Thailand passes landmark Bill recognising marriage equality

BANGKOK – Thailand’s same-sex marriage Bill cleared its final hurdle on June 18, with the Senate endorsing it in a special session and putting Thailand on course to be the first in South-east Asia to guarantee marriage equality.

The Senate gave final approval – by 130 votes to four, with 18 abstentions – to changes to the marriage law allowing same-sex couples to tie the knot.

The new legislation will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and come into force 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.

Thailand will become only the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can get hitched, after Taiwan and Nepal. Activists hope the first weddings could be celebrated as early as October.

“We are very proud of everyone involved in this historic moment. You have helped to bring about a massive change,” Ms Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) activist and member of the committee that scrutinised the law, told senators after the vote.

“Today, love wins over prejudice.”

Ahead of the vote, Mr Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP with the progressive Move Forward Party, said the change in the law was “a victory for the people”.

Thailand is already known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and tolerance, and opinion polls reported in local media show overwhelming public support for equal marriage.

“This would underscore Thailand’s leadership in the region in promoting human rights and gender equality,” the Civil Society Commission of marriage equality, activists and LGBTQ+ couples said.

The new legislation changes references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms.

It also gives same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones when it comes to adoption and inheritance.

“My partner has one boy, and I want to have legal rights to formally adopt him as my child and to have a say about his well-being. This Bill will allow it,” Mr Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, 30, said.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has been vocal in his support for the LGBTQ+ community and the Bill, opened his official residence to activists and supporters for celebrations later.

“We have fought a long time because we believe in all equal rights,” Mr Srettha wrote on his X account after the vote.

“Today is our day. We celebrate to ‘diverse’ love, not ‘different’. Love is beautiful and powerful.”

In central Bangkok, a crowd of activists celebrated the news by watching a drag show and decorating the grounds of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre with a giant rainbow flag.

Long struggle

More than 30 jurisdictions around the world have legalised marriage for all since the Netherlands became the first to celebrate same-sex unions in 2001.

But in Asia, only Taiwan and Nepal recognise marriage equality. India came close, but the Supreme Court referred the decision back to Parliament in October 2023.

Thailand’s vote on June 18 is the culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.

While the move enjoys popular support, much of the Buddhist-majority country still retains traditional and conservative values.

LGBTQ+ people, while highly visible, say they still face barriers and discrimination in everyday life.

Some activists have criticised the new laws for failing to recognise transgender and non-binary people, who will still not be allowed to change their gender on official identity documents. AFP, REUTERS