A network of gender equality activists has announced they will be submitting a bill to parliament proposing amendments to sections on marriage and family in the Civil and Commercial Code to allow couples to register their marriage regardless of gender.

The authorities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand should immediately reform laws, policies and practices that have led to violations of the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse (LGBT) persons to safely and freely express themselves and access information online, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said in a new report launched on 25 July 2023.

As the new parliament opens its first session, human rights organization Fortify Rights call on the new cabinet to urgently reintroduce the marriage equality bill to protect LGBTQ rights, noting that marriage equality is among the 23 key issues mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the 8 parties in the government coalition.

Rajabhat Universities across Thailand and Suan Dusit University (former Rajabhat Suan Dusit) “are making an allowance” for transgender students to wear uniforms that align with their gender identity at graduation ceremonies, as a result of a petition submitted by transgender activist Jirapat Trongjitraksa.

While women have long been considered “ornamental,” with the media and the public mainly focusing on their looks or how they dress and act, LGBTQ representation is nearly non-existent. They are subject to the same fate and even worse. A watershed moment for the community came in the last election when 3 self-identified LGBTQ people won MP seats.

Annual Pride celebrations returned to Bangkok with a parade in the Siam Square shopping district, joined by thousands of Thais and foreigners, while leaders of the new government coalition promised to pass a Marriage Equality bill as soon as parliament opens.

The organizers of the Bangkok Pride have announced that they will be bidding to host World Pride in 2028 -- a move supported by both the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Move Forward party, who won first place in the 2023 General election. For gender equality activist Chumaporn Taengkliang, founder of Naruemit Pride, the bid to host World Pride is the next step on the road to equality for the Thai LGBTQ community.

Pride Month opened in Thailand with a parade in Chiang Mai on Sunday (28 May) with a parade in the city’s old town to campaign for LGBTQ rights.

As the 2023 general election approaches, activists and members of civil society hope for policies that will ensure LGBTQ rights and gender equality for Thailand.

<p>As Thailand will soon be due for another general election, members of the civil society are now concerned that policies advocating for the welfare of women, children, and LGBTQ+ people and for gender equality would be used as a campaigning tool, as many political parties have yet to implement policies proposed during the 2019 election.</p>

<p>Thailand is a common destination for large numbers of migrant workers, especially from neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Among them are many LGBTQ who came to Thailand to escape harassment and prosecution in their own country, but found themselves faced with gender-based discrimination and unsafe work environments in Thaioand. No policies have been implemented for their protection.</p>

<p>LGBTQ rights activists and the team behind Naruemit Pride announced yesterday (15 September) that they will be organizing a major Pride festival on Valentine&rsquo;s Day in 2023, calling for marriage equality and right to found a family.</p>