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PHUKET, Thailand — Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill has been endorsed by the monarchy, making it the first country in Southeast Asia and the third place in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage. It will take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ couples to register their marriages starting Jan. 22. “Congratulations on everyone’s love,” Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a post on X that included the hashtag #LoveWins. Thailand, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, is known for its tolerance and vibrant LGBTQ social scene, but it also retains conservative social values that made passing the law a yearslong struggle for activists. Taiwan was the first place in Asia to allow same-sex marriage in 2019, followed last year by the South Asian country of Nepal.

Persons: King Maha Vajiralongkorn, ”, Paetongtarn Shinawatra Organizations: Royal Gazette, ” Locations: PHUKET, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia, LoveWins, Taiwan, Nepal, Beijing

☆ Thailand’s king signs same-sex marriage into law
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Story Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

AP —Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law Tuesday, allowing same-sex couples to legally wed. The law was published in the Royal Gazette after endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and will come into effect in 120 days. This means LGBTQ+ couples will be able to register their marriage in January next year, making Thailand the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage. Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law. Bangkok Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said last week that the city officials will be ready to register same-sex marriages as soon as the law gets enacted.

Persons: King Maha Vajiralongkorn, “, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Sanon Wangsrangboon Organizations: Royal Gazette, Senate, ”, Bangkok Pride, Facebook Locations: Thailand, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal, LoveWins, Bangkok

☆ Thailand passes landmark bill recognising marriage equality
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's Senate passed the final reading of a marriage equality law on Tuesday, paving the way for the country to become the third territory in Asia to recognize same-sex couples after Nepal and Taiwan. The law gained the support of nearly all upper house lawmakers and will be sent to the palace for royal approval. LGBTQ+ advocates called the move a "monumental step forward" as it would make Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to enact marriage equality legislation. Thailand is already known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and tolerance, making it a popular destination for tourists. "This would underscore Thailand's leadership in the region in promoting human rights and gender equality," the Civil Society Commission of marriage equality, activists and LGBTI+ couples said.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin Organizations: Civil Society Commission, Pride Locations: Thailand's, Asia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Bangkok

☆ Thailand to become first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The result of the vote means that Thailand will become only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023. Mark Phillips/CNNPrevious attempts to legalize marriage equality over the past decade had stalled. Nonetheless Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to parliament. Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) country that has not recognized either same-sex civil unions or same-sex marriage, despite recent high court decisions that ruled not allowing same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. South Korea does not legally recognize same-sex marriage but in February 2023, a South Korean court ruled in favor of a same-sex couple seeking equal health benefits.

Persons: ”, Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, Thailand –, ” Panyaphon, Watit, ” Pokpong, Pokpong, Mark Phillips, Pita Limjaroenrat, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, “, Peerapon Boonyakiat, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, Love Foundation, Pokpong, “, Party, Thailand’s, Pheu Thai Party, Bangkok Pride Locations: Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal, Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Myanmar, Brunei, Indonesia, Aceh, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Beijing, South Korea, Korea

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a new cabinet, including real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the country’s new prime minister and finance minister, according to a Royal gazette published on Saturday, months after the May elections. Srettha's Pheu Thai party, backed by the billionaire Shinawatra family, will oversee defence, transport, commerce, health and the foreign ministry portfolios. The second-place Pheu Thai broke off an alliance with Move Forward and brought on rival parties aligned with army generals that ousted Shinawatra-linked parties in 2006 and 2014 coups. Thaksin and the Pheu Thai party say that is not the case. The new cabinet has Pheu Thai controlling ministries overseeing the economy ministries, which will be crucial in implementing its policies, including a 10,000 baht ($285.63)handout in the form of digital currency.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Maha Vajiralongkorn, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha's, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Bhumjaithai, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pheu, Conservative, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

Reviving Thailand's economy will be one of the biggest tasks for political newcomer Srettha, who became prime minister last month following prolonged uncertainty after a May election. On the day of the vote, Pheu Thai figurehead Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand in a dramatic homecoming after living abroad for 15 years in self-exile to avoid an 8-year prison sentence. Srettha's rapid ascent to power, Thaksin's smooth return and a coalition between Pheu Thai and former rivals fuelled speculation about an agreement between Thaksin and his foes among the country's powerful conservative and royalist army. Thaksin and the Pheu Thai party say that is not the case. The Pheu Thai will control key economic ministries, which will be crucial in implementing its policies, including a 10,000 baht ($285.63)handout in the form of digital currency.

Persons: Pheu, Thailand's, Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Bhumjaithai, Chayut Setboonsarng, Miral Fahmy, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pheu, Conservative, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Thai king reduces former PM Thaksin's prison sentence to one year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's king has commuted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison sentence to one year, the royal gazette said on Friday, a day after the billionaire submitted a request for pardon. He arrived on a private jet and was transferred to prison to serve an eight-year sentence. On his first night, he was moved to a police hospital over chest pains and high blood pressure. On Thursday he submitted a request for a royal pardon. Thaksin "was a prime minister, has done good for the country and people and is loyal to the monarchy," the royal gazette said on Friday.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra's, Thaksin Locations: Thailand

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Thailand's king has commuted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison sentence to one year, the royal gazette said on Friday, a day after the billionaire submitted a request for pardon. His return overshadowed a vote in parliament that installed political ally Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party, as prime minister. "Thais should accept and not criticise this outcome because it could be considered a violation of royal power," he said. Thailand's strict royal insult law shields the monarchy from criticism, carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin Shinawatra's, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin's, Winyat Chatmontri, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thais, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Thailand dissolves parliament for election
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, according to an announcement in the Royal Gazette on Monday, paving the way for elections in May. An election must be held 45 to 60 days after the house dissolution, which takes effect immediately. "This is a return of political decision-making power to the people swiftly to continue democratic government with the King as head of state," said the decree published on Monday. An election date has yet to be announced but Deputy Prime Minster Wissanu Krea-ngam earlier in the day said it would likely be held on May 14, if the house were dissolved on Monday. Thailand's election is expected to showcase a long-running political battle between the billionaire Shinawatra family and the country's conservative pro-military establishment.

☆ Thai PM slips in opinion poll, rival pulls ahead as election looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to members of media at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, March 20, 2023. Thailand is expected to hold an election in May, which will continue a long-running political battle between the Shinawatra family and conservative pro-military establishment. "Poll is a poll. Paetongtarn, 36, better known locally by her nickname "Ung Ing" is one of the nominees for prime minister for the Pheu Thai party, which together with its previous incarnations has won every Thai election since 2001. The NIDA Poll, which surveyed 2,000 voters across Thailand in March, also showed that nearly 50% of respondents said they would back parliamentary candidates from Pheu Thai.

☆ Thailand prepares to dissolve parliament ahead of election
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, March 17 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday he had prepared a decree seeking to dissolve parliament ahead of an election, an expected step as his government heads into the last week of its four-year term. The decree would require approval of Thailand's monarch and would take effect once published in the Royal Gazette. We have to wait for the announcement in the Royal Gazette," Prayuth told reporters in the northern city of Chiang Mai. He will be up against Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck's niece. Paetongtarn, 36, has led Prayuth in opinion polls for months as the top choice for Thailand's next prime minister.

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