Thailand lawmakers pass four draft bills to legalise same-sex marriage

In a significant step toward the legalisation of same-sex marriage, Thailand lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly approved four draft bills in their first reading.

This development brings Thailand closer to recognising same-sex marriage, particularly notable in a country with one of Asia’s most open and visible LGBT communities.

Despite having one of the region’s most vibrant LGBT communities, rights activists argue that Thailand’s current laws and institutions do not fully align with evolving social attitudes. They assert that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans individuals, as well as same-sex couples, persists within the country’s legal framework.

The legislation must pass through several more stages before becoming law, but if it is enacted, Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage.

The lower house of parliament voted through a first reading of plans to amend references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms.

The change would allow all Thais to marry without restrictions on sex or gender, as well as conferring adoption and inheritance rights.

“This law would reflect the government’s agenda to improve human rights… so that everyone will have the right to build a family without any limitation,” Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin told lawmakers. During the debate, some MPs adorned their seats and desks with rainbow flags.

Lawmakers backed the plans by 360 votes to 10, and the proposals will now go before a committee to be scrutinised in detail before a second vote.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomed the vote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.”We are finally on the road to bridging the gap to equal rights for all today!” he posted.”Congratulations to the LGBTQIA+ community for the Same-Sex Marriage Bill passing its first reading. May love finally triumph.

“Similar proposals were given initial approval by parliament in 2022, but the law progressed no further because the house was dissolved for a general election.

Chawinroj Terapachalaphon, an LGBTQ+ lawyer told AFP that marriage equality would benefit all.”For those who are against it, I would like to say that it won’t undermine your rights. It would only make our country even more livable,” Chawinroj said.

Last year, parliament debated similar draft laws and the then government’s same-sex civil union bill, but did not come to a final vote before the session ended.

The four bills debated on Thursday included one tabled by the new government that came to power after the May general election, another by civil society groups, and two by the opposition Move Forward and Democrat parties.

With inputs from agencies.