Beyond marriage: Thailand’s embrace of equality and opportunity

Thailand carved a place in history on January 23, when LGBTQIA+ couples across the nation began to be able to register their marriage. On that day, hundreds of couples rushed to legalise their unions, joining packed ceremonies, such one hosted by rights group, Naruemit Pride, or “creating pride”, at a Bangkok convention centre.

This landmark follows overwhelming parliamentary approval of the Marriage Equality Bill after many years of tireless campaigning and advocacy. It marks the beginning of a new era of love, justice and equality – a good omen for the country’s progress toward national reconciliation after decades of social and political division.

The path to marriage equality in Thailand has been a journey of hope and resilience. For decades, activists, lawmakers and civil society organisations representing the LGBTQIA+ community have protested, fought legal challenges and conducted unwavering public awareness campaigns to seek recognition and equality. They have slowly made progress in wearing down barriers that have long marginalised LGBTQIA+ couples.

The role of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin in achieving this outcome cannot be overemphasised. The government championed its passage through the legislative process after recognising the bill's significance for social justice and human rights, moving swiftly and clearly. This decisive leadership not only demonstrated a commitment to equality but also galvanised public support and promoted a sense of unity across the nation.

The Marriage Equality Bill contains a number of innovative provisions that equalise rights and protections. The main goal was to change the currently used, binary and discriminatory terms, like “husband,” “wife,” “man,” and “woman” in Thailand’s civil and commercial code to more inclusive and neutral language. This guarantees that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with respect and dignity by the law. Moreover, it raises the minimum age for marriage from 17 to 18 years old to align with the international standard.

The Marriage Equality Bill offers more than legal recognition of pride couples; it is a powerful symbol of national reconciliation and it enhances democratic institutions. Thailand has for years been divided socially and politically, intolerance and discrimination often being at the root of it. This bill, pushed by a unified front of LGBTQIA+ activists, politicians and civil society groups, shows what can be achieved by working together and the possibilities for  healing and unity.

Unlike some advanced countries, Thailand’s marriage equality has not been delivered by the court, but by the parliament. The bill and gender equality were discussed nationwide and mobilised through democratic mechanisms after a lost decade after the military coup in 2014. Pushing the changes through popularly legitimised institutions supports the country’s path toward democracy.

Moreover, the passage of the Marriage Equality Bill has been celebrated by people all over Thailand. Celebrities, influencers, academics and business leaders have come forward and applauded the move to equality and celebrated this historic milestone. Thailand's success highlights the importance of a publicly led approach to inclusion. 

It should be noted that the business community also contributed to change even before the draft bill was submitted to parliament. Some businesses have adopted the UN Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Intersex People. 

Many other organisations have prepared their sectors to embrace equality. For example, Thailand’s leading business school, SASIN School of Management at Chulalongkorn University, where Thai business tycoons and top executives study, together with UNDP and the Canadian Embassy developed human resources guidelines, a “Business Inclusion Toolkit”, for a Thai business to create diverse and inclusive workplaces. This initiative is predicated on the notion that the market can be a powerful mechanism to change behaviour.

Indeed, the legalisation of marriage equality is expected to bring many positives to Thailand’s economy and society. Studies have found that countries with strong LGBTQIA+ rights protections tend to see increases in tourism revenue, foreign investment and social well-being. 

On tourism, one of the pillars of the economy, one study forecasts Thailand will be able to draw in about US$2 billion more each year, create 152,000 FTE jobs and boost Thailand’s GDP by 0.3%. The creative economy market will be more vibrant. Thailand has produced more than 180 LGBTQIA+ themed television series and films in the past 10 years. This will strengthen Thailand’s international profile. 

The financial sector could be another winner. The government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to promote Bangkok as a new regional financial hub. Amid concerns about basic freedoms in Hong Kong and the pressure of high living costs in Singapore, the marriage equality bill sends a signal to international investors of Thailand’s tolerance and openness that will bolster its competitive advantage when it comes to attracting regional offices and headquarters. 

For this reason, Thailand, by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to embrace marriage equality, could encourage some other countries to follow suit. Growing tourism and other economic benefits could encourage neighbouring governments to embrace greater recognition and tolerance of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

January 23 is a day that Thailand will not forget. The country celebrated the triumph of love, justice and human rights as pride couples across the nation began to register their marriages. 

The marriage equality bill was the result of human rights advocacy, the ongoing fight of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies, and transformative political leadership. 

Thailand moves towards this new era of equality at a time when the rise of conservatism and social extremism, even in many liberal democracies, threatens to see fundamental rights slip backwards. By standing up for LGBTQIA+ rights, Thailand could become a shining example for other nations in the region and beyond.

Peerawit Khantisuk is an independent researcher and adviser attached to the Ad-hoc Committee on Marriage Equality of the Thai Parliament.