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CNN writes about this, Ukrinform reports.
Thailand's parliament approved a bill to recognize same-sex marriage last year. In September 2024, a royal decree was issued amending the legislation, which became law 120 days later, on January 23.
On this occasion, hundreds of same-sex couples across the country got married and legalized their relationship on Thursday.
"This marriage equality law marks the beginning of Thai society's greater awareness of gender diversity and our promotion of all, regardless of sexual orientation, race or religion. It is our affirmation that everyone is entitled to equal rights and dignity," said Prime Minister Pheu Thain Phatthana Shinawatra in a video address to participants in a mass marriage ceremony in the capital, Bangkok.
According to Bangkok Pride, at least 200 couples of all ages and walks of life gathered to register their marriage in just one shopping mall in the capital, Siam Paragon, including a police officer who showed up in uniform with his partner.
The law, which came into force on Thursday, provides for a number of amendments to the articles of the Civil Code that regulate the issues of both marriage and its dissolution, as well as the ownership and disposal of joint property of spouses.
From now on, same-sex couples can register their marriages with full legal, financial, and medical rights, as well as adoption and inheritance rights.
It is noted that this law marks an important victory for Thailand's LGBTQ+ community, which has been fighting for more than a decade for such recognition of their marriage rights.
According to the Pew Research Center, more than 30 jurisdictions around the world currently recognize same-sex marriage, but the greatest progress has been made in Europe, the Americas, and Australasia, which includes the continent of Australia, the islands of New Zealand, and New Guinea.
Thailand became the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, after Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.
Photo: Mark Philips/CNN
