A COMMITTEE drafting a new law governing prostitution has agreed that voluntary sexual service without any criminal penalties should be allowed from 20 years of age, Matichon newspaper said this afternoon (Mar. 3). Ms. Jintana Chanbamroong, head of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development at Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said
Read moreTag: law
Move Forward resolved to push for amendment to lese majeste law
By Thai Newsroom Reporters MOVE FORWARD LEADER Pita Limjaroenrat today (Jan.24) reconfirmed his party will certainly push for amendment to the lese majeste law in the wake of a couple of woman activists staging a severe hunger strike behind bars. Pita who visited Tantawan Tuatulanond and Orawan Pupong at the Central Women Correctional Institution’s
Read moreCharter’s organic law on MPs election ruled constitutional
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE AMENDED ORGANIC LAW of the current constitution pertaining to the election for MPs is by no means unconstitutional as earlier alleged, according to the Constitutional Court’s ruling delivered today (Nov.30). Seven judges of the Constitutional Court voted in support of the organic law on the election of lawmakers whilst
Read moreLast-ditch bid to amend election law scuttled over lack of quorum
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE LAST-DITCH EFFORT by lawmakers to amend the constitution’s organic law on the election for MPs finally came to an end due to lack of a quorum today (August 15), thus forcing the use of the original version proposed by the government. The MPs and senators attending today’s joint House/Senate meeting
Read moreAbortion of organic law on election looms
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE CONTENTIOUS AMENDMENT to an electoral system under one of the constitution’s organic laws hit an impasse due to lack of a quorum at parliament today (August 10), thus fueling the possibility of it being entirely aborted very shortly. Though a total of 403 lawmakers had attended to make a quorum
Read moreVaried drafts of constitution’s organic law on MP election approved
By Thai Newsroom Reporters GOVERNMENT MPs, OPPOSITION MPs and senators today (Feb.24) cast overwhelming votes to approve varied drafts of an organic law of the constitution pertaining to a future election of MPs. In today’s joint House/Senate meeting, the lawmakers approved in principle the four different drafts of the organic law and set up
Read moreAgency warns marijuana remains a Category 5 drug despite not being listed in code
THE Office of the Narcotics Control Board today (Jan. 11) reminded the public that marijuana remains a Category 5 drug and it is illegal to grow it without permission, Thai Rath newspaper said. Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavrangkul, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board, said questions have been raised about cannabis after a new
Read moreActivists call for freeing lese majeste detainees on bail at huge protest
By Thai Newsroom Reporters PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST groups today (Oct. 31) organised a peaceful street protest in the heart of Bangkok and repeated calls for the release on bail of detained political activists and the abolition of the draconian lese majeste law, better known as Criminal Code Section 112. Several activist groups including Khana Ratsadon,
Read moreUN Human Rights Office urges Thailand to promptly enact key legislation
THE UN Human Rights Office for South-East Asia called on Thailand to promptly enact a draft law on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance and ensure it meets international standards. The draft law was approved on September 16 for review by Thailand’s House of Representatives, and the Ad-Hoc Committee appointed to review it
Read moreLegalisation of prostitution gathers momentum
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for prostitution to be decriminalized in the Kingdom of Thailand. Empower Foundation, an NGO that supports sex workers, said it aims to present the petition to parliament to help persuade lawmakers to consider changing the country’s prostitution law. “The law punishes sex workers – 80% of
Read moreSenate votes on abortion law amendment
Activists from the Women for Freedom and Democracy group have staged a protest outside parliament to oppose the amendment to the Criminal Code that allows early-stage abortion but makes termination after the 12th week of pregnancy illegal. Law makers in the Thai Senate have voted to allow abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, while
Read moreParina submits letter to UN opposing repeal of Section 112
PALANG Pracharath Party MP Parina Kraikupt went to submit a letter to the UN Resident Coordinator today (Dec. 11) opposing in any move to pressure for the repeal of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, pointing out that doing so would be a violation of Thai sovereignty, Sanook.com quoted
Read morePM Prayut denies imposing lese majeste law
PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Nov. 26) explained that he is not imposing Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, as urged by prominent Thai social activist and writer Sulak Sivaraksa to not do so pointing out that there are multiple processes enforcing it, Thai Rath newspaper report. Sulak, who
Read moreHK police arrest suspect at airport as UK offers path to citizenship
By China Daily Hong Kong, CNBC and CNN Hong Kong – Hong Kong police arrested a 24-year-old man at the city’s airport in the early hours of today (July 2) on suspicion of attacking and wounding an officer during anti-government protests on Wednesday. Police posted pictures on Twitter on Wednesday of an officer with a
Read more30 arrested as thousands protest against new security law in HK
By Claire Huang, Straits Times Hong Kong – Hong Kong police arrested at least two people under a new national security law today (July 1), shortly after the legislation took effect, as thousands gathered in mass protests on the anniversary of the city’s handover to China. Police fired a water cannon to disperse activists gathered
Read more