Thailand’s Senate has decisively approved a marriage equality bill, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to pass such legislation. On Tuesday, 130 out of 152 senators voted in favour of the bill, with only 4 opposing and 18 abstaining.
The next steps for the bill include receiving the formal endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and being published in the Government Gazette, which will set a date within 120 days for the law to take effect.
Once enacted, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The marriage equality bill ensures full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender. It passed the House of Representatives just before the previous parliamentary session ended in April.
The new law will amend the Civil and Commercial Code, replacing the terms “men and women” and “husband and wife” with “individuals” and “marriage partners.”
This legislative change represents a significant milestone for Thailand, a country known for its cultural acceptance and inclusivity, yet one that has faced challenges in passing marriage equality laws for decades.
Despite Thailand’s reputation for tolerance, the LGBTQ+ community still encounters discrimination in daily life. Thai society remains largely conservative, and government agencies have historically resisted change. Advocates for gender equality have long struggled to gain acceptance from lawmakers and civil servants.
(With PTI inputs)