Marriage for all has made it through the Thai parliament
Even though it will probably take longer before marriage for all is eventually implemented in Thailand, another important milestone has now been reached. The House of Representatives in Thailand has approved a bill on marriage for all. The decision was anything but close. In fact, the bill was approved by a large majority. Before going any further, the government is allowed to review the bill. It has about eight weeks to do so.
Is life changing for queers in Thailand?
Eventually. At the moment, everything is still up in the air. However, it is also certain that few would have expected parliament to approve this at all. After all, this would mean that queer couples would then be allowed to marry in the country and marriage would be officially recognized. However, a look at the detailed voting results is hopeful. A total of 219 deputies voted "yes," while 118 voted "no." Twelve did not cast a vote and one person entitled to vote was not present.
The ball is now in the government's court. It is now entitled to check everything. However, the scene in the country and also the Move Forward Party are at least already happy about the current status quo. The goal, however, is of course to finally get marriage for all off the ground in Thailand.
The view of the construct of marriage is to be changed by the Thai parliament
What is actually behind the draft that could also revolutionize marriage in Thailand in the future? One of the main demands is to see marriage in the future not as a classic union between a man and a woman, but rather as a union between two people. With this new definition, it would at least be obvious that two people can enter into the so often cited "covenant for life" regardless of their gender. In order for the whole thing to work in exactly the same way, however, it is ultimately also necessary for the Senate to also come out in favor of the new view.
What is the current situation for queers in Thailand?
It would certainly be wrong to say that queers in Thailand are completely suppressed. After all, society there is far more tolerant of same-sex couples than is the case in other countries around the world. Among other things, the Thai constitution enshrines the principle of equal treatment, which many people - even outside Thailand - see as a contradiction to the current situation surrounding marriage for all. This discrepancy could be a thing of the past in a few months.
On closer inspection, Thai society is even more open to queers than many other countries in Asia. And that is precisely why it is all the more confusing that queer couples are still not recognized before the law there.
However, numerous current developments show that exactly this situation can change a lot within a short period of time. More and more countries around the world are granting queers the right to marry. However, on the way to more equality and tolerance, it is particularly important that the thinking in people's heads also changes. And that can only be achieved with education, tolerance and open cooperation.