A new marriage law set to go into force in Thailand on Thursday will grant full equality to same-sex couples, including legal, financial and medical rights. Only two other places in Asia — Nepal and Taiwan — have similar laws in place.

The struggle for marriage equality in Thailand has lasted decades.

Plus and Gaye, a lesbian couple who preferred not to give their full names, told DW that the new law "gives us the courage to look toward a future beyond relationships."

After being together for nearly 20 years, they are now eligible for tax deductions, health care consent and joint property management — rights that were previously reserved for heterosexual couples.

The bill grants "basic human rights to the LGBTQ community," said Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, human rights associate for Fortify Rights.

But she questions whether the law will be implemented properly.

"Officials need to be informed and trained to avoid discrimination," Yangyuenpradorn said, "whether it is when the couples register their marriage, sign medical consent forms or adoption papers."

It is also telling that gender-specific words, such as "husbands," "wives," "men" and "women," have been replaced with gender-neutral terms, but lawmakers did not include the word "parent" in addition to "father and mother."

Thailand has long been hailed as a haven for LGBTQ people. But Yangyuenpradorn doubts the country will build on the momentum of its marriage equality law.

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