Thai Senate clears Southeast Asia's first same-sex marriage bill

Couples can marry 120 days after bill passes judicial scrutiny, royal approval

20240618 Couples react after bill passed

Couples react after the passing of the same-sex marriage bill at a parliament in Bangkok on June 18. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)

FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer

BANGKOK -- A landmark bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples was approved by Thailand's Senate on Tuesday and will now go to the Constitutional Court for review before becoming law through royal approval.

The Senate voted 130-4, with 18 abstentions, on the bill passed by the House of Representatives in March, paving the way for Thailand to become the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.