Thailand Parliament rejects pornography and sex toy legalisation

Parliament today rejected the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) proposal to legalise professions related to pornography and the sex toy industry. The decision was based on concerns about explicit advertising and potential violations of Muslim religious principles.

MFP MP Taopiphop Limjittakorn submitted a draft to revise Section 287 of the Criminal Law to legalise professions related to pornography and the sex toy industries.

Section 287 states that anyone who produces, possesses, imports, exports, or distributes indecent documents, paintings, publications, pictures, advertisements, photos, films, voice records, or other materials must face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

Taopiphop’s draft aimed to allow people to produce, possess, import, export, or distribute indecent documents, paintings, publications, pictures, advertisements, photos, films, voice records, or other materials legally, provided the content is not related to children or people under 20 years old.

During the discussion, MFP MPs supported the revision of the law, arguing that the ban on professions related to pornography and the sex toy industries violates the rights and freedoms of residents, which contradicts the Thai Constitution.

MFP MPs also stated that sex toys have benefits, such as reducing the number of sex crimes, stress, and problems among couples.

Coalition parties

MPs from the coalition government parties expressed their opposition to the revision. Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party MP Duangrit Benjathikoon stated that the revision had more negative effects than positive ones.

Duangrit stated that pornography could lead to domestic issues, sexual assault, and sexual violence, as people might imitate behaviour shown in porn.

Pheu Thai Party MP Cherdchai Tantisirin expressed concerns over explicit advertisements for pornography and sex toys. He did not agree to legalise professions in porn production but acknowledged that sex toys might have benefits. Cherdchai urged the MFP to draft a separate law on sex toys.

Pheu Thai Party MP Teerachai Saenkaew also opposed the legalisation of sex content creators, saying it violates Thai culture and tradition. He urged consideration for the majority of people who disagreed with it.

“Thai people, both men and women, are shy. Only some are shameless.”

Teerachai added that the legalisation of these professions would not make Thailand more modern and that Thailand did not have to be the same as other Western countries.

Prachachart Party MP Worravit Baru expressed his opinion as a representative of Muslim people in Thailand.

“Muslim people can have sex and access sex education. However, prostitution and pornography production violate religious rules.”

During the vote, the draft revision to Section 287 of the Criminal Law was rejected, with 284 MPs and senators voting no and only 145 Parliament members approving it.

MFP MP Aitarnik Chitwiset later shared her thoughts on her X (Twitter) account.

“Failure the first time does not mean hopeless the next time.”

The MP promised to work with people who would be affected by this revision to gain approval in the next proposition.

ORIGINAL STORY: Thai MP aims to ‘stimulate’ economy with sex industry legalisation

A Move Forward Party (MFP) MP today announced plans on social media to legalise professions related to the pornography and sex toy industries in Thailand by revising the Criminal Law of Thailand. The revision draft is expected to be proposed during Parliament today, July 10.

The MFP MP, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, shared his plan to legalise professions related to porn and sex toys on his Twitter account today.

“Today, the bill #UnlockPornSexToy will be proposed in the Parliament session. Please watch to see if it will be passed or not. Let’s see if Thailand stops being bullsh*t in the Parliament.”

Many Thai Twitter users expressed their opinions under the post. Some agreed and cheered Taopiphop on while others opposed his idea, saying it would damage Thailand’s beautiful culture and traditions. Others agreed with Taopiphop but doubted the bill would ever be approved in Thailand.

Taopiphop included the entire draft of the bill in his post, allowing his followers to see more details. According to the document, Taopiphop and his team aim to amend Section 287 of the Criminal Law, which states that producing, possessing, importing, exporting, or distributing indecent documents, paintings, publications, pictures, advertisements, photos, films, voice records, or other materials can result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

This revision would allow Thai sex content creators to work in the industries legally. However, those working in the pornography industry must be at least 20 years old and must not include violent actions in their content.

The document suggests that banning people from working in this industry violates their rights and freedom to choose a profession or type of work, according to Section 40 of the Thai Constitution. The proposed amendment is also expected to benefit the Thai economy.

In addition to the pornography legalisation, another MFP MP, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, will also propose the draft of the Fiscal Discipline Act in the parliamentary session, aiming mainly to make military spending more transparent.