Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to approve same-sex marriage, following the Senate’s passage of a marriage equality bill on June 18.
The bill received overwhelming support, passing with 130 votes in favor, 4 against, and 18 abstentions. The new legislation will now be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal assent and is expected to come into force 120 days after its publication in the official Royal Gazette.
With this approval, Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal in legalizing same-sex marriage in Asia. The legislation includes changing references to “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms. It also grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples concerning adoption and inheritance.
