Thailand begins actions on legalising same-sex civil partnerships

A subcommittee of the Justice Ministry in Thailand has begun making moves to legalise same-sex civil partnerships. A bill has been drafted and will be presented to Cabinet for approval in May.

A source in the Rights and Liberties Protection Department disclosed that “The department aims to have this draft law promulgated within the term of this present government.”

While the details of this bill have yet to be revealed, many hope this means same-sex couples will have equal rights on issues like property rights, hospital visitations and inheritance.

LGBT+ advocates in Thailand remain cautiously optimistic, warning that the country’s strict traditions often halt progress: “So, most of the time, the content of the law remains within the limits set by these rules and traditions that it doesn’t guarantee the rights of the people,” advocate Naiyana Supapueng said. “Like in the former draft, they did allow same sex marriage but then so many restrictions and conditions were present. It showed that the state still had a homophobia mindset.”

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