Thai government approves bill to legalise same-sex civil union
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The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details.
The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.
Apichat, an official of the government spokesperson's office, told EFE that the government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday.
The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details.
The bill is not expected to face any problems in its passage in the parliament as the country has effectively been under military rule since a coup led by General Prayut Chain-ocha - the current prime minister - on May 22, 2014.
The parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, joining Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and some states of the United States.
Thailand, where all political activities were banned until recently, is set to hold general elections in the first half of 2019.
Prime Minister Prayut has not ruled out contesting the upcoming elections.