Thailand officially promulgates same-sex marriage law

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has signed into law the same-sex marriage law, according to the Royal Thai Gazette on September 24.

The bill passed the Senate in June by a vote of 130 to 4, after the House of Representatives did the same.

Same-sex couples celebrate in front of the government building in Bangkok after parliament passed the marriage equality law in June.

After King Maha Vajiralongkorn signs the law and it is published in the Royal Gazette , it will officially take effect in 120 days. This means that same-sex couples will be able to register their marriages in January 2025.

The new law changes the terms “man,” “woman,” “husband,” and “wife” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms. In addition, the new law grants same-sex couples the same adoption and inheritance rights as heterosexuals.

According to AFP, Thailand is the third place in Asia to pass this law, after Taiwan and Nepal. More than 30 countries and territories around the world have legalized marriage equality since the Netherlands did it first in 2001.

Mr. Apiwat Apiwatsayree, a prominent figure in the LGBT community in Thailand, and his lover Sappanyoo Panatkool are among the couples waiting for the same-sex marriage law to be passed so they can get married.

"We have been waiting for a long time. As soon as it becomes law, we will register our marriage," Apiwat, 49, told AFP last week. The couple have been together for 17 years.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thai-lan-chinh-thuc-ban-hanh-luat-hon-nhan-dong-gioi-185240924205410124.htm