Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: A Historic Milestone for LGBTQ+ Rights
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | Thailand became the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage, effective January 23, 2025. Over 1,800 couples registered their marriages on the first day. |
| Law Passed | Marriage Equality Act passed by Parliament in June 2024, ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in September 2024. |
| Rights Granted | Equal rights in adoption, inheritance, and medical decision-making for same-sex couples. |
| Notable Celebrations | 654 couples registered in Bangkok; notable participants included actors Apiwat Apiwatsayree and Sappanyoo Panatkool. |
| Legal Reforms | Civil and Commercial Code amended to use gender-neutral terms like "individuals" and "marriage partners." |
| Prime Minister | Paetongtarn Shinawatra. |
| Capital of Thailand | Bangkok. |
| First in Region | Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal in legalizing same-sex marriage in Asia. |