KUALA LUMPUR – The Thai parliament has passed a same-sex marriage bill, possibly the first Southeast Asian country to recognise LGBTQ marriage equality.
The bill passed by 399 to 10 votes in the lower House, although it must now go through the Senate before it receives the royal assent, and be published in the Royal Gazette.
The proposal changes references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms, reported AFP.
It also means LGBTQ couples will be able to inherit wealth and adopt children.
While Thailand is seen as LGBTQ friendly, rights activists have been fighting against conservatism.
In Asia, only Taiwan and Nepal recognise same-sex marriage, while India’s Supreme Court has deferred the decision to its parliament in October.
Thailand will also become one of the 40 countries to guarantee equal marital rights. – March 27, 2024
