A bill was passed on Wednesday in Thailand that could give same-sex couples the same legal rights to marry as heterosexual couples.
As the Associated Press reports, the bill would change the wording in Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code from “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners,” thus granting same legal rights to same-sex couples.
The bill was supported by a large majority, with 400 out of 415 Thai House of Representatives lawmakers voting in favor, 10 voting against, and 2 abstaining. 3 did not vote, according to the AP. This bill was a combination of four previous marriage equality bills that passed in December, and had backing from all of Thailand’s major political parties. CNN reports.
Thailand is known as a particularly LGBTQ+-friendly country, with a poll last November showing that 96.6% of the public supports marriage equality. However, lawmakers have faced challenges in moving forward on the issue. In 2020, the country’s Constitutional Court upheld the current law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples and recommended that lawmakers introduce legislation to expand marriage rights to LGBTQ+ couples. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin campaigned for marriage equality during the recent election, pledging to bring a bill to Parliament. Danuphorn Punnakanta, spokesman for the governing Pheu Thai party, who chaired the committee that drafted the bill, spoke to Parliament on Wednesday, stating that it would “reduce inequality in society and establish equality” for all Thai people.
He added that the proposed law would “restore rights to the [LGBTQ+ community].”
According to Danuphorn, these are fundamental rights that this group of people has been denied, and he urged lawmakers to “make history.”
Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an activist and committee member overseeing the bill, emphasized its historic significance and potential to “transform Thai society forever.”
“The social situation has changed, and it is time for the law to reflect the current reality,” she said.
The bill also grants LGBTQ+ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples in terms of inheritance and adoption. However, it does not change the terms “father” and “mother” to “parents,” which LGBTQ+ advocates had called for. Activists believe this would still restrict the parental rights of same-sex couples under the law.
According to Reuters, the bill also gives LGBTQ+ couples the same rights as heterosexual couples concerning inheritance and adoption. But it does not change the words “father” and “mother” to “parents,” something LGBTQ+ advocates had pushed for. Activists said that would still limit same-sex couples’ parental rights under the law.
LGBTQ+ advocate and Mae Fah Luang University law lecturer Nada Chaiyajit said to Reuters, “This is definitely a positive development, but it’s not full marriage equality, it’s only same-sex marriage. The right to marry has been granted, but not the complete right to establish a family. It’s unfortunate that we haven’t gone all the way.”
The bill will now move to the Thai Senate for approval, which is expected to pass, before reaching the desk of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This process could take months, according to CNN. Once approved, the law would take effect 120 days later, making Thailand the third Asian country after Taiwan and Nepal to legalize same-sex marriage, and the first in Southeast Asia.
