Thailand joins Nepal and Taiwan as the only Asian nations to legalise LGBT unions, amid repressive regimes and religious traditions

In the 2019 election which returned Thailand to civilian rule after five years under a military government, a new reformist party called Future Forward, which fully supported equal marriage, did unexpectedly well. They won the third-largest share of seats, revealing a growing hunger for change in Thailand.

Hundreds of same-sex couples are tying the knot across Thailand on Thursday as the country becomes the first in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage equality.

The landmark enactment makes Thailand the first in Southeast Asia and third in Asia (after Taiwan and Nepal) to legalize same-sex marriages.

Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law on Sept. 24, after it was endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thailand's monumental Marriage Equality Act has come into effect on Friday allowing LGBTQ couples to tie the knot. | ITV National News

Hundreds of people began registering their marriages at a mall in Bangkok, as Thailand became one of the few places in Asia to legalize same-sex unions.

Weddings took place across the country, including at a Bangkok mall, as same-sex marriage became legal. Thailand is one of the few places in Asia where it’s allowed.

It was a historic day in Thailand as hundreds of LGBTQ couples became legally married. It’s the first nation in Southeast Asia to guarantee equal marital rights for same-sex couples. Patpicha Tanakasempipat attended the mass marriage registration event.