With the publication in the Royal Gazette, Thailand becomes the 68th country in the world to ban physical and psychological violence for disciplinary purposes. This comes after years of international and domestic pressure, but cultural resistance among many Thais remains. UNICEF calls on the government to accompany the change with adequate educational measures.
A report by Fortify Rights and the Social Equality Promotion Foundation denounces the extent of the phenomenon (1 in 6 Thai women report having been a victim) but also the prejudices that prevent it from being combated. ‘Laws are not enough, it is also necessary to guarantee access to their tools’.
The Central Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences met in Bangkok to prepare the event scheduled next November in Malaysia. The symbolic image is the result of a competition in which 54 artists from all over Asia took part.
The Thai capital’s new archbishop makes his official entry at the Cathedral of the Assumption. He thanked Cardinals Michael Michai Kitbunchu and Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij who were present at the ceremony, and urged the faithful to “walk together” and bring “the joyful proclamation of the Gospel to all.”
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) approves a new bylaw that should enter into force within a year. The goal is to limit the number of pets per household according to size and type of the house and address the issue of aggressive animal behaviour.
Despite the risk of persecution, Thailand deported 40 Uyghurs held for over a decade. Activists and NGOs say the group risks persecution in China. The Thai government confirmed the news after the fact, while for Beijing it is a case of “illegal migration”.
