South

Thailand's lower house approves bill to legalize same-sex marriage

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Thailand's lower house approves bill to legalize same-sex marriage

Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday.
The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 400 out of 415 members of the House of Representatives in attendance.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where approval is anticipated.

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 who were in attendance, with 10 voting against it, two abstaining and three not voting.

The bill amends the Civil and Commercial Code to change the words “men and women” and “husband and wife” to “individuals” and “marriage partners.” It would open up access to full legal, financial and medical rights for LGBTQ+ couples.

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The bill now goes to the Senate, which rarely rejects any legislation that passes the lower house, and then to the king for royal endorsement. This would make Thailand the first country or region in Southeast Asia to pass such a law and the third in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal.

Danuphorn Punnakanta, a spokesperson of the governing Pheu Thai party and president of a committee overseeing the marriage equality bill, said in Parliament that the amendment is for “everyone in Thailand” regardless of their gender, and would not deprive heterosexual couples of any rights.

“For this law, we would like to return rights to the (LGBTQ+ group). We are not giving them rights. These are the fundamental rights that this group of people … has lost,” he said.

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Lawmakers, however, did not approve inclusion of the word “parent” in addition to “father and mother” in the law, which activists said would limit the rights of some LGBTQ+ couples to form a family and raise children.

Thailand has a reputation for acceptance and inclusivity but has struggled for decades to pass a marriage equality law.

The new government led by Pheu Thai, which took office last year, has made marriage equality one of its main goals.

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Georgia

Five Stats to Know about Texans G Keylan Rutledge

Published

5 seconds ago

April 24, 2026

Press Room

Five Stats to Know about Texans G Keylan Rutledge

1. 2x First Team All-ACC (2024,2025)

2. Played in 48 games, including 43 starts at Middle Tennessee (2022-23) and Georgia Tech (2024-25)

3. In 2025, led Georgia Tech offensive line that ranked 21st nationally in rushing yards per game (197.5) and third in fewest sacks allowed per game (0.69)

4. In his 4-year career (2022-25) he recorded 3,019 offensive snaps

5. He became the first Georgia Tech player since Pro Football Hall of Fame WR Calvin Johnson to be named a First Team All-American in consecutive years

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Kentucky

John Fanta will be NBC Sports’ Kentucky Derby Infield Reporter

Published

42 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Press Room

John Fanta will be NBC Sports’ Kentucky Derby Infield Reporter

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby is about to get a lot more fun. The network announced that John Fanta is joining its coverage of the Run for the Roses, reporting primarily from the infield.

If you’ve watched Fanta call games or follow him on social media, you know that his high energy is the perfect match for the shenanigans that take place in the infield at Churchill Downs. Over the years, he made a name for himself as a play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports. In 2025, he moved to NBC Sports as the lead Big East basketball play-by-play announcer. Fanta has also contributed to the network’s college football and NBA coverage, calling a Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers game in February.

NBC Sports is counting on Fanta to bring that energy to its broadcast, which also includes Mike Tirico as host and Jerry Baily and Randy Moss as analysts.

“We’re excited to have John join our coverage at Churchill Downs, where his unbridled enthusiasm and effusive personality will be a perfect match with the spectators enjoying the racing and revelry from the infield,” said Lindsay Schanzer, supervising producer of NBC Sports’ Kentucky Derby coverage in a press release.

“There is simply nothing like the Kentucky Derby, and to join a team of horse racing legends and Emmy winners in NBC’s 26th presentation of an event that stands in a class of its own is thrilling and humbling,” said Fanta. “It’s been an amazing first year with NBC Sports and I’m excited and honored to be taking on another new challenge and heading to Churchill Downs for the 152nd chapter of the longest continuously held sporting event in America.”

Fanta will be part of the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which takes place in primetime for the first time on Friday, May 1, and the Derby on Saturday, May 2, starting at Noon ET on Peacock and NBCSN and continuing at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. That’s a long time on television, which Fanta told Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina makes him even more committed to keeping the vibes high.

“The energy and the buzz and the electricity that I try to authentically bring to anything,” said Fanta. “It’s not something that’s forced.”

“For me, it is the most exciting two minutes in sports, and we’re on for seven-plus hours. I think one of our goals is to keep the audience excited and engaged and tell stories about what’s happening. The infield is where the unexpected has occurred, and a lot of the fun over the years since the 1930s has happened. So, I want to embrace it and add to the party. I consider myself invited to one of the best shows in sports the entirety of the year, so when they come to me, I want to bring that energy, which is not something that I have to flip an on switch for. I’m ready to go.”

Fanta’s already working on his outfit, telling Traina he’s especially focused on hats. I’m sure whatever he goes with will be a little worse for the wear after two days in the infield (hopefully, he doesn’t get tossed in a mud puddle like Ryan Lemond). Also, I hope he’s ready to meet Nick Roush, because Nick Roush is ready to meet him.

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