Thailand has officially passed a landmark marriage equality law, becoming the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal, AP News reports.
The law, endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will come into effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriages starting in January. The bill, which passed through the House of Representatives and Senate earlier this year, grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to same-sex partners. The law amends Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code to use gender-neutral language, replacing terms like “men and women” with “individual.” Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the milestone on social media, calling it a victory for love.
Organizers of Bangkok Pride plan to host a mass wedding event on the day the law takes effect for couples who want to register their same-sex marriages immediately.
