Thailand’s Lower Parliament pass marriage equality bill
Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament have today overwhelmingly voted in favour of a marriage equality bill
The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives in attendance, with 10 voting against it, two abstaining and three not voting.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which rarely rejects any legislation that passes the lower house, and then to the king for royal endorsement. This would make Thailand the first country or region in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.
Thailand’s Lower Parliament pass marriage equality bill
The bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners” which would also open up access to full legal, financial, and medical rights for LGBTQ couples.
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 but with this new law if passed could make their lives easier on so many levels.
Dolupo Balogun
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