A new draft law in Thailand aims to protect children from online harm, including grooming, harassment and exploitation and it is currently open for public feedback.
A new development in Thailand is putting children’s online safety in focus, with a draft amendment to the criminal code targeting offences against minors in digital spaces.
The draft, led by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), is currently open for public consultation until 31 March 2026, inviting individuals to share feedback on measures designed to address online risks facing children. You can submit your comments here.
What is the new child online protection draft law in Thailand?
This proposed amendment to Thailand’s criminal code focuses on offences committed against children under 18 through online platforms. It introduces clearer definitions of wrongdoing and expands the scope of what can be considered a criminal offence in digital interactions.
A key shift in the draft law is that it does not require physical contact or in-person meetings for an offence to occur. Instead, it focuses on intent and behaviour in online communication.
What the draft law covers: key points explained
Here are the main provisions included in the draft:
1. Criminalising online grooming from the first interaction
The draft defines an offence as attempting to “lure, persuade or build trust” with a child under 18 for sexual exploitation.
Penalty: Up to 3 years’ imprisonment, even if no physical meeting takes place. If exploitation occurs: Up to 5 years’ imprisonment
This provision allows authorities to act at the early stages of contact, including initial chats.
2. Closing gaps in cyber harassment laws
Sending sexual messages, images or audio to a minor for exploitative purposes is defined as a criminal offence, regardless of whether a meeting is arranged.
For children under 13, penalties increase to 1–7 years’ imprisonment.
3. Addressing sextortion (online blackmail involving intimate content)
The draft criminalises threats to release sexual content of a minor in order to coerce them.
Penalty: Up to 5 years’ imprisonment. If coercion leads to compliance: Up to 7 years. If the victim is under 13: Up to 15 years
The law also includes threats involving sharing content with parents, teachers or others.
4. Expanding protection beyond sexual offences
The draft also addresses broader online harms affecting children’s wellbeing:
Stalking: Repeated online contact that disrupts a child’s daily life.
Cyberbullying: Ongoing harassment or public humiliation in accessible digital spaces.
5. Cross-border enforcement and increased penalties for abuse of authority
The draft includes provisions that allow offences committed outside Thailand to be prosecuted domestically.
It also proposes stricter penalties when the offender is in a position of trust, such as a teacher or employer.
Why this matters for families in Thailand
This draft law reflects a broader effort to strengthen child protection in digital environments, where risks can occur without physical proximity.
For families, it signals a shift towards earlier intervention, addressing harmful behaviour at the point of initial online contact, rather than after escalation.
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How to take part in the public consultation
The draft law is open for public feedback until 31 March 2026. Individuals can review the proposal and share their views through the official consultation platform:
👉 https://law.go.th/listeningDetail?survey_id=NjYwMkRHQV9MQVdfRlJPTlRFTkQ
Good to know
What: Public consultation on Thailand’s draft child online protection law
Who: Open to the public, you don’t have to be a parent to submit your comments
Where: Online via the government consultation platform
When: Now until 31 March 2026
How much: Free to participate
