Thailand's legislators have approved a landmark bill recognizing same-sex marriage, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to ensure marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples.
The bill, known as the "marriage equality" bill, passed the 500-member House of Representatives with overwhelming support, receiving backing from 400 lawmakers.
Following a nearly four-hour debate, 10 lawmakers opposed the bill, while five abstained or did not vote.
The legislation, which amends the Civil and Commercial Code, now awaits approval from the upper-house Senate and endorsement from the King. Once these steps are completed, the bill will be published in the Royal Gazette and will take effect 120 days later, likely before the end of the year.
Upon implementation, the bill will allow same-sex partners aged 18 and above to register their marriages, granting them rights to inheritance, tax allowances, and child adoption, among others. Notably, the bill changes the definition of marriage from "a man and a woman" to "two individuals," and alters the legal status from "husband and wife" to "married couple."
Thailand will become the third place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal, and join approximately 40 countries worldwide that guarantee equal marital rights.
Thailand has made progress in LGBTQ rights since 2015, with laws protecting LGBTQ individuals from most forms of discrimination.
However, previous attempts to legalize same-sex marriage faced hurdles. In 2021, the Constitutional Court upheld a law defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and a bill recognizing same-sex civil partnerships failed to pass parliament last year.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's administration has pledged to address these issues, including a bill to recognize gender identity, and the health ministry's proposal to legalize commercial surrogacy for LGBTQ couples seeking to adopt children
Legalizing same-sex marriage could have positive implications for Thailand's tourism industry, which contributes about 12% to the nation's $500 billion economy.
Before the pandemic, LGBTQ travel and tourism to Thailand generated approximately $6.5 billion in 2019, or 1.2% of GDP. Formal recognition of same-sex marriage could further enhance Thailand's reputation as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ visitors, according to Wittaya Luangsasipong, managing director of Siam Pride, an LGBTQ-friendly travel agency in Bangkok.
"It will become a selling point for Thailand and raise our strength in the global stage," Wittaya said.
"It will create a relaxed and safe atmosphere for tourism and help attract more and more LGBTQ visitors.
We could also see more weddings by LGBTQ couples, which could generate income across industries and local communities."
Thailand is also vying to host the WorldPride events in Bangkok in 2028, signaling its commitment to LGBTQ rights and inclusivity.