The Thai Senate on Tuesday (2 April) voted 147 to 4 to approve the Marriage Equality bill in its first Senate reading.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the Thai Senate to promptly pass the Marriage Equality bill, which was approved by an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives yesterday (27 March), noting that passing the bill is an opportunity for Thailand to match its positive global reputation on LGBT rights with tangible legal protections.

The Thai parliament yesterday (27 March) voted 399 to 10 to approve the Marriage Equality bill at the final reading, paving the way for Thailand to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage for all. At the same time, the use of gendered language in the bill leads to the concern that some rights will remain limited for LGBTQ people.

Tomorrow (27 March), the marriage equality bill will return to parliament for its second and third readings. Meanwhile, the human rights organization Fortify Rights has called on parliament to ensure that the bill provides equal rights to LGBTQ people.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has pledged to support the Marriage Equality Bill, which will be sent to the Cabinet next week, and Thailand’s bid to host World Pride 2028.

A network of gender equality activists has announced they will be submitting a bill to parliament proposing amendments to sections on marriage and family in the Civil and Commercial Code to allow couples to register their marriage regardless of gender.

<p>The human right organization Fortify Rights issued a statement today (1 November) calling&nbsp;on the Thai parliament to approve the Marriage Equality bill, which is expected to re-enter parliament during the current legislative session.</p>

<p>LGBTQ rights activists went to parliament yesterday (8 September) to file an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/femliberateth/photos/a.100889168409175/610728587425228/">open letter</a> calling for parliament to pass the Marriage Equality bill in its second and third readings.</p>