Thailand has officially become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage, with the new marriage equality law now in effect. Only the third country in Asia to do so, after Taiwan and Nepal, the government's decision to allow LGBTQ+ couples to register their unions has sparked celebrations across Bangkok. In addition to legal recognition, same-sex couples in Thailand have expressed their gratitude for the law's provision of legal, financial, and medical rights, offering them greater security and protection.