Thailand’s House of Representatives voted on Wednesday, March 27 to legalize same-sex marriage, moving the Southeast Asian country closer to becoming the third jurisdiction in Asia to grant equal marital rights. The lower parliamentary chamber passed the bill after a third and final reading, with 400 representatives voting in favour and only 10 opposing. The legislation still requires approval from the Senate and endorsement by the king before marriage equality can become a reality in Thailand, a process that may take several more months. If enacted into law, Thailand would be the first Southeast Asian nation to legally recognize same-sex marriages.
It would also make Thailand only the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to permit marriage equality. Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, while Nepal did so in 2023. Speaking on the same, amendment committee member Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd told parliament stated, “We are now writing a new chapter in Thai history that will forever change Thai society. Social circumstances have changed, and it is time for the law to catch up.”
The marriage equality bill passed in the lower house on Wednesday had backing from all major parties. It represents a big step in cementing Thailand’s reputation as one of the most welcoming countries in the region for gay, lesbian and transgender people. However, some LGBTQ community members say the reality is different. They claim laws prohibit discrimination but prejudice and even violence against them persists in Thailand’s conservative society.
Previous attempts over the past decade to legalize same-sex marriage stalled. In 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled that Thailand’s current marriage law, defining marriage as between a man and a woman, was constitutional. Some major parties contesting last year’s election, including the progressive Move Forward Party which won the most seats, pledged to push for marriage equality. But the party, popular with youth, could not form a government when former rivals united to block it. The future of the party and its leader Pita Limjaroenrat remains uncertain as they face multiple prosecutions.
Nonetheless, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the Pheu Thai Party had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to parliament. The prime minister, who made a deal with more conservative factions to form a government, has reportedly also voiced support for Bangkok’s bid to host World Pride in 2028.
