New Guidelines To Punish Foreign Paedophilia Suspects

[webfact]

New guidelines to punish foreign paedophilia suspects

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Justice Ministry has launched a handbook for legally prosecuting foreigners accused of committing sexual crimes against children.

The guidelines include a larger sum for bail as well as passport seizure to prevent the suspects from fleeing.

After attending a seminar on the issue yesterday, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the main problem was that many developing countries did not have proper laws to protect children, giving more foreigners the chance to move to these countries and abuse poor kids.

Since different agencies in Thailand lacked good coordination, due to different laws and regulations, foreign suspects used these loopholes as an opportunity to flee.

Many of these suspects even went as far as changing their names and returning to abuse other children.

Pirapan said an adviser to the Swedish king had contacted him to voice concerns about several Swedish nationals committing such crimes here.

Therefore, he said, the ministry had decided to come up with a handbook about the prosecution of foreign paedophilia suspects

Permanent Secretary for Justice Kittipong Kitiyarat said Sweden wanted Thailand to severely punish child-abuse suspects and recommended that they never be released on bail because this was a serious crime.

However, he said, Thai people and agencies believe that the crime is not that serious partially because the children gave consented.

That's why other countries see Thailand as ignoring the problem for the sake of tourism, he said.

The Department of Special Investigations is planning to add sexual abuse against children to its investigation agenda because it falls within the frame of human trafficking.

-- The Nation 2010-04-01

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[neverdie]

Great. A very S T R O N G message needs to be sent out about any crimes of violence against women and children. Simple.

[theoldgit]

I agree 100% that convicted child abusers should be locked up for as long as they are a threat to other kids, and that may mean for the rest of their lives, but I am not sure about the quote below that indicates Sweden wanted Thailand to severely punish child-abuse suspects. I suspect this is just a case of bad reporting or at least a poor translation as suspects are just that and are innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law, though I do agree that bail should be very difficult and maybe impossible if there is compelling evidence.

I am however glad that Thailand seems to be taking these types of offences seriously, let's just hope that neighbouring countries soon follow suit.

Permanent Secretary for Justice Kittipong Kitiyarat said Sweden wanted Thailand to severely punish child-abuse suspects and recommended that they never be released on bail because this was a serious crime.

[gotlost]

Finally Thailand maybe heading in the correct direction.

[TAWP]

This has to be The Nations 1st of April post...

An adviser to the Swedish King would never interfere in anything political, it is very much a no-no for the crown.

[sarahsbloke]

Great. A very S T R O N G message needs to be sent out about any crimes of violence against women and children. Simple.

Now that women are deemed equal to men ....

Couldn't we just settle for a strong message against any crimes of violence involving any human being.

My friend has just recently been a victim of domestic violence (in Thailand), because he was a man no-one was interested.

Edited April 1, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[Mario2008]

Actually, Thailand has been one of the most active countries in the region that prosecutes child sex offenders, more than the other countriess in the region combined. But this is a good step in right direction to increase the number of prosecutions.

Strange though that the Swedish goevrnment is concerned about many people fleeing when on bail. In many countries you can now be prosecuted for sexual abuse of children abroad. Fleeing is often no escape from jail, only to one in another (your own) country.

[ManilaLover]

dbl

Edited April 1, 2010 by ManilaLover

[ManilaLover]

Great. A very S T R O N G message needs to be sent out about any crimes of violence against women and children. Simple.

The biggest child abusers are still locals, more then 99% !

Most underage girls who go work in the bar have been deflowered already by elder brother or dad, thats 'very normal' here.

Who is teaching about good morals to who again ?

New guidelines to punish foreign paedophilia suspects

Aha.... Double standards !

Why ? Locals will not receive the same punishment because... ????????

Edited April 1, 2010 by ManilaLover

[TAWP]

This has to be a joke.

To punish a suspect goes against everything a system of justice is about.

[pimay11]

New guidelines to punish foreign paedophilia suspects

Aha.... Double standards !

Why ? Locals will not receive the same punishment because... ????????

Right on the money ManilaLover. I have lived in LOS for 24 years and have noticed the ratio of domestic paedophilia to foreign paedophilia in this country is off the scale. But it is mai phen rai when it is a Thai national unless it is a high-so that is caught in the act. Of course this automatically means a large settlement to the family. Double standards 100%.

[doggie888888]

The thread is about foreigners commiting child sex...sure some locals are guilty of it too but who cares in what ratio to foreigners. There is no need for foreigners to add to an existing problem here...be it bad driving, drunkeness, littering and other bad behaviour.

So what if there are double standards against foreigners in this matter? The problem should not be ignored and targetting foreigners first is at least one step in the right direction.

[Mario2008]

Of course it is not only foreigners. I think the issue here is that many foreigners can escape justice because they are allowed bail and flee the country.

[pimay11]

The thread is about foreigners commiting child sex...sure some locals are guilty of it too but who cares in what ratio to foreigners. There is no need for foreigners to add to an existing problem here...be it bad driving, drunkeness, littering and other bad behaviour.

So what if there are double standards against foreigners in this matter? The problem should not be ignored and targetting foreigners first is at least one step in the right direction.

Agreed foreigners should be targeted along with everyone else and if guilty should have their family jewels removed. There is no place for this here or anywhere on earth. The piont I was trying to make is that little is done domestically to combat this horrible crime against the innocent.

[joskydive]

However, he said, Thai people and agencies believe that the crime is not that serious partially because the children gave consented.

That's why other countries see Thailand as ignoring the problem for the sake of tourism, he said.

Unbelievable! How is a child supposed to know what they are consenting to? They only know after the deed is done and then their childhood has gone already.

[Garry]

Nice titling PUNISH THE SUSPECTS

[theoldgit]

Unbelievable! How is a child supposed to know what they are consenting to? They only know after the deed is done and then their childhood has gone already.

Absolutely right, and that's why the government is right to address the issue, starting with foreigners is a start, but they must also address the mindset of the Thai people who are no doubt putting these poor little ones in danger.

I think the minister by his statement accepts that there is a major problem with the Thai way of thinking.

[geriatrickid]

After attending a seminar on the issue yesterday, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said the main problem was that many developing countries did not have proper laws to protect children, giving more foreigners the chance to move to these countries and abuse poor kids.

Really? My understanding is that the laws are in place for Thailand. The issue is that money talks. Read the perp apprehension stories. Always some guy that looks like he lives hand to mouth. Never see someone that has money. I wonder why? Is this one of the side effects of tolerating corruption?

[bkkjames]

New guidelines to punish foreign paedophilia suspects

Aha.... Double standards !

Why ? Locals will not receive the same punishment because... ????????

Right on the money ManilaLover. I have lived in LOS for 24 years and have noticed the ratio of domestic paedophilia to foreign paedophilia in this country is off the scale. But it is mai phen rai when it is a Thai national unless it is a high-so that is caught in the act. Of course this automatically means a large settlement to the family. Double standards 100%.

I think you will find that a different kind of punishment is often handed out to locals - not a favorable one either.

[pimay11]

Nice titling PUNISH THE SUSPECTS

Good point. We are (should be) innocent until proven guilty. But how many guys charged with this crime ever prove their innocence? Many of them are caught in the act. Sad but true!

[G54]

If not a joke on behalf of the Nation, I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of retaining a suspects passport. If and when they are found guilty they should be for the chop. Physical or Chemical it does not matter.

Childhood should be a time of innocence and fun as it lasts such a short time (though in a few cases a lifetime LOL) Seriously though, I welcome any means used to preven abuse of children be it sexual or otherwise.

[theoldgit]

Really? My understanding is that the laws are in place for Thailand. The issue is that money talks. Read the perp apprehension stories. Always some guy that looks like he lives hand to mouth. Never see someone that has money. I wonder why? Is this one of the side effects of tolerating corruption?

Again absolutely right, this country is divided into the have and have not, very few of the haves will get themselves into trouble because their money talks.

Thailand really needs to get out of this corruption culture, everybody seems to accept that as a fact but is unwilling, or unable, to do anything about it.

Sorry I am veering well off topic.

[theoldgit]

I suspect there might well be a few people crossing the Mekong, reporting their passports stolen and making their way home.

I wonder if Thailand might attempt to extradite in such circumstances, though whilst these people could be prosecuted in their own countries I'm not so sure it would happen.

Edited April 1, 2010 by theoldgit

[johndpoole]

The thread is about foreigners commiting child sex...sure some locals are guilty of it too but who cares in what ratio to foreigners. There is no need for foreigners to add to an existing problem here...be it bad driving, drunkeness, littering and other bad behaviour.

So what if there are double standards against foreigners in this matter? The problem should not be ignored and targetting foreigners first is at least one step in the right direction.

You are not addressing a problem when you ignore the problem. Clearly if this news story is true this is not about protecting children but more of some political stance to show the toughness on foreigners coming here for the child sex trade. And by the way, general prostitution as well as sex with children and child prostitution is 90%+ a local issue ... meaning that only a very small portion of foreigners are responsible for these crimes or keeping the prostitution business alive.

Point being is that if this story is true it is about politics and not protecting children. It is insane to think there would be a law passed making these punishments only tougher on foreigners ... that is if you care at all about the children.

Edited April 1, 2010 by johndpoole

[johndpoole]

Nice titling PUNISH THE SUSPECTS

Good point. We are (should be) innocent until proven guilty. But how many guys charged with this crime ever prove their innocence? Many of them are caught in the act. Sad but true!

???? where do you get this stat that many are caught in the act???? Do the police spy on the room until they see actual penetration ?

[pedro01]

How about making child porn illegal here ?

How about stopping the people selling child porn openly on Beach Rd in Pattaya and Pantip Plaza in Bangkok ?

[PeaceBlondie]

Ninety percent of sex crimes against children are committed by straight Thai men and women.

[neverdie]

Really? My understanding is that the laws are in place for Thailand. The issue is that money talks. Read the perp apprehension stories. Always some guy that looks like he lives hand to mouth. Never see someone that has money. I wonder why? Is this one of the side effects of tolerating corruption?

Again absolutely right, this country is divided into the have and have not, very few of the haves will get themselves into trouble because their money talks.

Thailand really needs to get out of this corruption culture, everybody seems to accept that as a fact but is unwilling, or unable, to do anything about it.

Sorry I am veering well off topic.

Many years ago, I carried out some studies on corruption. One statement that has always stayed fresh in my mind is that "Corruption feeds at the very core of a community". Indeed what you are saying is true, corruption effects everything, right down to the safety of what we as a society should protect the most, "OUR CHILDREN = OUR FUTURE".

Its well known around the world that the net around paedophillia is tightening and I'm very happy to hear that, its good to see the Thais are addressing some of these issues and Im sure theres more work to do.

[neverdie]

Ninety percent of sex crimes against children are committed by straight Thai men and women.

Source?

[theoldgit]

How about making child porn illegal here ? It is.

How about stopping the people selling child porn openly on Beach Rd in Pattaya and Pantip Plaza in Bangkok ? A very good question, I suspect we are back to the money talks bit.