Love wins in Thailand! Beginning January 22, 2025, LGBTQ couples can register their marriages in Thailand. This amendment, long fought for by LGBTQ activists, received enormous support and was passed by legislators earlier this year, but it was not officially written into law until early this week with the approval of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. 

The amendment changes the gendered language in Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code to include gender-neutral terms such as “individual” which allows same-sex or non-heterosexual relationships to legally be recognized by the government. While the recognition of same-sex marriage is a huge win, perhaps an even bigger benefit of this new amendment is that it grants same-sex married couples’ full governmental benefits regardless of gender, including medical, legal, and financial rights.

With this progressive development, Thailand becomes only the third Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage, and the first in Southeast Asia. While today Thailand is typically known as having a tolerant culture and a vibrant LGBTQ scene, there are also competing conservative social values that make passing LGBTQ legislation a difficult process. Fueled by the ruling elite in Thailand’s constitutional monarchy, there is a large focus on ensuring that Thailand does not lose its traditional, what Americans would consider more conservative, culture. 

Thailand’s traditional culture is rooted in respect for elders, patriotism, politeness, family, and modesty. This kind of conservative culture, historically, tends to reinforce traditional patriarchal values and gender norms. In a country where the King’s descendant must be a male, it makes sense how these more conservative values would fit the system already in place. But luckily, times are beginning to change. While many traditional social values remain ingrained in the Thai language, such as respect for elders and politeness, Thailand’s historically patriarchal systems are becoming more tolerant and are taking the first steps to officially recognize diversity in sexual orientation within the country. 

It will be very interesting to see if this trend of acceptance spreads at all through Southeast Asia. While Thailand is an interesting case study due to the fact that they are a majority Buddhist country with constitutionalized religious freedom, the diversity of culture and religion throughout Southeast Asia will no doubt foster a diverse set of responses. As our world continues to change and global dynamics continue to evolve, specifically in Southeast Asia, the issue of LGBTQ rights will be an intriguing issue to follow in the coming years.