The Thai parliament yesterday (27 March) voted 399 to 10 to approve the Marriage Equality bill at the final reading, paving the way for Thailand to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage for all. At the same time, the use of gendered language in the bill leads to the concern that some rights will remain limited for LGBTQ people.

Yesterday (21 December), the Thai parliament passed the first reading of four bills proposing amendments to the marriage law to allow registration of marriage regardless of gender. If adopted, the amendments would make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize marriage for all.

After the cabinet's approval of a marriage equality bill and decision to introduce it to parliament next month, the human rights organization Fortify Rights call on parliament to urgently pass it into law and ensure the right to marriage equality for couples of all genders in Thailand.

The cabinet is planning to propose to parliament amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code to allow for the registration of marriage regardless of gender.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has pledged to support the Marriage Equality Bill, which will be sent to the Cabinet next week, and Thailand’s bid to host World Pride 2028.

A civil society network proposing a new marriage equality bill, a gender recognition bill, and a bill repealing the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act is poised to launch a campaign to collect signatures to introduce the bills into parliament.

MPs from the Move Forward Party (MFP) have re-submitted the Marriage Equality bill to parliament to prevent the bill from being automatically dismissed. 

<p>As Thailand will soon be due for another general election, members of the civil society are now concerned that policies advocating for the welfare of women, children, and LGBTQ+ people and for gender equality would be used as a campaigning tool, as many political parties have yet to implement policies proposed during the 2019 election.</p>

<p>The Drafting Committee for the Civil Partnership bill and the Marriage Equality bill has said that it will push for both bills to go before parliament before the end of the current session, while concerns have been raised about homophobia among committee members.</p>

<p>In January 2020, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched the&nbsp;LGBTQ+ travel marketing outrach campaign #GoThaiBeFree, presenting Thailand as a heaven for LGBTQ+ tourists. Verita Sriratana discusses how this image has been challenged as Thailand&#39;s LGBTQ+ community continue to struggle with discrimination and lack of legal rights.</p>

<p>Apichaya Akkaratatta discusses domestic violence in Thailand, the roots of the issue, why it has been overlooked, and why the society allows it to continue.</p>

<p>After a hiatus of nearly two decades, the Pride Parade returned to Bangkok last Sunday with a bang, drawing crowds of LGBTQ community members, sex workers, feminists, political dissidents, and even corporate representatives.&nbsp;</p>