News Desk

In a groundbreaking decision, Thailand’s Senate has passed a marriage equality bill, setting the stage for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage. This landmark legislation, the result of over two decades of relentless advocacy by LGBTQ+ activists, received overwhelming support in the Senate on Tuesday. The bill now awaits royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which is widely anticipated.

Rights advocates are hailing the bill as a significant triumph. “Today is the day that Thai people will smile. It is a victory for the people,” said Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP from the progressive Move Forward Party.

Despite Thailand’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, legal recognition and rights have lagged behind. The new legislation aims to rectify this by amending existing marriage laws to use gender-neutral terms, redefining marriage as a partnership between two individuals, regardless of gender.

The bill also extends several legal benefits to same-sex couples, including the right to adopt children, tax deductions, medical consent for spouses, joint property management, and inheritance rights.

Once the bill receives royal assent, it will become law 120 days after being published in the royal gazette, marking a significant step forward in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand and the broader region.