Public hearings will be held in Bangkok and several other provinces on November 12-16 to gauge opinions from stakeholders about the partnership bill which will, for the first time in Thai history, legalize the cohabitation of transgenders.

In Bangkok, the hearing will be held at the Miracle Hotel while in the provinces, hearings are to be held in Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Hat Yai.

Results of the hearings will be collated and the final report will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration within November, said Mr Kerdchoke Kasemwongchit, deputy director-general of the Department for the Protection of Rights and Liberties.

The bill was framed by Justice Ministry in cooperation with civil society with an aim to address the problem of transgenders who want to build up a family and to live together like husband and wife, said Mr Kerdchoke.

The bill also addresses the issue about the assets that transgender couples have acquired during their cohabitation as well as the issue about inheritance if either of the couples dies.

Mr Kerdchoke disclosed that the framers of the bill had compared the essence of the bill with that of similar laws of the other countries which recognize the rights of transgenders, including marriage.

Four ministries namely Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Social Development will be involved in enforcing the law but this may change when it is considered by the cabinet, he added.