Thailand’s Ex-PM: Marriage Equality is Not Enough, Fix Systemic Issues
Thailand’s recent passage of the Marriage Equality Act has been widely celebrated as a landmark achievement, but, as former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin argues, it represents merely the first step in a much longer journey towards genuine equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. Speaking at the Bangkok Post’s “Pride in Action” forum, Thavisin highlighted the critical need to move beyond performative tolerance and embed principles of equality into the very fabric of Thai society. As detailed in this report from the Bangkok Post, the challenge now is less about grand symbolic gestures and more about the painstaking work of dismantling systemic barriers and changing entrenched attitudes.
The issue isn’t, as Thavisin notes, about bestowing “special rights”—a common mischaracterization weaponized against LGBTQ+ rights movements globally—but about ensuring equal access to the same rights and opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. This requires a shift in perspective, moving from mere “tolerance” to genuine acceptance and celebration of diversity. The nuance is crucial; tolerance can often be conditional and condescending, while acceptance implies inherent value and respect.
The path ahead is fraught with challenges, many of which are deeply embedded within Thailand’s legal and cultural structures. The former Prime Minister cited specific legislative hurdles:
- The Gender Recognition Bill: This bill, which aims to allow individuals to choose their title according to their preferred gender, faces resistance rooted in concerns about potential loopholes and unintended consequences, such as alleged attempts to avoid military conscription. This showcases how even seemingly progressive policies can become entangled in pre-existing anxieties and bureaucratic processes.
- Discriminatory Practices in Lending: Despite legal prohibitions, subtle forms of discrimination persist in lending practices, disproportionately affecting same-sex couples. Thavisin’s observation that gay couples “would still fare worse on the scoring system related to how such loans are dispensed” speaks volumes about the limitations of formal equality without genuine attitudinal shifts.
- Inclusive Healthcare: Access to inclusive healthcare, particularly for transgender individuals, remains a significant hurdle. The inclusion of hormonal therapy within the universal healthcare program is a potentially transformative step, but requires navigating budgetary constraints and societal acceptance.
- Decriminalizing Sex Work: Another major consideration is the decriminalization of sex work. Paetongtarn Shinawatra has identified it as a priority to make Thailand inclusive and safe for all, highlighting the need to broaden the focus beyond marriage equality.
“It is kind of odd to me why we need to celebrate ‘Pride Month’ when the advocacy should be an everyday practice… They are just asking for equal rights, and that is the idea I started to think about around 10 years ago, and I realised it is common sense that they should have equal rights, and equal rights must be practised everywhere, not just seen as a concept we come to celebrate for only one month in a year.”
This sentiment underscores the core of the problem: that legal frameworks are only as effective as the cultural norms that underpin them. Thailand’s journey towards full LGBTQ+ equality will require not just legislative reforms, but a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and a sustained commitment to addressing systemic inequities. The work, as Thavisin emphasizes, extends far beyond the confines of Pride Month.
