Tag Archives: Thailand

Thai Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Pass Marriage Bill

The Associated Press reports: Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday that would make the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender. The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 of the 415 members of the House of Representatives in …

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Thai Lawmakers Approve Marriage Bill In 369-10 Vote

Reuters reports: Thai lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly passed four draft bills on same-sex marriage in their first reading, moving the country closer towards its legalisation in a country with one of Asia’s most open and visible LGBT communities. All but 10 lawmakers present in parliament’s lower house voted to approve the draft legislation, paving the way to the formation of …

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Thailand’s Govt Set To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

The Associated Press reports: Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved an amendment to its civil code to allow same-sex marriage, with an expectation for the draft to be submitted to Parliament next month. Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesperson, said the amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code will change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” …

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Winning Thai PM Candidate Blocked From Taking Office

The Guardian reports: The leader of Thailand’s pro-reform party, which won the most seats in May’s election, has been blocked from taking power by a parliamentary vote that includes military-appointed senators, a move likely to provoke street protests. Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward, a progressive party that has a strong youth support base, won the most votes and most …

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Frontrunner For Thai PM Promises Marriage Equality

Reuters reports: The frontrunner to be Thailand’s next prime minister joined a Pride parade in Bangkok on Sunday, promising to pass a law that would allow same-sex marriage and gender identity rights if he becomes premier. Thousands of LGBTQ+ people, their allies and political leaders marched through central Bangkok, marking Pride month and promoting gender equality in the second official …

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Thailand Moves To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Australia’s ABC News outlet reports: Thai politicians have passed four different bills on same-sex unions, in what appears to be a step towards Thailand becoming the second territory in Asia to legalise same-gender marriages. Thailand has one of Asia’s most open and visible LGBTQ+ communities, adding to its image of tolerance and attraction as a liberal holiday destination for foreign …

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Bangkok Enters Hard Lockdown With Hospitals Full

The Associated Press reports: Thailand’s already locked down capital shut parks and the few remaining public places available to residents Friday, as the country registered a new high of coronavirus infections. The near-total restriction on movements in the capital came as the prime minister demanded officials find ways to get the sick into hospitals after people with COVID-19 were found …

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Fifth Port Refuses Cruise Ship Over Virus Fears

Bloomberg News reports: The 2,257 passengers and crew onboard the Westerdam luxury liner are in limbo once again after Thailand became the latest country to turn the ship away from its ports, leaving guests desperate to disembark after almost two weeks at sea. Fearing that some passengers aboard the Westerdam may be infected with the deadly new coronavirus, Thailand’s Public …

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THAILAND: Civil Unions Bill In Final Stages Of Approval

Vice News reports: When it comes to LGBTQ rights, Southeast Asia has some work to do. In Singapore, gay sex is still illegal. In the Philippines, trans people face blatant discrimination on a daily basis. But at least one country is set to make progress. If things go as planned, Thailand could become the first in the region to allow …

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THAILAND: Government Set To Legalize Civil Unions

The Asian Review reports: Thailand may have a reputation for acceptance when it comes to the transgender females that perform in the capital’s extravagant cabaret shows, but the country’s legal system, like many in Southeast Asia, has traditionally been less accommodating to the LGBT community. This appears to be changing, however, as the junta aims to prepare a bill that …

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Elon Musk Calls Cave Rescue Hero “Pedo Guy” For Telling Him To “Stick Your Submarine Where It Hurts”

The Independent reports: Elon Musk has called a British diver who helped rescue schoolboys from a flooded cave in Thailand ‘pedo guy’ on Twitter. The entrepreneur’s outburst came after diver Vern Unsworth told Mr Musk to “stick his submarine where it hurts” after describing his offer to help with a miniature submersible as a “PR stunt”. Mr Musk travelled to …

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THAILAND: First Boys Rescued From Cave [VIDEO]

CNN reports: At least three boys who have been trapped inside a Thai cave appear to have been rescued, as authorities race against time to free the remaining boys and their soccer coach who have been underground for more than two weeks. A member of the rescue team stationed at the entrance of the cave witnessed three boys being evacuated …

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Thailand Releases “Mooning” Gay Couple

The Strait Times reports:  Two American men who were arrested in Thailand for posting naked photos to Instagram have been released from jail and are heading home to San Diego. Joseph Dasilva, 38, and Travis Dasilva, 36, were arrested at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport last month after images posted to their Traveling Butts Instagram account showed them dropping their …

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THAILAND: Gay Tourists Face “Long Jail Term” After Posting Mooning Photo From Buddhist Temple [VIDEO]

San Diego’s CBS affiliate reports: Friends of a San Diego couple fear the worst after the pair, known for their risqué travel photos, was caught up in a scandal overseas and disappeared. The couple, Travis Ti and Joseph Dasilva, took photos at Buddhist temples in Thailand, and the concern has grown on social media after a post said they were …

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THAILAND: Justice Ministry Agrees To Revive Marriage Bill Days After Ruling By Taiwan’s High Court

The Bangkok Post reports: The Ministry of Justice has vowed to take action in favour of a petition demanding a stalled bill on gay rights be enacted. The Constitutional Court of Taiwan ruled in favour of same-sex marriage on May 24 and now calls to follow suit in Thailand may be gaining strength. Pitikan Sithidej, director-general of the Rights and …

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THAILAND: Bomb Kills Dozens Near Historic Hindu Shrine In Downtown Bangkok [VIDEO]

Thai media reports that at least 27 people were killed and more than 100 were injured by a bomb that exploded in busy downtown Bangkok today. The bomb was placed inside a historic Hindu shrine popular with Chinese tourists. More from the New York Times: The police discovered at least two additional unexploded bombs inside the shrine and said other …

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THAILAND: HIV Testing PSA

This PSA from a Bangkok-based HIV prevention group might not be office-friendly. Wait for the end when you can watch.

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Thailand To See Marriage Equality Bill

Thailand’s federal government says it is ready to put forth a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. But not in name. “We will put forward the same-sex civil-union bill in Parliament,” Naras Savestanan, director general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, announced yesterday with the chair of the House committee on justice and human rights, Viroon Phuensaen, by his side. …

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Don’t Say You Weren’t Warned

Photo by Shaun Longstreet..

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Thailand: AIDS Vaccine Breakthrough

Scientists in Thailand are reportedly “surprised” by their finding that an AIDS vaccine actually appears to work, reducing the risk of infection by 31%. For the first time, an experimental vaccine has prevented infection with the AIDS virus, a watershed event in the deadly epidemic and a surprising result. Recent failures led many scientists to think such a vaccine might …

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