Thailand on Tuesday passed the final reading of a historic marriage equality bill, setting the stage for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.
The bill, which received overwhelming support from upper-house lawmakers, will now be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for pro-forma endorsement. Once published in the Royal Gazette, the law will come into force 120 days later.
The bill passed on Tuesday with 130 of the 152 attending Senate members voting in favor, four against, and 18 abstaining. The bill will alter the Thai marriage law to include same-sex couples. This significant step has sparked widespread excitement and support both within Thailand and internationally. “We’re all just excited,” said Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an 18-year-old activist, expressing the sentiments of many supporters. “I can feel the whole world cheering us on.”
Social media has been abuzz with supportive messages from around the globe, including in languages such as French, Spanish, and Burmese, highlighting the international significance of this legislative milestone.
Third Asian Country to legalize same-sex marriage
With this bill’s passage, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriages. Just in November, the country
This move comes as India’s top court recently declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, deferring the decision to its parliament.
