Thailand Passes Bill Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Thailand Parliament Passes Bill Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

BANGKOK, TH — (03-28-24) — Thailand’ Parliament made history yesterday when it passed a same-sex marriage bill, making the country the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize same-sex marriage.

“I want to invite you all to make history,” said Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee, ahead of the vote. “We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality.” said Punnakanta.

The lower house of parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of the legislation, with 400 supporting its passage and just 10 against it in a final reading on Wednesday. When the bill takes effect, Thailand would be just the third Asian country to legalize gay marriage.

The same-sex marraige bill now moves on to the country’s Senate and then sent to the king for his signature. More than a decade in the making, the legislation could take effect within 120 days of royal approval.

The legislation would change references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms. It would also grant LGBTQ couples inheritance and adoption rights equal to those of heterosexual marriages.