Thailand is making history by becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill, with 400 out of 415 lawmakers present voting in favor, according to Reuters.
Although the bill still needs approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king, it is expected to proceed smoothly as all major parties in Thailand support it. Once the bill is signed by the king, Thailand will officially become the third Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
The new law will come into effect 120 days after the king’s approval, granting LGBTQ couples inheritance and adoption rights equal to heterosexual marriages. The bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code to change the definition of marriage to “two individuals,” replacing the previous “a man and a woman.”
The passage of this law is a significant step towards equality in Thai society. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s government, along with the Move Forward Party, has been strong advocates for marriage equality, fulfilling a campaign promise from last year’s election.
While the law is a cause for celebration among LGBTQ rights advocates, there are still areas for improvement. Advocates have called for more gender-neutral language in the law to prevent discrimination against same-sex couples, particularly in issues like adoption.