Same-sex marriage soon possible in Thailand ?

The debate on gay marriage, certainly less passionate than the one that took place in France recently, is also in the news in Thailand. A committee was formed by the government last December to study it and formulate a bill. It may become a civil union rather than a real marriage. “Same same but different” as they say. Still, if the text is adopted, it will be a first in Asia.

Opposition to this bill project is quite discreet in Thailand. It’s probably because the country is predominantly Buddhist and has no religious reason to oppose. No text or Buddha’s speech refers to the question, neither condemns nor promotes homosexuality and there is a whole part of the reputed tolerant Thai society that openly embraces homosexuality and even idolize gay singers and personalities and dara, vote for transgender politicians… Thai LGBT community sees it more as exploitation than a genuine acceptance, yet homophobia is almost nonexistent in the Land of Smiles. However, a recent survey by the National Institute of Development Administration showed that 58% of respondents were not in favor of gay marriage. Thai law does not specifically prohibited same-sex marriage. The text simply states that a marriage can only be declared with the consent of man and woman. So just this few words has to be changed to an expression saying that marriage can be validated between two consenting adults and that should be it! It is not that simple… As stated in Bangkok Post, Thai law leaves room for interpretation and if the marriage law is changed, there would be a series of related laws regarding adoption, fiscal charges , inheritance, insurance fees … etc that should also be modified or deleted in some cases.Whatever the country is, the issues raised are the same. But the reality is Thailand has just not progressed enough bureaucratically to facilitate equal rights for everyone. It would be the major obstacle to the establishment of gay marriage in the country. The Thailand Human Rights Commission is well aware of this and is pushing for a civil union, the establishment of a real marriage for everyone, “will take too long,” it says. So will the bill stand for a civil union between people from same sex or a marriage in every point identical to the one uniting straight couples today? Response in several months…