Thailand Becomes First Southeast Asian Nation to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

The landmark law grants full legal rights to same-sex couples, with thousands celebrating historic weddings nationwide.

Thailand's Marriage Equality Act, effective January 23, 2025, redefines marriage as a union between individuals, granting same-sex couples equal rights in areas like inheritance, adoption, and medical decisions.
This makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage.
Mass wedding ceremonies were held across the country, including a major event at Bangkok's Paragon Mall, where hundreds of couples officially registered their marriages.
Over 1,800 same-sex couples registered their marriages on the law's first day, with Bangkok setting a Guinness World Record for the most same-sex marriages in a single day in one city.
While activists celebrate this milestone, they continue to advocate for broader legal reforms, such as gender recognition laws and inclusive definitions of family.