Thailand’s Senate has approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. This landmark decision comes after decades of struggle to pass a marriage equality law in a society that largely holds conservative values. The bill, which grants full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender, received overwhelming support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Following the Senate’s approval, the bill now awaits the pro forma endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and its publication in the Government Gazette, after which it will become effective within 120 days.
The timing of the Senate’s vote on the first day of the current parliamentary session suggests the urgency in passing the bill. The legislation will amend the country’s Civil and Commercial Code to replace gender-specific terms with gender-neutral words to ensure inclusivity. However, the approval of the bill was not without challenges, as one Senate member argued for including gender-specific terms alongside gender-neutral ones to uphold the institution of family in Thailand. Despite this, supporters of the bill, including an 18-year-old non-binary individual, hailed the legislation as a force of hope that will foster acceptance of diversity in Thailand.
A celebration was held at Government House to commemorate the passing of the bill, attended by politicians, celebrities, diplomats, activists from the LGBTQ+ community, and their supporters. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was unable to attend due to testing positive for COVID-19, congratulated the collective effort that led to the bill’s passage through a social media platform. The government’s focus now shifts towards ensuring the swift and effective implementation of the law to safeguard the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Organizations such as Fortify Rights have hailed the passage of the law as a triumph for justice and human rights, emphasizing the importance of protecting marriage equality without delay or discrimination.
The Pheu Thai party, currently in government, has made marriage equality one of its main goals, aligning itself with events like the annual Bangkok Pride parade to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. In becoming the third place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, Thailand has set a precedent for other countries in the region to follow. The approval of this bill marks a significant step towards greater inclusivity and acceptance in Thai society, challenging traditional norms and barriers that have hindered progress in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. As Thailand prepares to officially legalize same-sex marriage, the government faces the crucial task of ensuring equal rights and protections for all its citizens, regardless of their gender identity.
