Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, making a milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
A bill advocating for the right received overwhelming approval by the Thai Senate on Tuesday, following an earlier clearance by the House of Representatives in March.
Once enacted, the law will grant LGBTQ+ couples equal rights as heterosexual couples, including adopting children, inheriting property and making healthcare decisions.
The bill now awaits final endorsement from the king.
The landmark decision will make Thailand the third country in Asia after Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal in 2023 to officially recognize same-sex marriages.
A 2023 Pew Research Center study found that 60% of Thais support legal same-sex marriage, close to the 63% of Americans who share the same view.