On March 27th, Thailand’s Lower Parliamentary House passed a bill legalizing same-sex unions. The bill is still in progress and will only become a law after the approval of the Senate and approval of the king. The arduous path has been crossed by the LGBTQ+ community as they celebrate with joy.
This provision was passed with 399 votes to 10, with majority of the parties supporting this bill. Despite Thailand’s reputation as a welcoming destination for the international LGBTQ community, Thai activists have faced challenges for many years in their efforts to combat conservative attitudes and values.
According to NDTV, as the final vote was cast, there was a brief eruption of cheers and applause, with one representative waving a rainbow flag in celebration. The proposal aims to replace gender-specific terms such as “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” in the nation’s marriage legislation with gender-neutral language.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his satisfaction, stating that he was “proud of our pride” after the bill was approved. In a message posted on the social media platform X, he remarked, “The approval of this legislation in parliament today marks a significant milestone for Thai society as we strive for social equality and embrace diversity.”
The Senate and the king have 60 days to pass this bill and approve it as a law and this is expected to happen by the end of 2024.
The long struggle of LGBTQ+ activists in Thailand
BCC takes a trip down the arduous journey of activists and the community. in the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights, Thailand stands out as a beacon of progress within the Asian region, with its established laws firmly prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, despite this laudable legal framework, the road to achieving marriage equality for same-sex couples has been marked by persistent hurdles and setbacks.
Despite widespread public support, previous attempts to legalize same-sex marriage have faced considerable challenges and ultimately failed to materialize into law. This dissonance between public sentiment and legislative action underscores the complexities inherent in enacting significant legal reforms within the Thai context.
A recent government survey conducted at the close of the preceding year unveiled a striking statistic: a staggering 96.6% of respondents expressed resounding support for the proposed bill seeking to legalize same-sex marriage. This overwhelming backing from the Thai populace serves as a powerful testament to the nation’s evolving societal attitudes and readiness to embrace equality and diversity in all its forms.
According to NDTV, for over ten years, activists have been advocating for same-sex marriage rights. However, in a nation characterized by frequent political upheavals due to coups and widespread street protests, their efforts have been stymied and made little progress.
The initiative towards cementing progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues is appreciative, juxtaposing liberal attitudes with traditional Buddhist values. This unique dynamic reflects a complex societal landscape where openness coexists with conservatism.
