Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Couples Celebrate in Color as Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Thailand‘s long-awaited equal marriage law came into effect on Thursday. Police officer Pisit “Kew” Sirihirunchai was eager to marry his long-term partner, Chanatip “Jane” Sirihirunchai. Their union marked a historic moment as they became the sixth couple to register their marriage at one of Bangkok’s grand shopping malls. An event that city officials helped organize to celebrate this legal milestone.

Across Thailand, hundreds of couples were eagerly signing their marriage certificates, some smiling, others wiping away tears, overwhelmed by the long-awaited moment. The celebrations featured vibrant displays of colors and costumes, with district officials hosting parties that included photo booths and free cupcakes. In one Bangkok district, the first couple to register their marriage even received air tickets as a special reward.

“The rainbow flag is flying high over Thailand,” wrote Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Facebook from Davos, where she was attending the World Economic Forum. Activists, eager to mark the achievement, hoped to surpass the 1,448 registrations by the end of the day, symbolizing the 1448 clause in Thailand’s Civil Code that now includes same-sex marriage.

For Pisit and Chanatip, the day held deep personal significance. “We’ve been ready for such a long time,” Pisit shared, explaining how he and Chanatip had patiently waited for the law to catch up and support their love. The couple, who have been together for seven years, had already taken steps to formalize their bond—asking a Buddhist monk to bless them with a shared last name and even securing a letter of intent from local officials. Yet, the legal recognition of their marriage under Thai law was the final piece they had longed for: “This is perfect for us. The law that protects our rights,” Pisit said.

Before the law passed, Pisit and Chanatip were listed as brothers in official documents, a workaround that allowed them to be recognized as a family. But now, with their marriage certificate, LGBTQ+ couples across Thailand, including them, have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples to engage in marriage, manage assets, inherit, adopt children, and make medical decisions for their partner in times of illness or incapacity. In addition, Pisit was excited about the possibility of extending his government pension benefits to Chanatip.

“We want to build a future together—build a house, start a small business together, maybe a café,” Pisit added, listing the opportunities that the law now provides. “We want to build our future together and take care of each other.”

The law, which passed through both houses of parliament in June 2024 and was endorsed by the Thai king in September, is a significant step for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Thailand stands out in Asia for legalizing marriage equality, with only Nepal and Taiwan offering similar legal recognition for same-sex unions.

For Aki Uryu, a Japanese woman living in Bangkok with her partner, Thailand’s legal stance made life easier. “In Thailand, I can hold hands with my partner, walk together. No one says anything. It’s just different. It feels right,” Aki said. After she and her partner married on Thursday, Aki described the experience as the beginning of a “new life.”

While Thailand celebrates its progressive shift, the law has also sparked reflection among LGBTQ+ activists in neighboring countries, such as China. Mr. Zhang, a gay Chinese man, expressed both excitement and envy, acknowledging that while Thailand is geographically close to China, the legal and cultural differences are vast.

The path to marriage equality in Thailand wasn’t easy, and it took years of activism and struggle for the legal change to occur. For many couples, including Rungtiwa Thangkanopast and her partner Phanlavee, who have been together for 18 years, the law feels like a long-overdue validation. Rungtiwa, who had previously been in a marriage arranged by her family, noted that the law was a symbol of their legitimate family: “We’re no longer viewed as weirdos just because our daughter isn’t being raised by heterosexual parents.”

While the new law is an important victory, activists note that there is still work to be done. Gender-neutral terms now replace “husband” and “wife” in the Thai Civil Code, but there are still legal areas that require updates. For example, the law does not yet allow same-sex couples to use surrogacy or adopt children in the same way heterosexual couples can. Additionally, people are still required to list their birth gender on official documents, regardless of their gender identity.

For couples like Chakkrit “Ink” Vadhanavira and his partner Prinn, the legal change brings newfound clarity to their life together. Chakkrit and Prinn have been together for 24 years, and while they’ve had to navigate societal and familial hurdles, the new law has granted them a sense of equality. Prinn shared, “When a same-sex couple buys something together, they cannot share ownership of it. But now, when we’re married, we can share everything equally.”

Despite the challenges that remain, the law signifies a significant moment for LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand, who no longer need to hide or seek approval. They now have the legal protection to live their lives authentically and without fear of discrimination. As Chakkrit said, “We’ve proven that we genuinely love each other through thick and thin for more than 20 years. We’re no different from heterosexual couples.”