Gender Recognition Bill (Thailand)
| Gender Recognition Bill (draft) | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Thailand | |
| Territorial extent | Thailand |
| Considered by | House of Representatives |
| Legislative history | |
| First reading | 21 February 2024 |
| Voting summary |
|
| Status: Pending | |
The Gender Recognition Bill is a proposed Thai law to allow people to choose their gender title and provide a gender neutral option for those choosing not to identify as male or female.[1][2]
Background
Following the passage of the landmark Marriage Equality Act, which went into effect in January 2025, civil society groups have urged the government to pass the Gender Recognition Bill.[1][3][4] Marriages between transgender and intersex individuals performed under the Marriage Equality Act can feature gender titles to do not match their gender identities.[1]
Legislative history
In early 2024, then-Move Forward Party MP Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat proposed the draft Gender Recognition Bill.[5] The law was based on similar legislation passed in Malta and Argentina.[6] On 21 February 2024, the first draft was rejected by the House of Representatives 257 to 154, with one abstention and one vote not cast.[7][5][8][9]
As of January 2025, there are four versions of the bill, including a version drafted by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and three proposed by the People's Party, Intersex Thailand, and a civil society organization.[1]
Public reaction
Bangkok Pride 2025, which lasted from 30 May 2025 to 1 June 2025, had the theme "Born This Way", and organizer Waaddao Chumaporn expressed support for the bill as a crucial step in Thailand's bid to host World Pride 2030.[10]
In June 2025, Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand, noted the bill "presents a crucial opportunity to bridge legal gaps for individuals with diverse gender identities."[11]
In a June 2025 interview with the Bangkok Post, former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed support for the bill.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d "Gender titles emerge as new battleground". Bangkok Post. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ "In a win for Thailand's LGBTQ community, lawmakers vote to legalize same-sex marriage". NPR. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ Tangsathaporn, Poramet (2024-09-21). "Marriage equality law likely by early 2025". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ Lau, Kocha Olarn, Chris (2025-01-22). "Hundreds of same-sex couples wed as Thailand's landmark marriage bill takes effect". CNN. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "MPs say 'no' to gender recognition bill". nationthailand. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ Sattaburuth, Aekarach (2024-02-20). "House to debate gender rights recognition". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ Pisuthipan, Arusa (2024-04-22). "At the end of the rainbow". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ "Parliament rejects MFP's gender recognition bill | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ "New census system will provide correct data on LGBTQ+ community: NSO". nationthailand. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ^ "Bangkok Pride Festival 2025 kicks off in June". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ Marketing, M. C. (2025-06-04). "UNFPA Thailand Supports Equality at Bangkok Pride". Retrieved 2025-06-18.
- ^ Tangsathaporn, Poramet (2025-06-18). "Srettha: Pride events show equality not here yet". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-06-18.