BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved, in principle, a new draft of the Child Protection Act to replace the current version in place since 2003. Proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the updated law represents changes in legal responsibilities and social realities, aligning with both the Thai Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The draft introduces an explicit set of fundamental rights for children, including protection from violence, the right to survival, and non-discrimination. Guardians are legally required to raise and educate children in safe and supportive environments, while the state must assist families in fulfilling these responsibilities. Child protection officers, now appointed by a broader range of authorities, will respond to at-risk cases and may implement protective measures, including temporary placement with foster families.
Three committees, including national, provincial, and Bangkok-based, will oversee child protection policy and enforcement. New child protection assemblies will also be created to provide recommendations on local systems and practices. Local administrative organizations are now required to plan and budget for child protection, maintain accurate data systems, and support enforcement efforts.
Courts will have expanded authority to manage child-related cases in ways that reduce trauma, such as avoiding confrontation between children and other parties. Children at risk of committing offenses will be placed in programs that offer treatment and rehabilitation, and children born through assisted reproductive technologies will be guaranteed protective measures, including mandatory breastfeeding by surrogate mothers for at least three months.
The bill introduces strict penalties for offenses involving child exploitation. Organizing boxing matches for children under 15 will carry jail terms or fines, and the sale or transfer of a child under 15 for financial gain, regardless of consent, will result in sentences of 3 to 20 years in prison, along with substantial fines. Depictions of children facing violence through media or digital platforms will also be prohibited.
To support implementation, a new Child Protection Promotion Fund will be established under the Department of Children and Youth. It will receive resources from the existing fund and special government allocations, exempt from return as state revenue. Public consultations and a legal impact assessment have been completed, and the Ministry has prepared a roadmap for 15 pieces of subordinate legislation. (NNT)
