A year after corporal punishment ban, Thailand needs to curb resurgence
60% of students were physically punished before the ban, and rates barely dropped.
Thailand amended Section 1567 of its Civil and Commercial Code in March 2025 to ban all types of violent or corporal punishment in homes, schools, and other facilities. The ban elevated previous ministerial regulations to full legal status, theoretically enshrining children's bodily autonomy. However, one year later, enforcement is scarce and cultural norms remain deeply entrenched. An old Thai proverb—'If you love your child, beat them'—continues to influence discipline practices among teachers and parents alike.
Data from before and after the ban shows minimal improvement. A 2020 survey by the Thailand Development Research Institute found 60% of students had experienced physical punishment in schools. A 2025 UNICEF survey — just three months after the ban — found 54% of children still subjected to violent discipline. The Ministry of Education permits only four forms of punishment (verbal warning, formal written warning, grade deduction, and remedial activities), yet weak accountability allows illegal beatings to continue. Experts warn that without strong enforcement mechanisms and public awareness campaigns, the ban will remain largely symbolic.
- Thailand legally banned corporal punishment via Civil Code amendment in March 2025, but enforcement is weak.
- UNICEF found 54% of children still experienced violent discipline just three months after the ban, compared to 60% pre-ban.
- Cultural proverb 'If you love your child, beat them' and lack of accountability perpetuate the practice in schools and homes.
Why It Matters
Without stronger enforcement, Thailand's child protection law remains ineffective, harming millions of children's physical and mental health.