Tougher Stance on Child Porn Laws in Thailand

Harsher punishments will come into effect this December for anyone found in possession of child pornography, the Bangkok Post has reported.

A section of the Thai Criminal Code regarding the possession, distribution and any gain from such activity has been amended.  The amendment in law will be enforced in December.

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 Longer prison terms and hefty fines will be given to anyone possessing or distributing pornographic materials of children and minors under the age of 18.

This comes following Thailand’s signing of the International Convention on Children's Rights. 

Anyone found in possession of visual images, whether static or in motion, depicting acts if a sexual nature involving minors will be considered an offender.

Those found in possession  will face up to five years behind bars and a maximum fine of 100,000 baht ($2,774.) 

Anyone distributing the materials, including forwarding images on the smartphone app 'Line' may get a jail term of seven years and a fine up to 140,000 baht. 

For more on this story, see here and here.

Related report:  Indecency on the internet is a challenge to Thai law. 

Related story: India’s Shock Pornography Crackdown.