Article 16 “The right to marriage and family should not be restricted to the framework of men and women, but should apply to any gender” Ms. Naiyana Supapeung Commentary Ms. Naiyana Supapeung, a National Human Rights Commission member, comments that the essence of the story above is about the right to marriage and family, but should not be restricted to the framework of men and women, but should apply to any gender. She highlights progress made in Thailand. In addition to the modification of the Women’s Courtesy Title Act of 2008, complying further with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, two criminal laws – Section 276, which subjects a raping spouse to punishment, and Section 1516, which enables women to cite rape as grounds for divorce – are good examples of this progress. person under 18 years of age who sexually assaults a minor between the ages of 13 and 15 who gives his/her consent, is not subjected to lawful punishment as long as the Court of Law permits the marriage between the two parties in question. Such cases are usually unwanted marriages, and the purpose of such marriages is to avoid punishment, she explains. Ms. Supapeung also highlights some inconsistencies and loopholes that remain. For example, under Criminal Law Section 277, a She further adds that the definition of the word ’family’ should be reconsidered. Ms. Supapeung also points out that the rights of a person of alternative gender, despite there being an absence of recognition by society at large, can no longer be denied, according to the National Human Rights Commission. Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 73