BANGKOK, THAILAND – Sexual harassment has been sanctioned much more strictly in the kingdom since 30 December 2025, with the law now explicitly covering online and everyday behaviour even without physical contact.
Broader legal definition of harassment
A reform of the penal code, published in the Royal Gazette, entered into force on 30 December 2025 and introduced an expanded definition of sexual harassment. Physical assault was no longer required; instead, the decisive factor was whether sexually charged conduct caused distress, anger, humiliation, fear or a sense of insecurity in the affected person. The law expressly covered verbal abuse, gestures, stalking and actions carried out through computer systems such as chat messages or online comments.
Five main forms of punishable conduct
The amendment highlighted five typical behaviours that could lead to criminal consequences. These included verbal harassment through sexual remarks, comments about the body or unnecessary intimate questions, as well as gesture-based harassment such as leering looks, whistling or kissing noises. Online or cyber harassment through obscene messages, pornographic images or harassing comments under public posts, physical harassment by unwanted touching or hugging, and exploitation of power to demand sexual favours by superiors were also listed.
Stepped penalties and higher maximum sentences
A central element of the reform was a tiered system of penalties depending on the severity of the act. General sexual harassment that did not yet qualify as indecency but caused distress or anger could be punished with up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both. In cases of repeat offences or when the harassment significantly impaired the victim’s normal life, penalties could rise to 2 years in prison or fines of up to 40,000 baht, or both.
Stricter rules for public and online offences
If the offence occurred in public or via computer systems, such as public shaming or obscene chats, the law allowed for up to 3 years in prison or fines of up to 60,000 baht, or both. The same penalty range applied when the perpetrator held a position of authority, for example as employer, supervisor, teacher or caregiver. For acts against a child up to 15 years of age, the possible maximum increased to 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Guidance for victims and enforcement approach
Authorities viewed the new rules as an instrument to strengthen human dignity regardless of gender and encouraged those affected to act. Victims were advised to state clearly and immediately that there was no consent and that the behaviour was unwanted, and to secure evidence such as screenshots of chats, audio recordings or video clips. They were further urged to file a report with the police and present the collected evidence.
Everyday “jokes” can carry legal risks
The law was intended to underline that seemingly harmless remarks or “jokes in a chat” could have criminal consequences. Those who spoke or typed were now expected to think more carefully, according to comments from circles around the reform.
“The law is meant to make clear that even seemingly harmless remarks or a ‘joke in the chat’ can have criminal consequences, and that anyone who says or types something must now think more carefully.”
said unidentified officials, reform supporters.