Legal since 1956; age of consent equalized in 1997
Gender identity
Change of legal gender not recognised even if the applicant has undergone sex reassignment surgery (bill proposed to allow gender changes)[1][2]
Military
Since 2005
Discrimination protections
Sexual orientation and gender identity protections since 2015
Family rights
Recognition of relationships
No current legal recognition; Same-sex marriage rights proposed in 2024[3][4][5]
Adoption
No (proposed)
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Thailand have several but not all of the same rights as non-LGBT people.[6][7][4] Both male and female types of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Thailand, and same-sex marriage rights within the nation are pending legalisation.[4] About eight percent of the Thai population, five million people, are thought to be in the LGBT demographic.[8]
In 2013, the Bangkok Post said that "while Thailand is viewed as a tourist haven for same-sex couples, the reality for locals is that the law, and often public sentiment, is not so liberal."[9] A 2014 report by the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations Development Programme said that LGBT people "still face discrimination affecting their social rights and job opportunities",[10] and "face difficulty gaining acceptance for non-traditional sexuality, even though the tourism authority has been promoting Thailand as a gay-friendly country".[10]
Changes in attitudes and public policy towards LGBT issues began to occur in Thailand during the 1990s and, in particular, the early part of the 21st century. In 2015, Thailand enacted a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, which covered sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2022, a group of bills were introduced in the Thai parliament that would have granted either civil partnerships or full marriage for same-sex couples, but did not reach their final readings before parliament was dissolved for the 2023 elections and consequently lapsed.[11][12] In November 2023, the Srettha Thavisin-led Cabinet approved a draft same-sex marriage bill,[4][13] which was considered by Parliament on 21 December 2023 along with three similar drafts proposed by opposition parties and the civil sector. All four passed overwhelmingly and will be combined into one pending further readings.[14][7]
In 2017, Bangkok was named the second-most gay-friendly city in Asia by online housing platform Netspick, after Tel Aviv, Israel, due to its LGBT dating scene, nightlife, openness and safety.[15] The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a global project entitled "Go Thai Be Free",[16] to encourage LGBTQ+ tourists from around the world and raise its international profile as an LGBTQ+ friendly country.[17]
^"Proposed law would allow trans Thais to legally change gender". Coconuts Bangkok. 26 July 2017.
^Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Ewe, Koh (21 November 2023). "Thailand Puts Marriage Equality Bill to Parliament to Debate in December". Time. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
^ abcdBrowning, Bil (13 December 2023). "Thailand to legalize same-sex marriage". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
^Fox, Dale (21 December 2023). "Thailand approves same-sex marriage bills with overwhelming majority vote". attitude. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^Villadiego, Laura (16 September 2018). "Land of lady boys? Thailand is not the LGBTI paradise it appears". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
^ abCondon, Ali (23 November 2023). "Thailand Cabinet approves marriage equality bill, submits it to parliament". PinkNews. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
^Limsamarnphun, Nophakhun (24 November 2018). "More rights for same-sex couples". The Nation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
^Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai (8 September 2013). "The two faces of Thai tolerance". Bangkok Post.
^ abKamjan, Chananthorn (17 September 2014). "Gays still face a battle, report says". Bangkok Post.
^"Parliament accepts public draft bills on same-sex marriage, gender identity". Asia News Network. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
^"Thai lawmakers to debate same-sex marriage equality". The Straits Times. 19 December 2023. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
^"Marriage equality bill for parliament next month". Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post Public Company. Reuters. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
^"Thailand edges closer to legalising same-sex marriage". Reuters. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
^"Happy Pride Month! Bangkok named second-best LGBT city in Asia". Coconuts Bangkok. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
^"Thailand showcases LGBT credentials". TTG. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
^McCarthy, AnneMarie. "Thailand wants to become a more LGBT-friendly destination". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
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