Article 4
“Most important of all is that it has to begin with our
hearts – love and compassion for our fellow human
beings, children and all – to reach our objectives”
Commentary
Dr. Saisuree Chutikul
Dr. Saisuree Chutikul, an expert on children’s
and women’s rights, informs the interviewer
that the case as cited earlier is just one of
many that violates human rights. For
example, in the early 1980s, five girls were
chained to a bed in a brothel in a southern
province and were burned to death in a fire
one night. There is also the case of an
undocumented migrant girl who was
seriously injured and hospitalized for months
when, as a domestic worker, her employer
poured a chemical liquid which was used in
his factory on her body. In addition, children
are continually trafficked from neighbouring
countries and forced to beg on the streets
of Bangkok.
Thailand has initiated many activities on
combating exploitative commercial sex and
trafficking, especially in women and children,
since the 1980s. The original law on antitrafficking in women and girls was issued in
1928. The Sub-Committee on Combating
Exploitative Commercial Sex, which later
changed its name to the Sub-Committee on
Combating Trafficking, and the SubCommittee on Revision of Thai Laws in
Compliance with Constitution and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child,
appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister,
have, over the past 18 years and 11 years
respectively, revised and drafted many laws.
For example, the Prevention and Suppression
of Prostitution Act of 1996 has decriminalized
adult prostitution, prohibited children in
prostitution and increased penalties for
pimps, proprietors and those who lure victims
into prostitution. The Measures in Prevention
and Suppression of Trafficking in Women and
Children Act of 1997 was the revision of the
1928 Act, which included boys as well. The
Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking Act
of 2008 included men and many articles
contained therein are in compliance with the
Palermo Protocol as well as OHCHR Guidelines
for the protection of victims using human
rights bases.
Our Voices are Heard in Thailand
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