A foundation advocating for sex workers has put forward a draft bill in parliament to decriminalise sex work and extend labor protections to those in the industry. Submitted by the Empower Foundation at 10:30 on Thursday, the bill was received by an adviser to House Speaker Sophon Zarum. This move aims to replace the outdated 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which criminalises voluntary sex workers.
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The proposed Sex Service Provider Protection Act seeks to categorise sex work as legitimate labor, offering sex workers the same rights and protections as other professions. Representatives from the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, along with MPs from the People’s Party and Pheu Thai Party, were in attendance during the submission. The current laws leave sex workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination, according to the foundation's spokesperson.
“This bill is not an endorsement of sex work,” explained a representative of the Empower Foundation. "It’s about respecting the decisions of those who engage in this work and ensuring they receive fundamental rights." The new legislation purports to address safety concerns not only for sex workers but also for clients and business operators by establishing a clearer legal framework.
As this draft moves through parliamentary processes, advocacy groups, experts, and policymakers will need to discuss the broader implications. If passed, the law could significantly change the landscape for sex workers, offering more security and reducing stigma. The legal journey of the bill is likely to spark wide-ranging discussions on workers’ rights and public safety.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 28 May 2026