Equal marriage registration services to open Thursday, January 23

[Gaybutton]

Unfortunately, so far this is the only article I have found about it and it is woefully lacking in details, such as where these registration offices even are, whether you can walk in or appointments are necessary, operating hours, what paperwork is required, whether there are any fees, and where and how to legally marry once the registration is complete.

I hope details will be published soon. If and when further details become available, they will be posted. For now, this is all we've got.

If you intend to marry a Thai, I urge you to consult a Thai attorney before legally tying the knot. Along with other issues you might want to discuss, I would also want it made clear to me how to get out of it in case the marriage does not work out. If you are not married, all you have to do would be to simply walk away if the relationship goes bad. But how will that work once you are legally married?

I would want to know every little detail of what I am getting myself into before getting myself into it - and base my decisions on reality and common sense.




______________________________________________________

Equal marriage registration services open nationwide on Jan 23

by THE NATION

January 3, 2025

Offices nationwide will be ready to provide equal marriage registration services on January 23, 2025, to facilitate couples who wish to register under the new law, the Ministry of Interior said.

Traisuli Traisoranakul, secretary and a spokesperson for the ministry, announced on Friday the preparations to implement the Equal Marriage Law.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has assigned the Department of Provincial Administration to ensure readiness, including providing training on procedures, operational steps, and service systems.

"These are for the couples who can register according to the new law with ease, in line with the law’s intentions," Traisuli said.

The spokesperson added that the department had consulted with relevant agencies to amend regulations and draft the ministry's regulations on family registration to accommodate the work of officials and registrars.

Additionally, computer systems and registration forms have been prepared. The trial run of the system was completed in December 2024. The Equal Marriage Law will come into effect nationwide on January 23.

Same-sex marriage legislation supported by the government of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin and major opposition parties was introduced in the National Assembly in November 2023. It was passed by the House of Representatives in March 2024 and by the Senate in June, and was published in the Royal Gazette on September 24, 2024. It will take effect on January 23, 120 days after the promulgation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/ne ... l/40044786

[Gaybutton]

This is a more lengthy article, but still lacking in practical details.
_________________________

Govt 'ready' for marriage law

Same-sex unions to start from Jan 23

by Poramet Tangsathaporn Chairith Yonpiam

January 4, 2025

The Interior Ministry is ready for the implementation of the Marriage Equality Bill, which is set to become law later this month, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul.

Ms Traisulee said the Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) has revised regulations to be in accordance with the new law and drawn up rules to facilitate the registration work.

Moreover, the department has updated its computer system and marriage registration forms to ensure that the registration of same-sex marriages can proceed as soon as the bill becomes law, she said on Friday.

"A trial run was carried out last month, and it's all ready. When the marriage equality law takes effect on Jan 23, same-sex couples can register their marriages at any district office across the country," she said.

The bill was endorsed by His Majesty the King and published in the Royal Gazette on Sept 24 last year, making Thailand the third country or territory in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognise same-sex marriage.

The law allows same-sex couples to marry and grants them the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

These rights include the ability to adopt children, manage and inherit their spouse's assets, the right to divorce, access to state welfare if their spouse is a civil servant, and tax deductions.

The Thai LGBTQ+ community considers it a victory after having fought for their rights for more than two decades and sees the new law as a monumental step towards equal rights in Thailand.

According to the Justice Ministry, it would also review other bills to guarantee that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples to establish a family, such as the surrogacy bill, nationalities bill and gender recognition bill.

Couples can register their marriage at 18 years old or over. However, those under 20 require parental consent.

The law uses gender-neutral terms for married couples, referring to them as "two individuals" instead of "a man and a woman" and replacing "husband and wife" with "spouses".

Bangkok Pride and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plan to organise a mass wedding on the day the bill becomes law and the event will be open to any same-sex couples residing in Thailand or abroad.

It is hoped the event will draw 1,448 same-sex couples to participate as the number symbolises the number of sections of the Marriage Law in the Civil and Commercial Codes that were amended to support same-sex marriage.

Dr Wantanee Wattana, permanent secretary at the BMA, said all 50 districts across the capital worked closely with DoPA to prepare the officials for the new law.

She said the officials received training to help them properly understand the marriage registration system for same-sex couples and to be mindful of the sensitivity needed when addressing sexual diversity.

Dr Wantanee also advised same-sex couples to pre-register with the district office for marriage registration so they can obtain information about the necessary documents.

The initiative to allow same-sex marriage was first proposed in 2001 by then-interior minister Purachai Piamsomboon. However, it was shot down by Thaksin Shinawatra, prime minister at the time.

The idea was revived in 2019 during Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration.

Legislation on marriage equality was approved but later dropped as parliament was dissolved.

The Lower House finally passed the Marriage Equality Bill on March 27, last year and 84 days later, the Senate approved it.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... rriage-law

[2lz2p]

I would think the process will be the same as it now is for heterosexual marriages - This is from Siam Legal's website:

Guideline to Foreigners Getting Married in Thailand
Siam Legal International | Family Law, Marriage

A great number of foreigners have been flying to Thailand to celebrate and register their marriage in the Land of Smiles. Some would marry their Thai sweethearts, while some would go to Thailand to marry their fiancee. Whatever the partnership may be, a little coaching for the foreign party will probably do good help. Here are some basic reminders for foreigners who will be marrying in Thailand: Wedding Ceremony vs. Marriage Registration.

In Thailand, these two serve entirely different purposes. The wedding ceremony is usually held by parties for the purpose of honoring the family, as well as the religious and traditional beliefs which the family is accustomed to. Having the ceremony itself does not mean your marriage is already legally valid and binding in Thailand. This is where Marriage Registration will come in.

Marriage registration is the act of formally recording the union into the Registry of the country. It is a registration that marks the start of a legal marriage in Thailand.
The Necessary Documents

Aside from one’s passport, the other important document required for a foreigner to marry in Thailand is his Affidavit of Freedom to Marry. This Affidavit must be secured from one’s Embassy in Thailand after his arrival in the country. Once issued the Affidavit, have the same translated into Thai and certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before heading to the local district office for the marriage registration.
Translation and Certification

Each of the parties is given a Certificate of Marriage after the union is formally registered at the district office. Since the certificate is in Thai, the foreign party will need to have the Certificate translated into English before the same can be used for reporting to his home state. After the translation is done, the document must be brought to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Certification.

This is an Guide from Thaiger: https://thethaiger.com/guides/essential ... n-thailand

The US Embassy has information on its website at: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se ... -thailand/

[Gaybutton]

Thank you 2lz2p. That is very helpful information. Based on the poll, very few of our board members have plans to marry in the first place.

[Gaybutton]

"As for foreigners, they have to show their passports and single status certificates . . ."

Single Status Certificate? That is a document I've never heard of. The only place I can think of where I register myself as single is on my income tax return. Apparently it can be issued by embassies. Just what kind of documentation requirements and fees are involved - if anyone finds out, please let us know.
______________________________________________________________________

Registering for a Same Sex Marriage in Thailand When It Becomes Legal This Month

By Adam Judd

12 January, 2025

Same-sex couples will be able to register their marriage at any district office across Thailand, and at Thai embassies overseas, from 23 January 2025, the day the Marriage Equality Act comes into effect. The law allows same-sex partners to marry and grants them the same legal rights that heterosexual couples have.

To celebrate Marriage Equality Day on 23 January, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has organized a mass marriage registration on that day, from 08.30 to 16.30 hr, at Paragon Hall in Siam Paragon. Couples who plan to register their marriage at Siam Paragon or in the 50 districts in Bangkok on the 23rd are encouraged to fill out an online form prior the day via the link https://shorturl.at/lotny.

Couples have to bring their ID cards or equivalent documents issued by a government agency and their household registration documents. As for foreigners, they have to show their passports and single status certificates from their home country or issued by their embassy in Thailand. Registration guidelines, in both Thai and English languages, can be found at the link - scroll down for English:



https://tpnnational.com/2025/01/12/regi ... his-month/

[Gaybutton]

If you are getting married, I suppose your Thai partner will know where the registration offices are. I still don't know. None of the articles I've read say specifically where these registration offices are located. I don't even know who to ask. If any of you have any of that kind of information, please post.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Equality Begins Here – Banglamung District ready to register same-sex marriages starting Jan 23

By Pattaya Mail

January 16, 2025

Banglamung District Chief, Patcharapat Sritanyanont, has confirmed the district’s readiness to register same-sex marriages following the passage of Thailand’s Marriage Equality Act. The law will come into effect on January 23, 2025, allowing LGBTQ+ couples to register their marriages at any of the 878 registration offices across the country.

Banglamung has been selected as one of 24 target districts by the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, due to its diverse population and significant LGBTQ+ community. To mark this historic moment, the district will participate in a United Nations event symbolizing the borderless nature of equality.

The district has made extensive preparations for the official rollout, including publicizing information about the marriage registration process, detailing the legal benefits, and providing guidelines for all couples, regardless of gender or identity. A pre-registration system has been introduced through Banglamung District’s official Facebook page to streamline the process and ensure proper documentation.

Officials have also undergone training to understand the nuances of communication regarding gender diversity. Special marriage certificates and forms have been prepared, while collaboration with the SWING Foundation has ensured the creation of an inclusive and welcoming registration environment.

For LGBTQ+ couples, the registration requirements mirror those for heterosexual couples. Thai nationals need only present their ID cards. However, international LGBTQ+ couples cannot register their marriages in Thailand. In cases where one partner is Thai and the other is a foreign national, registration is possible, provided the foreign partner proves single status, which may require additional processing time.

This initiative underscores Thailand’s commitment to fostering equality and inclusion, marking a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/equali ... -23-487350

[2lz2p]

It should be in the Banglamung District Office in the Naklua area. That Office Building, as I understand it is next to the Banglamung Police Station. Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bang+ ... FQAw%3D%3D

[Gaybutton]

Thank you 2lz2p. That's a start. Since there are going to be 878 registration offices throughout Thailand and since Pattaya has one of the largest LGBTQ populations in Thailand, my guess is there will be several offices available for registration in Pattaya.

I wish at least one of the articles would include a list of where these offices will be, but so far none I've found have provided such a list. I've even done a Google search trying to find these office locations, but no results. Maybe a few days closer to the 23rd at least one media outlet will post a list. We'll see.

Again, if anyone has any information, please post.

[Dodger]

The office that 2lz2p mentioned in Naklua looks like the only office in the district that registers marriages.

That's the place Jai and I plan on going...but we'll wait until later in the year when the dust settles.

[Gaybutton]

The office that 2lz2p mentioned in Naklua looks like the only office in the district that registers marriages.

I think there will be more, but I suppose we'll know soon enough. With 878 registration offices, it doesn't make sense to me that a city like Pattaya, with a large LGBTQ population, would have only one office. And do we even know that the Naklua office is one of those offices?

What about Pattaya City Hall? What about police stations? What about attorney offices? What about visa agencies? What about Buddhist temples? What about other places?

I can't imagine Pattaya will have only one office available. I also can't imagine Earth is the only planet in the entire universe where life exists.