Thai LGBT community participates in Gay Freedom Day Parade in Bangkok. File.
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

Thailand’s lower house of parliament on March 26 passed a marriage equality bill at the final reading, in a landmark step that moves the country closer to becoming the third territory in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

The bill now requires approval from the Senate and endorsement from the king before it becomes law. It had the support of all of Thailand’s major parties and was passed by 400 of the 415 lawmakers present, with 10 voting against it.

“We did this for all Thai people to reduce disparity in society and start creating equality,” Danuphorn Punnakanta, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the draft bill, told lawmakers ahead of the reading.

“I want to invite you all to make history.”

The passing of the bill marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s most liberal societies on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness and free-wheeling attitudes coexisting with traditional, conservative Buddhist values.

Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant LGBT social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.

The bill could take effect within 120 days of royal approval. Thailand would follow Taiwan and Nepal in becoming the first places in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.

The legislation has been more than a decade in the making, with delays due to political upheaval and disagreement on what approaches to take and what should be included in the bill.

The Constitutional Court had in 2020 ruled Thailand’s current marriage law, which only recognises heterosexual couples, was constitutional, recommending legislation be expanded to ensure rights of other genders.

Parliament in December approved four different draft bills on same-sex marriage in the first reading and tasked a committee to consolidate those into a single draft.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court today directed the Centre and the state governments to ensure that queer people are not discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Directing the government to sentisize the public about queer rights and set up a hotline for them, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages, and is neither urban nor elitist.

“Queerness is neither urban nor elitist. However, we do not agree with the directions issued by the Chief Justice of India,” Justice Chandrachud said.

He directed the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering a First Information Report or FIR against a queer couple over their relationship.

“There shall be no harassment to queer community by summoning them to police station solely to enquire about their sexual identity,” he said.

He said that the people of the queer community can’t be forced to return to their families or to undergo any hormonal therapy.

He also asked the government to ensure that inter-sex children are not forced for sex change operations.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court today refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. The Chief Justice said the court can’t make law but only interpret it, and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act.

“Whether a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act is for the Parliament to decide. This court must be careful to not enter into legislative domain,” he said.

The Supreme Court asked the Centre to proceed with the formation of a committee to address practical concerns of same-sex couples, such as getting ration cards, pension, gratuity, and succession issues.