Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage – First in Southeast Asia

June 20, 2024

The Thai Senate recently approved the Marriage Equality Bill on June 18th, and it has the potential to make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to permit marriages between people of the same gender. The lower house approved the law in a unanimous vote on March 26, which led to this decisive action. At this point, the Support of King Rama X is anticipated for the Bill.

The Bill’s Features

To make changes to the rules that are now in place regarding marriage, the Marriage Equality Bill will replace gender-specific terminology such as “men” and “women” with gender-neutral adjectives such as “spouse” and “person.” Individuals are now able to marry regardless of their gender as a result of this modification. Furthermore, the Bill expands rights that were traditionally reserved for heterosexual couples to same-sex couples. These rights include adoption, inheritance, and tax-related benefits. With a favorable reception and the opinion of the public, there is a growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights in Thai culture, which is shown in the considerable support that the Bill has received across the country. The Thai population exhibited significant levels of tolerance and acceptance for marriages between people of the same gender, according to a study conducted in 2022. Along with strong media portrayal and lobbying, this shift in society has been a significant contributor to the progress made in the legal rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Comparison with Other Asian Countries

Others in Asia continue to take a more conservative stance on the topic of marriage equality, while Thailand is making progress toward adopting marriage equality. For instance, the Indian judiciary has not exerted significant political influence in the decision-making process on whether or not to legalize marriages between people of the same gender. As an additional point of interest, several Asian nations continue to prohibit relationships between people of the same gender, with some even imposing the death sentence.

Global Contexts

Same-sex marriage is allowed in 36 countries around the world. The international situation is a mix of liberal laws and strict rules, showing a wide range of legal views on marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Thailand’s progressive move is a turning point in Asian politics and society when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. It sets a hopeful example for other countries in the area.

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