BANGKOK: Thailand is getting closer to becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after the Lower House of the Thai Parliament passed a marriage equality bill (RUU), Wednesday (27 March).
The bill will be sent to the Senate and if approved will be submitted to the King of Thailand for signature before becoming law.
This effort to legalize same-sex marriage has absolute support from all major Thai parties.
400 of the 415 MPs present voted in favor. Only 10 parliamentarians voted against it.
“We are doing this for all Thai people to reduce inequality in society to achieve equality,” Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the bill, told lawmakers.
“I would like to invite all of you to make history.”
The passing of the bill marks a major step that confirms Thailand’s position as one of the most liberal countries in Asia on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.
The open attitude of the people of the “White Elephant” country coexists with the traditional and conservative values of Buddhism.
Thailand has long been a destination for same-sex couples due to its dynamic LGBT social life for both Thais and foreigners.
Not to be left behind, Thailand also launched a campaign targeted at attracting LGBT travelers.
This bill will come into force within 120 days of the King’s approval Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Thailand will follow Taiwan and Nepal to become the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
This legislative process has been going on for more than a decade. The bill was delayed multiple times due to political turmoil and differences of opinion regarding the approach that should be taken and what should be included in the bill.
In 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled Thailand’s current marriage law, which only recognizes heterosexual couples, was constitutional, and recommended expanding legislation to ensure the rights of other genders.
Parliament in December approved four different bills on same-sex marriage at first reading and tasked a committee with combining them into one single bill.