Thailand is getting really close to marriage equality

Lawmakers in Thailand’s parliament yesterday voted to pass four draft bills for marriage equality on their first reading in an overwhelming 369-10 vote.

“In principle, this draft law is for the amendment of some provisions in the civic codes to open the way for lovers, regardless of their gender, to engage and get married,” said Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin in a speech in Parliament. “This will provide rights, responsibilities, and family status as equal to the marriage between a man and a woman presently in all aspects.”

Related:

Thailand could become the first country in Asia with civil unions by the end of the year

The government is considering a law that could give same-sex couples some of the rights of straight couples.

The four bills include one that was tabled by the government when it came to power this past May, another by a civil society group, and two from the Move Forward and Democrat opposition parties, according to Reuters.

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The bill from the government will amend the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.” The next step will be an amendment to the country’s pension fund law to recognize same-sex couples.

If the legislation is passed and gets royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand will become the third country in Asia to legalize marriage equality, after Taiwan and Nepal.

According to Reuters, a November poll found that 96.6% of the Thai public supports the marriage equality bill.

Thailand has struggled with marriage equality legislation over the past few years. While it’s known as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries, lawmakers have not moved beyond debate. The new government campaigned on the issue, promising to revive the effort and get the legislation passed.

Marriage equality became a prominent issue in the recent election. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin campaigned in favor of it, and at a news conference earlier this week, Srettha asserted the change would give LGBTQ+ couples the “exact same equal rights” as heterosexual couples.