Thai lawmakers are set to vote on legalizing same-sex marriage, positioning the country to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognize marriage equality. The senate is expected to approve the legislation on Tuesday, after which it will be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent. The law will take effect 120 days after being published in the official Royal Gazette.
If passed, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the third territory in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The legislation updates marriage laws by replacing terms like “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with gender-neutral language. It grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples in areas such as adoption and inheritance.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and the bill, will host activists and supporters at his official residence for celebrations after the vote. Supporters plan to hold a rally featuring a drag show in central Bangkok, where shopping malls have been displaying rainbow flags since the start of Pride Month in June. Activists hope the first weddings can take place as early as October.
“I am confident that the bill will pass,” LGBTQ+ activist Siritata Ninlapruek told the media. “I believe that parliament members will realize the importance of equal rights and the family institution. This topic is too big to fail.”
Thailand is known for its tolerance of the LGBTQ+ community, with opinion polls showing strong public support for marriage equality. “I am so happy to see how far we have come,” said Chotika Hlengpeng, a participant in a Pride march in Bangkok earlier in June.
Tuesday’s vote is the result of years of campaigning and previous unsuccessful attempts to pass equal marriage laws. While popular support is high, traditional and conservative values persist in Buddhist-majority Thailand, and LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination in everyday life. Additionally, some activists have criticized the new laws for not addressing the rights of transgender and non-binary people, who will still be unable to change their gender on official identity documents.
