On July 8, Thailand’s Cabinet made a big step in the process of recognizing same-sex couples. Under the Civil Partnership Bill couples will be able to be recognized as legitimate, which opens up the possibility for adoption and managing property together for the first time. If passed, it would be only the second place in Asia that has moved toward marriage equality. Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019.

What is important about this bill is that it does not officially legalize same-sex marraige. Thailand is known to be a rather conservative nation, but this bill is still a significant step toward potential equality for Thai LGBTQ individuals. If passed, it would make Thailand the first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex partnerships. For most countries in Asia, homosexuality and gay sex are still seen as criminal offenses where people may even be sentenced to death, such as in Brunei.

There are multiple limitations that come with this bill, even if it passes. There is backlash from the LGBTQ community for not accepting marriage fully. This means that there are a multitude of rights not included in this bill, ranging from spousal benefits to medical rights. It also excludes foreign partnerships, as both couples must be over the age of 17 and one must be Thai. The bill also disqualifies transgender couples.

Getting passed by the Cabinet is the first step. First introduced in 2018, it was unable to be passed by previous legislatures. However, this bill still has a long way to go until it becomes official. There must be public hearings and a vote in the House of Representatives before it goes back to the Senate for final approval. Despite Thailand’s reputation of being rather accepting of homosexuality from its Buddhist values, the country still remains focused on family-centered, conservative values, as common throughout a majority of Asia. It could take months for the bill to be even passed.

Despite the backlash, this bill would still move Thailand in an entirely new direction. The country would be going against the majority perspective among its citizens. The Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand welcomed this bill, with the group’s president, Kittinan Daramadhaj, saying, “What’s in a name? It’s the content that matters,” as partnerships are still being recognized as legitimate. 

Outside of the Buddhist mentality, there is another reason why Thailand is changing its perspective on LGBTQ couples: the tourists. The country has seen a large increase in individuals traveling to Thailand on vacations. Much of the anti-LGBTQ bias that persists in Thailand seems to be focused on locals. There is hope in the LGBTQ community that the influx in tourists is helping Thai locals to become more open-minded.