House passes same-sex marriage bill
published : 28 Mar 2024 at 08:52
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Reuters
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a marriage equality bill in a landmark step that moves the country closer to becoming the third in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.
The bill requires approval from the Senate and royal endorsement before it becomes law, which is expected later this year.
An MP said the bill would give same-sex couples the same legal rights and benefits as those of husbands and wives.
Those would include government-supported medical treatment, tax deductions, the rights to approve the medical treatment of spouses, manage and inherit the assets of spouses, adopt children and organise the funerals of spouses.
The passing of the bill marks a significant step towards cementing Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s most liberal societies on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, with openness coexisting with traditional, conservative Buddhist values.
Thailand has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant LGBT social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.
The bill could take effect within 120 days of royal approval. Thailand would follow Taiwan and Nepal in becoming the first places in Asia to legalise same-sex unions.
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Vocabulary
- asset: a thing of value - สิ่งที่มีคุณค่า
- bill: a proposal for a law - ร่างกฎหมาย
- cement: to make something stronger or more certain - ทำให้ยึดแน่น
- conservative: opposed to great or sudden social change; showing that you prefer traditional styles and values - ที่เป็นอนุรักษ์นิยม
- deduction: the process of taking an amount of something, especially money, away from a total, in this case taxes; the amount that is taken away - การหักลบ
- endorsement: official approval - การรับรอง การลงนามในเอกสาร
- expatriate (expat): a person living in a country that is not their own - คนที่อาศัยอยู่ต่างประเทศ (เป็นเวลานาน)
- House of Representatives: the main lawmaking body in Thailand - สภาผู้แทนราษฎร
- liberal (adj): wanting or allowing a lot of political and economic freedom and supporting gradual social, political or religious change - มีแนวคิดเสรีนิยม, ใจกว้าง, เป็นอิสระ
- MP: member of parliament - สมาชิกรัฐสภา
- pass a bill into law: to make a law proposed in a bill into a law -
- right: something that you are morally or legally allowed to do or have - สิทธิ
- Senate: one of the two groups of politicians who make laws in some countries, for example in the US, Australia, Canada and Thailand - วุฒิสภา
- spouses (noun): husbands or wives - คู่สมรส
- vibrant: lively and exciting - ซึ่งมีชีวิตชีวา