areas including in employment. It has also adopted a policy to promote business respect for human rights. In addition, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has embarked on an initiative to have registered companies disclose information on policies and procedures that might affect human rights through preparation of a consolidated annual report. Nevertheless, there are concerns over the lack of public participation in the actions of some large corporations that can cause health and environmental impacts. คณะกรรมการสิิทธิิมนุุษยชนแห่่งชาติิ National Human Rights Commission of Thailand 4 18 Assessment of Human Rights Situation of Specific Groups Child’s rights: The cabinet has approved the Early Childhood Development Plan B.E. 2564 2570 to promote the physical, mental, and cognitive development of pre-school children appropriate to their age and improve the Penal Code to better protect child’s rights in the justice system. Nevertheless, problems were found, such as violence against children, especially bullying, and sexual abuse against girls and boys often from persons who are close to children. There was no systematic data collection nor one single agency to compile statistical data of children who were victims of violence and sexual abuse at national level and use it for planning the prevention and protection of child’s rights. Rights of older persons: The government has adopted the National Agenda on Aging Society to ensure the country’s preparedness for the aging society and drafted the legislation on national pension policy and the establishment of a fund for such purpose. However, older persons still faced problems and obstacles in accessing certain rights. For instance, the government recalled old-age monthly allowance from the older persons who received other public welfare payments. The attitude of employers or family members and inaccessibility to technology could be barriers preventing older persons from engaging in employment or obtaining government services. Rights of persons with disabilities: Concerned agencies have promoted the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living. Efforts have been made to provide the same rate of monthly allowance to all persons with disabilities with a disability identity card and to facilitate persons with disabilities’ access to various services. Nevertheless, there were some areas where efforts have not yet brought about effective results, such as the relatively low employment rate of persons with disabilities in public service. There was also a lack of effective measures to prevent and protect women and girls with disabilities from sexual abuse. Women’s rights and gender equality: The government has taken measures to prevent and combat domestic violence, including making preparation for an effective enactment of the Promotion of Family Development and Protection Act B.E. 2562 and preparing a bill on prevention of repeated sexual or violent offenses. The government has also developed guidelines to support women’s exercise of the right relating to termination of pregnancy. However, domestic violence has shown a tendency to rise compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period while women opting for termination of pregnancy in some cases experienced delays in hospital referrals. Likewise, promoting gender equality remains a challenge given persistent reports of employment discrimination as well as sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace in 2021. Persons with legal status and rights problems: The government and concerned agencies have continually pursued efforts to resolve the issue of legal status and nationality problems. In 2021 the cabinet approved the criteria