Thailand updates family registration for equal marriage rights
A new regulation by the Ministry of Interior regarding family registration was published in the Royal Gazette on Monday, January 20, aligning it with the equal marriage bill set to be enacted tomorrow, January 23.
The Ministry of Interior Regulation on Family Registration (No.4) 2025 is designed to accommodate same-gender families, including those engaged or married, as explained by deputy government spokesperson Karom Polpornklang.
In the updated regulation, terms such as “man,” “woman,” “husband,” “wife,” and “husband and wife” have been replaced by “person,” “fiance,” “fiancee,” and “spouse.”
According to Karom, these changes will impact family registration and recording systems in district offices under the Interior Ministry. The ministry has revised the system to facilitate the registration of marriages and divorces for same-sex couples.
The regulation will take effect tomorrow, coinciding with the implementation of the Marriage Equality Bill.
The Department of Provincial Administration, serving as the central registrar, has coordinated with registration departments across 878 district offices, 50 district offices in Bangkok, and 94 Thai embassies and consulates globally. These preparations ensure smooth marriage registration processes from tomorrow, reported Bangkok Post.
Bangkok Pride expressed its approval of the new regulation through a statement on its Facebook page.
“It marks a 104-day wait since the Marriage Equality Law received a royal endorsement on September 24 last year.
“The Ministry of Interior has issued the necessary family registration regulations, effective January 23. From this date forward, anyone, regardless of their gender, will truly be able to marry without legal restrictions tied to gender.”
The Equal Marriage Bill has been acknowledged by the United Nations as an exemplary non-discrimination policy for other member states to emulate, as per Michaela Friberg-Storey, the UN resident coordinator. During the launch of the Flag of Love Across Thailand campaign at the United Nations Conference Centre on January 13. Friberg-Storey highlighted Thailand’s upcoming milestone tomorrow when it will become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage.
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