A bill sponsored by Thailand's recently banned Move Forward Party to legalise the adult entertainment industry and its products, including pornographic materials and sex toys, failed to clear its first reading in the House. The bill was proposed by
Bangkok MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn early last month to amend Section 287 of the Criminal Code, which bans all types of adult materials, including pornographic images and sex toys. Speaking in favour of the amendment, Move Forward MPs argued that
banning the adult entertainment industry was akin to restricting people's freedom to choose their profession. Sorapa Sriprat, a party MP for Saraburi, said that maintaining the current law means the country fails to accept reality and is a society
built on hypocrisy. He argued the ban on sex toys forces some individuals to seek alternative ways to manage their sexual desires, which can sometimes lead to sexual violence. Duangrit Benjathikulchairungruang, a list-MP for the United Thai Nation
Party, part of the military controlled coalition government, argued the amendment could cause more harm than good if it fails to provide adequate legal protection for individuals vulnerable to sexual abuse. |