Commission for marriage rights
The Thai National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Sexual Diversity Network (SDN) presented draft legislation to grant marital status to same-sex relationships at the 16th Asia Pacific Forum (APF) in Bangkok.
Ahead of the meeting, NHRC Secretary-General Chuchai Suphawong said the draft law to recognise same-sex relationships was a good thing and the NHRC would support it.
He said the NHRC would propose the draft law to the APF as part of a push for the Thai government to support the law.
SDN representative Pongsathorn Chanreun said the network would join with NHRC to push for implementation of this draft law, to give homosexual people access to social and human security rights such as heritage, child care, insurance and medical care benefits, which were basic rights for all.
Despite its gay-friendly culture, Thailand currently has no laws recognising same-sex relationships.
Gay sex is still illegal in Singapore, so I do not think Singapore will beat us to same sex marriage just yet!
A very good chance that India, Thailand, Taiwan and/or Nepal could beat us to same sex marriage!
The reason why Nepal has been taking a long time is because the country is under civil war due to Manioxits – and that is why things are slow on the new Consitution being drafted by the new Government that promises same sex marriage and other civil rights for LGBT people (but do not hold your breath).
This will be worth watching! Thailand could be the first Asian country to introduce marriage equality. There was some talk about Nepal doing so, but nothing has happened. There will be huge social and economic benefits for Thailand if marriage equality eventuates there! If Singapore and Taiwan did so as well, there would be a lot of Australians wanting to move overseas!