New Delhi: Thailand on Tuesday (September 24) legalised same-sex marriage, making it the third in South Asia and the first in Southeast Asia to recognise marriage equality.
Nepal and Taiwan are the only two other South Asian countries who allow same-sex couples to marry.
Thailand’s king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, gave royal assent to the law that was passed by the parliament in June. According to reports, it will take 120 days for the law to come into effect, implying that the first weddings would take place in early 2025.
The law, which now features gender-neutral terms in place of ‘men’, ‘women’, ‘husband’ and ‘wives’, has also granted same-sex couples adoption rights.
While Thailand is known for being one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in Asia, the Buddhist-majority state still holds traditional and conservative values with people from the community still facing some barriers and discrimination.
However, opinion polls reported in Thai media have shown overwhelming public support for equal marriage.
More than 30 countries around the world have recognised marriage equality since the Netherlands became the first to do so in 2001.
More than 30 countries around the world have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to celebrate same-sex unions in 2001.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud had deferred the matter to the parliament last year, saying that it was for the legislature to create a framework for queer couples.