Thailand passes same-sex marriage bill becoming first country in Southeast Asia

Thailand has achieved a historic milestone as its lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to recognize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.

The bill gained significant support, with 400 out of 415 members of the House of Representatives voting in favour, while 10 voted against it, two abstained, and three did not cast a vote.

If passed, the legislation would amend the Civil and Commercial Code to replace the terms "men and women" and "husband and wife" with "individuals" and "marriage partners," respectively. This change would grant LGBTQ+ couples access to full legal, financial, and medical rights.

The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate, where approval is expected given the Senate's historical deference to legislation passed by the lower house. Following Senate approval, the bill will proceed to the king for royal endorsement, ultimately securing it into law.

Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, a spokesperson with activist group Fortify Rights, expressed hope that the later stages of the bill would progress smoothly in order for her country to “be on par with the international level in terms of LGBT rights”.

The vote follows a decision by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s cabinet last year that gave the go-ahead for the parliament debate.

This development solidifies Thailand's reputation as a relatively progressive and inclusive nation for LGBTQ+ individuals. “It’s a huge step for our country — it is the first in Southeast Asia,” Mookdapa said.

While Thailand has long been viewed as a welcoming destination for the LGBTQ+ community, achieving marriage equality has been a prolonged struggle. Singapore discarded a colonial-era law that banned gay sex in 2022 but also amended its constitution to prevent the courts from challenging the definition of marriage as one between a man and a woman. However, recent efforts by lawmakers, including Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's administration, have underscored the government's commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

The bill's passage represents a culmination of years of advocacy and activism within Thai society, signalling a profound shift towards greater inclusivity and acceptance. It also positions Thailand alongside Taiwan and Nepal as one of the few Asian nations to embrace marriage equality.