Thailand Moves One Step Closer to Allowing Same-Sex Marriage

Thailand’s Cabinet has approved modifications to its civil code that will enable same-sex marriage, with the amendment expected to be submitted to Parliament next month.

According to Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesperson, the Civil and Commercial Code amendment will change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners” so that same-sex couples can receive the same rights as heterosexual couples.

He stated that the law will provide the right to build a family in a partnership between same-sex couples, and that the next step would be to alter the pension fund law to recognize same-sex couples as well.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters that the draft law will be presented to Parliament on December 12. If Parliament approves it and King Maha Vajiralongkorn signs it into law, Thailand will become the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal.

Thailand, despite its reputation as a gay-friendly country, has struggled to adopt a marriage equality bill. Last year, Parliament discussed multiple legislation revisions to allow marriage equality or civil unions, which do not provide same-sex couples the same privileges as heterosexual couples.

All of the bills failed to pass before the previous government’s legislative session ended.

The new administration, led by the Pheu Thai party, assumed power in August and resurrected the effort to adopt a marriage equality measure, which it had pledged during the election campaign.

LGBT Rights in Thailand

Thailand has one of Asia’s most open and visible lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, which contributes to the country’s reputation of tolerance and appeal as a liberal tourism destination.

Thailand has made considerable progress in recognizing and defending the LGBTQ+ community’s rights. Please keep in mind that developments may have occurred since then, and it’s always a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information.

In comparison to other countries in the region, Thailand is more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Some major points concerning LGBT rights in Thailand are as follows:

Anti-Discrimination legislation:

Thailand does not have any anti-discrimination legislation that protect people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The constitution, on the other hand, guarantees equality and protection against discrimination.

Same-Sex partnerships:

Same-sex partnerships are legal in Thailand, and homosexuality is not illegal. While there is no national recognition of same-sex marriage, certain provinces have created local registration processes for same-sex couples.

Gender Diversity:

Thailand has been a pioneer in recognizing gender diversity. The Ministry of Health enacted a law in 2015 that allowed people to change their legal gender on identifying documents without undergoing gender confirmation surgery. However, transgender people may still experience social difficulties.

Military Service:

As of my most recent update, homosexual and transgender people are not explicitly prohibited from serving in the military, while there may be issues connected to the perception and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces.

Public Attitudes:

When compared to other countries in the region, Thailand has a more welcoming stance toward LGBTQ+ people. Bangkok, in particular, boasts a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, complete with bars, clubs, and events.

It’s vital to remember that society attitudes and legal frameworks can change, so it’s best to stay up to date on the newest information about LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand.