Thailand’s Senate Overwhelmingly Approves a Landmark Marriage Equality Bill
TimeJun 20
Thailand's Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Law
Above: LGBTQ+ rally in Bangkok, Thailand on May 17, 2019. Image copyright: Lauren DeCicca/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Thailand is set to become the first Southern Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after its Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to pass the final reading of a “marriage equality” law.
The bill was approved by the country’s House of Representatives in March, with the support of 405 of the 415 present members. It then passed the Senate Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 130-4, with 18 of the present members abstaining.
The Spin
Left narrative
This is a major win for the LGBTQ+ community in a country that has long-prided itself as a haven for equal rights. While Thailand has long been a symbol of acceptance in a hostile area, it took quite a long time for the country to officially legalize same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ+ rights. Nonetheless, this is still cause for celebration, and hopefully, Thailand sets an example for other Asian countries to follow.
Right narrative
It must be considered that the encroachment of the West's cultural exportation undoubtedly had an impact on this decision. At the end of the day, US influence guides the economic, social, and diplomatic policies of most countries in the world, and while everyone's rights must be respected, so too should the national cultures and religions of other nations.