Thailand's Progressives Fail in Latest Attempt to Legalize Adult Entertainment, Pleasure Product Industries

Thailand's Progressives Fail in Latest Attempt to Legalize Adult Entertainment, Pleasure Product Industries

BANGKOK — The most recent legislative attempt to legalize adult entertainment and sex toys in Thailand failed to clear its first reading in the lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday.

Sponsored by the progressive Move Forward Party, the bill aimed to decriminalize pornographic materials and sex toys, the Bangkok Post reported.

The bill was introduced early last month by Bangkok MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, and sought to amend Section 287 of the Criminal Code, which explicitly bans adult materials.

“Under the proposed amendment, only certain kinds of pornographic materials would be banned, such as clips and/or images depicting sexual violence, rape and paedophilia,” the Bangkok Post reported.

The bill also prohibited anyone under 20 from participating in producing adult content.

Move Forward MPs argued that banning the adult entertainment industry is “akin to restricting people’s freedom to choose their profession.”

Bangkok MP Phantin Nuamjerm noted that adult content “is already widespread” and should therefore be legalized so that it can be better regulated, and to ensure that minors are not exploited.

MP Sorapa Sriprat stated that “maintaining the current law means the country fails to accept reality and is a society built on hypocrisy” and contended that the nation’s ban on sex toys “forces some individuals to seek alternative ways to manage their sexual desires, which can sometimes lead to sexual violence,” the Bangkok Post reported.

Dr. Cherdchai Tantisirin, a Pheu Thai Party MP, opposed the measure but noted that sex toys “may have medical benefits” and proposed introducing a separate bill to address the issue.

As XBIZ reported, Thai police have continued arresting people over possession and distribution of sex toys, although even Thailand’s conservative Democrat Party has stated its intention to legalize them.

The Democrat Party also noted that while sex toys are currently illegal in Thailand, they are being smuggled into the country due to easily observable demand.

Bangkok has several prominent “red light districts” that operate in a gray area due to the Thai police force’s arbitrary enforcement of the country’s repressive sex work and adult entertainment laws.

Main Image: One of Bangkok's main "red light districts."

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Orion Debuts 'Gyro' Stroker From You2Toys Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced the You2Toys Gyro stroker.

Show More