Thailand’s Cabinet approves a wedding equality invoice to grant same-sex {couples} equal rights

By PRAYAGRAJ EXPRESS. Last updated Nov 21, 2023

Participants held a rainbow flag throughout a Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 4, 2023. Thailand’s Cabinet on Nov. 21, authorized an modification to its civil code to permit same-sex marriage, with an expectation for the draft to be submitted to Parliament subsequent month.
| Photo Credit: AP

Thailand’s Cabinet on November 21 authorized an modification to its civil code to permit same-sex marriage, with an expectation for the draft to be submitted to Parliament subsequent month.

Karom Polpornklang, a deputy authorities spokesperson, stated the modification to the Civil and Commercial Code will change the phrases “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners” for same-sex {couples} to have the ability to obtain the identical rights that heterosexual {couples} obtain.

He stated the legislation would assure the suitable to kind a household in a relationship between same-sex {couples}, including that the subsequent step can be an modification to the pension fund legislation to acknowledge same-sex {couples} as properly.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin informed reporters that the draft legislation is anticipated to be proposed to Parliament on Dec. 12. If it turns into legislation after Parliament’s approval and King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s endorsement, Thailand would be the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to permit same-sex marriage.

While well-known for being an LGBTQ+ pleasant nation, Thailand has struggled to cross a wedding equality legislation. Parliament final yr debated a number of authorized amendments to permit both marriage equality or civil unions, which don’t grant same-sex {couples} all the identical rights as heterosexual {couples}. All of the payments didn’t be handed earlier than the parliamentary session of the earlier authorities ended.

The new authorities led by the Pheu Thai get together, which took workplace in August, revived the try and cross a wedding equality invoice, which it had promised throughout its election marketing campaign.