On December 21, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to introduce the marriage equality bill to Parliament, marking a pivotal moment in Thailand’s legal landscape.
If passed, the law aims to grant same-sex couples the equal rights and legal recognition afforded to heterosexual couples in marriage. Prime Minister Thavisin emphasized that this legislation would enable individuals of the same gender to marry, extending the same civil and commercial rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. The bill focuses on strengthening the institution of family by acknowledging and embracing gender diversity within it.
At the core of this proposed law are amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code, designed to permit any two individuals, irrespective of gender, to engage in engagement and marriage. The revisions involve a language shift from traditional terms like “men and women” and “husband and wife” to more inclusive terms such as “individuals” and “marriage partners,” ensuring that same-sex couples are not excluded from legal recognition.
Additionally, the proposed changes aim to grant equal rights, responsibilities, and family status to same-sex relationships akin to those of heterosexual couples. Presently, Thailand lacks legal frameworks acknowledging the familial rights of same-sex couples, despite the existence of many such partnerships in society. This absence of legal recognition leads to challenges in managing familial ties, affecting crucial areas like healthcare decisions, caregiving rights, joint property management, and inheritance.
The forthcoming amendments seek to bridge this gap by offering same-sex couples the recognition and rights necessary for establishing and navigating their families within the legal framework.
