Thailand Makes History With New Marriage Equality Act 

On January 23, the streets of Bangkok rippled with waves of rainbow-hued lovers. Some held hands, others laughed and danced and hugged complete strangers. Regardless of how they celebrated, most of the couples ended the day the same way: with “I do.” 

Thailand’s new Marriage Equality Act, which was officially approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn in September 2024, formally recognizes same-sex couples and allows LGBTQIA+ people to legally marry. And for some couples, the law is decades in the making. 

The Marriage Equality Act represents a huge step forward for LGBTQIA+ rights, and not only in Thailand. As the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize marriage equality, Thailand is breaking new ground for LGBTQIA+ rights across Asia. Before Thailand, Taiwan and Nepal were the only other countries in Asia that recognized same-sex marriage. 

Many Thai Couples Met On Apps Like Tinder

Despite minimal support (or recognition) of LGBTQIA+ identities in parts of Asia, same-sex couples flooded Siam Paragon in Bangkok on Marriage Equality Day to celebrate the milestone legislation. Among them was a familiar face: Tinder CMO Melissa Hobley, who presented marriage certificates to the droves of happy newlyweds. 

“At Tinder, we celebrate love in all its forms, and we’re always proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community in making meaningful connections,” Hobley said. Despite Thailand’s reputation as a gay-friendly country, same-sex relationships and queer identities have not always been welcomed with open arms, which is partly why many LGBTQIA+ couples met online, including on Tinder. 

When Tinder surveyed the Thai LGBTQIA+ community, 100% of those surveyed said they’d met up with a dating app match in real life. Fifty percent went on to have a serious relationship with an online connection. On that late-January day in Bangkok, 1,832 couples registered for marriage, according to the Thai Interior Ministry. 

Same-Sex Marriage Is Long Overdue In Thailand 

Despite the long wait for marriage equality, enthusiasm for the law seems to be widespread. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra participated in a photo-op with LGBTQIA+ couples to celebrate the new law. “23 January is the day that we all mark in history, that the rainbow flag has been planted in Thailand gracefully,” Paetongtarn wrote in Thai on Instagram. “All the love from all the people is accepted legally with respect and dignity.”

Marriage equality has been an uphill battle in Thailand. In 2015, Thailand introduced The Gender Equality Act, one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in Asia. The first Thai law to specifically address LGBTQIA+ rights, The Gender Equality Act spelled out consequences — mainly jail time and hefty fines — for those who are proven to have discriminated against someone based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Now, the Marriage Equality Act not only allows couples of all gender and sexual identities to marry, but to jointly adopt children. It also gives same-sex couples the legal and financial rights associated with marriage. And people who identify as LGBTQIA+ can now serve openly in the military. The language surrounding LGBTQIA+ legislation has also been updated to replace “men and women” and “husband and wife” with “individuals” and “marriage partners.” 

Thai citizens — including those in charge of registering marriages — have been encouraged to learn more about LGBTQIA+ identities, rights, and culture. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has even offered workshops and lectures to government officials so they can best assist LGBTQIA+ couples as they navigate marriage. 

Thailand Aims To Be A Safe Space for the LGBTQIA+ Community 

The Marriage Equality Law is a step in the right direction for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Thailand, but LGBTQIA+ citizens, particularly those who identify as transgender, still face discrimination and public scrutiny. In 2019, Thai Parliament elected its first transgender MP, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, only to remove them from parliament one year later in what some called an unjust suppression of democracy. 

Even so, efforts to promote acceptance of LGBTQIA+ identities haven’t waned, including from Tinder. “I have always believed in the importance of love being celebrated in all its forms, but as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community it’s not always easy,” said Thai influencer Ratchakrit Pariyapunyapa (Turk Tk). “Meeting my life partner through Tinder was more than just a match — yes, it truly changed my life forever, but it was also a reflection of how far we’ve come in embracing diversity and inclusivity.”

Pariyapunyapa explained how Tinder didn’t only connect him to his partner, but to a supportive LGBTQIA+ community who understood what he was going through. “Tinder provided a safe space for me to meet like-minded people without judgment and opened up possibilities, and today I am happily married to my soulmate thanks to Tinder!” 

The push for equality in Thailand will only continue, especially since Thailand’s reputation as a gay-friendly travel destination attracts tourists. In 2022, Tinder even worked with Airbnb in Thailand to “inspire new ways [for LGBTQIA+ citizens] to meet and connect.” 

Look no further than Bangkok’s Silom district to see Thailand’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community thrive. It’s not only a popular place for people to make meaningful connections; it’s also the premiere entertainment spot for the entire LGBTQIA+ community in all of Asia. Case in point: just a few minutes away, almost 200 LGBTQIA+ couples exchanged vows in Bangkok’s Paragon Hall on Marriage Equality Day. It’s safe to say they won’t be the last.