The Customs Department, back in 2015, showcased a plethora of seized contraband goods like sex toys at a press briefing in Bangkok. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Fast forward to the present day, the Move Forward Party (MFP) is taking a groundbreaking step by pushing a proposal to amend the Criminal Code with the ambition to legalize the adult entertainment industry and its related products. This includes a variety of pornographic materials and sex toys. The intention? To dismantle the taboo surrounding this topic and bring better regulation to the industry.
Leading this bold move is Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, an MFP Member of Parliament for Bangkok, who submitted the proposal to the parliament just last week. The buzz is that this bill will be up for discussion in the Lower House in just “about a week or two”.
Currently, under Section 287 of the Criminal Code, all types of adult materials, such as pornographic images and sex toys, are banned. However, if this amendment gets the green light, the restrictions will be fine-tuned. Only explicit content depicting sexual violence, rape, and paedophilia will face prohibition, Taopiphop emphasizes.
Additionally, the proposed amendment sets a clear age boundary—individuals under the age of 20 will be restricted from participating in the production of adult content. Furthermore, the amendment seeks to loosen up the stringent rules surrounding the sales of sex toys. Taopiphop asserts that products certified by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should be accessible for legal purchase by the public.
Despite the potential backlash, Taopiphop stands firm, declaring his dedication to public interest. “I want people to stop pretending [that adult content is taboo]. Let’s talk [openly] through parliamentary mechanisms,” he stated, adding, “I wonder where the moral standard lies in Thai society.”
Interestingly, Taopiphop makes it clear that he won’t reap personal benefits from this bill. His primary motive is to propel society forward through open discussion and legal regulation. “I brought up the matter not because I want Thai youths to have easy access to pornographic materials,” he clarified. “The real intention here is to bring [the adult content industry] to the surface so it could be discussed openly and legally regulated.”
The potential economic benefits can’t be overlooked; legalizing the industry could enhance the economy via taxation and ensure the safety of those working within it. Many sex workers, for instance, face exploitation from customers who exploit their inability to seek police assistance if they’re abused.
Rachada Dhnadirek, an executive from the opposition Democrat Party, hinted at the party’s support for MFP’s proposal to legalize sex toys. She backed her statement with research from Technavio, a leading British market research firm, highlighting the potential economic gains. The global sex toy industry has seen a growth rate of about 7% per year since 2019, translating to an increase of around 300 billion baht annually. Legalizing sex toys, and subsequently imposing taxes on vendors, could considerably boost state revenues.
Earlier, from August 25th to October 31st last year, a public hearing on MFP’s proposal to amend Section 287 was conducted, though it saw participation from only 1,072 people with just 22 expressing their opinions. Besides public sentiment, several state agencies, including the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Education, the Royal Thai Police (RTP), and the Office of National Human Rights Commission were consulted.
The RTP raised concerns about the potential spike in sex-related crimes due to increased access to pornographic materials, suspecting more harm than good could come if the bill becomes law. The MoPH suggested a mechanism to prevent under-20s from getting involved in the adult industry. Meanwhile, the MoJ pointed out the need for the bill to clearly distinguish between legal and illegal production to mitigate the risk of abuse by corrupt officials.
As society stands on the precipice of this significant change, the ongoing debate surrounding this bill encapsulates the tension between tradition and progress, making it a captivating chapter in Thailand’s evolving legal landscape.
I’m thrilled to see someone finally addressing this issue head-on. It’s about time we normalized adult entertainment and stopped treating it like a dark secret.
I agree! Legalizing it will not only generate tax revenue but also help regulate the industry, making it safer for everyone involved.
Totally, it’s a huge win for public health and safety. Regulation ensures proper checks and balances.
I don’t know, it feels like we are just opening the door to more problems. How do we ensure that young people are protected?
Good point, Karen. But the bill is proposing age boundaries and strict regulations to prevent youth involvement. It’s better than the unsafe and unregulated environment we have now.
I can’t believe we’re even debating this! Legalizing such stuff is morally degrading. We should be putting emphasis on family values, not this.
Family values are important, but shouldn’t we also consider personal freedoms and the economic benefits of a well-regulated industry?
Economic benefits at what cost? Some things should remain banned to maintain societal standards.
I don’t see how this will affect family values. Sexuality is a natural part of human life, and it’s high time we acknowledge that.
Legalizing adult entertainment will likely reduce sex-related crimes by bringing the underground industry into the light.
Or it could do the opposite and make sex-related crimes more frequent. You can’t be sure about the outcomes.
We won’t know unless we try. Other countries have seen positive impacts from similar measures.
Taopiphop is showing great courage by presenting this controversial topic. We need leaders like him to challenge outdated norms.
Regulating sex toys is a no-brainer. Better regulation means safer products for consumers. It’s simple public health logic.
I’m nervous about this bill. What if it leads to an increase in addiction to porn among young people?
Education and proper regulation can mitigate those risks. Banning hasn’t stopped anything; it just makes it go underground.
I hope you’re right. We need strong educational programs to go along with this.
The potential economic benefits are too substantial to ignore. This could be a huge source of revenue for our country.
It’s just a matter of aligning our laws with modern realities. We already know people are buying and using these products.
I’m worried about the enforcement of age boundaries. How can we ensure that people under 20 won’t produce or access this content?
That’s what regulations are for, Debra. With proper monitoring and controls, it’s entirely feasible.
I’m indifferent as long as they put the right measures in place to prevent exploitation and abuse in the industry.
Legalize it! Adults should have the freedom to choose without government interference. It’s a personal liberty issue.
I think it’s better to legalize and regulate the industry rather than let it continue in the shadows where there’s no oversight.
This will destroy our cultural values! Children should not be exposed to such filth.
But children won’t be exposed if proper regulations are in place. It’s about control, not chaos.
What’s next? Legalizing hard drugs? This is a slippery slope leading our society to moral decay.
That’s a bit of a stretch, Jake. We are talking about legalizing and regulating something that is already in wide use.
Consider the workers who are currently in unsafe conditions. Legalization can bring them protection and rights.
The conversation itself is progress. Whether the bill passes or not, at least we are discussing it openly.
Discussions like this are leading us down the path of moral ruin. What’s next will be even more problematic.