The Thai Justice Ministry has kicked off public hearings on the proposed Life Partnership Bill that is scheduled to be submitted to the Cabinet this month. The Life Partnership Bill has no less than 70 sections, but the elaborate legislation excludes some basic rights for same-sex couples, many said at the first public hearing stage yesterday arranged by the Rights and Liberties Protection Department at Miracle Grand Convention Hotel. The Life Partnership Bill guarantees same-sex couples the right to inherit the spouse’s property and assets, and the right to co-manage family property and liabilities. They cannot, however, arrange legally the funeral for their spouses, make emergency medical decisions, adopt children or receive spousal welfare benefits.