The three Asian countries that have legalised same-sex marriage

King Maha Vajiralongkorn granted royal assent to the Marriage Equality Bill.

This law allows for gender-neutral marriage terms and includes adoption and inheritance rights for same-sex couples.

The law which was opposed for years was reintroduced in November 2023 and passed by the House of Representatives and Senate in June 2024.

Former Minister Srettha Thavisin was a major advocate for the law, with the reason that it would strengthen family structures.

It has since been published in the Royale Gazette and will take effect after 120 days.

This makes Thailand the third Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage after Taiwan and Nepal. Taiwan first legalised same-sex unions in Asia in 2019 and was followed by Nepal which was the first in South Asia.

This means that a total of three countries in Asia have officially legalised same-sex marriage. In Europe, over 30 countries have legalised same-sex unions.