Today is a historic day for all queer people around the world but especially in Thailand!
Thailand has become the third country in Asia and the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after the Senate gave the bill a third and final reading, which had a surprise majority with 130 votes in favor , 4 against and 18 abstentions.
A Historic Decision for the LGBTQ+ Community in Thailand
This proposal still requires the king’s response before marriage equality can be a reality in Thailand, however this step is seen more as a formality. The law may come into force 60 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette.
Historic victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand as the marriage equality bill has officially been approved in the legislature with an overwhelming 130 votes in favour. 😭🙏🏼🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇹🇭😭🙏🏼🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇹🇭😭🙏🏼pic.twitter.com/1hVy0ghSgU
— yammi (@sighyam) June 18, 2024
Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, founder of ‘Love Foundation’, an NGO campaigning for LGBTQ+ equality in Thailand, told CNN:
“The bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand… The potential impact of this bill is immense. It would not only change the lives of countless couples but also contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.”
Likewise, in a statement from Fortify Rights, LGBT activist Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn mentioned that:
“Thailand is set to make history as the first Southeast Asia nation to legalize marriage for LGBTI+ couples… Passing the marriage equality bill would be an important step towards ending discriminatory restrictions that have denied basic rights to LGBTI+ persons in Thailand for too long.”
🏳️🌈Will Thailand’s marriage equality #สมรสเท่าเทียม become a reality?
Here’s our call for action ahead of today’s final reading of the bill by Thai parliament.
🔗https://t.co/hzmTgrY4wS pic.twitter.com/kikSjt3HBX
— Fortify Rights (@FortifyRights) June 18, 2024
This law would give LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights and recognition as heterosexual couples in Thailand, including, of course, rights related to inheritance, adoption, and healthcare decision-making.
During the first months of 2024, the NGO Fortify Rights acted as an advisor to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Commission of the Law to Modify the Civil and Commercial Code, in charge of preparing the latest bill from four bills presented to the parliament by the government.
Regarding the fundamental right to marry and found a family, LGBTI+ activist Anticha Sangchai said during an event in May:
“There shouldn’t be a ‘standard’ to what a family means … [It] is the kind of intimate relationship that people should have the freedom to determine for themselves, not for the society to dictate.”
For this incredible marriage equality bill to become law, the following process must be carried out: first, it must go through three readings in the House of Representatives and then another three readings in the Senate, this before being presented to the Prime Minister, who must request royal approval from the King. Once passed, the bill will then be published in the Royal Gazette and become law after 60 days.
