Cabinet approves overhauled Domestic Violence Protection Act

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Cabinet has approved a draft Act to protect victims of domestic violence, expanding the definition of violence and increasing penalties.

•The Cabinet approved the draft Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act on August 25.
•The draft law expands the definition of violence to include causing fear, intimidation, and economic undermining.
•Domestic violence offenses are changed to be non-compoundable (cannot be settled/compromised).
•Authorities are empowered to issue immediate temporary relief orders to protect victims.

•The Cabinet approved the draft Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act on August 25, as proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
•The draft law overhauls the 2007 law to address evolving forms of domestic violence and close legal gaps.
•The draft law expands the definition of violence to cover causing fear, intimidation, and economic undermining, and expands the definition of family members to include former spouses and cohabitants.
•Domestic violence offenses are now non-compoundable, with penalties of up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
•Heavier penalties will be applied if the offense is committed against a child under 18 years old or is a repeat offense within 3 years.
•Authorities can issue immediate temporary relief orders, such as banning the perpetrator from approaching the victim, which must be submitted to the Juvenile and Family Court within 48 hours.
•In 2025, over 2,000 reported cases of domestic violence were recorded, with approximately 20% caused by anger and over 20% linked to drug use.
•The draft law requires the establishment of a central database for tracking domestic violence and mandates a legal effectiveness assessment every 5 years.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The body that approved the draft Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act.

Office of the Council of State(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการกฤษฎีกา)ℹ️

The organization that reviewed the draft Act.

Ministry of Social Development and Human Security(กระทรวงการพัฒนาสังคมและความมั่นคงของมนุษย์)ℹ️

The ministry that proposed the draft Act to the Cabinet.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The body to which the draft Act will be proposed next.

Juvenile and Family Court(ศาลเยาวชนและครอบครัว)

The court responsible for considering temporary relief orders within 48 hours.

Captain Phatdarasam Thongsaluaykorn(ร้อยเอกหญิง ภัทร์ดารัสมิ์ ทองสลวยกร)

The Deputy Government Spokesperson who announced the Cabinet's resolution.

Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act B.E. ....(พระราชบัญญัติคุ้มครองผู้ถูกกระทำด้วยความรุนแรงในครอบครัว พ.ศ. ....)

The draft law approved by the Cabinet to overhaul domestic violence protections.