After a long fight for marriage equality—and still a way to go in some areas—Thailand officially became the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage with the endorsement of the Marriage Equality Bill in September earlier this year. Now, as expected, same sex couples will officially be allowed to register their marriage on January 23. 

 

The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) confirmed last week that the country’s computer system and marriage registration forms have been updated to ensure the efficacy of the change 120 days after the passage of the legislation. 

 

"A trial run was carried out last month, and it's all ready. When the marriage equality law takes effect on Jan 23, same-sex couples can register their marriages at any district office across the country," a DoPA representative told the Bangkok Post. This comes one day late of an original expected date of Jan 22.

 

Hopefully honeymooners are required to pay a registration fee of B200, and provide household registration and identification. Foreign applicants are required to produce passports and marriage status declaration from respective embassies. 

 

This final move toward same-sex marriage came after years of legislative slog. It was a happy Pride Month in June 2024 when, with a vote of 130 to 4 and 18 abstentions, Thailand’s senate formally passed the final reading of the marriage equality law. Just two years previous, under the Prayut government, the legislation seemed to be lost in limbo. 

 

In September the legislation was passed, and 120 days after the passage, the law will come into effect, allowing same-sex married couples the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. 

 

Outside of Parliament and registry authorities, Thailand is already preparing. Popular travel website Agoda is offering same-sex honeymooners the chance at a free holiday worth B350,000, in which couples with Thai nationality are encouraged to send in a photo, share their story, and show their marriage license before Jan 31.

 

While this is a culmination of many years’ effort in efforts for marriage equality, concerned activists are still fighting for gender neutral official language and adoption procedures as well as the many other causes concerning the LGBTQ+ community.