Thailand Becomes 68th Nation to Ban Physical Punishment of Children

Landmark legal change outlawing all forms of violent discipline at home, school and care facilities hailed as major step forward for child protection.

 

Thailand has joined the growing global movement to protect children, becoming the 68th country worldwide to outlaw all forms of physical punishment against children in all settings, including homes, schools, and care institutions. 

 

The significant amendment to Section 1567 of the Civil and Commercial Code, officially published in the Royal Gazette on March 24th, 2025, has been widely welcomed by child rights advocates and legal experts.

 

The previous wording of Section 1567, which granted those with parental authority the "right to punish" children for disciplinary or educational purposes, had long been criticised for its ambiguity and potential to enable physical and emotional abuse due to the lack of a clear definition of acceptable "punishment".

 

The driving force behind this legal reform was a concerted effort by government agencies, human rights organisations, and educational bodies to modernise the law and better reflect contemporary understanding of child welfare.

 

A key element of the amendment replaces references to "punishment" with the concept of "reprimand and educate with reason and appropriateness," underscoring the parental role as moral guides and educators rather than relying on physical force.

 

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), a leading advocate for the elimination of violence and abuse against children, has lauded Thailand's progressive step.
  

The organisation commended the amendment, which now explicitly prohibits any form of cruel, harmful, or inappropriate physical or mental punishment under the guise of discipline.

 

While acknowledging that effective implementation will require ongoing effort, UNICEF hailed the legal change as a crucial milestone in safeguarding the rights of children in Thailand. 

 

This move aligns Thailand more closely with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which it is a signatory, and prioritises the best interests of the child in all related decisions.

 

Despite a gradual decline over the past decade, figures revealed that a significant proportion of Thai children had experienced physical punishment at home. 

 

A survey conducted by the National Statistical Office and UNICEF in 2022 showed that while the number of children aged 1-14 subjected to violent discipline at home had decreased from 75% in 2015 to 54%, the fact that over half of children still faced such treatment underscored the urgent need for legislative change.

 

This new law is seen as a vital step towards eradicating all forms of violence against children.
  

UNICEF is urging the Thai government to actively support parents and caregivers in adopting positive, non-violent approaches to child-rearing through education and resources. 

 

International evidence strongly suggests that laws prohibiting physical punishment are most effective when coupled with widespread awareness campaigns and support for positive parenting techniques.

 

Thailand now joins a significant number of countries worldwide that have outlawed the physical punishment of children to protect their rights and well-being.

 

Examples include Sweden, which pioneered the ban in 1979, Finland (1983), New Zealand (2007), Germany (2000), and more recently, Mexico (2021), demonstrating a growing global consensus on the importance of non-violent child-rearing practices.

(2025/04/08-00:00)