Thailand moves closer to legalising same-sex unions as parliament passes landmark bill

FILE PHOTO: An LGBT activist attends an International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia at Bangkok's Art Center, Thailand, May 17, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday, a landmark step that moves one of Asia's most liberal countries closer to becoming its third territory to legalise same-sex unions.

The bill had the support of all of Thailand's major parties and was more than a decade in the making. It still requires approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king before it becomes law and would take effect 120 days later.