Report Thailand Bans Corporal Punishment in Landmark Child Rights Move

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand has taken a pivotal step towards safeguarding children's rights by amending its Civil and Commercial Code to ban all forms of corporal punishment. This legal reform, published in the Royal Gazette on March 24, has been lauded by child rights advocates as a crucial shift towards changing societal attitudes on parenting.

 

The amendment specifically modifies Section 1567 (2) of the Civil Code, which now clearly states that "disciplining or behaviour correction of a child must not involve violence, physical or psychological harm, or any inappropriate actions." This replaces previous vague language that permitted punishment "in an appropriate manner for education," which many experts argued left room for abuse.

 

This legislative change aligns Thailand with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring protection against all forms of cruel or degrading punishment, which the country ratified in 1992.

 

Wassana Kaonopparat, Director of the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights Foundation, views this amendment as a result of over a decade of advocacy. "This change removes ambiguity and reinforces the message that violence against children is never acceptable," she stated, highlighting the shift from the legal justifications that persisted even after the Child Protection Act 2003.

 

Though the Civil Code itself does not impose criminal penalties, violators can face prosecution under the Child Protection Act. Ms. Wassana stressed the importance of complementary government policies promoting "positive parenting" to foster cultural shifts within households, beyond just punitive measures.

 

 

 

"This is not about defining how hard a child can be hit -- it's about prohibiting all forms of violence, including spanking," she affirmed. "We need all sectors to help end this."

 

The call for a broader cultural change was echoed by Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, spokesman for the Department of Mental Health, who advocated for reward-based approaches to parenting. He indicated that research connects violence in childhood with internalised aggression later in life. "Children raised in violent households often internalise aggression," he explained.

 

In support of these changes, the Department of Mental Health plans to roll out "Mind Month" in May—a campaign aimed at promoting compassionate relationships within families and communities.

 

The United Nations Children's Fund has hailed the legal amendment as a significant milestone in protecting children's rights and promoting non-violent child-rearing practices. This change comes as figures suggest a 20% decline in cases of violence against children since 2015.

 

The amendment thus represents not just a legal triumph but a call for societal awakening to the importance of nurturing and compassionate child-rearing practices.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-21

 

 

[JoePai]

About time

[Muhendis]

10 minutes ago, JoePai said:

About time

Agreed.

Violence against children can lead the children to believe it's an acceptable response and so they can follow suit later in life.

[reflectionx]

Luckily for Thailand, nobody gives a damn about the Soros-paid attempts meant to degrade the society to the level of the degradation of the Western world. Sadly, calling a western kid from their last 2 generations an “idiot” would be a  compliment for them.

 

In Thailand respecting the elderly takes precedence over the whining of any rotten Soros sponsored organizations. There is a reason why he got kicked out of Hungary.

 

Positive parenting my ars…

[thesetat]

Nothing to see here. Just some more laws passed that will never be adhered to. Move on and remember to make note if your child returns home from school with marks on his body. 

[phil2407]

Hope that applies to schools as well - where the teachers should be prosecuted as seen it happen! 

[MikeUdon]

Finally! Welcome to the 21st century, Thailand. 

[MikeUdon]

40 minutes ago, reflectionx said:

Luckily for Thailand, nobody gives a damn about the Soros-paid attempts meant to degrade the society to the level of the degradation of the Western world. Sadly, calling a western kid from their last 2 generations an “idiot” would be a  compliment for them.

 

In Thailand respecting the elderly takes precedence over the whining of any rotten Soros sponsored organizations. There is a reason why he got kicked out of Hungary.

 

Positive parenting my ars…

Impressive. You managed to cram xenophobia, conspiracy theories, and generational bitterness into one post—a real multitasker.

Insulting entire generations of Western kids while hiding behind the word “respect” doesn’t make you wise—it just makes you loud. Respect for the elderly doesn’t mean unquestioning obedience to outdated thinking. It’s not tradition if it’s afraid of change; it’s just insecurity in a costume.

As for Soros, blaming him for society's evolution is the intellectual equivalent of blaming gravity for tripping over your ego.

Positive parenting might not be your cup of tea, but clearly, neither was critical thinking. Hope the view from that high horse is worth the fall.

[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

Agreed.

Violence against children can lead the children to believe it's an acceptable response and so they can follow suit later in life.

And without it we have nations full of diligence.

By the way, corporal punishment never hurt anyone long time, it set boundaries and taught consequences. This no of the many trillions that grew up, with minor punishment, with little longer violence issues, compared with today.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand has taken a pivotal step towards safeguarding children's rights by amending its Civil and Commercial Code to ban all forms of corporal punishment. This legal reform, published in the Royal Gazette on March 24, has been lauded by child rights advocates as a crucial shift towards changing societal attitudes on parenting.

We all know how the law rolls in Thailand, parents will do as they please as will the teachers in schools.

[black tabby12345]

Beginning of the era of spoiled child in this kingdom.

[WDSmart]

Well, I'm not so sure I agree with this. Some forms of "corporal punishment," like spanking, is okay with me. But, of course, I am opposed to allowing more severe punishments, and even spanking if it is done with a whip or too frequently. And, I don't know how this will be enforced. It will take someone to come forth and accuse the parent or adult of administering "corporal punishment." Or, could the kid do that? And if so, how will the charges be proven? 

[connda]

Thailand also bans driving down one-way roads in the wrong direction, but the 500 THB fine doesn't have enough teeth in it to stop the suicidal behavior.  Nor will a "ban on corporal punishment" stop teachers from beating their students, and the sanctions for doing so, if even enforced, will be minimal.

[connda]

43 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

And without it we have nations full of diligence.

By the way, corporal punishment never hurt anyone long time, it set boundaries and taught consequences. This no of the many trillions that grew up, with minor punishment, with little longer violence issues, compared with today.

Corporal punishment was a rite of passage in the schools I attended when I was a kid.  However with that said, Thai teachers have a habit of going over the top, and then the school's administration comes down on their side. 

[connda]

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

Hope that applies to schools as well - where the teachers should be prosecuted as seen it happen! 

Enforcement of the ban might amount to a 500 THB fine.

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, phil2407 said:

Hope that applies to schools as well - where the teachers should be prosecuted as seen it happen! 

The challenge though becomes what do you do with kids that act up fight or ignore teachers 

 

The challenge is that there's no alternative in government or semi government schools

 

I would love to hear your suggestions what to do when somchai or Lisa 

A tell you to you to f off

Fight in classroom 

Or are disruptive 

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, thesetat said:

Nothing to see here. Just some more laws passed that will never be adhered to. Move on and remember to make note if your child returns home from school with marks on his body. 

I never had any children, but if I did, I would have personally approached every teacher who was going to teach my kids and giving them a stern warning that any violence against my kids and there would be severe consequences.

The teachers would be allowed to punish them in almost any way, but not by violence.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

And without it we have nations full of diligence.

By the way, corporal punishment never hurt anyone long time, it set boundaries and taught consequences. This no of the many trillions that grew up, with minor punishment, with little longer violence issues, compared with today.

"corporal punishment never hurt anyone long time." That is absolute garbage. I know that from childhood experience. I was no angel at school, but was belted by the headmaster and one teacher just for making simple mistakes, or giving the wrong answer with sums.

I grew up after leaving school with the attitude that no one had better even as much as threaten me with any violence, even my own father never laid a hand on me over the age of 12, and by the time I was 15 would have been more of a match for him if he even tried. 

I can say in all honesty I was never grounded as my father would never had been able to keep me in.

[NoshowJones]

56 minutes ago, connda said:

Corporal punishment was a rite of passage in the schools I attended when I was a kid.  However with that said, Thai teachers have a habit of going over the top, and then the school's administration comes down on their side. 

I was a teacher here in Thailand for a few years in both in both Primary and Secondary schools and never once saw any teacher use any violence.

[Emdog]

29 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

The challenge though becomes what do you do with kids that act up fight or ignore teachers 

 

The challenge is that there's no alternative in government or semi government schools

 

I would love to hear your suggestions what to do when somchai or Lisa 

A tell you to you to f off

Fight in classroom 

Or are disruptive 

l taught severely emotionally disturbed students, first for Oregon county, grades 4-8 and later at "inner city" high school, ages 14-21. Students who got in my classroom didn't just "act up" or "ignore" teachers. They had to go thru all sorts of placement procedures and psychiatrist interviews.

My mentor/boss was renowned author and educator who promoted "democracy in the classroom" and outlook of Dreikurs. Whole different thing from typical carrot/stick behaviorism. https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/maintaining-sanity-classroom-management-techniques/author/rudolf-dreikurs-bernice-bronia-grunwald/

Why do adults use corporal punishment against children? Simple answer is we are bigger than they are.

and can't think of alternative. With tantruming grade school kids we would cross arms over chest and hold them til they calmed down. More difficult with high school students.

Most  of my students were young, black males, often with gang affiliations. Like to see one of the pro spanking crowd here try that on them! I had some who could bench press 425 pounds, were taller, bigger and in prime of life. I was older white guy, hardly Reacher material. So you had to work with them.

Treat them with respect, treat them as equal citizens within the framework of schools (not easy as most US schools patterned after 19th century Prussian military academies). Together we made the rules and the consequences. It made sense: last chance before becoming full fledged adult citizens.... put democracy in practice, not just theory. One might get all nuts and complain "this place is like a prison!!!" I'd agree to some aspects, but what we have to work with and if they have a better plan than being in school, well, the door isn't locked.... you could walk out any time... a couple times they had guns in my classroom (didn't know it at the time, and if I did what would I do anyway?).

In the decades I taught I was only shoved once. Sadly, lost average of one a year from load of 18 to gun violence: murder/murdered or suicide. I loved those guys. I always thought if they could just make it into their 20s with a lick of sense, they could be awesome. Some did and some were.

But to finish up: no one sends their kid to school to be physically assaulted by authorities. School should be an inviting place

 

[thesetat]

33 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

I was a teacher here in Thailand for a few years in both in both Primary and Secondary schools and never once saw any teacher use any violence.

Hmm... I witnessed abuse many times. Once some boys primary grades 4 were fighting.. The next morning there was assembly. In front of all students the director made the boys punch a wall until their hands were bleeding. Another time I saw a Thai teacher strike several teachers with a stick on their hands causing swelling simply because they forgot their book at home for that class. 

In one school it was common for the Thai teachers to walk around with long sticks for beating the kids. I can not name these schools unfortunately for fears or reprisal but can say the schools were well known as really good schools in Bangkok and other cities. 

 

[digger70]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

The challenge though becomes what do you do with kids that act up fight or ignore teachers 

 

The challenge is that there's no alternative in government or semi government schools

 

I would love to hear your suggestions what to do when somchai or Lisa 

A tell you to you to f off

Fight in classroom 

Or are disruptive 

Send the offenders to the headmaster  and ask the headmaster to expel them  if they a Real bad .     

[StevieAus]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Corporal punishment was a rite of passage in the schools I attended when I was a kid.  However with that said, Thai teachers have a habit of going over the top, and then the school's administration comes down on their side. 

Our daughter goes to a non government school and corporal punishment is forbidden.

From my observations over five years the teachers seem to control the kids without resorting to violence, perhaps better trained.

[DjSilver08]

Only 45 years late 🤣🤣🤣

[Aussie999]

3 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Beginning of the era of spoiled child in this kingdom.

Far too late, male children have been spoilt for generations... That's why it's a nation of spolit man childs

[Pinot]

When my wife was growing she was hit every week for not being properly dressed...the family was very poor and couldn't afford the correct shoes. I always thought that was pathetic. 

[black tabby12345]

Just now, Aussie999 said:

Far too late, male children have been spoilt for generations... That's why it's a nation of spolit man childs

 

And that will speed up with that new ban.

From loose discipline to No Discipline.

[jcmj]

A teacher smacked my son’s fingers with a ruler Once for not having his haircut short enough. I went into that principals office and told them to get that teacher down here along with my son. I let them all know in no certain terms that if my son ever came home again like that, they would all get the same from me. Son was a bit embarrassed, but no one lands a hand on my children in school, especially for something so trivial. 
I did spank my children and give him the belt until he was about 6 and if he dared slam his bedroom door because I said no to something he wanted I would follow him up there and open the door and explain to him that he can’t have everything he wants. I don’t care what your friends have. If you want something do some extra chores around the house, but never slam that door again or there will be consequences. He never did it again and he has been well behaved and respectful to his peers and adults since he was 7. So I believe in early discipline, just don’t overdo it and make them do chores to learn some responsibility and also ways to negotiate to do more to get paid for so that he can save up for something he wants. Nothing is free in this world. He learned how to wash, dry and iron his school clothes by 10. He had to sweep, mop and clean up his room every Sunday as well as clean his bathroom and shower. He is now so much further ahead in life than many other coddled children.  

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

Hmm... I witnessed abuse many times. Once some boys primary grades 4 were fighting.. The next morning there was assembly. In front of all students the director made the boys punch a wall until their hands were bleeding. Another time I saw a Thai teacher strike several teachers with a stick on their hands causing swelling simply because they forgot their book at home for that class. 

In one school it was common for the Thai teachers to walk around with long sticks for beating the kids. I can not name these schools unfortunately for fears or reprisal but can say the schools were well known as really good schools in Bangkok and other cities. 

 

I am very surprised to read this. The schools I taught at were upcountry and the secondary school had about 3000 students. The directors were very decent and always approachable.

[Jiggo]

Banned in the UK years ago, even by parents, now Feral teenagers running a mock everywhere.

Not so much the punishment it's the threat