Thailand celebrates marriage equality bill nearing final approval

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will host a reception tomorrow at Government House to celebrate the marriage equality bill as it nears final approval.

Deputy Government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri confirms that the event will see the 62 year old Thai prime minister, an array of VIPs, Cabinet members, and foreign envoys in attendance. Additionally, members of the Bangkok Pride task force and journalists from both Thai and international media are expected to participate.

Set to take place on the lawn in front of the Thai Ku Fah building, the reception will start at 5pm. This celebration comes as the marriage equality bill, which has undergone scrutiny by the Senate committee, is poised for Senate deliberation on Tuesday.

If the Senate approves the bill, the matter will then proceed to the Cabinet, followed by the prime minister and, subsequently, His Majesty the King for endorsement. The law is anticipated to come into effect within 120 days of its publication in the Royal Gazette, likely by the end of the year.

The reception marks the beginning of celebrations for this significant legislative milestone, a long-awaited law. A parade is scheduled to start at 6pm tomorrow, June 18, with participants marching to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre in the Pathumwan district.

In addition to the parade, the festivities will include shows, speeches, concerts, and gatherings of gender-diverse couples. Radklao expresses the importance of the same-sex marriage law passing.

“I’d like to invite everyone to celebrate the beginning of a landmark event and show the world that Thailand is becoming the third country in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal, and the first country in Southeast Asia to pass a same-sex marriage law.”

This event underscores Thailand’s progressive step towards marriage equality, setting a precedent in Southeast Asia and marking a historic moment for LGBTQ+ rights in the region, reported Bangkok Post.