The implementation of a Same-Sex Marriage Law, which allows individuals of any gender to marry and form families, is a crucial step towards upholding the Yogyakarta Principles. These principles aim to protect the right to create a family and recognize the identities of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, as agreed upon by Thailand's representatives. If this bill is successfully passed into law, it will not only grant legal equality to individuals with diverse sexual orientations, but also pave the way for further progress in areas such as gender identity recognition, adoption laws, and surrogacy laws.
On June 18th, 2024, the Senate will review the bill in its second reading. This stage involves a clause-by-clause examination of the bill, following its initial approval in April 2024. At that time, the special committee voted in favor of the bill with 147 votes, while 4 members voted against it and 7 abstained. Once the second reading is completed, the bill will proceed to its third and final reading.
The third reading on June 18th, 2024, will decide whether the Senate will approve the Same-Sex Marriage Bill. If the Senate approves the bill, it will move on to the next stage of becoming law. However, if the majority of the Senate rejects it, the bill will be 'suspended,' but can be amended and sent back to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives could then re-consider the amended bill within the legal time frame.
Once the House of Representatives reviews the bill again and approves it with a majority vote, the bill will proceed to become law. However, if the House does not approve it, a "joint committee" consisting of both members of the House and Senate will be formed to review the bill. After the joint committee completes the review, the bill will be presented to both houses. If both the House and Senate approve it, the bill will become law. If not, the House can revisit it after 180 days and either approve the original version or the amended version suggested by the joint committee.
What will happen next with the Same-Sex Marriage Bill? Will this long journey of proposing a same-sex marriage law finally reach its destination? How significant will this year's Pride Month be in celebrating legal progress for individuals with diverse sexual orientations? Stay tuned for updates through the School of Law, University of Phayao’s page and the live broadcast of the Senate’s legislative review on the School of Law’s channels.
The School of Law at the University of Phayao is dedicated to promoting gender equality and upholding human dignity. We prioritize equality, respect, and the acknowledgement of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender gender expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
Our commitment extends to advocating for the revision and advancement of laws that safeguard rights and advance gender equality in the future. We recognize the importance of diversity in all aspects and strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where individuals of diverse sexual orientations feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential without fear of discrimination, in accordance with our mission.
Article by Miss Piyathorn Pleanphadung, Assistant Dean for Learning Innovation and Organizational Communication, School of Law, University of Phayao.