Thailand’s Senate has officially passed the marriage equality bill, allowing the nation to become the first in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex marriages.

The upper house approved the bill in its final reading on Tuesday, with 130 of the 152 members in attendance voting in favor. Four senators opposed the bill, and there were 18 abstentions.

The bill will now be presented to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for approval, an action that is widely anticipated to proceed without issues. The law will become effective 120 days following its publication in the royal gazette.

Upon enforcement, Thailand will join Nepal and Taiwan as the third Asian region to legalize gay marriages.

LGBTQ advocates and human rights organizations celebrated the passage of the bill.

“Thailand has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Southeast Asian country to legalize marriage for LGBTQI couples,” stated Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, a Thailand researcher for Amnesty International. “This significant achievement is the result of relentless efforts by activists, civil society groups, and legislators who have championed this cause.”

The legislation redefines marriage as a partnership between two people and incorporates gender-neutral terms for “men”, “women”, “husbands”, and “wives.” Additionally, it grants equal inheritance and adoption rights to LGBTQ couples as those in heterosexual marriages.

Although Thailand is known for its lively LGBTQ culture and tolerance, activists have long struggled against deeply ingrained conservative attitudes.

Criticism remains that the laws do not recognize transgender and nonbinary individuals, preventing them from altering their gender on official documents.

“We are immensely proud to make history,” commented Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, a member of the parliamentary committee on same-sex marriage.

“Today, love has triumphed over prejudice after more than 20 years of struggle. We can now affirm that this country supports marriage equality.”

Politicians and activists celebrated in the National Assembly, waving rainbow flags, smiling, and some even raising their fists in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

In March, the lower house almost unanimously approved the bill, with only 10 of the 415 lawmakers voting against it.

The law is hailed as a “victory for justice and human rights,” according to Mookdapa Yangyuenpradorn, a human rights associate at Fortify Rights. “The journey to this point has been challenging, but today’s vote marks a historic moment worthy of celebration.”

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community and marriage equality, plans to open his official residence to activists and supporters for celebratory events.

In 2020, Thailand's Constitutional Court upheld the current matrimonial law, which recognizes only heterosexual couples, calling it constitutional but suggesting the law be broadened to protect the rights of minorities.

In December, the National Assembly approved the initial readings of four draft bills on same-sex marriage and appointed a committee to consolidate them into a single draft.