The legislation must pass through several more stages before becoming law, but if it is enacted, Thailand would be the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriage.
The lower house of parliament voted through a first reading of plans to amend references to “men”, “women”, “husbands” and “wives” in the marriage law to gender-neutral terms.
The change would allow all Thais to marry without restrictions on sex or gender, as well as conferring adoption and inheritance rights.
“This law would reflect the government’s agenda to improve human rights... so that everyone will have the right to build a family without any limitation,” Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told the House, referring to the government’s draft.
“This will provide rights, responsibilities and family status as equal to the marriage between a man and a woman presently in all aspects.”
Mr Somsak said a government survey conducted between Oct 31 and Nov 14 showed 96.6% public support for the draft bill.
During the debate, some MPs adorned their seats and desks with rainbow flags.
The 371 members present in the House of Representatives passed the government-drafted Marriage Equality Bill by a vote of 360-10 with one abstention and the proposals will now go before a committee to be scrutinised in detail before a second vote.
Also passed were three other bills: one drafted by civil society groups, and one each by the opposition Move Forward and Democrat parties.
The passage of the four bills paves the way for the formation of a committee to merge them into one, using the government-drafted bill as the main framework, ahead of further debate and votes on second and third reading expected next year.
If the legislation is enacted and receives royal assent, Thailand would become the third country in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognise same-sex marriage.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomed the vote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“We are finally on the road to bridging the gap to equal rights for all today!” he posted.
“Congratulations to the LGBTQIA+ community for the Same-Sex Marriage Bill passing its first reading. May love finally triumph.”
Similar proposals were given initial approval by parliament in 2022, but the law progressed no further because the house was dissolved for a general election.
Chawinroj Terapachalaphon, an LGBTQ+ lawyer said that marriage equality would benefit all.
“For those who are against it, I would like to say that it won’t undermine your rights. It would only make our country even more livable,” Chawinroj said.
- Additional reporting by Bangkok Post