Thailand has officially legalized same-sex marriage, making it the third country in Asia to do so after Taiwan and Nepal. The landmark marriage equality bill, endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriages starting in January. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the milestone, stating, "Congratulations to everyone's love," on social media.
The new law, which passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier this year, ensures full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender. Despite Thailand's reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, efforts to achieve marriage equality faced considerable opposition due to the country's conservative social and governmental norms. The Civil and Commercial Code has been amended to replace gender-specific terms with gender-neutral language to accommodate the change.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon has assured that city officials will be prepared to register same-sex marriages once the law is in effect. The government, led by the Pheu Thai party, has prioritized marriage equality and publicly supported the cause, notably at the annual Bangkok Pride parade in June. To celebrate the enactment of the new law, Bangkok Pride organizers announced plans to host a wedding event for couples wishing to marry on the first day the legislation becomes active. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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