14-3-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand is on the brink of a historic milestone as it moves forward with plans to legalize same-sex marriage, positioning itself to become the first country in Southeast Asia to enshrine equal marital rights.
A committee convened by the House of Representatives gave its seal of approval to the draft amendment of the Civil and Commercial Code on Thursday, as disclosed by Akaranun Khankittinan, deputy chairman of the panel. Lawmakers are slated to deliberate on the amended bill on March 27 for its second and third readings, marking a significant step towards its enactment.
Once endorsed by the elected lower house, the bill will proceed to the Senate for final approval before receiving royal assent, a process anticipated to conclude by year-end, stated Mr. Akaranun during a press briefing.
The proposed legislation represents a fundamental shift in the definition of marriage, transitioning from the traditional “a man and a woman” to the inclusive term “two individuals,” while replacing gender-specific terms like “husband and wife” with the gender-neutral “married couple.” The aim is to ensure that LGBTQ couples receive the same legal rights afforded to heterosexual couples under the Civil and Commercial Code.
Dubbed the “marriage equality bill,” this initiative stands as a cornerstone pledge of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration, which assumed office in September last year. The cabinet greenlit the proposal in December, and the parliament gave its initial approval shortly thereafter.
The latest iteration of the bill permits same-sex partners aged 18 and above to marry, granting them access to inheritance rights, tax benefits, and the option of child adoption, alongside other fundamental entitlements, as explained by Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, another deputy chairman of the committee.
This progressive legislation marks a significant departure from the civil union bill proposed by the previous military-backed government, which aimed to recognize same-sex civil partnerships in Thailand. While the former bill extended certain rights such as joint asset management and inheritance, it fell short of legalizing marriage and failed to secure parliamentary approval before the dissolution of the lower house by then-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ahead of last year’s general election.
At present, only two locations in Asia – Taiwan and Nepal – formally recognize same-sex marriage, joining a limited list of fewer than 40 countries worldwide where such unions are legally sanctioned.
