Hearing paves way for law on couples

An international seminar on Thailand’s draft law on domestic partnerships will take place in Bangkok today as part of the mandatory public hearing process required before the bill can move forward.

Experience in enforcing similar laws is expected to be shared and discussed by international panelists from Canada, Britain, Finland, South Africa, Chile and Australia, said Pitikan Sithidej, director-general of the Department of Rights and Liberties Protection, yesterday.

A number of Thai human rights defenders will also share their views on the future of this item of legislation, she said.

The Thai panelists will include Professor Emeritus Amara Pongsapich, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission.

Also on the list is Professor Emeritus Withit Mantaporn, a former specialist on gender diversity with the United Nations; and Kittinan Tharamatach, president of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand.

Justice Minister ACM Prajin Juntong, who considers this bill an important piece of legislation, intends to participate in the seminar as well, she said.

From now on, the draft will have to go through a number of public hearings and undergo multiple revisions before it can be passed into law, she said.

The bill is the brainchild of the Justice Ministry, which came up with a proposal to begin drafting it in 2013.

It wants to ensure it is in line with a national human rights plan regarding gender diversity and gender identities that was implemented in 2014.

A sub-committee tasked with reviewing the domestic partnership bill previously resolved to adopt France’s pattern of legalising same-sex marriages, which started by recognising domestic partnerships and then expanded.

The sub-committee has also resolved to set a timeframe so the new law can take effect between late this year and early 2019.

Thailand plays a key role in gender diversity due to its attitude toward transsexuals.