Cabinet okays bill granting same-sex couples more, but not all, rights

By The Nation

 

 

The Cabinet approved the draft of a civil partnership bill and amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code on Wednesday (July 8), deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said.

 

Under the civil partnership bill:

 

1. The term “partner” will define two persons of the same sex at birth;

2. Courts with jurisdiction over juvenile and family cases have the power to consider and adjudicate on the civil partnership bill;

3. Both parties must mutually agree to register the partnership, be over 17 of age, either both parties or one party must have Thai nationality;

4. In case partners seeking registration are below the age of 17, they must obtain written consent of parents, adoptee, guardian or court first;

5. Both partners will have the same rights as heterosexual couples as per the Criminal Procedure Code;

6. Partners will have equal rights to jointly owned private property and assets;

7. Same-sex couples will have the right to adopt children provided the decision is mutually agreed upon;

8. When one partner dies, the other will have the same rights and duties as heterosexual couples as provided in the Civil and Commercial Code on Heritage;

9. Provisions in the Civil and Commercial Code on spouses, families and adopted children will also apply to same-sex couples.

 

The amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code were as follows:

 

1. No man or woman is allowed to marry if they already have a spouse or partner;

2. One partner’s sexual tendency can be used as a reason to file for divorce;

3. New specifications on alimony if the recipient’s income or partnership status changes.

 

The Cabinet has instructed the Justice Ministry, which proposed the civil partnership bill and the amendments, to study the impact of the new law and see if they need to be further amended.

 

Although the new civil partnership bill gives same-sex couples the right to establish a family, it still does not give them all the same rights as heterosexual couples.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30390964

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-07-08

 

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Nothing about immigration?

4 minutes ago, Stadtler said:

If a "right" can be granted, it is not a right.

 

Full Stop.

 

Stadtler can write this.

 

Stadtler is an attorney.

Stadtler can write a lot of things.

What exactly does Stadtler mean by that in the context of his news story?

Edited July 8, 20206 yr by Jingthing

Just now, Jingthing said:

Stadtler can write a lot of things.

What exactly do you mean by that in the context of his news story?

Exactly.

 

Years ago, Stadtler counseled homosexual priests for the diocese in Boston. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Stadtler can write a lot of things.

What exactly does Stadtler mean by that in the context of his news story?

Assuming what @Stadtler is referring to, there is the US concept of "inalienable" rights.

Rights "granted" by the government can be "taken away" by said government.

Edited July 8, 20206 yr by timendres

1 minute ago, Stadtler said:

Exactly.

 

Years ago, Stadtler counseled homosexual priests for the diocese in Boston. 

 

 

So what?

You didn't answer my question.

Definitely really a lawyer.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So what?

You didn't answer my question.

Definitely really a lawyer.

Much can be learned from homosexual priests. 

3 minutes ago, timendres said:

Assuming what @Stadtler is referring to, there is the US concept of "inalienable" rights.

Rights "granted" by the government can be "taken away" by said government.

You get today's Stadtler Award. 

 

Look for it in your mailbox.

2 minutes ago, Stadtler said:

Much can be learned from homosexual priests. 

Tell me something I don't know about, he he. In my experience, many of them are matzoh queens. 

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Tell me something I don't know about, he he. In my experience, many of them are matzoh queens. 

Stadtler had no doubt that you knew more about this than you let on.

44 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Although the new civil partnership bill gives same-sex couples the right to establish a family, it still does not give them all the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Wondering what those rights are and why you wouldn’t give it to them. But it’s good to see that things are moving in the right direction and people are being treated equally regardless their sexual orientation. 

This is good news, a step forward in the right direction especially in Thailand. 

I am confused: I have read that it was about mariage and it seems that it is not

They are only aiming at a civil partnership right?

As an attorney, former judge, and arbitrator Stadtler can tell you it doesn't matter what they write into the law because they jettison it anyway as soon as they have a coup.  

 

This country isn't fluid, it's like a washing tub.

Thai cabinet backs bill allowing same-sex unions

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai LGBT community participates in Gay Freedom Day Parade in Bangkok, Thailand November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet approved a civil partnership bill on Wednesday that would recognise same-sex unions with almost the same legal rights as married couples, in one of the most liberal moves yet for a largely conservative nation known for its tolerance.

 

If passed by parliament, the legislation would make Thailand only the second place in Asia to allow registration of same-sex unions, with couples able to adopt a child and afforded rights to inheritance and joint property ownership.

 

"The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai society in promoting equal rights and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to build families and live as partners," Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, wrote on Facebook.

 

The bill, however, stipulates that one party in a same-sex union must be Thai.

 

A largely conservative Buddhist society, Thailand has a reputation for openness and free-wheeling attitudes.

 

It has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.

 

The bill was introduced in 2018 but the previous legislature was unable to pass it before last year's election.

 

Taiwan last year became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Vietnam has decriminalised same-sex weddings but does not recognise unions of the same sex.

 

Kittinan Daramadhaj, president of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, said the bill essentially allows same-sex couples to marry but stops short of calling it a "marriage", which is legally defined as being between a man and woman.

 

"What's in a name? It's the content that matters," he told Reuters.

 

"'Civil partnership' shouldn't distract from the fact that it's about the legal registration of unions."

 

Kittinan said the bill, if passed, would "sufficiently alleviate pains and support the human rights of LGBT people".

 

A Thai lawmaker representing LGBT groups is pushing separately for marriage to be redefined as being between "two persons".

 

(Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-09

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

16 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Nothing about immigration?

Stadtler mainier has very boringly high-jacked the post

Wonder if this will mean they will now recognise farang same sex partnerships? 

16 hours ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

Wondering what those rights are and why you wouldn’t give it to them. But it’s good to see that things are moving in the right direction and people are being treated equally regardless their sexual orientation. 

Great News soon may it happen.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai cabinet backs bill allowing same-sex unions

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai LGBT community participates in Gay Freedom Day Parade in Bangkok, Thailand November 29, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet approved a civil partnership bill on Wednesday that would recognise same-sex unions with almost the same legal rights as married couples, in one of the most liberal moves yet for a largely conservative nation known for its tolerance.

 

If passed by parliament, the legislation would make Thailand only the second place in Asia to allow registration of same-sex unions, with couples able to adopt a child and afforded rights to inheritance and joint property ownership.

 

"The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai society in promoting equal rights and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to build families and live as partners," Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, wrote on Facebook.

 

The bill, however, stipulates that one party in a same-sex union must be Thai.

 

A largely conservative Buddhist society, Thailand has a reputation for openness and free-wheeling attitudes.

 

It has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.

 

The bill was introduced in 2018 but the previous legislature was unable to pass it before last year's election.

 

Taiwan last year became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Vietnam has decriminalised same-sex weddings but does not recognise unions of the same sex.

 

Kittinan Daramadhaj, president of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, said the bill essentially allows same-sex couples to marry but stops short of calling it a "marriage", which is legally defined as being between a man and woman.

 

"What's in a name? It's the content that matters," he told Reuters.

 

"'Civil partnership' shouldn't distract from the fact that it's about the legal registration of unions."

 

Kittinan said the bill, if passed, would "sufficiently alleviate pains and support the human rights of LGBT people".

 

A Thai lawmaker representing LGBT groups is pushing separately for marriage to be redefined as being between "two persons".

 

(Additional reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-09

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Great News hope it happens soon.

If passed by Parliament. A huge caveat.

 

Will be interesting to see what effects it would have on immigration. Would the foreign partner have the same rights as a married foriegner, the visa position be the same? 

 

I should imagine nothing else would change. No property rights, no right to work, no benefits rights, no access to Thai hospitals at 30 baht a pop, etc.

 

A possible route to Citizenship, Permanent Residence?

 

So many questions. So few answers.

As Larry Grayson (UK comedian/host) used to say "oh what a gay day" - well it certainly is now for some people!

 

its just another Songkram to appease the populous when things aren't going to plan :))))))

11 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Wonder if this will mean they will now recognise farang same sex partnerships? 

If the bill passes ....they will 

On 7/8/2020 at 5:59 PM, snoop1130 said:

5. Both partners will have the same rights as heterosexual couples as per the Criminal Procedure Code;

8. When one partner dies, the other will have the same rights and duties as heterosexual couples as provided in the Civil and Commercial Code on Heritage;

- Do foreign females still get a free pass re the financial hoops foreign males still have to jump through per annum or will parity finally be recognized?

 

- Ditto when the wife in a (normal) relationship dies.

I guess simply amending the marriage law so reads 'spouse' rather than man/woman and thus granting equality for all sexes is too much too ask of the dinosaurs in parliament. 

On 7/8/2020 at 5:25 PM, alyx said:

I am confused: I have read that it was about mariage and it seems that it is not

They are only aiming at a civil partnership right?

Correct,  that's why not all people are happy since rather than 100% equal rights and treatment it's close to it but not really.

29 minutes ago, evadgib said:

- Do foreign females still get a free pass re the financial hoops foreign males still have to jump through per annum or will parity finally be recognized?

 

- Ditto when the wife in a (normal) relationship dies.

Immigration laws about marriage are about marriage. 

This isn't marriage. 

They would have to change immigration law for this new thing to be recognized.

 

The international trend is to skip these weak tea separate but unequal measures and just go straight to gay marriage legalization.

I guess Thailand didn't get the memo. 

 

 

 

 

next coming soon, gambling and prostitution bills.