Cabinet passes bill for same-sex couples, but NLA may let it die
If you’re a same-sex couple in which both are at least 20 years old, and one of you has Thai nationality, you will soon be able to marry in Thailand.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a Civil-Partnership Bill, the first major step in Thailand one day becoming the first country in Asia to recognise the right for same-sex partnership.
The current Bill will allow same-sex couples to adopt children, according to Nathporn Chatusripitak, an adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Though adoption is not specifically included in the Bill, it is already covered in the country’s child adoption laws, said Nathporn.
The new Bill also refers to the current Civil and Commercial Code, which governs issues of assets and property and will work in much the same way for same-sex couples. In terms of state welfare, the payments to government officials will also cover same-sex spouses.
The Bill is poised to go before the National Legislative Assembly for a final decision. If passed, it will be announced in the Royal Gazette and take effect 120 days after.
The NLA reports that they currently have a backlog of 50 bills to be deliberated, so the new civil partnership Bill may not be passed in the current session which finishes on February 15, a week before the general election.
Source: thethaiger.com