BANGKOK [Thailand], As Thailand's Senate passed a marriage equality bill, the move now paves the way for the country to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, Al Jazeera Report.
In its final reading on Tuesday, the Upper House passed the bill with 130 votes in favor, 4 votes against and 18 abstentions among the 152 members present.
The measure will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for formal approval, which is most likely to be approved. According to Al Jazeera, it will become active 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.
If the law goes into effect, Thailand would be the third Asian country to allow same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.Gay rights activists hailed the action as "an important step forward".
The legislation renames “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” as gender-neutral terms and defines marriage as a partnership between two people. Inheritance and adoption rights for LGBTQ couples will be equal to heterosexual marriage, Al Jazeera reports.
Although Thailand is renowned for its thriving LGBTQ community and acceptance, activists have fought against traditional beliefs for many years.
Laws that do not accept transgender and non-binary people have drawn criticism from many quarters."We are very proud to have made history," said Plafah Kyoka Shodlad, a member of the parliamentary committee on gay marriage, according to Al Jazeera.
Leaders and workers were seen having fun in the National Assembly. Some people were seen raising their fists and waving rainbow flags in support of the LGBTQ community after the bill was passed, Al Jazeera reported.
Only 10 of the 415 sitting MLAs voted against the bill when it was enacted by the lower house in March, making it almost unanimous.
For the celebrations, Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin, who has been vocal in her support of the LGBTQ community and the proposal, will welcome activists and supporters inside her official home.
In its final reading on Tuesday, the Upper House passed the bill with 130 votes in favor, 4 votes against and 18 abstentions among the 152 members present.
The measure will now go to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for formal approval, which is most likely to be approved. According to Al Jazeera, it will become active 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.
If the law goes into effect, Thailand would be the third Asian country to allow same-sex marriage, after Taiwan and Nepal.Gay rights activists hailed the action as "an important step forward".
The legislation renames “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” as gender-neutral terms and defines marriage as a partnership between two people. Inheritance and adoption rights for LGBTQ couples will be equal to heterosexual marriage, Al Jazeera reports.
Although Thailand is renowned for its thriving LGBTQ community and acceptance, activists have fought against traditional beliefs for many years.
Laws that do not accept transgender and non-binary people have drawn criticism from many quarters."We are very proud to have made history," said Plafah Kyoka Shodlad, a member of the parliamentary committee on gay marriage, according to Al Jazeera.
Leaders and workers were seen having fun in the National Assembly. Some people were seen raising their fists and waving rainbow flags in support of the LGBTQ community after the bill was passed, Al Jazeera reported.
Only 10 of the 415 sitting MLAs voted against the bill when it was enacted by the lower house in March, making it almost unanimous.
For the celebrations, Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin, who has been vocal in her support of the LGBTQ community and the proposal, will welcome activists and supporters inside her official home.
