Same-sex bill denied

[reader]

From Thai Enquirer

When Thailand’s same sex marriage bill was blocked by a panel of Constitutional Court judges on Thursday, the LGBTIQ+ community was devastated.

Many believed that the bill would finally be taken seriously. But the LGBTIQ+ community’s doubts were confirmed when the court judges dismissed it. Activists say the ruling signals that Thailand’s conservative elite is still not ready to offer them equal rights.

Nattawut Buaprathum, deputy party leader of Move Forward Party, told Thai Enquirer that it seems like it’s still going to take more time.

“The court ruled citing section 1448 of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code, that only marriage between men and women is constitutional,” Nattawut says. “But they also agreed that Thailand is becoming more diverse.”.

Section 1448 under the constitution says that only men and women above the age of 17 are able to marry.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/35105/lgbtiq-community-calls-for-greater-rights-as-same-sex-bill-denied/

[Lonnie]

Was it unanimous? Do they do vote breakdowns?

[PeterRS]

Let''s remember this is the same Constitutional Court which approved Thaksin's ascendency to the Premiership despite his not having declared all his assets in advance. That should have ensured he could not even be an MP. His grardener and housekeeper were found each to hold many millions of shares in his company. The Court voted by 4 to 3 that it was an honest mistake. That one or more was bribed is certain. There are plenty of people in government who do not want a same sex marriage bill. I would put money on influence having been made on the Constitutional Court to ensure its verdict!

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

Thai government to back gay rights bill

By Barry Kenyon

Following an expected ruling by the constitutional court which limits the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples, the government has agreed to speed up a draft law to protect all genders.  Deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam pointed out the court ruling did include a suggestion that parliament could change section 1448 of the civil and commercial code which discriminated on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Two stalled bills are currently within parliamentary committees.  One would allow full gay marriage for gays and the other limits the legal protection to civil unions.  Mr Wissanu’s announcement appears to support the second and more limited version.  One of the main differences is that full gay marriage is required for same-sex partners to enjoy anti-discrimination rights in employment and pension legislation.

Depending on the detail, Thailand is scheduled to be the first country in Asia to enshrine legal equality for gays. Taiwan is often quoted as the first nation to permit full gay equality, although there are restrictions.  For instance, citizens cannot marry a foreigner.  Depending on the drafting process and the enthusiasm of the government parties, a new law could see the light of day sometime next year.  If a general election was called, that could create an indefinite delay.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thai-government-to-back-gay-rights-bill-379744