HIV Group Demands Repeal of Law Banning Infected People from Police Force

Khaosod•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

Activists demand the National Police Agency repeal a regulation that disqualifies HIV-positive individuals from serving as police officers, citing discrimination.

•On March 25, 2026, representatives of the HIV-infected network and a diversity rights foundation submitted a petition to the National Police Chief.
•They are demanding the immediate repeal of a Police Commission regulation that lists 'AIDS and/or HIV infection' as disqualifying factors for police service.
•The group argues the regulation is discriminatory, violates constitutional rights, and contradicts modern medical science and international standards.

Overview

•On March 25, 2026, representatives of the HIV-infected network and a diversity rights foundation travelled to the National Police Headquarters.
•Representatives submitted a letter to the Police Chief, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, requesting the repeal of Police Commission regulations.
•The network stated that the regulation "AIDS and/or HIV infection" is a prohibitive reason for police service, citing Article 11.8.5.
•The network representative argued that the regulation is unfair discrimination, causes psychological harm, and blocks opportunities based on health status.
•The network cited the scientific principle U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) stating that infected individuals on treatment cannot transmit the virus.
•The network representative asserted that maintaining the regulation violates Article 27 of the Constitution and international HIV/AIDS strategies.
•The network requested the National Police Agency and the Police Commission to immediately remove AIDS or HIV infection from the list of disqualifying conditions.
•The network also called for revised standards aligning with human rights and modern science, and for the creation of a new organizational culture to reduce stigma.

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Key Quotes

Network Representative

"The aforementioned regulation constitutes unfair discrimination and inflicts psychological trauma on capable individuals, blocking their opportunities solely based on health status."

ข้อกำหนดดังกล่าวเป็นการเลือกปฏิบัติอย่างไม่เป็นธรรม และสร้างบาดแผลทางจิตใจให้กับผู้ที่มีศักยภาพ แต่ถูกปิดกั้นโอกาสเพียงเพราะสถานะสุขภาพ

Network Representative

"Maintaining this regulation not only violates Article 27 of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on health, but also contravenes the national strategy to end AIDS and international standards of WHO and ILO."

การคงกฎระเบียบนี้ไว้ ไม่เพียงแต่ขัดต่อรัฐธรรมนูญมาตรา 27 ที่ห้ามเลือกปฏิบัติเพราะเหตุแห่งสุขภาพ แต่ยังขัดต่อยุทธศาสตร์ชาติในการยุติปัญหาเอดส์ และมาตรฐานสากลของ WHO และ ILO อีกด้วย

Key Entities

Organization

HIV (AIDS) Infected Network of Thailand(เครือข่ายผู้ติดเชื้อ HIV (เอดส์) ประเทศไทย)

An organization advocating for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Foundation for Diversity Rights(มูลนิธิเพื่อสิทธิความหลากหลาย)

A foundation that works to protect the rights of diverse groups.

Police Commission(คณะกรรมการข้าราชการตำรวจ (ก.ตร.))

The body responsible for creating and approving regulations for police officers.

World Health Organization(WHO)ℹ️

An international organization specializing in public health.

International Labour Organization(ILO)ℹ️

A United Nations agency that deals with labour standards and social protection.

Ombudsman of Thailand(ผู้ตรวจการแผ่นดิน)ℹ️

An independent government agency responsible for investigating complaints against public authorities.

Place

Royal Thai Police Headquarters(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The main administrative building of the Royal Thai Police.

Person

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet(พล.ต.อ.กิตติ์รัฐ พันธุ์เพ็ชร์)

The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police who received the petition.

Law

Police Commission Regulation on Qualifications and Disqualifications B.E. 2023 (2023), Clause 11.8.5(กฎ ก.ตร. ว่าด้วยคุณสมบัติและลักษณะต้องห้าม พ.ศ. 2023 ข้อ 11.8.5)

A specific regulation under the Police Commission that lists disqualifying conditions for police service.

Article 27 of the Constitution(รัฐธรรมนูญมาตรา 27)

A constitutional article in Thailand that prohibits discrimination based on health status.

Timeline

March 25, 2026(25 มี.ค. 2026)

The date when the HIV infected network submitted their petition to the police.