Thailand becomes first country in south-east Asia to allow same-sex marriage

Protesters hold posters celebrating equality in marriage during a Pride Parade in Bangkok in June (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

Thailand’s senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve a marriage equality bill, clearing the last legislative hurdle for the country to become the first in south-east Asia to enact such a law.

The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 130 of the 152 members of the Senate in attendance, with four voting against it and 18 abstaining.