In a significant step forward towards recognition of same-sex marriages in Asia, Thailand’s Marriage Equality Law received assent of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on 24-9-2024, thereby effectively paving the way for the Bill to become Act. With the royal endorsement, it was thus published in the Royal Gazette and now the Marriage Equality Act will come into force in 120 days i.e., from 22-1-2025.
In a historic moment coinciding with Pride Month, the Thai Senate on 18-06-2024 passed the final reading of the Marriage Equality Law without amendments, therefore requiring no further actions from the House of Representatives. The Bill had passed its final reading with the approval of 130 out of 152 members of the Senate in attendance, with 4 voting against it and 18 abstaining.
The law aims to provide full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender. Furthermore, the legislation uses gender-neutral terms such as “spouse” and “person”. As per the new law, couples will have equal access to marriage and the same rights in areas including child adoption, healthcare consent, and inheritance.
When the law comes into effect, Thailand will become only the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, where same-sex couples can get married.
With Inputs from Press
