Community to push ‘wellbeing charter’
Community to push ‘wellbeing charter’
Thailand’s LGBTQ community looks towards implementation of the “Trans Wellbeing Charter” as soon as next March, saying it would be the first legislation in Thailand that is dedicated to addressing transgenders’ wellbeing including their rights and their places in society and the economy.
Nachale Boonyapisomparn, vice president of the Thai Transgender Alliance (ThaiTGA) and the president of the transgender wellbeing policy committee, said the legislation is expected to be launched on March 31 to mark the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
That’s a celebration of trans and non-binary people to raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
Ms Nachale said the legislation is the collaboration between the Committee on Transgender Wellbeing Policy, which she chairs, and the Thailand National Health Commission office (NHCO).
“This law will be a comprehensive roadmap for every agency to improve the wellbeing of transgender people. It will be an importance milestone for the transgender community,” she said.
Ms Nachale was speaking as ThaiTGA and NHCO co-hosted the discussion “Policy Dialogue: Gender-Affirming hormone Therapy (GAHT) and Wellbeing” on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Bangkok Post later, Techid Chawbangpom, NHCO’s Director of Metropolitan Public Policy Office and vice president of the transgender wellbeing policy committee, said the legislation centres around three issues: accessibility to hormones, inclusivity, and medical training for medical personnel on transgender people.
During the drafting process, Mr Techid said the committee found transgender people’s issues go beyond health and many areas require urgent protection under the national welfare system.
“This law will help transgenders and other people of other gender identities to have more access to our country’s healthcare system while being understood better by society,” he said.
After its launch next march, the committee will launch a framework relates to transgender’s wellbeing, including a budget to raise awareness by hosting seminars or draft new policies.
Mr Techid said the NHCO is preparing to draft the 4th National Health System Constitution in 2026, to be implemented in 2027.
At the same time, Thailand is to implement its 14th National Economic and Social Development Plan after the current plan expires in 2027.
The “Trans Wellbeing Charter” would fit into these goals, and could be used as a frame of reference going forward, he said.
He added NHCO has been working with international partners on health and wellbeing issues through the World Health Assembly, for example Brazil.
Both countries have agreed to work on improving health system resilience through social participation.
