Thailand one step away from legalizing same-sex marriage

Thailand, long a haven in Southeast Asia for LGBTQ+ people, is one step away from becoming the third territory in the region after Nepal and Taiwan to legalize same-sex marriage.

Lawmakers in the nation's lower house passed a marriage equality legislation, with 400 of the 415 members voting in favor and only 10 voting against. The bill now goes to the senate, which rarely overturns approved legislation from the lower house, before getting a royal endorsement.

Though Thailand has attracted same-sex couples for decades, rights activists have long believed the country's institutions did not reflect the changing attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community.