Lawmakers in the Thai House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender.
The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House who were in attendance, with 10 voting against it, two abstaining and three not voting.
The bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.” It would open up access to full legal, financial and medical rights for LGBTQ+ couples.
Move Forward Party lawmakers take a selfie to celebrate the passage of a marriage equality bill in the Thai House of Representatives in Bangkok yesterday.
The bill now goes to the Thai Senate, which rarely rejects any legislation that passes the lower house, and then to the king for royal endorsement. This would make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to pass such a law and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.
India’s highest court deferred a decision on a similar law to its parliament in October last year.
After the result, one representative brought a rainbow flag into the chamber.
“Today society has proved to us that they care about LGBT rights,” said Thai Representative Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat of the progressive Move Forward Party, which has pushed for LGBTQ+ rights. “Now we finally we will have the same rights as others.”
Danuphorn Punnakanta, a spokesperson of the governing Pheu Thai Party and president of a committee overseeing the marriage equality bill, said in the House that the amendment is for “everyone in Thailand” regardless of their gender, and would not deprive heterosexual couples of any rights.
“We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality,” he said. “I want to invite you all to make history.”
“For this law, we would like to return rights to the [LGBTQ+ group]. We are not giving them rights. These are the fundamental rights that this group of people ... has lost,” he said.
However, lawmakers did not approve inclusion of the word “parent” in addition to “father and mother” in the law, which advocates said would limit the rights of some LGBTQ+ couples to form a family and raise children.
While Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity, it has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law.
The passing of the bill marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s most liberal societies on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness and free-wheeling attitudes coexisting with traditional, conservative Buddhist values.
“It’s a huge step for our country — it is the first in Southeast Asia,” said Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, a spokesperson with activist group Fortify Rights.
The bill could take effect within 120 days of royal approval.Additional reporting by Reuters
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