Thailand’s parliament begins process to legalise same-sex marriage
Thailand has taken a historic step closer to marriage equality after the country’s lower house of parliament passed a bill giving legal recognition to same-sex marriage.
Since taking office in September 2023, Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin has been vocal in his support for Marriage Equality.
The bill still requires approval from the Senate and also royal endorsement before it will become law, but this all expected to have been completed before the end of the year – at which point, Thailand will have officially embraced Marriage Equality.
It will be a big step forward for the LGBTQ community of Thailand, and also reinforce Thailand’s reputation as a queer-friendly tourism destination.
The new law, which was passed by 400 of 415 of lawmakers present, will describe marriage as a partnership between two individuals, instead of between a man and woman. It will also give same-sex couples equal rights to get marital tax savings, to inherit property, and to give medical treatment consent for partners who are incapacitated.
Under the law, married same-sex couples can also adopt children.
Thailand already has laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis gender identity and sexual orientation.