Gender Recognition Bill (Thailand)

Last updated
Gender Recognition Bill (draft)
New Seal of the Royal Command of Thailand.svg
Parliament of Thailand
Territorial extent Thailand
Considered by House of Representatives
Legislative history
First reading 21 February 2024
Voting summary
  • 154 voted for
  • 257 voted against
  • 1 abstained
  • 1 present not voting
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]

Contents

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Gender titles emerge as new battleground". Bangkok Post. 2025-01-27. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  2. ↑ "In a win for Thailand's LGBTQ community, lawmakers vote to legalize same-sex marriage". NPR. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  3. ↑ Tangsathaporn, Poramet (2024-09-21). "Marriage equality law likely by early 2025". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  4. ↑ 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)
  5. 1 2 "MPs say 'no' to gender recognition bill". nationthailand. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  6. ↑ Sattaburuth, Aekarach (2024-02-20). "House to debate gender rights recognition". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  7. ↑ Pisuthipan, Arusa (2024-04-22). "At the end of the rainbow". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  8. ↑ "Parliament rejects MFP's gender recognition bill | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  9. ↑ "New census system will provide correct data on LGBTQ+ community: NSO". nationthailand. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-03-04.
  10. ↑ "Bangkok Pride Festival 2025 kicks off in June". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  11. ↑ Marketing, M. C. (2025-06-04). "UNFPA Thailand Supports Equality at Bangkok Pride" . Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  12. ↑ Tangsathaporn, Poramet (2025-06-18). "Srettha: Pride events show equality not here yet". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-06-18.


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