Thailand moves closer to legalising same-sex marriage
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Thailand’s lower house has made history by passing a bill that grants legal recognition to same-sex marriage, marking a significant step towards marriage equality in the country. The legislation, which was initially introduced to parliament in November, was approved by an overwhelming majority of 400 out of 415 lawmakers on Wednesday, March 27. However, the bill still needs to be endorsed by the Senate and receive royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn to officially become law.
The new law defines a marriage union as one between two individuals, regardless of gender, rather than the traditional definition of a union between a man and a woman. This groundbreaking development will afford LGBTQ+ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the ability to adopt children, access marital tax benefits, own property jointly, and make medical decisions on behalf of their partners in case of incapacitation.
During the presentation of the draft bill, MP Danuphorn Punnakanta expressed the significance of this legislation as a step towards equality for all Thai citizens. Punnakanta emphasized that the goal of the law is to restore these rights to the LGBTQ+ community, rather than simply granting them new rights. The MP called on all individuals to come together and make history by supporting this progressive legislation.
While the bill represents a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand, some activists have noted that certain issues remain unresolved. During the parliamentary debate, LGBTQ+ advocates pushed for the use of gender-neutral terms like ‘parent’ instead of ‘mother’ and ‘father’ in reference to adoption. Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBT advocate and law lecturer at Mae Fah Luang University, expressed disappointment that these changes were not included in the final version of the bill. Chaiyajit highlighted that while the right to marriage has been granted, full recognition of family establishment rights has not been achieved.
If the bill successfully passes through the Senate and receives royal approval, Thailand would become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following in the footsteps of Taiwan and Nepal in recognizing marriage equality. Taiwan made history in 2019 as the first Asian country to legalize same-sex unions, with Nepal following suit in 2023. In contrast, India’s Supreme Court delivered a disappointing ruling in October 2023 by failing to recognize marriage equality despite a prolonged advocacy campaign by activists.
The passage of the same-sex marriage bill in Thailand signifies a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the region. The legislation not only acknowledges the importance of equality and inclusivity but also paves the way for a more diverse and accepting society. As Thailand moves closer to achieving marriage equality, it sets a positive example for other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond to follow suit in recognizing and upholding the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Thailand, marriage equality
