UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 84) The Government has been continuously implementing the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders, or the "Bangkok Rules" to eliminate discrimination against women prisoners by mainstreaming gender sensitivity in the criminal justice system. Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) was established in 2011 and has played an important role in promoting the implementation of the Bangkok Rules through its researches and capacity-building programmes. TIJ has partnered with the Department of Corrections to initiate the Pilot Project on model prisons to implement the Bangkok Rules.

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 78) The Women's Development Plan (2012%u20132016) has been developed, in line with the principles of relevant international human rights standards such as the CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration, to provide policy direction for the promotion and protection of women's rights as well as the empowerment of women in the society. To achieve these goals, the Plan identifies five strategies, namely (1) promote the positive attitudes towards gender equality, (2) develop women's capacity and opportunity, (3) promote women's health and reproductive health and rights, (4) promote women's participation in the politics, administration and decision-making process, and (5) enhance the capacity of mechanisms and women's organisations at all levels.
Para 79) The Government launched the Women's Development Fund in 2012 to enhance women's economic opportunities through a revolving fund for women's groups. The Fund also serves as a tool to promote women's leadership and management skills through women's empowerment projects.
Para 80) To further increase gender equality, since 2012, the Cabinet has approved paid leave of up to 15 days for male government officials whose wives have given birth. MOL has also worked to seek cooperation from the private sector to grant the same benefits of paternity leave to their male workers.

National Report:
Para 63) On the issue of women in politics and decision-making, Section 90 of the Constitution requires political parties to take gender equality into account in preparing party lists. As a result, the number of female MPs rose to 15.7 per cent (78 persons) in 2019 from 5.4 per cent (13 persons) in 2014.

UN Compilation:
Para 13) CEDAW expressed concern that women, in particular rural women, were excluded from participation in the elaboration and implementation of policies and action plans on climate change and disaster risk reduction, notwithstanding the fact that they were disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change and disasters.
Para 48) CEDAW remained concerned that no temporary special measures had been adopted to date to increase the representation of women in political and public life. It also regretted the absence of women in the National Council for Peace and Order, which had been governing Thailand following the coup d’état of May 2014. It expressed further concerns about: the low representation of women in legislative bodies, ministerial posts and local government, as well as in the judiciary, the police force, the diplomatic service and academic institutions, in particular at decision-making levels; and the lack of representation of women from ethnic and religious minority groups and indigenous women in decision-making positions. The HR Committee made recommendations in that regard.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 69) JPF also expressed concern about informal justice systems “hukum pakat” based on religious and cultural principles in three Southern Border Provinces, which discriminated against women and girls. Malayu Muslim women’s political participation and decision-making were restricted by religion, culture and tradition and local values.
Para 70) According to JS22 and JS28, the dialogue between the Thai government, the BRN (a militant non-state group) and other actors in the conflict was put on hold indefinitely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local communities and civil society actors were not effectively engaged in peace dialogues as their views were disregarded. The participation of women was limited even though they were significantly affected by the conflict.