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Historic turning point in Thailand and Southeast Asia: Same-sex marriage becomes law

With the approval of LGBT+ marriages, Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as a pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights in Asia. Over 1.400 unions celebrated

Historic turning point in Thailand and Southeast Asia: Same-sex marriage becomes law

Thailand has made history for LGBTQ+ rights, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. With the new law, the country joins Taiwan and Nepal, which have already recognized same-sex marriage in 2019 and 2023, respectively.

Among the first couples to tie the knot are actors Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree, 49, and Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, 38. The couple tied the knot at the Phra Nakorn district office in Bangkok, obtaining one of the first marriage certificates ever issued. “We can love equally and legally,” Sappanyoo said. “Every kind of love and every kind of family is beautiful just the way it is.”

The day was celebrated as a historic event across Thailand. It is estimated that at least 1.448 same-sex marriages were registered today alone. In a Bangkok shopping mall, a rainbow carpet welcomed hundreds of couples, ready to crown their dream of love. Among them, a transsexual woman who was able to marry her boyfriend of over XNUMX years told CNN: “It’s a dream come true.”

An inclusive law for the rights of LGBTQ+ couples

Thailand’s Marriage Equality Law is a major step forward for LGBTQ+ rights. Passed by both houses of parliament, it amends Article 1448 of the Civil Code to replace the terms “man and woman” and “husband and wife” with “individuals” and “marital partners.” The aim is to ensure full legal, financial, and medical rights for same-sex couples.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the moment on social media, saying: “Today, the rainbow flag flies proudly over Thailand. This law marks a new chapter of awareness and inclusion in our society.”

A Global Panorama of Same-Sex Marriage

With the passage of the law, Thailand joins 37 countries worldwide that recognize marriage between people of the same sex.

  • Europe: The first country to recognize civil unions was Denmark in 1989, while the Netherlands pioneered same-sex marriage in 2001. Today, more than 20 European countries, including France, Germany and Spain, have legalized them.
  • North America: Canada was the first on the continent to legalize them in 2005, followed by the United States in 2015, thanks to a historic Supreme Court ruling.
  • Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Cuba, among others, have taken this step in recent years.
  • Asia: Taiwan and Nepal have joined the club, with Japan remaining the only G7 country not to recognize any form of civil union or marriage between people of the same sex.
  • Oceania: New Zealand and Australia introduced same-sex marriage in 2013 and 2017 respectively.
  • Africa: South Africa remains the only country on the continent to guarantee this right, since 2006.

La svolta storica in Thailandia e nel Sud-est Asiatico: i matrimoni tra persone dello stesso sesso diventano legge

A record-breaking party

The organizers of the celebrations they asked the Guinness Book of Records to record the day such as Most LGBTQ+ marriages performed in 24 hours. The festive atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the participants were a clear sign of the desire for equality that has crossed Thai society for years.

With this approval, Thailand has proven to be a pioneering country for LGBTQ+ rights in a region of the world where homosexuality often remains a taboo. Today, thousands of couples can say “yes, i want it” with full recognition of the law and the State.

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