Bangkok, September 25 (AseanAll)  — Thailand has officially become the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, following the endorsement of the Marriage Equality Bill by the King. 

The law, published in the Royal Gazette on September 24,2024, will take effect in 120 days, allowing same-sex couples to legally register their marriages from January 22, 2025. This landmark legislation makes Thailand the first Southeast Asian nation to enact marriage equality.

The bill, which passed its final reading in the Senate in June, represents over two decades of advocacy by LGBTQ+ activists. It received overwhelming support from lawmakers, a historic step toward equal rights in the country. The law introduces gender-neutral language in place of terms such as “husband,” “wife,” “man,” and “woman” and grants same-sex couples full adoption and inheritance rights.

With this new legislation, more than 60 sections of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Codes will be amended to accommodate marriage equality. The changes ensure same-sex couples enjoy the same legal protections and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts, including the right to adopt children and inherit property.

Legal experts have also called for further reforms to fully support LGBTQ+ rights in the country, suggesting amendments to additional laws, such as those related to surrogacy, gender recognition, and welfare, to create an inclusive legal framework for the community.