With the new law effectively kicking off on Thursday, Thailand becomes the first country in Southeast Asia to allow people of the same gender to marry each other.
The law, which passed in both houses of parliament in June last year before being endorsed by the Thai king in September, is a big step for LGBTQ+ rights.
The country remains an outlier in Asia in recognising marriage equality – only Nepal and Taiwan have legalised same-sex union
Thailand is widely seen by foreigners as one of the more open places in the world for L.G.B.T.Q. people, but it took more than a decade of campaigning to legalize same-sex marriage.
Many citizens of this traditional, predominantly Buddhist country remain conservative, especially older people. Even so, it is becoming increasingly tolerant on social issues, particularly in contrast to its neighbors.
In 2022, Thailand became the first nation in the region to legalize the sale and recreational use of marijuana. The government gave away 1 million marijuana plants to households as the law took effect. Since then, hundreds of weed shops have sprung up in urban areas. And last year, Parliament passed the marriage legislation, which became law with the king’s assent.
To celebrate the law, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, presided over a colorful photo shoot last week with dozens of couples planning to marry.
“Jan. 23, 2025, will be the day that we all record history together, that the rainbow flag has been planted gracefully in Thailand,” she posted on her Instagram account. “Everyone’s love is legally recognized with honor and dignity.”
Thailand, whose economy depends heavily on tourism, plans to begin promoting itself internationally as an L.G.B.T.Q. tourist destination.