THE STATUS QUO OF SOCIAL, LEGAL PROTECTIONS, AND EMPLOYMENT TOWARD LGBT IN THAILAND

Abstract

LGBT is more visible in Thailand's society. Recently, LGBT people worldwide tend to see LGBT as a social minority group (Chatterjee Subhrajit, 2014). A global report shows that LGBT, which is allowed by law, is only 9% of total population. In fact, 88% of being LGBT is illegal or against law (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights worldwide (Feilding C., Tara H., and Nathan G., 2014). In Thailand, even LGBT is illegal but not wholly accepted by a minority of agender in society. Reforming law and policy is challenging since parliamentarians are conservative (United Nations Development Program, 2014), and people in a country con-sider a constitution and a country's direction as sarcastic (United Nations Development Program, 2014). Tolerance, not inclusion, is the most challenging words for LGBT people in Thailand (United Nations Development Programme, 2019). When it comes to LGBT workforce, there is a chance to jeopardize securing employment position and a progression of their career path. Some governmental companies were discriminating against LGBT (Boonprasert, 2011; page 19), creating inequality in a workplace. Hiring process would be an essential stage of an LGBT discrimination’s issue. A study would assist us in determining the current status quo that makes it difficult for LGBT individuals to function in society, as well as how legal protection and employment are key factors in their lives. This study uses a qualitative method by implementing in-depth interviews, which takes around 20-30 minutes for each interviewee. There are ten people who has various gender identity from different working industries. Interviewee's age will be between 25-55 years old, giving senses of hiring from less experienced to more experience and getting recruited and hav-ing some experiences in interviewing applicants and being interviewed by a Human Resource person. This study uses to reveal an impact and attitudes regards status quo of social, legal and employment toward LGBT in Thailand. Result will be understanding of LGBT perception and start changing mindset toward LGBT.