Thailand is legalizing same-sex marriage — the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. DW looks at what is next for Thailand and the region on LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

The enactment of the Marriage Equality Act makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia and the third in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal

Hundreds of people began registering their marriages at a mall in Bangkok, as Thailand became one of the few places in Asia to legalize same-sex unions.

Thailand's historic same-sex marriage equality law came into force on Thursday, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and third territory in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal to legalise marriages of same-sex couples.

Thailand's Marriage Equality Act makes it the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. The historic law was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and celebrated with a high-profile wedding.

Thailand’s marriage equality law is set to take effect on Jan. 22. The country will become the first one in Southeast Asia — and the third in the continent after Taiwan and Nepal — to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Thai MPs passed the marriage equality bill on June 15, 2024, by a 210-180 vote margin. Four lawmakers abstained.

Shivali Gurung from Nepal and Nicholas Ming Pak from Singapore claimed the top honours in the Girls’ and Boys’ Singles finals

Thailand made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation and the third in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to do so.

Thailand on Thursday became the first country in Southeast Asia to hold legal same-sex weddings, with LGBT groups aiming to mark the occasion with more than 1,000 marriage registrations in a single day.

They’ve waited six years to call themselves a “family.” Pehthai Thanomkhet and Nathnicha Klinthaworn finally did on Thursday when Thailand’s law on same-sex marriage came into effect and they got formally married at a mass wedding event in Bangkok.

The country saw over 1,000 marriage registrations in a single day after a new marriage equality law came into effect on Thursday.

Kitima Jindamongkon will serve as business manager for the South and Southeast Asia region, effective January 2025.