Thai Senate set to approve same-sex marriage
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Thailand has long enjoyed a reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ community.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK - Thai lawmakers will vote on June 18 to legalise same-sex marriage, putting the kingdom on the cusp of becoming the first South-east Asian nation to recognise marriage equality.
The Senate Upper House is expected to approve the legislation, after which it will go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and come into force 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.
Thailand would become only the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can tie the knot, after Taiwan
“I am confident that the Bill will pass,” lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) activist Siritata Ninlapruek told AFP.
“I believe that Parliament members will realise the importance of equal rights and the family institution. This topic is too big to fail.”
Senators will meet from 9.30am (10.30am Singapore time), with a final vote expected in the afternoon.
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.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has been vocal in his support for the LGBTQ community and the Bill, will open his official residence to activists and supporters for celebrations after the vote on Tuesday.
Activists will later hold a rally featuring a drag show in central Bangkok, where giant shopping malls have been flying the rainbow flag in a show of support since the start of Pride Month in June.
Long struggle
Thailand has long enjoyed a reputation for tolerance of the LGBTQ community, and opinion polls reported in local media show overwhelming public support for equal marriage.
More than 30 countries 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 in October 2023, but the Supreme Court referred the decision back to Parliament.
“I am so happy to see how far we have come,” said Chotika Hlengpeng, a participant in the Pride march that drew thousands of enthusiasts in Bangkok early in June.
The vote on June 18 is a culmination of years of campaigning and thwarted attempts to pass equal marriage laws.
While the move enjoys popular support, much of Buddhist-majority Thailand still retains traditional and conservative values.
LGBTQ people, while highly visible, say they still face barriers and discrimination in everyday life.
And 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
