Bangkok:
A significant action that brings one of Asia’s most progressive nations closer to becoming its second country to legalize same-sex unions occurred in a session of Thailand’s parliament on Wednesday, which largely approved a marriage equality bill.
The bill, which had been in development for more than a decade, received the support of all of Thailand’s main parties. Before it becomes law, it also needs the Senate’s approval and the king’s support, and it will take effect 120 days later.
Just 10 of the 415 politicians present opposed the policy, which would mean that Thailand would join Taiwan and Nepal in allowing same-sex unions.
Before the reading, Danuphorn Punnakanta, the president of the legislative committee on the bill, addressed lawmakers: “We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and begin creating equality.”
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“I want to ask you all to make history.”
The president’s statement marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand’s status as one of Asia’s most progressive countries on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues, with flexibility and liberal attitudes coexisting alongside traditional Buddhist values.
Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant and visible LGBT social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travelers.
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However, rights activists have long maintained that the country’s laws and institutions do not reflect the changing social attitudes and that LGBT people and same-sex couples still face discrimination.
The bill passed on Wednesday is the culmination of four different draft bills that recognize marriage between two people regardless of gender, rather than solely between a husband and wife as previously stated. It grants a couple all the rights that a married couple can enjoy under the country’s civil and commercial laws, including those relating to inheritance and child adoption.
The Constitutional Court ruled in 2021 that Thailand’s current marriage law, which only recognizes heterosexual couples, was constitutional, recommending that legislation be expanded to ensure the rights of other genders.
An LGBT activist attends an International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia at Bangkok’s Art Center, Thailand, May 17, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS
The bill’s passage, according to Nada Chaiyajit, an LGBT advocate and law professor at Mae Fah Luang University, was a positive step with some unresolved issues.
LGBT advocates who were on the parliamentary committee had during Wednesday’s debate pushed unsuccessfully for the terms “father” and “mother” to be changed to the gender-neutral “parent” in references to the family unit, to avoid complications in issues such as adoption.
“I’m happy indeed but this isn’t a full marriage equality, it is only same-sex marriage,” Nada said. “The right to marriage has been granted, but not the entire right to family etablissement.”
“It is a shame that we did n’t go the full way.”
