The Thai parliamentarians came together on Tuesday to cast their vote on the legalization of gay marriage, which could make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriages. If the Senate approves the draft legislation, it would be sent to the king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, for his assent and take effect 120 days once published in the government Gazette.
“Todays is a day about happiness among Thais. It is a win for them,” said Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP from Move Forward Party as quoted by reporters.
The new law replaces references such as “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” with gender-neutral terms; therefore allowing same-sex couples to have equal rights in adoption and inheritance-related matters that heterosexuals have.
Thailand has been recognized for years as tolerant of LGBTQ community and public opinion polls show widespread support for gay equality. Nevertheless, some activists feel that these laws do not go far enough in recognizing transgender or non-binary people who will still not be able to change their gender identity on official documents.
Same sex marriage rights in South Asia
Only Taiwan and Nepal have granted legal status to same sex marriage amidst more than 30 countries globally having recognized such marriages since The Netherlands became its pioneer in 2001.
India almost had a chance at state-sanctioned weddings last October but then it went back to Parliament after Supreme Court deemed otherwise.
