Thai government approves same-sex marriage

Thailand’s government on Tuesday approved an amendment to its Civil Code to allow same-sex marriage. The bill could reach Parliament next month.

Karom Polpornklangdeputy government spokesperson, said the amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code will change the words “man and woman” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage couples” so that same-sex couples can receive the same rights than heterosexuals.

The law will guarantee the right to form a family in a relationship between people of the same sex, added the spokesperson, who explained that the next step will be an amendment to the pension law to also recognize these couples.

The first Minister, Srettha Thavisin, told reporters that the draft law is expected to be proposed in Parliament on December 12. If it becomes law after approval by the House and endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand will become the third country in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage.

Although it is famous for being a friendly country with the LGBTQ+ community, Thailand has failed to pass a marriage equality law. Last year, Parliament debated several legal amendments to allow equal marriages or civil unions, which do not guarantee same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. The initiatives failed in the legislature of the previous government.

The new executive, led by the Pheu Thai party, which took office in August, reactivated efforts to pass a marriage equality law, something that was part of its electoral program.