Thailand’s Senate voted overwhelmingly on 18 June to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage.
- Now, Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to enact such a law.
- The marriage equality bill, which grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender, sailed through the House of Representatives right before the previous parliamentary session concluded in April with the approval of 400 of the 415 members who were present.
- Thailand will become the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage.
- Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law.
- Thai society largely holds conservative values, and members of the LGBTQ+ community say they face discrimination in everyday life.
