Thailand passes landmark bill approving same-sex marriage

THAILAND: Thailand’s Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday (18 June) to approve a marriage equality bill, positioning the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to enact such a law.

The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 130 out of 152 senators in attendance, with only 4 voting against it and 18 abstaining.

The bill now awaits the formal endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and its publication in the Government Gazette.

This will set a date within 120 days for the law to become effective.

Upon enactment, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the third place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage.

“Today is the day that Thai people will smile. It is a victory for the people,” Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP from the progressive Move Forward Party, told reporters ahead of the vote.

“Today it finally is happening in Thailand.”

The new legislation revises existing marriage laws to replace references to “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with gender-neutral terms such as “individual.”

It also ensures that same-sex couples receive the same rights as heterosexual couples in matters of adoption and inheritance.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community and the bill, will host celebrations at his official residence for activists and supporters later in the day.

The marriage equality bill, which grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender, had previously sailed through the House of Representatives with the approval of 400 out of 415 members present, just before the previous parliamentary session concluded in April.

The urgency of the Senate’s vote on the first day of the current parliamentary session underscored the government’s commitment to passing the bill.

However, the bill did face some opposition.

Retired army General Worapong Sa-nganet argued for the inclusion of both gender-specific and gender-neutral terms, suggesting that excluding the former would be a severe “subversion of the institution of family” in Thailand.

Confident in the bill’s passage, the government had preemptively announced a celebration at Government House.

“Passing the law is a triumph for justice and human rights,” said Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn of the human rights organization Fortify Rights.

“The Thai government must now focus on ensuring swift and effective implementation of this law to safeguard LGBTI+ rights. Marriage equality is fundamental to human dignity, and it is essential that Thailand protects these rights without delay or discrimination.”

While Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, it has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law.

Despite conservative values held by much of Thai society and historical resistance from government and state agencies, advocates for gender equality have persevered.

The current government, led by the Pheu Thai party, has made marriage equality a key goal.

The administration aligned itself closely with the annual Bangkok Pride parade earlier this month, where thousands celebrated in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.