Thailand will become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage after the kingdom’s Senate approved a marriage equality Bill on Tuesday, with supporters calling it a “monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.”
The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favour of passing the Bill following a final reading, with 130 senators voting in favour. Only four members opposed the Bill.
The Bill still requires endorsement from the king before marriage equality can become reality in Thailand, but this process is considered a formality. The law will then come into effect 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.
The result of the vote means that Thailand will become only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.
“The Bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand,” Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, founder of Love Foundation – an NGO campaigning for LGBTQ+ equality in Thailand – told CNN.
“The potential impact of this Bill is immense. It would not only change the lives of countless couples but also contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.”
The Bill grants LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights and recognition as heterosexual couples, including rights related to inheritance, adoption and healthcare decision-making. “Beyond the legal implications, the passage of this bill would send a powerful message of acceptance and inclusion,” Panyaphon said. (CNN)
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