Thailand’s cabinet has backed a civil partnership bill that would give same-sex couples almost the same legal rights as married couples.
The bill will now go to the National Assembly. Taiwan is currently the only country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage. However, their law is not quite ‘equal’ marriage, as same-sex couples can’t jointly adopt children.
By contrast, Thailand’s civil partnership scheme would allow for adoption. The bill also includes rights around inheritance and joint property ownership.
Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, wrote on Facebook: ‘The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai society in promoting equal rights and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to build families and live