30-3-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s lower House’s recent approval of the equal marriage bill has ignited hopes for the country’s potential to host the esteemed global LGBTQIA+ World Pride event in 2030, as asserted by Kittinun Daramadhaj, the president of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), on Friday.
In a significant move on Wednesday, a resounding 399 members of Parliament cast their votes in favour of the equal marriage bill during the second and third readings. However, 10 members dissented, while two abstained, and three chose not to vote.
The bill now stands poised to navigate through the rigorous legislative process in the Senate, awaiting royal assent before transforming into law.
Kittinun emphasised that the passage of the equal marriage law would position Thailand as a trailblazer within the ASEAN region, and only the third nation in Asia, following in the footsteps of Taiwan and Nepal, to formally recognise same-sex marriage.
Highlighting the potential economic windfall, Kittinun projected substantial benefits for Thailand’s tourism sector and associated industries, such as wedding organisers. He anticipates an influx of foreign same-sex couples eager to formalise their unions in Thailand, akin to the economic boost experienced by the United States following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2015, which saw an uptick of nearly 400 billion baht in the economy that year.
“With the bill’s approval, Thailand could emerge as the premier destination for LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide, numbering over 600 million,” Kittinun remarked.
Moreover, Kittinun underscored the pivotal role of the equal marriage bill in bolstering Thailand’s bid to host the prestigious World Pride 2030 event. Organisers stipulate that countries must demonstrate a commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights through legislative support as a prerequisite for hosting.
Anticipating further legislative strides towards gender equality, RSAT anticipates the deliberation of additional drafts, including the certification of gender identity, which would afford individuals rights and responsibilities commensurate with their gender identity.
Backed by over 12,000 signatures, the Move Forward Party, spearheading the draft, anticipates its inclusion in Parliament’s agenda by June this year, further advancing Thailand’s progress towards inclusive legislation.
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