:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/6QRRE7GX2VCB7KVYFDNZHOCKJQ.jpg "Lawmakers overwhelmingly approve law to legalize same-sex marriage")
BANGKOK (AP) — Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for spouses of either sex. .
The law passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives present, with 10 votes against, two abstentions and three who did not vote.
The text modifies the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “man and woman” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “spouses.” Additionally, it would open access to the full range of legal, financial, and medical rights for LGBTQ+ couples.
The bill must now go to the Senate, which rarely rejects a law that has passed the House of Representatives, and then to the king for final approval.
Thailand would thus become the first country in Southeast Asia to pass a law of this type, and the third on the continent, behind Taiwan and Nepal.