UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 53) Thailand has accelerated implementation of the Strategy to Promote and Protect Children and Youth in the Use of Online Media 2017-2021 by an Act on amendment of the Penal Code (No. 24) B.E. 2558 (2015) regarding sexual offences and adding to the definition of pornography.

UN Compilation:
Para 30) While taking note of the significant efforts undertaken to address trafficking in persons and forced labour, the HR Committee remained concerned that trafficking in persons and forced labour remained and that they gave rise to significant problems, particularly regarding sexual exploitation, …
Para 63) [CRPD] expressed concern about the situation of persons with disabilities living in poverty, who were often at risk of exploitation and abuse, including begging and trafficking in persons for purposes of labour and sexual exploitation, as well as about violence against and abuse of persons with disabilities, particularly girls and women with disabilities. It regretted the absence of a disability perspective in policies for protection from violence, abuse and exploitation.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 33) ECLJ stated that whilst the majority of trafficking victims were Thai nationals, there were victims from neighbouring countries, who were forced, coerced or deceived into labour or sexual exploitation. HKCIJ noted the impact on women victims, including starvation, unsanitary conditions and trauma from sexual exploitation. ECLJ highlighted that children were also targeted for use in prostitution and online pornography. HKCIJ noted that girls from tribal groups and ethnic minorities, stateless and refugees were most likely to be trafficked.
Para 53) HKCIJ and JS33 highlighted the vulnerability of children to online sexual abuse and violence such as cyberbullying, online grooming, theft of information, and trafficking mostly for sexual exploitation

National Report:
Para 66) Under the purview of the Ministry of Public Health, diverse measures to eliminate violence against women and domestic violence have been undertaken, such as: integrating WHO screening tools into hospital procedures to more effectively identify victims of violence; providing emergency shelters for women; promoting local networks to prevent and address violence against women; and establishing help centres at more than 899 hospitals nationwide. These centres provide care for victims of violence as well as preparedness and skills training to prevent sexual scams and harassment both in Thailand and abroad.
Para 69) In April 2020, the Cabinet approved additional measures to prevent and tackle sexual harassment in the workplace. The Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development is also conducting a thorough review of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) in order to amend the law to suit the modern context, through Focus Group discussions with children and youth, sex workers, relevant government agencies, women and mothers and others.
Para 70) During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand implemented the “Stay Home, Stay Safe, For the Nation” campaign to contain the outbreak. It had the unintended consequence of preventing victims of domestic and gender-based violence from avoiding dangerous situations because they were not able to leave their residences during the Government imposed curfew and travel restrictions.
Para 71) In order to protect the welfare and safety of victims during COVID-19, a number of targeted measures were taken, including increasing personnel at social assistance centres. The Government also provided temporary shelters for victims and homeless single mothers, as well as vocational training at all eight Women and Family Development Learning Centres nationwide.
Para 72) Awareness raising is another important element in preventing violence against women in all settings. To this end, the TIJ, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General has published in Thai the Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

UN Compilation:
Para 46) [CEDAW] also remained concerned about the high prevalence of gender-based violence against women and girls, in particular domestic violence and sexual violence, and about the fact that the Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act of 2007 provided for the settlement of a case through reconciliation and mediation at every stage of the legal proceeding. It further remained concerned about the inadequate provision of essential services and support to victims of gender-based violence, especially victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation or labour exploitation, and victims of domestic violence.
Para 63) [CRPD] expressed concern about the situation of persons with disabilities living in poverty, who were often at risk of exploitation and abuse, including begging and trafficking in persons for purposes of labour and sexual exploitation, as well as about violence against and abuse of persons with disabilities, particularly girls and women with disabilities. It regretted the absence of a disability perspective in policies for protection from violence, abuse and exploitation.
Para 69) CEDAW also expressed concern about the situation of women migrant workers who were vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, in particular those who were undocumented.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 38) … JS25 highlighted that common challenges encountered by women workers, including migrant women, included discrimination on wages, occupational safety and health hazards, precarious work and gender-based harassment and violence.
Para 49) JS13 expressed concern by discrimination against women in employment and workplace, as well as rampant violence and abuse. …
Para 50) JS13 highlighted that gender-based violence was widespread, supported by stereotypical gender roles which remained strong and led to increasing violence. JS13 and SHero also described domestic violence as deep-rooted that was considered a private matter in Thai culture. Abuse and psychological, physical and/or sexual violence against women were reportedly rampant. Women faced stigmatization and victim-blaming, dismissal by authorities that promoted settlements between victims and perpetrators, an ineffective justice system and inadequate protection. JS13 reported a 34 per cent increase in domestic violence cases during the COVID19 lockdown. JS5 also noted the special vulnerability of indigenous women to violence, including sexual and domestic.
Para 60) JS13 and JS5 noted the severe challenges that indigenous women had in accessing their rights, as well as the multiple forms of discrimination on the grounds of indigeneity and gender within their communities and mainstream Thai society. It highlighted that they faced racial discrimination, exclusion from participation in public life, lack of access to healthcare and education and were vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.
Para 68) … Malayu women were subjected to rape and sexual harassment by soldiers.

UN Compilation:
Para 37) The CEDAW commended the measures taken by Thailand to improve women’s access to health-care services, such as the universal health coverage scheme, which had led to longer life expectancy, reduced rates of HIV infection and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Nevertheless, it remained concerned about reports of high rates of maternal mortality in the southern border provinces and among ethnic minority groups, and reports of women with disabilities being subjected to forced sterilization and abortion.
Para 50) [CEDAW] also expressed concern that rural women: continued to lack access to basic social services, such as education and health care, including sexual and reproductive health care, …


Stakeholder Summary:
Para 46) JS28 expressed concern about the lack of healthcare for Malayu women and girls and the continued practice of genital circumcision