Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage with Nationwide Celebrations

The first country in Southeast Asia to do so, Thailand marks the historic milestone with mass weddings and widespread LGBTQ+ festivities.

Thailand becomes the first Southeast Asian nation and third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage.
The law, passed by parliament in 2024 and signed by the king, grants LGBTQ+ couples equal rights in areas like inheritance, adoption, and taxation.
The milestone was celebrated with mass weddings across the country, including a prominent event at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon shopping mall featuring hundreds of couples.
Activists, who fought for over two decades for marriage equality, hailed the law as a victory but noted ongoing challenges, including societal discrimination and the lack of comprehensive anti-discrimination protections.
Thailand's government and tourism industry aim to position the country as a global destination for LGBTQ+ weddings, reflecting both pride and economic opportunity.