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>Two years after Thailand passed an amendment to the Criminal Code legalising abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, access to services remains difficult due to lack of information and facility and prejudice from medical personnel, while the Ministry of Public Health has refused to cover abortion fees for people not covered by the &ldquo;Gold Card&rdquo; universal healthcare scheme.</p>

<p>The new abortion law, in which abortion after the 12th week of pregnancy is still a criminal offence, does not respect international human rights principles, says a network of activists and civil society organisations who gathered in front of parliament on 25 January, when the bill was passed by the Senate.</p>

<p>The Thai parliament on 20 January passed a new bill allowing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy. However, the bill does not decriminalize abortion,&nbsp;as abortion after the 12th week of pregnancy is still a criminal offense.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Choices Network Thailand, along with a network of civil society organizations, went to the Department of Health (DOH) on 15 May to submit an <a href="https://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/thailand-petition-to-the-department-of-health-to-ensure-that-women-can-access-safe-abortion-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/">open letter</a> to the DOH Director-General calling for the DOH to ensure that women can access safe abortion services during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>