Bangkok, Dec 26 (IANS) The Thailand government has approved a draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.

The government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday, Efe news quoted Apichat, a government spokesperson, as saying.

The official said no date has been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National legislative Assembly for a debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details.

The Parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalisation of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in southeast Asia to do so.

--IANS mag/bg