Country profile THA
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1998 | C138 & C182 | Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) - Sections 49 and 50; Ministerial Regulation on Labour Protection in Sea Fishery Work B.E. 2565 (2022) - Section 4 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/49727/THA81031%20Eng%202014.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Ministerial Regulation on Labour Protection in Sea Fishery Work B.E. 2565 (2022)","source_link":"https://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/A/016/T_0006.PDF"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Thailand has adopted a legal framework that defines and prohibits hazardous work for persons under 18, pursuant to Sections 49 and 50 of the Labour Protection Act. This framework is operationalised through specific Ministerial Regulations, which identify hazardous tasks in sectors including fisheries, industrial work, and environments involving chemicals, heat, noise, or physical strain. These regulations also cover work in confined spaces, night work, and jobs with high risk of injury or moral harm. In addition, according to Section 4 of the Ministerial Regulation on Labour Protection in Sea Fishery Work B.E. 2565 (2022), it is prohibited to hire employees under the age of 18 to work on fishing boats. However, the list of hazardous activities is fragmented across several regulatory instruments and and has not yet been consolidated into a single, unified framework. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1998 ; 2003 ; 2008 ; 2008 ; 1998 | C138 & C182 | Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) - Sections 22, 47, 49, 50, 144, and 148/2; Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) - Sections 26 and 78; Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008) - Section 56/1; Ministerial Regulation (No. 6) B.E. 2551 (2008), issued under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) - Section 49. (3); | [{"link_name":"-Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/49727/THA81031%20Eng%202014.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003)","source_link":"https://ops.moe.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/809775_0001.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008)","source_link":"https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Thailand197.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Ministerial Regulation (No. 6) B.E. 2551 (2008), issued under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998)","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/tha220781.pdf"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Thailand prohibits hazardous work for individuals under the age of 18. This includes work in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, fisheries, and domestic work. The Labour Protection Act and accompanying Ministerial Regulations specify hazardous tasks and environments that are off-limits to minors. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2003 ; 1979 ; 1956 | C182 | Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) - Section 26(5) ; Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) - Sections 93 and 93/2 ; Penal Code - Section 84 | [{"link_name":"-Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003)","source_link":"https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Thailand151.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979)","source_link":"https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/archive/Narcotics%20Act%20B.E.%202552%20(1979)%20-%20Thailand.doc"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Thailand prohibits the use of children in illicit activities, including drug production and trafficking. Section 26(5) of the Child Protection Act criminalises involving a child in any unlawful activity. The Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) (Sections 93 and 93/2) specifically addresses the exploitation of minors in drug-related offences. Section 84 of the Penal Code further prohibits inducing others, including children, to commit offences. These combined provisions ensure legal protection against the involvement of children in the production and trafficking of drugs, in alignment with Convention No. 182. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 1996 ; 2008 ; 2003 ; 1956 | C182 | Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) - Sections 8 and 9; Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments - Sections 4, 6, 6/1, 52, and 53; Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) - Section 26; Penal Code - Sections 282, 283, 285, 286, 388 | [{"link_name":"-Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996)","source_link":"http://www.asianlii.org/th/legis/consol_act/pasopa1996528/"},{"link_name":"-Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments","source_link":"https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Thailand197.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003)","source_link":"https://ops.moe.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/809775_0001.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Thailand prohibits the use, procuring, or offering of children under 18 for prostitution and for the production of pornography. The legal framework criminalises all forms of sexual exploitation of children, including trafficking for these purposes. However, while the production and distribution of child pornography are clearly prohibited, the legislation does not explicitly mention non-recorded performances such as live acts, which may represent a legal gap in full alignment with Convention No. 182. Neverthless, it is worth noting that Section 388 of the Penal Code could apply, depending on the nature of the act, whether it takes place in public, and whether it involves indecent exposure. In this regard, if a live performance includes undressing or showing nudity in public, Section 388 could be used to address the act. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1954 | C182 | Military Service Act B.E. 2497 (1954) - Section 16 | [{"link_name":"Military Service Act B.E. 2497 (1954)","source_link":"https://www.tdc.mi.th/pdf/order/001/%E0%B8%9E.%E0%B8%A3.%E0%B8%9A.%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%20%E0%B8%9E.%E0%B8%A8.%202497.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Thailand prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 into the armed forces. Under Section 16 of the Military Service Act B.E. 2497 (1954), conscription applies only from the age of 21. While voluntary enlistment is allowed from age 18, no child under 18 can be forcibly recruited, thereby aligning Thailand's national legislation with Convention No. 182. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2008 ; 2003 ; 1956 ; 1996 | C182 | Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments - Sections 4, 6, 8, 52, 53, 56/1 ; Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) - Section 26 (4), Section 26 (9) and 78 ; Penal Code - Sections 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287 295, 309, 310 and 312 ; Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) - Section 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 | [{"link_name":"-Anti \u2013 Human Trafficking in Person Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments","source_link":"https://www.mol.go.th/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/ANTI-HUMAN-TRAFFICKING-ACT.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/thailand-penal-code.html"},{"link_name":"-Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/46403/THA46403.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003)","source_link":"https://ops.moe.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/809775_0001.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Thailand prohibits the sale and trafficking of children for the purpose of sexual and labour exploitation. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendments define and criminalise the trafficking of children for all exploitative purposes, including forced labour and sexual exploitation. Section 26 of the Child Protection Act and Sections 282 to 285 of the Penal Code provide further prohibitions, including penalties for those involved in trafficking activities. These laws apply regardless of the victim's consent and cover both domestic and transnational trafficking. In addition, prostitution is further criminalized in the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2022 ; 2022 | C138 | Ministerial Regulation on Protection of Fishery Work (amended 2022) ; Notification of the Vocational Education Commission on Criteria for Internships under Vocational Education Curricula and for Professional Training in Establishments B.E. 2565 (2022) | [{"link_name":"-Ministerial Regulation on Protection of Fishery Work (amended 2022)","source_link":"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2023/Thailand.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Notification of the Vocational Education Commission on Criteria for Internships under Vocational Education Curricula and for Professional Training in Establishments B.E. 2565 (2022)","source_link":"https://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2565/E/216/T_0036.PDF"}] | No | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Thailand permits the engagement of children under 18 as apprentices in the fishery sector under certain regulated conditions. However, there is no law that defines the minimum age for entry into apprenticeship programmes across sectors. Apprenticeship opportunities for children as part of formal education or training programmes are not codified in legislation with a minimum entry age. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the Notification of the Vocational Education Commission on Criteria for Internships under Vocational Education Curricula and Professional Training in Establishments B.E. 2565 (2022) prescribes regulations governing apprenticeships arrangement in establishment which include specific provision for apprentices under the age of 18. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1998 ; 1999 | C138 | Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) - Section 44; National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999) - Section 17 | [{"link_name":"-Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998)","source_link":"https://ops.moe.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NATIONAL_EDUCATION_ACTB.E._2542.pdf"},{"link_name":"-National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999)","source_link":"https://www.onesqa.or.th/upload/download/file_697c80087cce7f0f83ce0e2a98205aa3.pdf"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | According to Section 17 of the National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999) and its amendments, it is stipulated that “there shall be a compulsory education of 9 years for a child about to be aged 7 to study in a basic establishment of education until about to be aged 16 except passing an examination of ninth year of the compulsory education.” The term “a child about to be aged 7” means from 6 years old but not yet 7, and “[a child] until about to be aged 16 ” means from 15 years old but not yet 16. In Thailand, the academic year begins in May and ends in March of the following year. Therefore, the age range of children attending and completing compulsory education is generally between 6 and 15 years old, thus aligning with the minimum age for admission to work set in Section 44 of the - Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) and its amendments. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | No legal provision defining or regulating light work | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Thailand has not adopted any legal provision that defines or regulates the types of activities that may be considered “light work” or the conditions under which such work may be performed by children below the general minimum age of 15. As the legal framework does not permit light work, there is no determination of permissible types, hours, or conditions in accordance with Article 7(1) of Convention No. 138. |
| Minimum age for light work | N/A | C138 | No specific provision in national legislation | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | N/A | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Thailand's Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) sets the minimum age for employment at 15 years but does not include provisions that allow children aged 13–14 to engage in light work. There is no legal framework that defines or regulates light work in accordance with Article 7(1) of Convention No. 138. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1998 | C138 | Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) - Sections 5, 44, and 148/1 | [{"link_name":"Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/49727/THA81031%20Eng%202014.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | The Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15. However, the legislation does not extend protections to children working outside formal wage employment, such as those receiving non-monetary compensation. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 11-MAY-2004 | Source |
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 16-FEB-2001 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeks to improve labor standards in farming, animal husbandry, forestry, salt farming, and non-sea fisheries that involve seasonal or non-industrial work. The Thai government entered memorandum of understanding with two large agro-industrial conglomerates, Mitr Phol Group and CPF Thailand, to expand their implementation of good labor practices to eliminate child labor, forced labor, and labor trafficking across their supply chains. | [{"link_name":"Good Labor Practices National Strategic Plan","source_link":"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2023/Thailand.pdf"}] | Ongoing | Good Labor Practices National Strategic Plan | Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Ministry of Labour |
| Seeks to eliminate online sexual exploitation of children in Thailand by partnering with the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Supports TICAC by permitting the Royal Thai Police to request warrants to search residences and electronic equipment for child pornography and initiate criminal prosecutions. In 2024, conducted investigations in partnership with NCMEC, resulting in the provision of assistance to 212 child victims of online exploitation. | [{"link_name":"Cyber Tipline Remote Access Policy","source_link":"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2023/Thailand.pdf"}] | Ongoing | Cyber Tipline Remote Access Policy | Royal Thai Police and TICAC (Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force) |
| A long-term strategic developed pursuant to the Constitution. It shall be pursued to ensure that the country achieves its vision of becoming “a developed country with security, prosperity and sustainability in accordance with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy” with the ultimate goal being all Thai people’s happiness and well-being. The plan aims to enhance access to education for vulnerable and poor children, especially in rural and remote areas. It includes measures to improve school transportation, reform school subsidies for low-income families, and provide scholarships to retain children in education. | [{"link_name":"National Strategic Plan","source_link":"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2023/Thailand.pdf"}] | 2018–2037 | National Strategic Plan (2018–2037) | The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council |
| Thailand's fourth action plan seeks to eliminate the worst forms of child labour through five coordinated sub-action plans: (1) prevention and public awareness; (2) strong legal frameworks and effective enforcement; (3) assistance and rehabilitation for child victims; (4) institutional cooperation; and (5) monitoring and evaluation. The plan aims to address child labour in all sectors especially high-risk sectors such as fisheries, garment manufacturing. | [{"link_name":"Action Plan for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour, No.4","source_link":"https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2023/Thailand.pdf"}] | 2023–2027 | Action Plan for the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour, No.4, for fiscal year 2023-2027 | National Committee to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labour |