21-11-2023 (BANGKOK) The cabinet has given its approval to draft legislation on marriage equality, which is set to be presented to parliament in December. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin made the announcement on Tuesday, signaling a positive step towards recognizing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand.
Thailand has long been known for having one of the most open and visible LGBTQ+ communities in Asia. However, activists argue that existing Thai laws and traditional institutions have yet to catch up with evolving social attitudes, resulting in ongoing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex couples.
If the bill successfully passes through parliament and receives royal assent, Thailand will join the ranks of Taiwan and Nepal as the third Asian country to legally recognize same-sex marriage. This landmark move would mark a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
It is worth noting that parliament engaged in discussions concerning similar bills last year, which included provisions for civil unions and marriage equality for same-sex couples. Unfortunately, these bills did not secure approval before the parliamentary session concluded, and they subsequently lapsed due to the change in government.
