Thailand passes historic bill recognising marriage equality

Country on track to become third in Asia – after Taiwan and Nepal – to legalise same-sex marriage.

Thailand’s senate has passed the final reading of a historic marriage equality bill, paving the way for the country to become the first in south-east Asia to recognise same-sex marriage.

The bill gained the support of nearly all upper-house lawmakers and will be sent to the palace for endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The law will come into force 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.

“We’re all just really excited,” said Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an 18-year-old activist and a member of a parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage, before the law was approved. “I can feel the whole world is cheering us on.”

The bill passed its final reading on Tuesday with the approval of 130 of the 152 members of the senate in attendance, with four voting against it and 18 abstaining.