Thailand Passes Bill To Legalize Same Sex Marriage, Becomes The Third Asian Country On The List

Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian country to recognize equal marriage after lawmakers approved a same-sex marriage measure.

Thailand passes bill to legalize same-sex marriage

Thailand passed bill to legalize same sex marriage | Image: Unsplash

In a final reading on Wednesday, the lower chamber of parliament easily approved the law, with 400 voting in favor and only 10 voting against. If the bill passes, Thailand will become only the third Asian country to legalize gay marriage.

Before it can become law, the bill must first be approved by the country's Senate and then by the King. The law, which has been in the works for over a decade, may go into force within 120 days of receiving royal approval.

"I want to invite you all to make history," said Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee, before to the vote. "We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality."

What will change after the passed bill becomes a law?

The law would also allow LGBTQ couples the same inheritance and adoption rights | Image: Unsplash

The legislation would replace references to "men," "women," "husbands," and "wives" in marriage law with gender-neutral words. It would also allow LGBTQ couples the same inheritance and adoption rights as straight marriages.

While Thailand has a favorable image within the international LGBTQ community, campaigners have long pushed against conservative attitudes and values.

Thailand became the third Asian country to do so

Across Asia, only Taiwan and Nepal recognise same-sex marriage | Image: Generated on DALL.E

In 2020, the Constitutional Court determined that the current marriage legislation, which solely recognises heterosexual couples, was constitutional. However, it also urged that legislation be expanded to protect minorities' rights.

In December, the parliament approved the first readings of four separate draft measures on same-sex marriage and charged a committee with consolidating them into a single document.

When it was announced that the law had been adopted, one representative entered the chamber with a large rainbow flag. Across Asia, only Taiwan and Nepal recognise same-sex marriage.

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