Thai Same-Sex Marriage: Life partnership bill feared lost under new civilian government

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03:14

When the Thai government presented its life partnership bill to the legislative assembly at the end of last year, many believed Thailand would be the first country in East Asia to give same-sex couples equal rights in marriage. But the military-led assembly failed to pass the bill and many fear the opportunity will now be lost under a new civilian government. Tony Cheng reports from Bangkok.

It was their big day. A celebration of trust, friendship and love. But to do this legally, Luke and Tae had to travel halfway around the world to the United States. Now back at home in Bangkok, the couple proudly show off their marriage certificate to prove the commitment they made to each other.

LUKE CASSADY-DORION YOUTUBER "When we say we're married people realize we've made the commitment, they know you're trying to make this last forever, but when you say you've got a boyfriend, well a boyfriend was what I had when I was 16."

But in reality, their marriage certificate is means something very different in Thailand. As a same-sex couple they're allowed some of the protections afforded married couples, while other important issues surrounding health benefits, inheritance and adoption are denied. It's something they discuss at length on their travel and lifestyle channel. But Tae is prepared to be patient for the law to catch up.

TAE CASSADY-DORION YOUTUBER "When you want to change something, it takes time. I always say to my fanclub when they ask for my help, that things take time."

Others are not so patient. Bangkok, a place well known for street protests, doesn't usually see demonstrators this well dressed. And while they look like they're having fun, they're making a serious point. And recent changes to the law to accommodate same-sex marriage ceremonies still fails to address the balance when it comes to equal rights.

SUPAPORN ITTIPONSIRI LAWYER "In my opinion, we should put pressure on this issue, and now this law is very old and it can't keep up with the present situation. There are a lot of LGBT couples living together in Thailand and they face a lot of problems because they don't have their basic human rights as they can't live as a true family."

And ironically, the end of military rule may make that even harder.

TONY CHENG BANGKOK "You might think that under a new civilian government equal rights for same-sex couples would have a better chance of passing into legislation, but actually many Thai watchers believe the opposite is true, and that military governments are more favorable to gay rights.

DR. PETER JACKSON THAI STUDIES, ANU "Strangely under military governments there's been a more gay-friendly atmosphere than under some elected governments which have been more populist and going towards anti-gay attitudes."

And while Thailand is tolerant of same-sex couples, equality is still some way off.

DR. PETER JACKSON THAI STUDIES, ANU "Well there's a lot of tolerance, but not necessarily social acceptance, so I think there's a major difference between that."

So for these couples, the struggle for the right to marry and raise a family continues. Social acceptance is one thing, but it's a far cry from equal rights, Tony Cheng, CGTN, Bangkok.