LGBTQ+ awaits “groundbreaking” law

Thailand is set to be Asia’s following gay marriage hub after more than 20 years of supporting a relationship justice expenses.

In a place where most countries continue to oppose gay right, the country could be a haven for LGBTQ couples once the bill is passed.

The costs will go into influence 120 days after being published in the Royal Gazette, evoking a new time for Thailand and its LGBTQ area. It is currently awaiting the King’s last formality of imperial support.

Nada Chaiyajit, a professor at Mae Fah Luang University’s School of Law and lengthy- time trans rights activist, was a crucial adviser in drafting, compiling and submitting the bill to parliament.

She claimed that Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, gave the bill prior consideration, which allowed it to be passed in just three months, which Ms. Chaiyajit described as miracle-working.

Communities are calling for a bill to promote marriage equality, according to Ms. Chaiyajit. ” Love wins”.

She noted that Thailand already had a large number of ceremonial same-sex marriages before this bill was passed, and she anticipates that this number will increase even further.

In Thailand, same-sex couples will have the same rights as heterosexual couples as a result of the bill.

Foreign same-sex couples seeking recognition of their relationship status in Thailand require only secure citizenship documents from their respective embassies.

To finish the marriage registration process, these documents must be submitted to Thai authorities.

Same-sex unions will be permitted in Thailand, but foreign couples may not have legal standing in their home countries due to local laws.

However, this groundbreaking legislation places Thailand among the nations with the highest standards for LGBTQ rights, and it is anticipated to boost tourism and the local economy.

Another key aspect of the bill is the shift in the use of the term” spouse” instead of “wife” or “husband” in a marriage, a move aimed at eliminating binary gender distinctions.

Same- sex couples will soon be able to adopt children, co- sign leases and more. However, a major of point of contention with the bill is whether they will be permitted to use surrogates, a restricted practice in Thailand.

Asst Prof Wimpat Rajpradit, from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Law, explained that while the term” spouse” under the marriage equality bill will allow same- sex couples to adopt, they will not be able to use surrogates.

This is because current surrogacy law, enacted in 2015, still uses binary terms such as “wife” and “husband”, he said.

He predicted that unless the law is changed, same-sex couples will not be able to use surrogates.

According to Ms. Chaiyajit, the next significant change is one that relates to legal gender recognition. Under this bill, individuals are allowed to legally identify with different genders, she said. After three revisions, the bill will be submitted by the end of the month, she said.

Tiny slice of equality

Ryan Joseph Figueriedo, Founder of the Equal Asia Foundation, which promotes LGBTQ inclusion, expressed cautious optimism about the bill and looked forward to celebrating its passing with Thais.

” We are still in the early stages of seeing how legal equality develops,” said Mr. Figueriedo.

He claimed that Thailand continues to be a conservative Buddhist society with strong karmic beliefs.

This fosters widespread tolerance but does not always translate into full acceptance, he explained.

Locals have been sceptical about Bangkok’s plans to host World Pride 2030, with some questioning whether the bill’s real purpose is economic gain rather than real social change.

In this context, Mr Figuerido warned against “pink- washing” or “rainbow washing”, a tactic that shifts focus away from pressing economic issues by spotlighting LGBTQ initiatives.

” This is a limited set of rights for an elite few”, he said.

Although this legislation is groundbreaking, Thailand’s family structure remains deeply patriarchal.

Mr. Figuerido hopes the bill will change the public’s perception, entice people to leave their shadows, and give people access to resources previously unheard.

The legal marriage equality bill “fills a small piece of the big piece of equality,” according to Mr. Figuerido.

Other side of the rainbow

Thailand’s legislative progress contrasts starkly with that of neighboring nations as it prepares to become the 37th nation to legalize same-sex unions.

While the kingdom moves forward with new rights for LGBTQ individuals, regional counterparts continue to enforce strict prohibitions and limited protections.

Myanmar, west of Thailand, prohibits same- sex marriage, criminalising acts of” carnal knowledge against the order of nature” with penalties, including life imprisonment.

Laos, northeast of Thailand, decriminalised same- sex relations but does not allow marriage, adoption or civil unions.

Cambodia, southeast of Thailand, lacks anti- LGBTQ discrimination and marriage equality laws over concerns about adoption and HIV. Advocacy for increased rights continues.

Malaysia, south of Thailand, prohibits gay marriage with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and whipping.

While not targeting transgender people specifically, they face frequent arrests, violence and discrimination, including alleged police abuse.

In June, South Korea’s Supreme Court reviewed whether same- sex partners can be registered as “dependent spouses”, but Korean law does not require redefining” spouse”.

Human Rights Watch has urged extending benefits to same- sex partners, citing discrimination. Same- sex relations are not criminalised, but marriage remains unrecognised.

Japan ruled in March that banning same- sex marriage is unconstitutional, though no new framework has been established. Polls show 70 % support for same- sex unions.

Vietnam has made some progress for the LGBTQ community. The nation permits legal gender transitions and ceremonial same-sex weddings, but it does not recognize same-sex marriage as legal status.