The Paper's reporter Nan Boyi intern Wu Sifan
Thailand may become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
The Thai cabinet passed a bill on the 8th to allow same-sex couples to register their marriages and amended the law to ensure that same-sex couples have almost the same rights as married opposite-sex couples. Foreign media pointed out that this may make Thailand the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Reuters reported on the 8th that the Thai cabinet approved a civil bill on partnership on the same day, which will recognize same-sex marriage, and same-sex couples have almost the same legal rights as married couples. If the bill is passed by Congress, same-sex couples will be granted a range of rights.
It is worth mentioning that although the Act gives same-sex couples the rights and obligations already existing to opposite-sex couples, such as registering and canceling partnerships, property management, adopting children and inheriting inheritance, the Act does not grant same-sex couples all the rights and benefits previously owned by opposite-sex couples, such as spousal benefits, partial state benefits and tax exemptions.
The bill also stipulates that same-sex couples over the age of 17 can register for partnership and that at least one of the couples must be Thai national. Given that Thai law defines 20 years as the legal age of majority, minors applying for proof of same-sex partnership must obtain the consent of their parents, guardians or the courts. Reuters pointed out that if the bill is passed, minors will be considered adults after registering for same-sex partnerships.
According to a Reuters article, Thai government deputy spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Facebook that the bill is an important step in Thai society in promoting equality between men and women and guaranteeing the right of same-sex couples to establish a family.
Kittinan Daramadhaj, president of the Thai Rainbow Sky Association, a human rights group, agrees that the bill essentially allows same-sex couples to marry, "and the bill upholds the human rights of the transgender community (LGBT)." ”
However, after the Thai cabinet approved the bill, there was also opposition in Thai society. According to Thailand's "Bangkok Post" reported on the 8th, Thailand's Forward Party called on people who oppose the bill to log on to the House of Representatives website to protest, and the website will publicly solicit public comments on the bill before August 7.
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