Publication
Statement on the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand by the Co-chairs on behalf of the Equal Rights Coalition
10 July 2024
The cochairs of the Equal Rights Coalition celebrate the passing of the Marriage Equality Act in Thailand, paving the way for the recognition of same-sex marriages in the country.
This piece of legislation amends the marriage section of the Civil and Commercial Code of Thailand so as to introduce gender-neutral definitions of ‘spouse’, representing a victory for the Thai LGBTQI+ community, and a historic step in the pursuit of equal rights and freedoms for all.
We congratulate the Government of Thailand for the passing of this Act, which received overwhelming support in both houses of the National Assembly of Thailand before getting final approval by the Senate on June 18, 2024. By enacting this legislation, Thailand sends a clear message to the rest of the world that LGBTQI+ persons have the right to live and love freely and without fear, discrimination, persecution, nor criminalization.
The passing of the Marriage Equality Act makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the second Asian country to do so in less than a year. Thailand also joins Estonia, Nepal, Greece, and Liechtenstein as the fifth country to legalize same-sex marriage in the past year.
This wave of positive rulings and legislation in favour of same-sex marriage and LGBTQI+ rights at large are a beacon of hope for the many individuals around the world who still face persecution and marginalization due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.As cochairs of the Equal Rights Coalition, we remain committed in our advocacy for a more equal and fair world, and will continue working with LGBTQI+ civil society across the globe to make this vision a reality.