LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/Getty Images
Thailand’s Senate has voted in favor of a marriage equality law, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Today the bill received its final reading, with 130 of the 152 members of the Thai Senate voting in favor, four against and 18 abstaining. It must now be approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a gesture that is considered a formality, according to CNN. The bill will then come into effect within 120 days of publication in the Thai government gazette. In April, Thailand’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the legislation, with 400 of the 415 lawmakers who took part in the vote supporting it. This long-awaited change follows the arrival of a more liberal government in 2023 and decades of organizing by Thai LGBTQ+ activists.
“The bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand,” Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, the founder of LGBTQ+ equality NGO Love Foundation, told CNN. “[…] It would inspire the younger generations to come out and live their lives authentically, it would showcase Thailand as a progressive and inclusive country – attracting tourists and businesses… and it would promote a culture change where LGBTQ+ individuals feel accepted and supported to feel.
Thailand will become the third Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, after Nepal in 2023 and Taiwan in 2019. NBC News reports that the country’s marriage equality legislation will update Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code and replace gender-related terms such as “men.” ‘women’, ‘men’ and ‘women’ with gender-neutral alternatives such as ‘person’ and ‘husband’. In addition to the ability to legally marry, same-sex couples will also have equal access to consent for healthcare, inheritance and adoption of children. Transgender people will also receive these legal benefits, although at this time they are still officially recognized based on gender assigned at birth.
Over the years, Thailand has become a popular LGBTQ+ travel destination, with the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association calling it “one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world.” [Asian] continent.” The legalization of same-sex marriage will improve the lives of LGBTQ+ Thai citizens in tangible ways.
Thailand could soon legalize same-sex marriage. It would change lives.
Three couples share how marriage equality would change their lives outside of marriage – and possibly change Thai culture.
Speak with Them in February, Shane Bhatla, deputy director of trans and intersectional justice at the Equal Asia Foundation, said marriage equality would put Thailand in a better position to win its bid to host World Pride in 2028 and potentially spark an economic boom thanks to more couples seeing Thailand as an LGBTQ+ friendly travel destination.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Chayin Tengkanokkul said Them that he believes marriage equality would help normalize the LGBTQ+ community, both in Thailand and in neighboring countries such as Malaysia, where male homosexuality is illegal.
“Those countries are much worse off than us, so if we can set an example to them that this is normal, it could have a ripple effect,” Tengkanokkul said.
Make the most of what is strange. Sign up for Them‘s weekly newsletter here.
Originally appeared on them.
