Thailand’s PM Raises Rainbow Flag After Same-Sex Marriage Recognition

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Bangkok – Thailand officially recognizes same-sex marriage with the enactment of the marriage equality law this week. Prime Minister (PM) Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that the rainbow flag is now flying high over Thailand.

“Today, the rainbow flag flies proudly over Thailand,” said Paetongtarn in her statement via social media X, as reported by AFP on Thursday (January 23, 2025).

As is known, the rainbow flag symbolizes LGBTQ. The Marriage Equality Act has been in effect since Thursday (January 23) local time.

Colored by a Mass Wedding

Even for Thailand, it took several decades for the Marriage Equality Act to be passed (Photo: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images).

The enactment of this marriage equality law was marked by a mass wedding for dozens of same-sex and transgender couples on Thursday (23/1) local time.

Two prominent gay actors from Thailand, Apiwat Apiwatsayree (40) and Sappanyoo Panatkool (38), were among the couples who participated in the mass wedding.

The marriage equality law now in effect in Thailand, as reported by DW, grants full equality to same-sex couples, including legal, financial, and medical rights.

This law uses gender-neutral terms to replace words like “man and woman” and “husband and wife.” The law also paves the way for transgender individuals to marry and grants adoption and inheritance rights to all married couples.

Thailand is the First ASEAN Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Flag of Thailand. Photo: Internet

This historic milestone makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to allow same-sex marriage. Thailand is also the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.

The struggle for marriage equality in Thailand has been ongoing for several decades. Thailand ranks high in the index of legal and living conditions for LGBTQ individuals.

The marriage equality law was passed in a historic vote by the Thai parliament in June last year. The law then came into effect about 120 days after being ratified by the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Former Thai PM, Srettha Thavisin, who attended the mass wedding ceremony for same-sex couples, issued a statement condemning U.S. President Donald Trump, who in his inauguration speech said there are only two genders recognized in the U.S.

“Recently, a leader of a country said that there are only two genders, but I think we are more open-minded than that,” he said.

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