Thailand edges closer to legalising same-sex marriage

The Thai parliament is set to begin deliberating four draft bills on same-sex marriage, moving the country closer towards its legalisation with the first vote on the bills expected later on Thursday.
The deliberation comes after parliament last year debated similar draft laws and the previous government’s same-sex civil union bill, but did not come to a final vote before the session ended.
The four draft bills being deliberated on Thursday include one tabled by the new government that came to power after the May general election, another by civil society groups, and two others from opposition Move Forward and the Democrats parties, all of which bear similar approaches.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told parliament about the government’s draft bill, “In principle, this draft law is for the amendment of some provisions in the civic codes to open the way for lovers, regardless of their gender, to engage and get married.”
He said, “This will provide rights, responsibilities and family status as equal to the marriage between a man and a woman presently in all aspects.”