Report Thai Parliament Faces Hate Crime Pressure

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of MovED - People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination Facebook page

 

Rights groups in Thailand are urging the government to address hate crimes following the murder of a transgender sex worker in Pattaya, allegedly by a Chinese national.

 

On Thursday, they presented a petition in parliament, demanding robust legal measures and accountability from the Chinese embassy. This move comes as concerns mount about the handling of hate crimes and the safety of marginalised communities.

 

The petition, backed by 54 civil society organisations and 151 individuals, was spearheaded by the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, the People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination, and other allied groups.

 

It calls for comprehensive definitions of “hate crime” and “hate speech” in Thai law, distinct from general offences. Penalties for hate crimes that lead to death, injury, or property damage should increase by at least a third, it suggests.

 

Other demands include better data collection on hate crimes to inform policy and enhanced training for law enforcement officers to identify and prosecute these offences effectively. The petition also presses for the drafting and enforcement of modern legal protections for sex workers, reflecting the urgent need for legislative reform.

 

The embassy’s accountability is another focal point, with calls for improved mechanisms aligning with international human rights standards. Caesar Rittiwong, deputy director of human rights with RSAT, highlighted the community-wide impact of hate crimes, stressing they are often misclassified due to a lack of legal clarity. She urged lawmakers to treat hate crimes as a significant threat, necessitating targeted legal actions and precise definitions.

 

Nachale Boonyapisomparn, president of the Sister Foundation, referred to a World Bank report that underscores a global and regional lack of legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. The report advocates for better systems to track, train, and support victims, arguing that Thailand must advance its legal frameworks to ensure inclusivity and safety.

 

In summary, the petition underscores the urgent need for Thailand to redefine and address hate crimes adequately. Significant legal and policy changes are demanded to safeguard lives, ensure justice, and promote a community that values diversity over prejudice.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-09

 

 

[sidneybear]

They want to turn Thailand into a woke hellhole, like the "progressive" West.

[Pouatchee]

thailand has been fine for the last 20 years i have been there. If wokism starts to point its ugly head we are in for a crap load of problems

[phil2407]

So 1 murder by a Chinese against a ladyboy demands this? Murders occur all over Thailand everyday- but not classed as hate crimes- murder is murder end of story whether it be family, gangs (looking at someone or from a different school, foreign persons being murdered for money- is that a hate crime) ? 
NO 

[Artisi]

How about they just concentrate on all murders without the specifics - surely there is plenty to be done without having to single out only one aspect.