Thailand’s cabinet approved amendments to its civil code to allow same-sex marriage. With the expectation that the draft will be presented in Parliament next month. Deputy government spokesperson Karome Polpornklang said the amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code would change the terms male and female husband and wife to person and marriage partner for same-sex couples.
Thailand’s cabinet approved amendments to its civil code to allow same-sex marriage.
Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments to its civil code to allow gay marriage. With the expectation that the draft will be presented in Parliament next month. Deputy government spokesperson Karome Polpornklang said the amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code would change the terms “man and woman”, and “husband and wife” to “person” and “marriage partner” for same-sex couples.
He said the law would guarantee the right to form a family in relationships between same-sex couples. He said the next step would be to amend the pension fund law to recognize same-sex couples as well. Prime Minister Shrestha Thavisin told reporters the draft law is expected to be proposed in parliament on December 12. If it becomes law after parliament’s approval and King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s support, Thailand would be the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage.
Despite being renowned for being an LGBTQ+ friendly country, Thailand has struggled to pass marriage equality laws. Parliament last year debated several legal amendments to allow marriage equality or civil unions, which do not provide same-sex couples with all the same rights as heterosexual couples. All the bills could not be passed before the end of the parliamentary session of the previous government.
It is noteworthy that the new government led by Pheu Thai Party has revived efforts to pass the Marriage Equality Bill. The party had promised this during the election campaign.
Read More: Volcano eruption in Papua New Guinea sounds alarm in Japan, fear of tsunami
