Parliament debates marriage equality bills

14 Sept 12:09 Key points summarised by AI

Four marriage equality bills, proposed by the government, opposition, and a people's network, were debated in the House of Representatives, with advocates pushing for their first reading as a "New Year's gift."
The government's bill aims to amend the Civil and Commercial Code to define marriage as inclusive of all genders, emphasizing human rights and equal family-building rights without sexual discrimination.
Deputy PM Somsak Thepsuthin stated the government's bill has overwhelming public and religious support, clarifying it amends existing law rather than creating new legislation, thereby not conflicting with Sharia law.
Other bills, including one from the Rainbow network, specifically seek to grant same-sex married couples equal rights to heterosexual couples, encompassing adoption and parental rights, with most MPs voicing support for all proposals.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.