Fridae

A Thai bill to promote gender equality and protect LGBT couples' rights is expected to be discussed by the Ministry of Justice's legal development department before the end of the year.

The Nation reported that a panel of experts recently recommended that the legislation—entitled the Life and Partnership Registration bill—be pushed ahead after being introduced in 2013. It was initiated after a gay couple asked for legal recognition for their right to start a family.

The bill would allow for civil marriages for same-sex couples, and individuals who are intersex or "genderqueer."

"We want the bill to pass and take effect soon. I want to see it in this life," one of the bill's writers, Kittinun Daramadhaj, told The Nation. 

While there is no deadline for the Life and Partnership Registration bill to appear before Thailand's National Legislative Assembly, its sponsors are pushing for it to happen before the country has elections in 2019.