THAILAND Thailand’s same-sex marriage bill received approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn and was published in the Royal Gazette on Sept.
24, the final step in the legislative process, and paving the way for marriages to begin on Jan. 22, 2025. The law grants same-sex couples full equality with heterosexual married couples, including adoption, inheritance, medical, and taxation rights.
It was approved overwhelmingly by legislators in the summer, but there was some worry that that the king could block its approval.
Thailand now becomes the first county in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the 39th country worldwide. “Congratulations on everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X.