Thailand is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following a decisive vote by lawmakers. Recently, Thailand’s Senate approved a marriage equality bill with a 130 to 4 vote, with some members abstaining. The bill had previously cleared the House of Representatives in March. The next steps include a review by a Senate committee and the Constitutional Court, followed by royal assent from the king, which is anticipated to be a mere formality.
“After 20 years of efforts to legalize this matter,” remarked 18-year-old activist Plaifa Kyoka Shodladd in the Senate chamber, “finally, love wins.”
The bill’s approval highlights Thailand’s position as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ couples in Asia, joining Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian countries to recognize same-sex marriage. India’s Supreme Court recently deferred the decision on gay marriage to Parliament, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has voiced strong opposition. Other Asian countries maintain harsh penalties for homosexuality; for instance, Indonesia criminalized extramarital sex in 2022, and Brunei briefly imposed a death penalty for gay sex in 2019 following international backlash.
In Bangkok, hundreds of supporters celebrated the bill’s passage with a vibrant Pride rally, braving the intense heat. The festivities included flag-waving, balloon-throwing, and a parade set to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and a ’90s Thai pop song, “History,” with lyrics celebrating the move towards equality.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who contracted COVID-19, announced plans to host a celebration for activists but was unable to attend. Activist Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn from the human rights group Fortify Rights urged authorities to swiftly enforce the legislation, which will take effect 120 days after royal endorsement.
However, the bill faced opposition from figures like Senator Gen. Worapong Sanga-Nate, who argued that same-sex marriage could undermine traditional family structures and complicate administrative processes within the Ministry of Interior.
The legislation amends Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, defining marriage as a partnership between two individuals aged 18 and above, without specifying gender. It grants LGBTQ+ couples equal rights in adoption, tax allowances, inheritance, and medical consent for incapacitated partners.
Although the bill has sparked debate since its initial introduction over 20 years ago, public opinion in Thailand has increasingly favored marriage equality. A Pew Research Center survey from last year indicated that 60 percent of Thai adults support legalizing same-sex marriage. Despite its social conservatism in other areas, such as the recent rejection of a proposal to allow gender changes on official documents, Thailand’s progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights continues to advance.