Thailand’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved and submitted to the country’s parliament a draft law allowing same-sex couples to register same-sex marriages and raise children, Thai media reported.
The Senate gave final approval by 130 votes to four, with 18 abstentions, to amend the marriage law to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The new law will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal sanction and will come into effect 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.
Thailand will become only the third place in Asia where same-sex couples can marry, after Taiwan and Nepal, and activists hope that the same-sex couples can celebrate first weddings as early as October. Mr Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP with the progressive Move Forward Party, told reporters ahead of the vote:
“Today is the day that Thai people will smile. It is a victory for the people. Today it finally is happening in Thailand.”
LGBTQ+ advocates have called the move a “monumental step forward” as it will make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to pass marriage equality legislation.
Thailand is already known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and tolerance, making it a popular destination for tourists. The Civil Society Commission of marriage equality, activists and LGBTI+ couples said:
“This would underscore Thailand’s leadership in the region in promoting human rights and gender equality.”
The bill was the culmination of more than a decade of efforts by activists and politicians, after previous drafts failed to make it to parliament.
Earlier, thousands of LGBTQ+ people and activists paraded through the streets of Bangkok, joined by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who wore a rainbow shirt to mark pride month.
