Thailand Sexual Harassment Law 2025: New Criminal Code Amendment No. 30 Explained

1. Why did Thailand change the law?

The official reasoning attached to the amendment explains that:

• • Sexual offences in Thailand now occur in many different forms.

• • Victims include people of every age and gender, including LGBTQ+ persons.

• • Existing provisions did not fully match modern patterns of sexual wrongdoing, especially non-physical harassment and online abuse.

• • Before this change, most day-to-day sexual harassment could only be charged as the minor offence of “causing annoyance”, which did not reflect the seriousness of the conduct.

Because of this, Parliament chose to:

        1.Update the definition of “rape / sexual intercourse” so it covers a wider range of penetration-based sexual assaults, in a gender-neutral and LGBT-inclusive way. Read more

         2.Create a new legal definition and criminal offence of “sexual harassment” that directly targets harassment, not just general “annoyance”.

 

2. New, broader definition of “rape” in Thailand Sexual Harassment Law 2025

2.1 What does “rape” now mean?

Section 1 (18) of the Criminal Code now defines “rape” as an act committed to satisfy the perpetrator’s sexual desire by:

• • Using the perpetrator’s sexual organ to penetrate:
    
    • • another person’s sexual organ,
    • • anus, or
    • • mouth, or

• • Using another organ of the perpetrator (for example, a finger or tongue) or a foreign object (such as a sex toy) to penetrate another person’s sexual organ or anus, or

• • Ordering the other person to perform the same type of penetration on the perpetrator.

The law now clarifies that:

• • “Sexual organ” includes a surgically-constructed sexual organ (post-operative sex reassignment).

• • The offence is gender-neutral. Any gender can be the perpetrator or the victim, including LGBTQ+ persons.

In practice, this means that acts such as forced oral sex or penetration with objects, which were once sometimes treated as less serious “indecent acts”, are now clearly treated as rape-level offences with heavier penalties.

2.2 Why this matters

For individuals in Thailand, the updated definition:

• • Provides clearer protection for all forms of penetration-based sexual assault.

• • Avoids technical loopholes where serious conduct was not clearly classified as rape.

• • Confirms protection for trans and non-binary persons whose sexual organs are surgically constructed.

 

3. New legal definition of “sexual harassment” in Thailand Sexual Harassment Law 2025

The amendment adds a brand-new definition in Section 1 (19):

“Sexual harassment” means any act, by body, words, sounds, gestures, communication, watching, stalking, or any other act, including by computer systems, telecommunication devices, or other electronic devices, towards another person, of a sexual nature, in a way that is likely to cause the other person:

• • annoyance or disturbance,

• • shame or humiliation,

• • being insulted or degraded,

• • fear, or

• • a sense of being unsafe in terms of sexual safety.

Key points:

• • No physical contact is required. Harassment can be verbal, visual, or online.

• • The focus is whether the behaviour is sexual in nature and likely to make the target feel harmed, embarrassed, or unsafe.

• • Both offline and online acts are clearly covered (including social media, chat apps, and other electronic systems). Read more

 

4. Sexual harassment is now a stand-alone crime (Section 284/1)

Section 284/1 of the Criminal Code is completely new. It creates several levels of criminal liability for sexual harassment, with different penalties depending on the seriousness of the conduct.

4.1 Overview of penalties

Type of sexual harassment	Typical examples (simplified)	Maximum imprisonment	Maximum fine
General sexual harassment (284/1 para 1)	Sexual comments, leering, sending explicit messages – not reaching “indecent act” level	1 year	20,000 THB
Repeated / continuous harassment affecting normal life (284/1 para 2)	Multiple incidents, constant messages or following that disrupt daily life	2 years	40,000 THB
Public or online harassment (284/1 para 3)	Doing 1 or 2 in public, “before others”, or via a public computer system (e.g. public posts on social media)	3 years	60,000 THB
Harassment of a child under 15 (284/1 para 4)	Any sexual harassment of a person aged under 15, whether or not the child “consents”	5 years	100,000 THB

All of these can be punished by imprisonment, fine, or both.

4.2 General sexual harassment – everyday cases

If someone sexually harasses another person and the act does not yet amount to a separate offence of “indecent act” (อนาจาร), Section 284/1 paragraph 1 applies.

Typical scenarios might include:

• • Repeatedly making sexual remarks about someone’s body.

• • Sending unsolicited sexual jokes or comments in a private message.

• • Staring at a person’s private parts in a way that is clearly sexual and makes them uncomfortable. nationthailand

Penalty: up to 1 year’s imprisonment, a fine up to 20,000 THB, or both.

4.3 Repeated or continuous harassment

If harassment is continuous or repeated more than once and makes it difficult for the victim to live a normal life, paragraph 2 increases the penalty: up to 2 years’ imprisonment or 40,000 THB fine, or both.

Examples could include:

• • Constant sexual messages from an ex-partner, despite clear refusal.

• • Daily stalking combined with sexual comments.

Here, the law recognises long-term harassment as more serious than a one-off incident.

4.4 Public or online shaming

Paragraph 3 covers harassment committed:

• • in a public place,

• • in front of other people (“before the public”), or

• • in a publicly accessible computer system (for example, a public Facebook post, TikTok video, or comment on a widely visible account).

The penalty increases to up to 3 years’ imprisonment or 60,000 THB fine, or both.

Practical examples:

• • Posting sexually explicit comments under someone’s photo on a public page.

• • Playing a “joke” in a crowded office or train that humiliates someone sexually.

4.5 Harassment against children under 15

Where sexual harassment under Section 284/1 is committed against a child under 15, paragraph 4 applies even if the child appears to agree.

• • Penalty: up to 5 years’ imprisonment or 100,000 THB fine, or both.

• • This offence cannot be settled by “compromise” (not compoundable).

The law treats all sexual harassment of children as serious, whether online or offline.

4.6 Which sexual harassment offences are “compoundable”?

Under Section 284/1, only the first three categories (general, repeated, and public/online harassment involving adults) are expressly described as compoundable offences. This means:

• • The victim’s complaint (or withdrawal of complaint) can affect whether the case goes forward, provided it is done within the time limits under the Criminal Code.

However:

• • Harassment against children under 15 (para 4), and

• • Harassment involving abuse of authority (Section 284/2 – see below) are not compoundable. Read more

 

5. Abuse of authority: sexual harassment by a boss, teacher, or similar (Section 284/2)

Section 284/2 targets cases where the offender uses a position of power over the victim, for example as:

• • an employer,

• • a supervisor, or

• • another person who has authority or control over the victim.

If sexual harassment under Section 284/1 is committed by abusing such authority, the penalty is:

• • up to 3 years’ imprisonment,

• • or a fine up to 60,000 THB,

• • or both.

This offence is not compoundable – the state may prosecute even if the victim later changes their mind about complaining. Read more

For workplaces and organisations, this is an important signal: harassment by people in managerial or supervisory positions is now clearly treated as a serious criminal matter, not just an HR issue.

 

6. New court powers: “no-contact” orders and content removal (Sections 284/3–284/4)

6.1 Protection orders – keeping the offender away (Section 284/3)

In any sexual-harassment case, whether or not the court ultimately convicts, the court can now:

• • Issue an order prohibiting the defendant from certain actions (such as contacting or approaching the victim)

• • For up to 2 years, under conditions set by the court. 

If the defendant breaches this order, they commit a separate offence:

• • punishment up to 6 months’ imprisonment,

• • or a fine up to 10,000 THB,

• • or both. 

You can think of this as a legal version of “blocking” someone in real life – but with criminal consequences if they ignore the court’s order.

6.2 Removing sexual content from the internet (Section 284/4)

Where sexual harassment is committed through a public computer system and involves obscene content, the court can:

• • Order the person who uploaded the information to stop making it available and remove it.

• • If necessary, order service providers or state officials to block or remove the content.

Failure to comply with the court’s removal order is another offence, with penalties of up to 6 months’ imprisonment or 10,000 THB fine, or both.

For victims, this means the law now provides a direct path to ask the court to take down harmful sexual content, alongside other remedies under the Computer Crimes Act.

 

7. Bullying and “annoyance” are separated from sexual harassment (Section 397)

Before this amendment, many sexual-harassment situations were charged under Section 397, covering acts that “bully, intimidate, harass, or cause annoyance”. Now, Section 397 has been adjusted to make clear that it applies to non-sexual behaviour.

Under the new text:

• • General bullying or harassment without a sexual element is punishable by a fine up to 10,000 THB.

• • If it takes place in a public place or “before others”, the penalty can increase to up to 1 month’s imprisonment or the same fine, or both.

This separation helps courts and police clearly distinguish between:

• • Sexual harassment (Section 284/1 and 284/2 – with stronger penalties), and

• • Other bullying or intimidation (Section 397).

 

8. What kinds of behaviour can be sexual harassment?

Based on the statutory definition and official explanations, behaviour that can amount to criminal sexual harassment includes, for example:

8.1 Verbal conduct

• • Sexual comments about someone’s body or clothing.

• • Asking intrusive questions about someone’s sex life.

• • Sexual jokes or explicit suggestions directed at a specific person who does not welcome them.

8.2 Gestures and visual harassment

• • Leering or staring at someone’s private parts in a clearly sexual way.

• • Whistling, kiss gestures, or other body language of a sexual nature that targets a specific person.

8.3 Physical harassment (short of an indecent act)

• • Unwanted touching or hugging with a sexual undertone, where it does not yet rise to the level of “indecent act” or rape.

8.4 Stalking and surveillance

• • Following someone repeatedly with an obvious sexual interest.

• • Watching or “monitoring” someone’s movements in a way that makes them feel sexually unsafe.

8.5 Online and digital harassment

• • Sending obscene images, videos, or messages through chat apps without consent.

• • Posting sexual comments or doctored images on social media.

• • Sharing sexualised content of someone in public groups or forums.

The key questions are:

1. 1. Is the behaviour sexual in nature?

1. 1. Is it likely to cause annoyance, shame, humiliation, fear, or a sense of sexual insecurity to the target?

If both are yes, it may fall within the legal definition of sexual harassment.

 

9. Key takeaways for foreigners living or doing business in Thailand

For expatriates, foreign employers, and international organisations in Thailand, the new sexual-harassment provisions are particularly important:

• • Sexual harassment is now clearly a criminal offence, not just an HR or civil issue.

• • Workplaces, schools, and organisations should review internal policies, codes of conduct, and training to ensure they align with the new Criminal Code provisions.

• • Harassment online, in messaging apps, or via comments on social media can quickly become a criminal case, particularly when posts are public or when minors are involved.

• • Persons in positions of power (employers, managers, teachers, coaches) face higher risk and heavier penalties if they abuse that position for sexual purposes.

• • The law is gender-neutral and explicitly inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. Any person can be a victim or offender.

Again, how the law applies in a specific situation depends on detailed facts. Anyone facing a real case should obtain personalised legal advice.

 

FAQ: Thailand Sexual Harassment Law 2025

1. When did the new sexual harassment law come into force?

The Act Amending the Criminal Code (No. 30) B.E. 2568 (2025) is effective from 30 December 2025 onwards, as stated in the Royal Gazette publication and official news reports. Read more

2. Does sexual harassment require physical contact?

No. Under the new definition, sexual harassment can be committed by words, sounds, gestures, watching, stalking, or communication via electronic systems, as long as the behaviour is sexual in nature and likely to cause annoyance, shame, humiliation, fear, or a sense of sexual insecurity. Read more

3. Can men or LGBTQ+ persons be victims under this law?

Yes. The new definitions for both rape and sexual harassment are gender-neutral and expressly include persons with surgically constructed sexual organs. Any person, male, female, or LGBTQ+ , can be a victim or an offender.

4. What is the difference between sexual harassment and an “indecent act”?

• • Indecent acts (อนาจาร) generally involve more serious sexual contact or exposure and remain separate offences under the Criminal Code.

• • Sexual harassment covers sexual behaviour that may not reach the level of an indecent act but still harms the victim’s dignity or sense of safety – for example, sexual comments, persistent messages, or certain types of unwanted touching.

If the conduct qualifies as an indecent act or rape, the more serious offence – with heavier penalties – will apply.

5. What are the penalties if a boss sexually harasses an employee?

If an employer, supervisor, or other person with authority sexually harasses someone by abusing that authority, Section 284/2 applies:

• • Up to 3 years’ imprisonment or

• • Up to 60,000 THB fine, or both.

This offence is not compoundable. Read more

6. What if the victim “agreed” at the time?

For children under 15, sexual harassment under Section 284/1 is an offence even if the child appeared to consent. The maximum penalty is 5 years’ imprisonment or 100,000 THB fine, and the offence cannot be settled by compromise.

For adults, a court will consider whether the behaviour was genuinely consensual. If there is no real consent and the conduct meets the legal definition, it may amount to sexual harassment or a more serious sexual offence.

7. Can the court help remove sexual images or posts from the internet?

Yes. Under Section 284/4, where sexual harassment is committed through a public computer system using obscene content, the court can order:

• • the uploader to stop dissemination and remove the data, and

• • if needed, service providers or authorities to block or remove the content.

Ignoring a court removal order is itself a criminal offence.

8. What should someone do if they experience sexual harassment in Thailand?

The appropriate steps depend on the situation. Generally, a person may wish to:

• • Preserve evidence (messages, screenshots, photos, witness details).

• • Seek support from trusted people or professional services.

• • Consider making a police complaint or consulting a Thai lawyer or support organisation to understand legal options.

Because each case is fact-specific, it is important to obtain case-specific legal advice rather than relying only on general articles.

 

Need Help Filing a Sexual Harassment Complaint in Thailand?

If you have experienced conduct that may fall under Thailand sexual harassment law 2025, it can be stressful to decide how to report it, what evidence to prepare, and how to speak with the police.

You may wish to:

• • Prepare your story clearly – list dates, places, people involved, and what happened.

• • Organise your evidence – screenshots, messages, photos, audio or video files, and names of witnesses.

• • Consider making a police report – you can bring your information and evidence to a local police station for record and further action.

       If you would like support in understanding the complaint process, communicating in English, or coordinating with Thai authorities, the team at Lex Bangkok can assist with:

• • • Explaining the general legal framework and reporting options in Thailand;

• • • Helping you prepare and organise documents and information for a police complaint;

• • • Coordinating with qualified Thai lawyers where specialist criminal-law advice is required.