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Accordingly, the Marriage Equality Bill in Thailand has officially become law, opening the door for same-sex couples to legally marry. After being approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the law was published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect after 120 days.
This means that from January 2025, LGBTQ+ couples can officially register their marriage, making Thailand the third country/territory in Asia, after Taiwan (China) and Nepal, to legalize same-sex marriage. The bill provides full legal, financial, and medical rights for couples, regardless of gender. The bill was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate of Thailand in sessions in April and June of this year.
The marriage equality bill in Thailand has officially become law, opening the door for same-sex couples to legally marry.
On social media platform X, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted: "Congratulations on everyone's love," accompanied by the hashtag #LoveWins. The passage of the equal marriage law is the result of decades of struggle, and the LGBTQ+ community says they still face discrimination in their daily lives.
This move is predicted to open up many opportunities to attract more tourists from the global LGBTQIA+ community, generating over $200 billion annually since the law officially came into effect on January 22, 2025, according to Travel HUB.
According to a study on the economic impact of marriage equality on Thailand's tourism industry, conducted by digital travel platform Agoda in collaboration with Access Partnership, the number of international tourists visiting the country is expected to increase by 4 million per year within the next two years.
Thailand projects an increase of approximately US$2 billion in tourism revenue annually. This includes around US$700 million from accommodation services, US$400 million from food and beverage services, US$400 million from retail spending, US$200 million from domestic transportation, and US$200 million from other sectors including entertainment and healthcare services. This is expected to create an additional 152,000 full-time jobs, with 76,000 directly in the tourism industry and another 76,000 in the Thai economy, contributing 0.3% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This bill has had a positive impact on Thailand's GDP.
Despite being only the third market in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Thailand is gradually becoming a regional hub attracting LGBTQIA+ couples from neighboring countries seeking a wedding venue in a nation that recognizes same-sex marriage. The passage of same-sex marriage laws will significantly boost the wedding industry in Thailand. Related sectors such as hotels, catering, and entertainment will also benefit considerably from this trend.
Ms. Waaddao Chumaporn, Chairwoman and Founder of Naruemit Pride and organizer of Bangkok Pride Festival 2024, said: "The enactment of the Marriage Equality Act marks a huge step forward for Thailand, not only in promoting equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community but also in strengthening the country's reputation as a safe and inclusive destination. We believe this bold move will foster deeper trust, attract more visitors, and encourage meaningful participation in our vibrant culture."
The Pheu Thai-led government has pledged to make marriage equality a top priority. The party has shown strong support for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in this year's Bangkok Pride parade in June, which drew thousands of participants to the city center.
Since the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, more than 30 countries around the world have legalized marriage for people of all genders.
