Thailand Moves One Step Closer to Legalising Same-Sex Marriages
Image Source: Zee News
On March 27, Thailand’s lower house of parliament achieved a milestone by passing a marriage equality bill during its final reading, marking a significant stride towards potentially becoming the third territory in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.
For the bill to become law, it now awaits approval from the Senate and subsequent endorsement from the king. Notably, the bill garnered support from all major parties in Thailand and secured an overwhelming majority vote of 400 out of 415 lawmakers present, with only 10 voting against it. Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee responsible for the draft bill, addressed lawmakers before the reading, emphasising the aim of reducing societal disparities and fostering equality for all Thai citizens.
The passage of this legislation not only underscores Thailand’s reputation as one of Asia’s most progressive societies regarding LGBTQ+ rights but also reflects the coexistence of liberal attitudes alongside traditional Buddhist values.
Thailand has long been an attractive destination for same-sex couples, boasting a vibrant LGBTQ+ social scene for both locals and expatriates, as well as targeted initiatives aimed at welcoming LGBTQ+ travelers.
Upon receiving royal approval, the bill could take effect within 120 days, positioning Thailand alongside Taiwan and Nepal as pioneers in legalising same-sex unions within Asia.
The journey towards this legislation has spanned over a decade, marked by political upheavals and disagreements over the bill’s content and approach. In 2020, the Constitutional Court upheld the constitutionality of Thailand’s existing marriage law, which solely recognised heterosexual unions, prompting calls for legislative expansion to safeguard the rights of other gender identities. In December, Parliament initiated the approval process for four separate draft bills concerning same-sex marriage during the first reading, subsequently appointing a committee to consolidate these drafts into a unified proposal.
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