The cabinet has approved the civil partnership bill, paving the way for Thailand to become the first country in Asia to endorse same-sex marriage.
In the current version of the bill, same-sex couples may adopt children, Nathporn Chatusripitak, an adviser to the Minister to Prime Minister's Office, said on Tuesday. They must be at least 20 years old and one of them must have Thai nationality. The union ends by death, voluntary separation or court order.
In terms of assets and estate, the Civil and Commercial Code will apply mutatis mutandis, making the union very similar to that of heterosexual couples. "The differences lie in entitlements to some forms of state welfare. For example, the welfare for government officials covers their spouses. Another difference is personal income tax deductions," he said.
The issue of children is not in the bill but is already covered in the child adoption law.