On Thursday, Thailand legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the third Asian country to do so, after Taiwan and Nepal. This law is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the country.
The new law, effective immediately, replaces the terms “husband” and “wife” with “spouse,” allowing same-sex couples to access benefits previously available only to heterosexual marriages. These include the ability to adopt children, get joint mortgages, inherit property, be recognized as next of kin, and make medical decisions for each other in emergencies.
Couples across Thailand, from Krabi to Chiang Mai, participated in registration ceremonies, with some celebrating in intimate local offices and others at a large event in a Bangkok mall. Rittigiat Subma and his partner, Xichen Lin, were among the first to marry in the Bang Rak district. Rittigiat, 27, expressed his joy, saying the law change was overdue and would allow them to access financial and medical benefits. Xichen Lin, also 27, shared that without this law, their relationship wouldn’t have been possible, as same-sex marriage is illegal in China.
While the law marks a major step forward, LGBTQ+ advocates stress that there is still work to be done. Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a lawmaker involved in the change, noted that other legal issues, such as reproductive rights and citizenship for foreign partners, need to be addressed.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hailed the law as a historic achievement, promoting Thailand’s reputation as an open and inclusive nation. The law is also expected to boost the economy, with an estimated $2 billion in tourism revenue from same-sex couples visiting for weddings and honeymoons. The law’s passing is seen as an important step for both social equality and economic growth.
