Thailand Is The First Southeast Asian Country To Allow Same-sex Couples To Live Together

Photo illustration (Kyle Hinkson / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Thai Cabinet approved a draft law (RUU) that would legally recognize same-sex civil partnerships. This will make Thailand the second country in Asia and the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex couples living together.

This bill will provide greater rights to same-sex couples. Despite not mentioning same-sex marriage, the Civil Partnership Bill allows same-sex couples to officially register their unions, a significant step considering Thailand is still relatively conservative.

Under this bill, same-sex couples can adopt children, claim inheritance rights, and jointly manage assets, such as property. Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy spokesperson for the government, said the bill was a milestone for Thai society.

Thailand is successful in promoting equality among people of all genders. "The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai people in promoting equal rights and supporting the right of same-sex couples to build families and live as partners," he said in a Facebook post.

The bill defines civil partners as couples born of the same sex. To register, spouses must be at least 17 years of age and at least one of them is a Thai national. Those under 17 must obtain permission from their parents or legal guardians.

Not same-sex marriage

However, this bill does not mean approving same-sex marriage. And the proposed legal amendments do not grant same-sex couples all the rights and benefits afforded to married couples. The LGBTQ community in Thailand says the bill doesn't go far enough because civil partnership is not marriage.

"The Civil Partnership Bill is not a milestone for gender equality in Thailand, but an obstacle to achieving marriage rights for all," said Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, LGBTQ activist and Secretary General of the progressive youth organization, Free Youth.

Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, the first transgender and filmmaker in parliament under the Move Forward Party (MFP), said the bill does not include the right to spouse benefits, such as tax exemptions, social security benefits and medical rights.

"Why not call everyone, both traditional and nontraditional couples, as married partners, why should a special term be given to LGBT people as 'civil partners'," said Tanwarin.

The MFP is campaigning to change the Marriage Law in Thailand by changing the term 'husband and wife' to 'married couple' to make it more inclusive of all gender identities.

"This is another form of discrimination in disguise," said Tanwarin. "We don't want anything special, we just want to be treated like everyone else."

The draft bill still has to go through public hearings and the Thai House of Representatives (DPR) will close and elect it. If it passes the bill it will be taken to the Senate for another vote, a process that could take months.