Thailand's House of Representatives voted to legalise same-sex marriage bringing the Southeast Asian nation a step closer to becoming the territory in Asia to guarantee equal marital rights.
The lower house of Parliament passed the bill following a third and final reading , with 400 representatives voting in favour. Only 10 members opposed the bill.
The bill still requires approval from the Senate and endorsement from the King before marriage equality can become a reality in Thailand, a process that could still take months.
If passed into law, Thailand would be the first nation in Southeast Asia to legally recognise same-sex marriage.
It would also make the country only the third place in Asia to allow marriage equality after Taiwan legalised same sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.
“ We are now writing a new Thai history that will change Thai society forever l,” Plaifah Kyoka Schdladd , a member of appointment committee told parliament yesterday.”
“ The social situation has changed and it is time the law catches up with the current situation.”
The marriage equality bill that was passed in the lower house was supported by all the major parties and marks a significant step in cementing the country’s reputation as one of the friendliest in the region towards the gay, lesbian and transgender people.
However, the reality according to some members of the LGBTQ community, is different. They say laws prohibit discrimination, but they still face prejudice and even violence in Thailand’s conservative society.
Previous attempts to legalise marriage equality over the past decade have stalled.
In 2020, the Constitutional court ruled that Thailand’s current marriage law which stipulates marriage between a man and woman was constitutional.
Some of the major political parties contesting in last year’s election pledged to push marriage equality as part of their campaign, including the Progressive Move Forward party, which won the most seats.
But the party which had a huge youth following failed to form a government when former rivals joined forces to keep it out of office.
Both the future of the party and its popular leader Pita Limjaroenrat remain uncertain as they face a slew of prosecutions.
Nonetheless Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party, had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to Parliament.
The prime minister, who struck a deal with more conservative factions to form a government has also reportedly voiced support for Bangkok’s bid to host World Pride in 2028.
