Legal age of consent in Thailand 16 or 18

[manarak]

Age of consent in Thailand:

15 with parental consent

18 for all other "purposes"

freelance prostitution is legal in Thailand - this excludes pimping, running a "prostitution establishment" (i.e. where sex takes place on the premises), procuring, etc.

Thais acquire full legal capacity with 20 years, meaning any employment before that age requires parental consent, but for sex, whether paid for or not, the unrestricted age of consent is 18.

[slipperylobster]

I googled it for ya. Its simple and fast...and no need ask on the forum, as you get many answers that may not be right.

Thailand

The age of consent in Thailand is 15 (with the below caveat) as specified by article 279 of the Thai Criminal Code. The current legislation applies to all regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation.

However, parts of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which disallow any sexual contact with prostitutes under the age of 18, are widely interpreted by some local authorities to cover sexual acts classed as "obscenity for personal gratification". Also from the Penal Code Amendment Act of 1997 Section 283bis, having sex with a child under 18 is a compoundable offense even with the consent of that person. The parent or the child may file charges against the other side if he or she later regrets his or her own action. This ostensibly makes the Thai unfettered age of consent 18.

Taken from the Website.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_Asia#Thailand

[Forethat]

13 if they are your wife (with a judges permission)

15 if they are your gf (with parental permission)

20 if they are an employee

Remember, your own countries laws are also in effect, if you ever plan on returning there.

Yes, and a good thing 'your own countries laws are in effect'. Would you even contemplate as an adult having sex with a young teenager in your own country ?? I don't think so.

In USA age of consent is established by each state. In many states the age of consent is below 18.

BTW, the age of sexual consent in the Vatican is 12.

Is it?

Can you please refer to the source?

[brewsterbudgen]

13 if they are your wife (with a judges permission)

15 if they are your gf (with parental permission)

20 if they are an employee

Remember, your own countries laws are also in effect, if you ever plan on returning there.

Wow! I want to read the law. Can somebody lead me there? I think 13 is too young but if the law says so then it is incredible. Even 15 leaves me thinking about the judgment of the law makers.

Where is the 18 year old come into play? No parental consent? You throw in employee for kicks?

Until age 20 children are the property of their parents in Thailand.

Also a law was brought in forbidding prostitution for the under 20s.

It used to be age 18 until they upped the age to 20, which is where I assume you heard 18 from.

An employee is someone you pay.

Traditional Thai judgement for getting a 13 year old pregnant, judge rules marry her or go to jail.

Prostitution is Ilegal in

Thailand.

As others have already pointed out, that's not the case. However, engaging the services of a prostitute aged below 18 is illegal.

[KOZMO]

Still not as bad as the 70+ year old asking on Thai Visa about living/ marrying a 15 year old.. Talk about a very sick old man!!!

[quiuvo]

My friend and I had a conversation about the age of consent on this subject so I decided to ask this forum knowing I would get the answer here. My girlfriend is over 30. I am not interested in girls.

[Neeranam]

As others have already pointed out, that's not the case. However, engaging the services of a prostitute aged below 18 is illegal.

Is engaging in the services of a prostitute over 18 legal?

[brewsterbudgen]

My friend and I had a conversation about the age of consent on this subject so I decided to ask this forum knowing I would get the answer here. My girlfriend is over 30. I am not interested in girls.

I guess the age of consent laws apply to boys too, so you should be fine.

[brewsterbudgen]

As others have already pointed out, that's not the case. However, engaging the services of a prostitute aged below 18 is illegal.

Is engaging in the services of a prostitute over 18 legal?

As long as it's not done in a promiscuous manner.

[manarak]

Is engaging in the services of a prostitute over 18 legal?

As long as it's not done in a promiscuous manner.

correction: in a promiscuous manner that is indisposing for the public.

if there is no public, there is no offense.

[Travel2003]

What a crazy topic? Maybe having a interest in Women of the same age or close to it? What do you think?

I see your point.

However, this might be of interest for the ones living here and having kids who approach this age.

[masuk]

As FiftyTwo stated in post #2, several countries' laws trump Thai laws for its citizens anywhere, wherever the former's laws are more restrictive.

Example: in the early-to-mid 2000s, U.S. AG Ashcroft established a new policy, warning that any American citizen anywhere, regardless of local laws, would be charged with Pedophilia-related crimes if he or she had sex with someone under the age of 18.

As far as I know, no succeeding AG has ever rescinded the policy, nor has anyone so-charged ever appealed their conviction up to the SCOTUS.

Same law for Australians.

[Mario2008]

Don't forget, under Thai law someone is a minor (unless legally married) under the age of 20.

There is also a law about keeping a minor from their parents. That one also has strict penalties and has the advantage that no sex has to be discussed.

[SeabagsFull]

How can you refer to a 16 year old as a 'lady'?

They may occasionally appear/act like that, but both mentally and by most legal definitions they are a child.

A bit off subject but to compare worldwide

After some net research I find in the USA that with parent consent marriage laws in below states are :

Massachusetts male 14 & female 13

New Hampshire male 14 & female 13

Delaware & California NO RESTRICTIONS ON AGE

As FiftyTwo stated in post #2, several countries' laws trump Thai laws for its citizens anywhere, wherever the former's laws are more restrictive.

Example: in the early-to-mid 2000s, U.S. AG Ashcroft established a new policy, warning that any American citizen anywhere, regardless of local laws, would be charged with Pedophilia-related crimes if he or she had sex with someone under the age of 18.

As far as I know, no succeeding AG has ever rescinded the policy, nor has anyone so-charged ever appealed their conviction up to the SCOTUS.

Surely this must be in regard to haing 'paid for' sex, not just having sex? As Rotary has highlighted, there are different ages of consent in different states, so if an American wanted to marry a Thai 17 year old (with her parents' permission) why wouldn't this be legal if it was legal in his home state?

To Rotary post #21: According to Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America, all states fall within 16-to-18 years old. California 's AOC is 18.

To Brewsterbudgen post #22: I do not know the answer to the apparent contradiction. I may have erred. I distinctly remember AG Ashcroft making his announcement at a News Conference. Both he & the entire U.S. presidential administration (i.e., under President George Bush) at the time were known for taking aggressive action on a variety of issues, even when they clearly lacked the authority to do so.

In 2002 the SCOTUS had overturned some child pornography convictions which was followed by the passage of child pornography protection legislation: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/ceos/citizensguide/citizensguide_porn.html. Though this deals with pornography, the following quote is worth noting: "Additionally, the age of consent for sexual activity in a given state is irrelevant; any depiction of a minor under 18 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct is illegal."

My guess is that you may be okay regarding the 17-year-old. However, I would definitely seek legal advise before jumping. Or perhaps ask the folks at either the American Embassy or the DHS satellite office on the 15th floor of Tower 2 in the large office complex across the street from ACS.

[attrayant]

...shall be punished with imprisonment of not exceeding five years or fined not exceeding ten thousand Baht, or both.

So basically the law says that it'll cost you ten thousand to have sex with one of their 16 year olds. I'm off to the ATM!

[papa al]

What a crazy topic? Maybe having a interest in Women of the same age or close to it? What do you think?

I think you must be kidding.

I'm old, but randy. Why would I go for an old bird with all of the yummy young jing available?

[manarak]

...shall be punished with imprisonment of not exceeding five years or fined not exceeding ten thousand Baht, or both.

So basically the law says that it'll cost you ten thousand to have sex with one of their 16 year olds. I'm off to the ATM!

don't forget to also draw 5 years from your account !

[Mudcrab]

How can you refer to a 16 year old as a 'lady'?

They may occasionally appear/act like that, but both mentally and by most legal definitions they are a child.

A bit off subject but to compare worldwide

After some net research I find in the USA that with parent consent marriage laws in below states are :

Massachusetts male 14 & female 13

New Hampshire male 14 & female 13

Delaware & California NO RESTRICTIONS ON AGE

Vatican - 12 years old...........hmmmmmmm

[quiuvo]

My friend and I had a conversation about the age of consent on this subject so I decided to ask this forum knowing I would get the answer here. My girlfriend is over 30. I am not interested in girls.

I guess the age of consent laws apply to boys too, so you should be fine.

Wow, I can't be right can't i? If I say lady to girls you guys jump at me. If I say I'm not interested in girls because I'm interested in WOMEN you make a statement like the above ! ..

Was it a guess on your part or you know first hand that the law applies to males?

[Mudcrab]

...shall be punished with imprisonment of not exceeding five years or fined not exceeding ten thousand Baht, or both.

So basically the law says that it'll cost you ten thousand to have sex with one of their 16 year olds. I'm off to the ATM!

10,000 baht or 5 years in the big house...hope you enjoy the sex in there

[LaraC]

what if they have a fake ID?

I saw a girl a few years ago and her ID said 19 but later learned she was 15....

That was an eye opener.

Hmm..kinda begs the questions what age are you..and if dating a 19 year old was sort of um..(no..wont add to that).

Many thai women look young anyway, and a lot of them have a much younger mental capacity than normal..so an actual 19 year old would be acting pretty young already.

You didnt figure it out? Really?

Did the 15 year old have a comic book and hello kitty bag? ..no wait, that could be any age.

Ok, did the 15 year old take constant photos of herself in cutesy poses? ...no wait, ..pff nvm. Give up.

[Shurup]

My friend and I had a conversation about the age of consent on this subject so I decided to ask this forum knowing I would get the answer here. My girlfriend is over 30. I am not interested in girls.

I guess the age of consent laws apply to boys too, so you should be fine.

Wow, I can't be right can't i? If I say lady to girls you guys jump at me. If I say I'm not interested in girls because I'm interested in WOMEN you make a statement like the above ! ..

Was it a guess on your part or you know first hand that the law applies to males?

Well, your choice of words let to his reply. Honestly I thought the same thing that you're into boys.

[jjablonsky]

Thailand

The age of consent in Thailand is 15 (with the below caveat) as specified by article 279 of the Thai Criminal Code. The current legislation applies to all regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation.

However, parts of the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which disallow any sexual contact with prostitutes under the age of 18, are widely interpreted by some local authorities to cover sexual acts classed as "obscenity for personal gratification". Also from the Penal Code Amendment Act of 1997 Section 283bis, having sex with a child under 18 is a compoundable offense even with the consent of that person. The parent or the child may file charges against the other side if he or she later regrets his or her own action. This ostensibly makes the Thai unfettered age of consent 18.

A high profile example of this application of the law was a statutory rape charge filed against the lead singer of the Thai band Big Ass for allegedly having had sex with a (then) 16-year-old girl. The charge was filed by the girl after the singer refused to take responsibility for her baby. The singer has since been cleared of being the baby's father due to the results of a paternity test and he received 2 years suspended sentence.^[73][74]

However Thailand in 2002 has joined the international community in passing laws againnst consentual / non concnesentual sexual realation with a person under the age of 18 as a crime technically making the age of consent 18.

So 13-17 as a foreigner your taking a shot in the dark, my suggestion , Don't do it.

[LaraC]

So 13-17 as a foreigner your taking a shot in the dark, my suggestion , Don't do it.

Or an alternative suggestion, get yourself to a psychiatrist pronto and stay the hell away from playgrounds and schools.

[Kudel]

In my country age of consent is 16 but if the potential partner is over six years older then its jail time as a sex offender/pedo.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Kudel

[brewsterbudgen]

In my country age of consent is 16 but if the potential partner is over six years older then its jail time as a sex offender/pedo.

Which country? Do you mean that any greater than 6 year age gap is illegal? Or just for 16 year olds? Can a 23 year old guy date a 17 year old or is that illegal? Strange country!

[Kudel]

In my country age of consent is 16 but if the potential partner is over six years older then its jail time as a sex offender/pedo.

Which country? Do you mean that any greater than 6 year age gap is illegal? Or just for 16 year olds? Can a 23 year old guy date a 17 year old or is that illegal? Strange country!

16 year olds pal just at legal age.Nothing strange about that ,just ask jimmy saville and gary glitter and the bbc for al i care .i hope you dont have a teenage daughter . Edited November 23, 2013 by Kudel

[thailiketoo]

Don't forget, under Thai law someone is a minor (unless legally married) under the age of 20.

There is also a law about keeping a minor from their parents. That one also has strict penalties and has the advantage that no sex has to be discussed.

So if the parents of my 19 year old girlfriend get angry at me for bringing their daughter home late I go to jail? Am I reading that correctly?

[manarak]

Don't forget, under Thai law someone is a minor (unless legally married) under the age of 20.

There is also a law about keeping a minor from their parents. That one also has strict penalties and has the advantage that no sex has to be discussed.

So if the parents of my 19 year old girlfriend get angry at me for bringing their daughter home late I go to jail? Am I reading that correctly?

no.

For all purposes the legal age of consent for sex is 18.

The concept of "being minor" applies to the legal capacity to bindingly agree to contracts. The Law specifies that sex is ok from 18.

Edited November 23, 2013 by manarak

[Benmart]

Either way she is too young for you;-)

None of my business and I have my hands full keeping my own house in order.

"People relish instructing others what they should or shouldn't do. That is, until they are the receiver of those instructions".