Thai NGO Pushes Bill to Legalize Sex Work
Thai NGO Pushes Bill to Legalize Sex Work
BANGKOK, May 28, 2026 — A Thai advocacy group has submitted a draft bill to parliament seeking to decriminalize sex work and extend labour protections to workers in the industry, in what could become one of Thailand’s most significant legal reforms involving the sector in decades.
The proposed legislation, submitted by the Empower Foundation on Thursday morning, aims to replace Thailand’s 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which currently criminalizes voluntary sex work.
Representatives from the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, along with lawmakers from the People’s Party and Pheu Thai Party, attended the submission ceremony at parliament, where the bill was formally received by an adviser to House Speaker Sophon Zarum.
The proposed “Sex Service Provider Protection Act” would classify sex work as legitimate labour, allowing sex workers to receive protections and rights similar to those granted to workers in other professions.
Supporters of the bill argue that existing laws leave sex workers vulnerable to exploitation, discrimination and abuse because many activities remain underground or operate in legal grey areas.
“This bill is not an endorsement of sex work,” an Empower Foundation representative said. “It is about respecting the decisions of those who engage in this work and ensuring they receive fundamental rights.”
Advocates say the legislation would also establish clearer legal standards for workplace safety, public health and business operations, potentially improving protections for workers, customers and operators alike.
The proposal is expected to trigger wider public and political debate in Thailand over labour rights, morality, public safety and the regulation of the country’s long-established sex industry.
If approved, the bill could significantly reshape the legal and social landscape surrounding sex work in Thailand by reducing criminal penalties and formalizing protections for workers in the sector.
