Thailand, March 3rd, 2025 — the Empower Foundation, an NGO advocating for sex workers’ rights, hosted a forum urging the repeal of Thailand’s prostitution law and the adoption of a Sex Work Protection Bill drafted by civil society.
The proposal seeks to regulate, rather than criminalize, voluntary sex work while reinforcing protections against exploitation and trafficking.
According to activist Sirisak Chaithet, the bill does not require sex workers to register but mandates licensing for establishments offering sexual services, similar to bars and massage parlors. This aims to eliminate bribery and unofficial fees while ensuring legal labor protections.
Businesses must comply with labor laws, provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and renew permits every three years. They cannot operate near schools, temples, or hospitals and must have strict safety measures.
The bill also requires employers to provide health benefits and hygiene standards for sex workers. However, human trafficking and unregistered brokering remain criminal offenses.
Addressing moral concerns, proponents argue that decriminalizing consensual adult sex work will not undermine family values but instead uphold human rights and workplace protections, remarked activist Sirisak.
The UN Working Group also recommended decriminalizing sex work to ensure equitable healthcare access and integrating victim support services, the TPN reported here.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
