File photo for reference only

 

The recent amendment to Thailand's Criminal Code, effective December 30, 2025, now includes a broader range of behaviors under sexual harassment, encompassing verbal, gestural, stalking, and online actions. The law aims to address increasing awareness of personal rights with tougher penalties for offenders, as published in the Royal Gazette. This change acknowledges the evolving understanding of harassment beyond just physical contact, ensuring stricter consequences for actions causing distress or fear.

 

Previously, sexual harassment in Thailand was limited in scope, often requiring physical involvement. The new amendment recognizes various forms of harassment, including catcalling, persistent following, and inappropriate online communication. These changes reflect societal demands for more comprehensive legal protection against harassment in any form.

 

Legal experts and advocacy groups have welcomed the update, recognizing it as a step toward safeguarding individuals against diverse types of harassment. The law enforces criminal liability for behaviors such as inappropriate verbal comments, unwelcome gestures, abusive online actions, and unauthorized physical contact. Offenders in positions of authority, particularly those targeting individuals under 15, face even harsher penalties, with potential imprisonment and fines up to 100,000 baht.

 

The implications of this amendment are significant, urging everyone to reconsider their actions and communications. Authorities encourage victims to report incidents promptly, ensuring that justice can be pursued swiftly under the new regulations. The law not only emphasizes accountability but also aims to deter inappropriate behavior through substantial penalties.

 

Looking forward, the amendment sets a precedent for future legislative actions to protect individual rights in Thailand. This development could inspire further legal reforms in the region, fostering an environment where human dignity is upheld. Adhering to these regulations will be crucial for maintaining respect and equality in interpersonal interactions, reported The Nation.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand's new law expands the scope of sexual harassment to include words, gestures, stalking, and online acts.
• Stiffer penalties highlight the seriousness of non-physical harassment.
• The law encourages victims to gather evidence and report harassment promptly.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-12-30

 

 

 

Would touching a Lady-bar to confirm she was not a lady-boy come under this new rule.

Holy Cow, everyone in tourist towns will be in jail! Pattaya will have to close shop permanently.

 

 i

Quote

including catcalling, persistent following, 

 

verbal comments, unwelcome gestures.................unauthorized physical contact

 

I have walked past a beer bar many times and had girls reach out and grab me and put their hands on my crotch.... They tell me I am a sexy man and the girls will not let me go....

 

This makes me feel so cheap and dirty....I feel victimized.....

 

And the girls tell me that if I buy them a drink, they will victimize me some more.

 

 And I can't get away unless I buy them a drink......Its Tragic..........

 

 

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

They tell me I am a sexy man and the girls will not let me go....

Bad luck mate. They tell me "you so big."

15 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Would touching a Lady-bar to confirm she was not a lady-boy come under this new rule.

Only Crocodile Dundee would get away with that.

They do realise that new laws are pointless if the RTP doesn’t enforce them, right?

Wow so no more harassment by LBs grabbing you, no more stolen gold chains, how marvelous......

8 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Wow so no more harassment by LBs grabbing you, no more stolen gold chains, how marvelous......

Please wake up from your delusional dream, nothing short of a firing squad will stop them

16 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Would touching a Lady-bar to confirm she was not a lady-boy come under this new rule.

actually yes if you do not have her consent. Cheers

laws made by men for men, 5 harasments ??????. civilised countrys have just one harasment and you are in trouble !!!

5 minutes ago, portisaacozzy said:

laws made by men for men, 5 harasments ??????. civilised countrys have just one harasment and you are in trouble !!!

Not at all, I don't know if men only make the laws, I doubt it, but even in civilized countries there are different types of harassment.

1. Verbal: Offensive jokes, slurs, name-calling, threats, derogatory comments, or persistent unwanted contact (e.g., harassing calls/texts).

2. Physical: Unwanted touching, blocking movement, assaults, or intimidation.

3. Non-verbal/Visual: Displaying offensive images, gestures, or stalking/following.

4. Online/Cyber: Repeated abusive messages, spreading rumors, or doxxing via social media/email.

5. Discriminatory: Tied to race, gender, religion, etc. (e.g., racial epithets or mocking someone's disability).

6. Power-based: Bullying by a superior, like excessive criticism or exclusion to demean.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Previously, sexual harassment in Thailand was limited in scope, often requiring physical involvement. The new amendment recognizes various forms of harassment, including catcalling, persistent following, and inappropriate online communication. These changes reflect societal demands for more comprehensive legal protection against harassment in any form.

Right, the next hooker calling out 'hello hansom man' to me is going to jail!

Pathetic.

41 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Right, the next hooker calling out 'hello hansom man' to me is going to jail!

Will they have to suck the lock (oops, bad spelling) to avoid jail?

Seems Thailand is getting more like the UK with these laws. I won't condone harassment but seems too possible to get caught out by a jealous ex girlfriend or colleague.

All well and good but it is wide open to blackmail with cameras in bars and their private rooms.

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Right, the next hooker calling out 'hello hansom man' to me is going to jail!

Why you not hand some money

Some AN posters may have to be careful as harassment, called trolling here, is common.

So no more trolls giving thumbs down on AN for every post one makes.......

20 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Holy Cow, everyone in tourist towns will be in jail! Pattaya will have to close shop permanently.

 

 i

 

That a bad thing?

Way to go, we know just what to expect with this little gem.

Just ruined plods new year. Looks like more work for the boys in brown.

Does calling out people as hansom man count into sexual harassment? Asking for a friend

If you see some of the comments on here never mind what's said on FB we're all doomed! Doomed I tell you!!

🤣😜🤯

10 hours ago, rumeaug said:

actually yes if you do not have her consent. Cheers

The Establishment has spoken, cannot see a joke from 2 feet.

On 12/30/2025 at 5:45 PM, redwood1 said:

I have walked past a beer bar many times and had girls reach out and grab me and put their hands on my crotch.... They tell me I am a sexy man and the girls will not let me go....

 

This makes me feel so cheap and dirty....I feel victimized.....

 

And the girls tell me that if I buy them a drink, they will victimize me some more.

 

 And I can't get away unless I buy them a drink......Its Tragic..........

 

 

The time to start worrying is when ladies don't grab you by your crotch,

On 12/31/2025 at 9:51 AM, mikeymike100 said:

1. Verbal: Offensive jokes, slurs, name-calling, threats, derogatory comments, or persistent unwanted contact (e.g., harassing calls/texts).

2. Physical: Unwanted touching, blocking movement, assaults, or intimidation.

3. Non-verbal/Visual: Displaying offensive images, gestures, or stalking/following.

4. Online/Cyber: Repeated abusive messages, spreading rumors, or doxxing via social media/email.

5. Discriminatory: Tied to race, gender, religion, etc. (e.g., racial epithets or mocking someone's disability).

6. Power-based: Bullying by a superior, like excessive criticism or exclusion to demean.

Personally, I think none of us men can imagine being a woman. Being checked out and appraised all the time everywhere would be exhausting. Women walking alone anywhere are vulnerable. You can see why Muslim society never lets a woman out of a man's sight!

However, I think the new law is very open to abuse, sort of the reverse of child support laws "in civilised countries". If a woman simply doesn't like a guy, for whatever reason, or he's an ex-, or she wants his job, or...she's a...nasty bitch, now she can take that MF down!

Sorry, couldn't edit. The other issue is the definition of consent. In my 75 years of experience with women, I've seen a great deal of fluid consent (I don't mean exchange of fluids!). For example, if a woman says no, do you grab your hard-on and go? Or do you give her more time to change her mind?

On 12/31/2025 at 2:42 AM, portisaacozzy said:

laws made by men for men, 5 harasments ??????. civilised countrys have just one harasment and you are in trouble !!!

It's five different actions being classed as harassment, not a total you've to reach before it becomes an offence.