Many may have thought that same-sex marriage was already legalised in Thailand due to many factors such as their inclusive media and entertainment world, society in itself and even certain political figures. 

However, this has been a huge discourse and a fight for a while now -- with a big part of Thailand's society, winning. 

On Wednesday, a marriage equality bill was decisively approved by the lower house of Parliament in Thailand, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to grant equal rights to spouses of any gender.

Out of the 415 House of Representatives present, 400 voted in favor of the bill during its final reading, with two abstaining and three not participating.

"I want to invite you all to make history," said Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill ahead of the reading. 

The enactment of the bill which has been a decade in the making, is a major step toward establishing Thailand as one of Asia's most accepting nations when it comes to LGBTQ+ struggles. Not forgetting, Thailand is a hot spot for tourists and a top destination for members of the LGBTQ+ community!

LGBTQ+ activist and Mae Fah Luang University Law Lecturer, Nada Chaiyajit noted that while the bill's approval was a step in the right direction, there were still some difficulties that needed to be worked out. This would be in reference to the the failed argument over replacing the terms "father" and "mother" with the gender-neutral term "parent" in order to prevent problems in matters like adoption.

"I'm happy indeed but this isn't a full marriage equality, it is only same-sex marriage," Nada stated.  While the right to marry has been granted, the right to establish a family has not.

"It is a shame that we didn't go the full way."

With the King's endorsement, Thailand would become first country or region in Southeast Asia to pass a law as such and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.