Last Thursday, the Thai House of Representatives passed four bills that propose amendments to the country’s Civil and Commercial Code, thus seeking to legalize same-sex marriage.
The bills aim to alter phrases like “men and women” and “husband and wife” in the Civil and Commercial Code to “individuals” and “marriage partners,” respectively, thus enabling same-sex couples to gain civil rights and status under the law. These proposed amendments, also referred to as the Draft Equal Marriage Act, purpose to establish equal treatment for all couples in Thailand, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, as stated by Prit Watcharasindhu, a MP from the Move Forward Party.
In spite of garnering support from the cabinet, the Move Forward Party, and various civil society organizations, the bills faced opposition from Islamic MPs within the Prachachat Party. These individuals suggested that the bills’ implementation should be exempt in three Southern Border Provinces (SBP), home to a majority Muslim population. Human Rights Watch reports provide context on the religious demographics of these regions.
Ultimately, the House of Representatives passed the four bills during the first reading with 369 votes in favor out of the 380 lawmakers present. However, they will need to undergo various other readings and approval stages before reaching the stage of enactment. Should these bills become law, Thailand will join Nepal as the second South Asian country to recognize same-sex unions.
Despite these strides, several representatives highlighted the continued experienced discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community in educational institutions and society in general. As MP Paramee Waijongcharoen from the Move Forward Party indicates, these bills are merely the first step toward eliminating such discrimination, with further legislation to follow.
Overall, these ongoing legislative developments mark a notable shift in Thai law and society. Even before the introduction and subsequent passing of these bills, Thailand was renowned for its openness towards the LGBTQIA+ community, having enacted the Gender Equality Act in 2015 to protect against gender-based discrimination. However, the act permitted some form of discriminatory treatment based on religious and national security reasons. These new bills represent a renewed commitment from the Thai government to ensuring equal rights for all individuals.