Rabat – Thailand is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after a parliamentary vote on Tuesday concluded with the senate’s overwhelming approval of the bill by 130 votes to four, with 18 abstentions.
The new legislation, which now awaits royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will come into effect 120 days after being published in the official Royal Gazette.
The new law make Thailand the third country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal. Activists hope that the first same-sex marriages will be celebrated as early as October 2024.
“Today is the day that Thai people will smile. It is a victory for the people,” declared Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a Member of Parliament from the progressive Move Forward Party, ahead of the vote.
The law revises existing marriage regulations by changing references to “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” to gender-neutral terms. It aims to ensure that same-sex couples receive the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts in matters of adoption and inheritance.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, has planned celebrations at his official residence, and a rally featuring a drag show is scheduled in central Bangkok, France 24 reported.
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Despite approval of the bill, some activists have criticized the legislation for not including provisions for transgender and non-binary individuals, who still cannot change their gender on official documents.
Nonetheless, the vote is seen by LGBTQ+ activists as a huge step following years of advocacy.
While Thailand enjoys a reputation for LGBTQ tolerance, activists acknowledge that there are still challenges to overcome in achieving full equality.
A survey by the Pew Research Center revealed last year that 60% of adults in Thailand said they supported legalizing same-sex marriage.
Over 30 countries worldwide have legalized same-sex marriage since the Netherlands first did so in 2001.
