Thailand’s House of Representatives, the lower house of the country, on Wednesday (March 27, 2024) voted to legitimise same-sex marriage.

Before the step becomes law, it needs approval from the Senate and royal endorsement.

If the next steps are approved then Thailand will become the first and only South East Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage.

The lower house of parliament passed the bill following a third and final reading, with 400 representatives voting in favor. Only 10 members opposed the bill, reported CNN.

Thailand may become the only third nation in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage after Taiwan did the same in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.

“We are now writing a new Thai history that will change Thai society forever,” Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, a member of the amendment committee told parliament Wednesday as quoted by CNN.

Can these couple adopt children?

Under the law, married same-sex couples can also adopt children. However, the lower house did not adopt the committee's suggestion to use the term "parents" instead of "fathers and mothers", reported BBC.

Reaction

Phisit Sirihirunchai, a 35-year-old openly gay police officer said he was keeping his fingers crossed as he saw legislators debate over the issue in the Parliament.

"I'm glad and already excited that it is really going to happen. I am coming closer and closer to seeing my dreams come true," Phisit Sirihirunchai told BBC.

Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a gay MP from the opposition Move Forward party who has been campaigning for marriage equality in the past decade, told the British media: "I feel that equality has happened today. It's a historic day for the Thai parliament that stands to fight for the rights of LGBTQI+."

Several Thai political parties have been supporting recognising same-sex unions as part of their campaign before last year's polls.

Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin was also supporting the step since coming to power last year.

The PM posted on X: "It is very gratifying. Today, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution on the Marriage Equality Bill in the third agenda, ready to proceed to the next stage in the Senate."

"The passing of the resolution approved by the House of Representatives today is considered to be the pride of the Thai society that is moving together towards a society of equality and respect for diversity," he said.