The government of Thailand has granted permission for same-sex marriages. Following the approval of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the same-sex marriage law is now officially in place. This law will come into effect starting from January 22, 2026, allowing any same-sex couple in the country to legally register their marriage. The law recognizes same-sex marriages and provides financial and medical rights. Same-sex couples will also have the right to adopt children, and they will be entitled to inheritance rights. The terms in legal documents will use gender-neutral words, replacing terms like “husband” and “wife” with non-gender-specific language.
From January 22, preparations are underway for a mass wedding in Bangkok, where thousands of same-sex couples are expected to participate. The LGBTQ community in Thailand has been fighting for this right for over a decade. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Now, over 30 countries worldwide have granted legal status to same-sex marriages. In Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, Thailand has become the third country to legalize it.
Legal Recognition in 35 Countries
Countries like Cuba, Andorra, Slovenia, Chile, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Austria, Taiwan, Ecuador, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, South Africa, the USA, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, and Uruguay have legalized same-sex marriages. The Netherlands was the first to do so in 2001, while Taiwan became the first Asian country to follow suit. Out of these 35 countries, 23 have passed laws allowing same-sex couples to marry, while 10 countries have granted these rights through court rulings.
Supreme Court’s Verdict
In 2018, the Supreme Court of India declared that same-sex relationships are not a crime. Though the court has not yet approved same-sex marriages, it has directed both the central and state governments to take appropriate steps toward this. This is a welcome move as same-sex couples have been granted the right to adopt children. Currently, the Supreme Court has instructed both governments to form a committee to prepare legislation on this matter promptly.
What Dutee Chand Said
Sprinter Dutee Chand once said about same-sex marriage that marriage is a social approval. Through marriage, partners become legally and socially dependent on each other. This eases processes like government pensions, insurance benefits, and health cards. After marriage, the partner becomes the legal heir. In times of difficulty or the absence of a partner, a same-sex partner should have rights equivalent to that of a spouse. If same-sex marriage is not recognized, it raises questions about social security for such couples. For instance, when one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse can inherit their property without dispute. The lack of legal approval for same-sex marriages can deprive them of such rights, leading to potential injustice.