Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill

[webfact]

 

Thailand has taken a monumental leap forward in the quest for marriage equality, with the House of Representatives approving a same-sex marriage bill on its final reading.

 

The bill, backed by all significant political parties, secured a resounding victory with 400 of the 415 members present voting in favour. A mere 10 representatives opposed the motion.

 

Danuphorn Punnakanta, a Pheu Thai list MP and the chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill expressed the sentiment behind the bill.

“We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality.”

Danuphorn further explained that the legislation guarantees equal legal rights and benefits for same-sex couples, akin to those enjoyed by heterosexual couples. These rights encompass government-endorsed medical treatment, tax deductions, approval rights for spouse’s medical treatment, asset management and inheritance, child adoption, and funeral organising rights for spouses.

 

The next step sees the bill presented before the Senate for deliberation, slated for April 1, 2 and 9, according to Senate Chief Whip Kamnoon Sidhisamarn. He added that a Senate committee would review the bill during the parliamentary session break and return it to the Senate for a final vote before the installation of new senators. The current term of the 250 appointed senators concludes on May 11, but they will continue until the new 200-member Senate, indirectly elected, assumes office.

 

With this bill, Thailand fortifies its reputation as one of Asia’s most liberal societies regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. This openness coexists with traditional, conservative Buddhist values, making Thailand an attractive destination for same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ travellers.

 

Third Asian country

 

The bill is expected to come into effect within 120 days of receiving royal assent. Once this happens, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as the only places in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

 

The journey towards this legislation has spanned more than ten years, with political upheaval and disagreements over the bill’s contents causing delays. The Constitutional Court, however, ruled in 2020 that the current marriage law, recognising only heterosexual couples, was constitutional. The court recommended expanding legislation to ensure the rights of other genders, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Parliament reviewed four draft bills on same-sex marriage in December, consolidating them into a single draft. The bills propose amendments to 68 provisions under the Civil and Commercial Code to redefine terms, ensuring gender equality and diversity.

 

Source: The Thaiger] 2024-03-28

 

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[webfact]

Same-sex marriage law passed by lower house. Next comes a law to legalise prostitution in Thailand
by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (centre) issued a warm and effusive statement applauding the passage of a gay marriage law by the House of Representatives. In addition to congratulating lawmakers for their bi-partisan cooperation, he also praised the public. At the same time, key committee members who guided the measure through parliament gathered in high spirits to address the media (inset left). However, the Move Forward Party is now expected to table a law to legalise prostitution in Thailand (inset right), which has the support of the Prime Minister.

House of Representatives passes a Gay Marriage law. Legislators next will tackle legalising Prostitution. Historic strides in human rights anticipated as PM Srettha’s government leads the charge. Bipartisan cooperation heralded. Move Forward Party takes centre stage. A rare moment of cross-party political success and progress.

Thailand’s lower house on Wednesday finalised a gay marriage law which now goes to the Senate. Members of the House Committee in Parliament celebrated as did leading political figures. The new law is part of a trio of measures centred on human rights for all Thai people. These are being pushed by the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. At length, they include a new gender identity law and quite significantly, a law to legalise prostitution in the country.

 

On Wednesday afternoon in Bangkok, top political leaders congratulated each other. It came after the kingdom’s lower house passed a gay marriage provision.

 

Those leading the applause included Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party and Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Progressive movement.

 

In parliament itself, the Equal Marriage Committee celebrated the bill’s passage.

 

Its members emphasised it was a historic day for all Thai people. At this point, Senate discussion on the measure will begin on April 2.

 

Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2024-03-28

 

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[Celsius]

Congratulations!

 

[rwill]

5 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Congratulations!

 

It's not over yet.  Have to see what the senate does.

[alanrchase]

Maybe Bob will change his mind and stay?

[Zack61]

Hats off to them. Very progressive and understanding approach to equality. I give credit where credit is due.

[spidermike007]

This is wonderful news, love should be recognized no matter what form it takes, very proud of these guys and gals for seeing the light and doing something progressive, something that actually benefits the people. 

[Matthew2027]

Dinosaur's in the Senate.....  

[eumenades]

35 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This is wonderful news, love should be recognized no matter what form it takes, very proud of these guys and gals for seeing the light and doing something progressive, something that actually benefits the people. 

 

Nice to hear these things, Mike. (So far, no homophobic one-liners from our derisive subscribers.)

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality.”

About time, I just hope the senate don't put a spanner in the works.. so to speak

[waders123]

 

Until same-sex marriage is officially announced as being legal in the Gazette, it is only an idea. Legalizing same-sex marriages should have happened 15-20 years ago; Thailand could have been benefiting all these years from the influx of money and set the standard as the preferred destination for the LGBTQ+ community in Southeast Asia.  It's not too late to turn this around and capitalize on it before neighboring countries legalize same-sex marriages and start aggressively vying for the "Gay dollar."

 

[Asquith Production]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

About time, I just hope the senate don't put a spanner in the works.. so to speak

I would not think so. I cannot see anything here that would upset the status quo

[ikke1959]

Nothing new yet, although they pretend Thailand will have a samesex marriage.. The question however is when??? The Senate has to approve first and we all don't know when they will do it.. The mandate of the current sanators ends in May and probably they don't look it anymore, In May new senators are being elected and than it will take again several months before they start working.. Suppose they approve it too than it need to be signed by the King and published, but that can also take 120 days... So nothing will probably change before the 1st of January or maybe later.. And we hope that the current Government will be in power that time, because if there are being new elections probably the law has to be done again.. No I am very sorry but nothing has changed yet for the LGBTI group. Delasying all the time as the shout we want it, but in reality we do everything we can to hold it back

Edited March 28 by ikke1959

[animalmagic]

To the best of my understanding a foreign woman married to a Thai man has significantly less hoops to jump through when applying for extension of stay based on marriage than does a foreign man married to a Thai woman?  Does this now mean that I should marry my brother in law instead?

[Fairynuff]

In theory it’s excellent news, in practice we have to wait and see.

[Ben Zioner]

1 hour ago, eumenades said:

 

Nice to hear these things, Mike. (So far, no homophobic one-liners from our derisive subscribers.)

There is Waders post and absolute gem, for a normal person.

 

55 minutes ago, waders123 said:

 

Until same-sex marriage is officially announced as being legal in the Gazette, it is only an idea. Legalizing same-sex marriages should have happened 15-20 years ago; Thailand could have been benefiting all these years from the influx of money and set the standard as the preferred destination for the LGBTQ+ community in Southeast Asia.  It's not too late to turn this around and capitalize on it before neighboring countries legalize same-sex marriages and start aggressively vying for the "Gay dollar."

 

 

[bob smith]

Legal today, illegal tomorrow!

 

wouldn't be at all surprised if the senate blocks this at the 11th hour..

 

but if they do legalize it and don't flip flop on it at a later date - then kudos to Thailand!

 

let's wait and see though..

 

regards,

the real bob.

[nakhonandy]

Amazing that it has taken so long, considering Thailand has always been accepting LGBT as long as I have been visiting, which is over 40 years.

 

[quake]

This is good news .

People can love who they want,  in my book. 

[Ben Zioner]

Only a political  move  to tame Move Forward MPs and voters.

[MamaSan]

Can't WAIT to try converting my retirement visa to a same-sex marriage one!

[arick]

Now I can switch to the marriage non O like the rest of you.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Thailand house of representatives approves same-sex marriage bill

Congrats.

However, one caveat: remember the cannabis bill...? In essence, the legislative passes a law, and the government tries to eff it up.

 

[Chongalulu]

36 minutes ago, quake said:

This is good news .

People can love who they want,  in my book. 

Not in mine, I don’t want the pages all sticky! 

[Chongalulu]

1 hour ago, eumenades said:

 

Nice to hear these things, Mike. (So far, no homophobic one-liners from our derisive subscribers.)

You didn’t have to wait long - see Zioners posts 4 down ! 😂 

[quake]

3 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

Not in mine, I don’t want the pages all sticky! 

 

Wow, Analog porn, that's a blast from the past. 

[Chongalulu]

2 hours ago, alanrchase said:

Maybe Bob will change his mind and stay?

Please include your marriage proposal to Bob in this thread - it will be considered along with the 14 others received so far…

[quake]

2 hours ago, eumenades said:

 

Nice to hear these things, Mike. (So far, no homophobic one-liners from our derisive subscribers.)

 

Sounds like you just want to be offended.

I would say your post is a bating post.

Keep it up,  and you will become a master of bating. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 28 by quake

[Excogitator]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Dunno, but while I perceive a two females in a relationships as enticing and delicately scented, the sodomy, pillar of male Gay love, makes me feel sick. 

Look at the bright side of this Ben. Soon you can finally come out of the closet..

[thesetat]

3 hours ago, alanrchase said:

Maybe Bob will change his mind and stay?

Is this pick on Bob week?