Thailand's Marriage Equality Bill to Become Law Next Month

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: South China Morning Post

 

Thailand is set to become the third region in Asia, following Taiwan and Nepal, to legally recognise same-sex marriage, with the Marriage Equality Bill poised to take effect next month.

 

Following its royal endorsement, the law was published in the Royal Gazette on 24th September, heralding a significant shift in Thai legislative history. From 22nd January, same-sex couples will be legally permitted to register their marriages, marking the commencement of a new era of legal equality.

 

To prepare for this landmark change, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, alongside various governmental ministries and Bangkok Pride, hosted the "Marriage Equality Day" event. This initiative aimed to assess and ensure Thailand's readiness for the bill's implementation.

Kannapong Pipatmontrikul, from the Interior Ministry, announced the formation of a committee to update marriage registration systems, allowing same-sex marriage registrations at district offices nationwide.

 

The language of regulations is being adapted to remove gender-specific terms, substituting "individuals" and "married couples" to align with the spirit of the new law.

 

Once these regulatory amendments receive approval from the Interior Minister, system modifications and trial runs will follow, training staff across registration offices to handle the updated processes proficiently.

 

Post-enactment, same-sex marriage registration will be open to individuals aged 18 and over—a provision that includes parental or guardian consent for those under 20.

 

Further efforts are underway to revise connected legal frameworks, ensuring equal rights for same-sex couples across other legislative areas such as surrogacy, nationality, and gender recognition, according to Kerdchoke Kasemwongjit from the Justice Ministry.

 

This holistic approach aims to guarantee full parity with heterosexual couples in establishing and nurturing families, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-03

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

Can they legally adopt children? I hope not.

[SmokeandIce]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Can they legally adopt children? I hope not.

A loving home for every orphan is better than living in an orphanage especially a Catholic orphanage. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Just now, SmokeandIce said:

A loving home for every orphan is better than living in an orphanage especially a Catholic orphanage. 

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

[bbbbooboo]

*checks back*

[Foxx]

5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

 

A stupid, ignorant generalisation.  There are plenty of unfit and abusive hetro couples.  Such a couple is far worse for a child than a loving same sex couple.

[Ebumbu]

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

 

 

Extensive research indicates that children raised by same-sex couples exhibit health and well-being outcomes comparable to those raised by opposite-sex couples. A 2010 meta-analysis of 33 studies found no significant differences in behavioral, educational, emotional, or social outcomes between these groups of children. 

 

https://www.businessinsider.in/The-scientific-truth-about-kids-who-grow-up-with-same-sex-parents/articleshow/47558855.cms

 

Similarly, a 2015 study concluded that children with same-sex parents are as socially well-adjusted as their peers with different-sex parents.

 

https://www.healthday.com/healthday-tv/sexual-health/kids-with-same-sex-parents-are-socially-well-adjusted-study-finds-2657393641.html

 

Moreover, a 2024 report analyzing two decades of data found that children in same-sex households fare just as well in academic performance, psychological health, and social well-being as those with heterosexual parents. 

 

https://www.them.us/story/marriage-equality-didnt-ruin-society-study

 

These findings are supported by major professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, which states that lesbian and gay parents are as capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_parenting
 

Will this change your mind? Unlikely. But, the science is clear. 

[johnnybangkok]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Can they legally adopt children? I hope not.

Your age and ignorance is showing. Ebembu has kindly supplied you with the stats to prove that same-sex parenting is as healthy as hetro parenting so now would you like to apologise? 

[DrJoy]

Mr. Somchai Weds Mr. Somchai

[spidermike007]

35 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

I really don't think a child makes that distinction. I think that's a very traditional and religion-based concept, the child is concerned about loving parents, be they two men, two women, or a normal couple. I don't think it matters one iota. 

 

This is a great thing for the nation, it's forward movement in a nation that's often mired in backwards movement, and it should be celebrated. 

[Cory1848]

41 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

And tell me, just why is that. It’s important that a child is raised in a loving environment, and that can be provided by a same-sex couple just as effectively as by a couple that’s a man and woman.

[Tropicalevo]

40 minutes ago, Ebumbu said:

Will this change your mind? Unlikely. But, the science is clear. 

 

The science might be clear, but people's prejudices blurs things a little.

 

[CM Dad]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Can they legally adopt children? I hope not.

Why not?

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Following its royal endorsement, the law was published in the Royal Gazette on 24th September, heralding a significant shift in Thai legislative history. From 22nd January, same-sex couples will be legally permitted to register their marriages, marking the commencement of a new era of legal equality.

Long overdue

[CM Dad]

Will this change financial requirements for spousal visa extensions?  For example:  If a foreign man marries a Thai woman he must keep 400,000 baht in a bank account in his name only, but if a foreign woman marries a Thai man there is no financial requirement.  

So, if a foreign man marries a Thai man will there still be a financial requirement?  In addition, if there is to be true marriage equality then the 400,000 baht bank deposit for a foreign man married to a Thai woman needs to to eliminated.  

[arick]

I went to ask the monk in the village what's a lucky day for marriage in February and he laughed at me. He's known me for years. Surely he knows I am gay maybe he doesn't know about the law changing. Many same sex Thai couples are not getting married not bothering with it. 

[arick]

37 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Why not?

If we can teach their kids for 20 some years why in the hell can't we have our own.

[Ebumbu]

12 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Will this change financial requirements for spousal visa extensions?  For example:  If a foreign man marries a Thai woman he must keep 400,000 baht in a bank account in his name only, but if a foreign woman marries a Thai man there is no financial requirement.  

So, if a foreign man marries a Thai man will there still be a financial requirement?  In addition, if there is to be true marriage equality then the 400,000 baht bank deposit for a foreign man married to a Thai woman needs to to eliminated.  

 

This may be a back-door visa option! (Sorry, just some light humor. Not malicious!) 

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

 

 

Extensive research indicates that children raised by same-sex couples exhibit health and well-being outcomes comparable to those raised by opposite-sex couples. A 2010 meta-analysis of 33 studies found no significant differences in behavioral, educational, emotional, or social outcomes between these groups of children. 

 

https://www.businessinsider.in/The-scientific-truth-about-kids-who-grow-up-with-same-sex-parents/articleshow/47558855.cms

 

Similarly, a 2015 study concluded that children with same-sex parents are as socially well-adjusted as their peers with different-sex parents.

 

https://www.healthday.com/healthday-tv/sexual-health/kids-with-same-sex-parents-are-socially-well-adjusted-study-finds-2657393641.html

 

Moreover, a 2024 report analyzing two decades of data found that children in same-sex households fare just as well in academic performance, psychological health, and social well-being as those with heterosexual parents. 

 

https://www.them.us/story/marriage-equality-didnt-ruin-society-study

 

These findings are supported by major professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, which states that lesbian and gay parents are as capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_parenting
 

Will this change your mind? Unlikely. But, the science is clear. 

id  like to see a  study of  how many of  those raised became gay themselves when older

[john donson]

can't wait to read about the first divorce fights in court from the new people

 

Gay farang man marries a gay THAI guy ...   does the THAI man have to prove any income ?

 

is the farang gay man seen as a spouse and does not show 400k in the bank ?

 

is there a path to naturalization for the farang gay guy ?

[Rampant Rabbit]

43 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Will this change financial requirements for spousal visa extensions?  For example:  If a foreign man marries a Thai woman he must keep 400,000 baht in a bank account in his name only, but if a foreign woman marries a Thai man there is no financial requirement.  

So, if a foreign man marries a Thai man will there still be a financial requirement?  In addition, if there is to be true marriage equality then the 400,000 baht bank deposit for a foreign man married to a Thai woman needs to to eliminated.  

itll be  funny when normal men become trans  women to avoid it  all

[newnative]

48 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Will this change financial requirements for spousal visa extensions?  For example:  If a foreign man marries a Thai woman he must keep 400,000 baht in a bank account in his name only, but if a foreign woman marries a Thai man there is no financial requirement.  

So, if a foreign man marries a Thai man will there still be a financial requirement?  In addition, if there is to be true marriage equality then the 400,000 baht bank deposit for a foreign man married to a Thai woman needs to to eliminated.  

Good question.   

[Ebumbu]

14 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

id  like to see a  study of  how many of  those raised became gay themselves when older

 

Studies have consistently found no significant differences in the sexual orientation of children based on their parents' sexual orientation.

A 2005 review by Charlotte J. Patterson for the American Psychological Association concluded that children of lesbian or gay parents do not exhibit higher rates of homosexuality compared to those with heterosexual parents. 

Similarly, a 2016 review by Bailey et al. found no evidence suggesting increased rates of non-heterosexuality among children of same-sex couples. The study noted that while genetic factors may influence sexual orientation, the social environment provided by same-sex parents does not appear to affect the sexual orientation of their children. 

In summary, current scientific evidence indicates that children raised by same-sex couples are no more likely to identify as gay or lesbian than those raised by opposite-sex couples.

[Caldera]

Great news for all those who've been waiting for this for a long time. 

[FritsSikkink]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Yes, and it's even better when the child is raised by a man and a woman. 

Any proof for that?

[Dr B]

22 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

id  like to see a  study of  how many of  those raised became gay themselves when older

It is a very obvous fact that there are many homosexual people in the world, and almost all of them, except perhaps for some of the very youngest, will have been raised by heterosexual parents since other options were not available when they were young. So you would be very hard pressed to show that the sexual orientation of the parents has anything to do with the sexual orientation of the children. My partner had three daughters, but the middle one was adopted by her elder, childless, sister and her husband, both of whom are heterosexual. That middle daughter, who has a well paid professional job in the global market, has a relationship with a female. Certainly no suggestion there that the family was any sort of influence on how her perferences turned out.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Foxx said:

 

A stupid, ignorant generalisation.  There are plenty of unfit and abusive hetro couples.  Such a couple is far worse for a child than a loving same sex couple.

And are all those same sex couples fit? Or are there also some of them unfit and abusive?

The best way for a child to grew up is in a loving family with a male father and a female mother. That is so basic that nobody mentioned it for the last million years ago, accept obviously these last strange years.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

Will this change your mind? Unlikely. But, the science is clear.

You mean the research which you selected shows what you want to see.

I am sure I could line up lots of research which supports my point of view. Would it convince you? I have my doubt. 

 

I think a little common sense is all we need. If a child has no father, something is missing. If a child has no mother, something is missing. This is why they should have optimally a father and a mother.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

Your age and ignorance is showing. Ebembu has kindly supplied you with the stats to prove that same-sex parenting is as healthy as hetro parenting so now would you like to apologise? 

It's not.

Next thing you will tell me a child is born as a neutral and then sometime later it should decide if it wants to be a boy or a girl, or something in between, or one day this and the next day that. That's all BS. There are some facts in life which are plain obvious, even if the work crowd doesn't want to acknowledge this. 

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Can they legally adopt children? I hope not.

And why not ???