Just In: Thailand Approves Same-Sex Marriage, First In Southeast Asia (Details)

Just In: Thailand Approves Same-Sex Marriage, First In Southeast Asia (Details)

Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to approve same-sex marriage following the passage of a marriage equality bill by the nation’s Senate on Tuesday, June 18.

Al Jazeera reports that the upper house approved the bill with 130 votes in favor, four against, and 18 abstentions. The new legislation, which allows same-sex couples to marry, now awaits royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn and will come into force 120 days after publication in the official Royal Gazette.

Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the third place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Although India came close in October, the Supreme Court referred the decision back to parliament.

The new legislation also changes references in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms, such as replacing “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives.” It grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples regarding adoption and inheritance.