Thailand passes landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage

It will be the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage equality.

Thailand's Senate has passed a marriage equality bill, paving the way for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

The upper house approved the measure in its final reading on Tuesday – 130 votes in favor, four against and 18 absent with 152 members present.

The legislation will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for assent, a formality that is widely expected to be granted. It will come into force 120 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette.

If the law goes into effect, Thailand will become the third Asian jurisdiction after Nepal and Taiwan to legalize same-sex marriage.

LGBTQ advocates called the move a “monumental step.”

The law labels marriage as a partnership between two people and changes references to “man”, “woman”, “husband” and “wife” to gender-neutral terms. It would give LGBTQ couples the same inheritance and adoption rights as heterosexual marriages.

Although Thailand is known for its vibrant LGBTQ culture and tolerance, activists have struggled for decades against conservative attitudes.

Many criticized the law for failing to recognize transgender and nonbinary people, who still cannot change their gender on official identity documents.

“We are very proud to make history,” said Plafah Kyoka Shodlad, a member of the parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage.

“Today, love has triumphed over superstition after more than 20 years of fighting. Today, we can say that we have marriage equality in this country.”

Politicians and activists were seen celebrating in the National Assembly, waving rainbow flags and smiling, some raising their fists in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

In March, the lower house approved the bill almost unanimously with only 10 of the 415 sitting lawmakers voting against it.

Prime Minister Sretha Thavisin, who has been vocal and measured in support of the LGBTQ community, will open her official residence to activists and supporters for the celebration.

In 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled that the current marriage law, which recognizes only heterosexual couples, was constitutional. But it also recommended expanding the law to ensure the rights of minorities.

In December, the National Assembly approved the first reading of four draft bills on same-sex marriage and tasked a committee with consolidating them into one draft.