Thailand has amended its civil code to prohibit corporal punishment of children, a significant stride welcomed by child rights advocates seeking to change societal views on parenting.
The recent revision to the Civil and Commercial Code bans all types of corporal punishment against children.
Experts, however, emphasize that simply enacting legislation is not enough; comprehensive government policies are essential to challenge the entrenched belief that “hitting is a form of love.”
The changes to Section 1567 (2) of the Civil Code, published in the Royal Gazette on March 24, state: “Disciplining or correcting a child’s behavior must not involve violence, physical or psychological harm, or any inappropriate actions.” This replaces a previous provision that vaguely permitted punishment “in an appropriate manner for education,” which experts argued left room for abuse.
The updated law aligns Thailand with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the nation ratified in 1992, and underscores the need to protect children from all forms of cruel or degrading punishment.
Wassana Kaonopparat, director of the Centre for the Protection of Children’s Rights Foundation, noted that the amendment comes after 13 years of advocacy. She described it as a pivotal moment in eliminating legal justifications for physical punishment, which remained despite the Child Protection Act of 2003.
“International observers have long been concerned that Thai laws permitted corporal punishment under ambiguous terms like ‘appropriate discipline.’ This change removes that ambiguity and reinforces the idea that violence against children is unacceptable,” Ms. Wassana stated.
While the Civil Code lacks criminal penalties, offenders can still face prosecution under the Child Protection Act.
Ms. Wassana called on the government to promote “positive parenting” policies and to move beyond punitive approaches. She pointed to prior successes in reducing violence in schools and juvenile detention centers, emphasizing the need for a similar cultural transformation within families.
“This is not about determining how hard a child can be hit; it’s about prohibiting all forms of violence, including spanking. Physical punishment harms the body and deeply affects a child’s psyche,” she asserted. “We need support from all sectors to put an end to this.”
She urged the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health to implement measures against domestic violence and to better protect children.
Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, spokesman for the Department of Mental Health, supported the amendment, citing research that shows children from violent households often internalize aggression. He recommended adopting reward-based strategies in place of punishment, suggesting that instead of punishing a child for lying, parents should celebrate their honesty when they tell the truth.
“Children are often silent victims of domestic violence. We’ve witnessed cases of brain injuries from shaking and bruises from beatings. This law should serve as a societal wake-up call,” he emphasized.
The Department of Mental Health plans to launch “Mind Month” this May, a campaign designed to educate the public and nurture compassionate families, workplaces, and communities.
The UN Children’s Fund also endorses Thailand’s legal amendment, viewing it as a significant milestone in protecting children’s rights and promoting non-violent parenting practices.
Reports indicate that cases of violence against children in Thailand decreased by 20% in 2022 compared to 2015.
