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Published on November 6, 2007

Natee Teerarojjanapongs, president of the Sexual Diversity Group and the Gay Political Group of Thailand, claimed he was refused life assurance by an AIA sales agent who said the company had a policy not to provide life insurance for gays or bisexuals.

The gay rights groups yesterday sent a letter to the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) calling for an investigation into the matter.

Prasong Kittithamwongse, director of the OIC's examination and supervision office, said the office would meet senior AIA executives to investigate the accusation.

Speaking on behalf of OIC secretary-general Chantra Purnariksha, he said the office would try to seek a fair result, but he admitted that insurance companies also have a right to calculate risks.

Natee said his groups would march to the Administration Court to file the petition against the AIA if there was no progress in the case after two weeks.

"We [gay men and bisexuals] need equal treatment. We will file a petition to the Administration Court because such behaviour violates the 2007 Constitution," he said.

AIA senior vice president Sutti Rajitrangson said the company never received Natee's application for life assurance.

"The firm gives an opportunity to all groups of people but considers each application individually, depending on majority risk, but not focusing on sex," he said.

Sutti said more than 5.8 million company policyholders were considered based on individual risk. Some people who are classified as high risk would face higher premiums or be refused outright, depending on the person, he said.

Natee said more than 6.3 million Thais are homosexual and they make up 10 per cent of the population. If gays are treated unfairly, it would lead to more social problems because some might refuse to disclose their sexuality.

Article 30 of the 2007 Constitution guarantees fair treatment for all regardless of nationality, religion, language or sex, he said.

Gay men, gay women and bisexuals don't want any special favours, just fair treatment and the right to purchase goods or services the same as others, Natee said

He said the government should help to clarify the matter as it indicated a social problem.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation