Thailand Passes Historic Same-Sex Marriage Law, Leading Southeast Asia in LGBTQ+ Rights
Thailand's Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to enact such a law. This landmark decision reflects the country's evolving stance on LGBTQ+ rights, despite its traditionally conservative values.
The marriage equality bill, which grants full legal, financial, and medical rights to marriage partners of any gender, passed its final reading in the Senate with 130 out of 152 members voting in favor, four against, and 18 abstaining. This followed a decisive vote in the House of Representatives in April, where 400 out of 415 members approved the bill.
Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The legislation will amend the Civil and Commercial Code to replace gender-specific terms like “men and women” with gender-neutral terms such as “individual.”
The bill now awaits the pro forma endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and publication in the Government Gazette, which will set the law's effective date within 120 days.
The urgency of the Senate's vote, held on the first day of the current parliamentary session, underscores the government's commitment to passing the bill. However, not all were in favor. Retired army Gen. Worapong Sa-nganet argued for the inclusion of gender-specific terms alongside gender-neutral ones, citing concerns about the traditional family structure.
After the vote, Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an 18-year-old non-binary individual, expressed gratitude and called the legislation a “force of hope” for Thailand's acceptance of diversity. “Today, love trumps prejudice,” Plaifah said.
The government, anticipating the bill's passage, hosted a celebration at Government House, adorned with rainbow decorations. The event featured a colorful parade from Parliament to Government House, attended by politicians, celebrities, diplomats, activists, and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, unable to attend due to a positive COVID-19 test, congratulated the nation via social media. “I am proud of the collective effort of all stakeholders, which reiterates the power of ‘unity in diversity’ of Thai society. We will continue our fight for social rights for all people regardless of their status,” he wrote.
Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn of the human rights organization Fortify Rights hailed the law as a “triumph for justice and human rights.” She urged the Thai government to ensure swift implementation to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights without delay or discrimination.
The Pheu Thai party-led government, which took office last year, has prioritized marriage equality, aligning itself with the annual Bangkok Pride parade earlier this month, where thousands celebrated in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts.
