectors; this is a joint fight for everyone,” she tweeted, using the hashtag “lovewins.”
Thailand has long been known for its tolerance of the LGBTQ population, and survey results cited in local media reveal that the public strongly supports equal marriage.
However, much of the Buddhist-majority monarchy maintains traditional and orthodox views and LGBTQ persons claim they continue to experience difficulties and prejudice in everyday life.
Since the Netherlands became the first to recognize same-sex unions in 2001, more than 30 countries have allowed marriage for all.
Last year, India’s highest court deferred a judgment on the topic to parliament, while Hong Kong’s top court fell short of providing full marriage rights.
