Thailand Makes History: First Country in Southeast Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
On June 18, 2024, Thailand's Senate passed a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. This makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia, alongside Taiwan and Nepal, to allow for marriage equality.
The bill still requires endorsement from the king before it becomes law. However, this process is considered a formality as King Maha Vajiralongkorn has previously expressed support for LGBTQ rights.
Thailand's new marriage law grants full legal, financial, and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender. This legislation will amend the country's Civil and Commercial Code to replace gender-specific words such as 'men and women' with gender-neutral words such as 'individual'.
The passage of this bill is a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in Thailand, who have long faced discrimination in everyday life. The government, led by the Pheu Thai party, has made marriage equality one of its main goals and identified itself with the annual Bangkok Pride parade earlier this month.
The timing of the Senate's vote on Tuesday suggests the urgency in getting the bill passed. Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Thai society largely holds conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ community have faced discrimination from both government agencies and civil servants.
The new law is expected to open many doors for same-sex couples in Thailand, providing them with legal recognition and protection under the law. It will also allow them to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual married couples, including inheritance, adoption, and health care decision-making.
Thailand's marriage equality bill was first introduced in 2003 but faced opposition from conservative members of parliament. However, public opinion has shifted in recent years with increasing awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ rights. The passage of this bill marks a monumental step forward for human rights and equality in Thailand.
Sources: [1] 'Thailand's senate passes landmark marriage equality bill', CNN, 2024-06-18T08:11:29.055Z [2] 'Thailand becomes first South-East Asian country to legalise same sex marriage', ABC News, 2024-06-18T07:58:51.0Z [3] 'Thailand approves a landmark bill to legalize marriage equality', NBC News, 2024-06-18T19:09:21.864Z