Gay couples law gains pace

With the civil partnership bill for samesex couples due to be concluded in two months, the Justice Ministry is weighing in on creating public understanding and determining which organisation would be responsible for registering the couples.

Pitikan Sithidej, director-general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD), said yesterday Justice Minister ACM Prajin Janthong attaches importance to pushing the bill into force quickly.

Four issues must be addressed, she said. As the bill is being drafted, expedited efforts must be made to boost social understanding about the issue, which is still new and sensitive to the public.

A study must be undertaken to find out how same-sex couples who registered overseas would be eligible for rights protection in Thailand.

Consideration should also be made as to whether the Interior or Justice ministries would be liable for registering same-sex couples. The fourth is to ensure the law will eventually be upgraded to legalise samesex marriages.

“Ever since the Justice Ministry began pushing the bill, the feedback from the LGBT community has been good,” said Ms Pitikan. “More than 60,000 signatures were collected to show support for the bill. It is believed there are still many more quiet supporters since many in the LGBT community have yet to show their support.”

Ms Pitikan said a ministry subcommittee responsible for drafting the bill will hold its final meeting on Wednesday before forwarding the legislation to the RLPD’s law development panel for consideration, which must be wrapped up by the end of September.

The bill would then have to be submitted to ACM Prajin, who would put it before the cabinet, she said.