House Passes Bill Banning Physical Punishment of Children

[webfact]

 

In a significant legislative move, Thailand's House of Representatives today approved a draft bill aimed at prohibiting physical punishment of children. This comes as part of an effort to amend the Civil and Commercial Code to better protect children's rights.

 

The special committee reviewing the bill had proposed changes to Section 3, explicitly stating that "abusive or violent actions must not be taken in punishing children to adjust their behaviour, nor should they be physically or mentally harmed or have improper action taken against them."

 

Interestingly, the committee's minority disagreed with including the phrase "or be whipped," suggesting its removal. However, the House ultimately voted to uphold this minority view, leading to the revised text: "abusive or violent actions must not be taken in punishing children to adjust their behaviour, nor should they be physically or mentally harmed or improper action taken against them."

 

This decisive vote saw 391 members in favour, with only one against, one abstention, and five not voting. The overwhelming support reflects a growing consensus on the need to move away from punitive disciplinary methods towards more constructive approaches.

 

The amendment reflects modern views on child development and discipline, acknowledging the potential long-term harm of physical punishment. It also aligns with international standards and commitments to uphold children's rights.

 

This legislative change is expected to have a broad impact, influencing how discipline is approached in homes and public institutions. Advocates for children's rights have welcomed the move, viewing it as a step forward in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children.

 

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it will be closely monitored by interest groups and the public alike, marking a pivotal shift in the legal landscape concerning child welfare, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

Picture courtesy: The Philadelphia Tribune

 

-- 2024-10-31

 

 

[Gobbler]

As we read article after article of teachers and administrators abusing children with no consequences, one wonders what will happen to those who violate this coming law.  I didn't read anything that references what should happen to these people. 

 

Thai people seem to accept this abuse and never go after the violators.  

 

 

[mdr224]

I had the intention of living with my family in thailand until we started taking my daughter to daycare. One of the teachers there smacked her wrist on the first day. I see thai people doing the same thing to dogs. They don’t differentiate between dogs and children there. We live in the US now but if we ever move back to Thailand we will homeschool. Child abuse is an ancient custom there i doubt new laws will have much of an effect

[Gobbler]

4 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

I had the intention of living with my family in thailand until we started taking my daughter to daycare. One of the teachers there smacked her wrist on the first day. I see thai people doing the same thing to dogs. They don’t differentiate between dogs and children there. We live in the US now but if we ever move back to Thailand we will homeschool. Child abuse is an ancient custom there i doubt new laws will have much of an effect

Your other option is a decent private school.  I still think homeschooling is best. The present Thai curriculum is useless.

[daveAustin]

Let’s hope it is enforced, esp in schools. Nobody wants unruly brats (and perhaps a clip round the earhole worked back in the day), but good parenting/schooling should bring up decent kids without having to thrash them. What does that teach them?

 

When I found out the local primary was whacking the kids routinely, including my boy, for trivial stuff like late homework, I sat down with the main teacher in question, had a right go at her and threatened her with the cops. She was properly embarrassed and never did it again, but it goes on wholesale despite supposedly being against the law. 

[mdr224]

3 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Let’s hope it is enforced, esp in schools. Nobody wants unruly brats (and perhaps a clip round the earhole worked back in the day), but good parenting/schooling should bring up decent kids without having to thrash them. What does that teach them?

 

When I found out the local primary was whacking the kids routinely, including my boy, for trivial stuff like late homework, I sat down with the main teacher in question, had a right go at her and threatened her with the cops. She was properly embarrassed and never did it again, but it goes on wholesale despite supposedly being against the law. 

Its so common that it turns all the kids there into subservient dogs. Questioning authority will leave your child either disabled or too scared to amount to anything

[Artisi]

12 minutes ago, Gobbler said:

Your other option is a decent private school.  I still think homeschooling is best. The present Thai curriculum is useless.

Home schooling has its advantages as well as disadvantages, the main disadvantage is social skill development outside the home environment. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The special committee reviewing the bill had proposed changes to Section 3, explicitly stating that "abusive or violent actions must not be taken in punishing children to adjust their behaviour, nor should they be physically or mentally harmed or have improper action taken against them."

The little monsters will grow up and rule Thailand... just like the anointed parents do now

[Gsxrnz]

Spare the rod, spoil the child.  And if you need evidence of the value of this aphorism, look no further than today's western snowflake and entitled values and culture. 'Nuff said. 

[JimHuaHin]

And will the law be enforced?

[MalcolmB]

On 10/31/2024 at 5:25 AM, mdr224 said:

One of the teachers there smacked her wrist

Hardly child abuse.

That is why kids in the west are soft snowflakes these days.

Next will be a law that you can not criticize them either.

 

Soft kids end up being weak adults. 
 

Spare the rod spoil the child.

I got whacked when necessary, and look how good I turned out.