Thailand becomes third Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage - Know which other countries have legalised it - World News

If the bill is enacted into law, Thailand would emerge as the pioneer in Southeast Asia in legally recognising same-sex marriage

Written by FE News Desk

March 27, 2024 16:24 IST

Thailand to legalise same-sex unions (Photo: Canva/Representative Image)

Thailand’s House of Representatives made a historic decision by voting to legalise same-sex marriage, marking a significant stride towards ensuring equal marital rights in the Southeast Asian nation on Wednesday. If enacted, Thailand would join a select few territories in Asia in granting such rights.

Following a third and final reading, the lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved the bill, with 400 representatives voting in favor and only 10 opposing. However, for marriage equality to be established in Thailand, the bill still needs to secure approval from the Senate and receive endorsement from the king, a process that could span several months.

The passage of the marriage equality bill in the lower house on Wednesday, with support from all major parties, signifies a significant leap forward in Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. Despite legal protections, many LGBTQ individuals still encounter discrimination and violence in Thai society.

If the bill is enacted into law, Thailand would emerge as the pioneer in Southeast Asia in legally recognising same-sex marriage.

This landmark move would position the country as only the third in Asia to embrace marriage equality, following the footsteps of Taiwan, which legalised same-sex marriage in 2019, and Nepal in 2023.