Thailand, a nation of 65 million people, has been a forerunner when it come to issues of homosexuality, trans-sexuality, or other gay acts that are maybe considered “unacceptable” in its neighboring nations. Though gay and lesbian activities are allowed in Thailand, legal marriage is not yet permitted. The Thai law defines marriage as between a man and a woman, hence, gay couples find it impossible to apply for a joint loan or medical insurance.

However, Thailand is on path towards legalizing gay marriages. A landmark bill has been drafted by the Thai parliamentary committee to allow men and women above 20 years of age to enter into a civil partnership.

Let’s take a look into the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Trans-sexuals) rights developments in Thailand through history. Facts below are based on wikipedia:

Pre 1954: Homosexuality was considered a social taboo. A law in 1954 considered LGBT to be mentally ill, and forbade gays to be a part of the military

1956: Consensual act of sodomy (which roughly translates to “unnatural sex”) if done between adults, was legalized. The bar for being adult was fifteen years. However, society remained highly prejudiced against homosexuals and trans-sexuals

1983: The first LGBT Thai magazine began to be published
Throughout 1990s: Social acceptance of LGBT began to increase, with the emergence of internet, and better connectivity of the people to movies and television.

1999: The first LGBT-pride festival was held. It was held regularly until 2007.

2002: The Thai Ministry of Health declared that homosexuality was no longer a mental disease or disorder

2005: The ban on LGBT from joining the military was lifted

2007: The Thai government broadened the definition of sexual assault or rape to include men as well as women. Also, the Thai constitution prohibited discrimination between individuals based on their personal preferences, while the Thai national assembly discussed on allowing of transgenders to legally change their name after a sex change operation.

2011: The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and Sexual Diversity Network, an NGO, together proposed a legislation to be drafted on same-sex marriage and asked for the government’s support.

2012: In December, the government formed a committee to draft legislation giving gays legal recognition in the country.

2013: In February, the Rights and Liberties Protection Department and the Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights held the first ever public hearing of civil partnership bill drafted by the committee.

2014: The bill was introduced in the parliament, but despite the unanimous support of the ruling as well as opposition parties, it got delayed due to political crisis that Thailand was going through at the time. As per the latest developments, Civil Partnership Act has been drafted which will allow men and women over 20 years of age to enter into a civil partnership. It is expected to pass by 2015.

As of 2014, there are no special laws that protect gays and their rights. Also, many of the legal rights and laws aiding heterosexual couples do not apply to the homosexual ones. But this might see a change soon with the passing of this bill. Fingers crossed!