On June 18, Thailand’s Senate passed the final reading of a marriage-equality law—allowing for it to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex couples, Reuters reported.
The statute had the approval of 130 of the 152 members in attendance, with four voting against it and 18 abstaining, per the AP.
Thailand will become the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow marriage equality, NBC News noted. The bill—which grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender—eased through the House of Representatives right before the previous parliamentary session concluded in April with the approval of 400 of the 415 members who were present.
The bill—which also needs royal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn—is the result of more than two decades of efforts by activists. Thailand already has a reputation for its LGBTQ+ acceptance and vibrant community. However, Thai society and government are largely conservative, though the Pheu Thai party, which took office last year, has made marriage equality one of its main goals.
“Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the journey of our Equal Marriage Bill,” Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The measure takes effect 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette, meaning the first same-sex weddings could take place later this year.