Bangkok, Thailand — 8th May 2025
On 8th May 2025, ILGA Asia joined Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT), a member organization, and a coalition of partner networks at the Thai Parliament to submit a joint statement to the Chairperson of the Committee on Children, Youth, Women, the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities, Ethnic Groups, and Gender Diversity. This engagement follows the recent tragic murder of a transgender woman in Pattaya—an act that has shaken communities and reignited calls for stronger legal protections against hate crimes.
The joint statement, endorsed by ILGA Asia, urges the Thai government to address legal and institutional gaps that allow hate-motivated violence to go unchecked. It outlines six key proposals aimed at preventing such crimes and ensuring justice for victims:
- Define Hate Crime and Hate Speech in Law:
Introduce clear legal definitions to help officials distinguish hate-motivated acts from other offenses and respond with appropriate measures. - Strengthen Sentencing for Hate Crimes:
Increase penalties or revise sentencing guidelines for crimes driven by hate—such as assault, murder, or property damage—by applying additional punishment proportional to the bias involved. - Create a National Hate Crime Database:
Establish a centralized system to collect and analyze data on hate crimes, enabling better policy-making and monitoring of national trends. - Train Justice System Actors on Hate Crimes:
Provide targeted training for police officers, prosecutors, judges, and legal practitioners on identifying and addressing hate crimes through a human rights lens. - Advance Legal Protections for Sex Workers:
Expedite the development of laws to safeguard sex workers, who are disproportionately exposed to violence and discrimination. - Call for Accountability from the Chinese Embassy:
Request a public statement from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, acknowledging the incident and its broader impact on Thai society and marginalized groups.
This joint effort underscores the urgent need for systemic reform to prevent further violence and protect the rights and dignity of all people—particularly those from the LGBTIQ+ community.
ILGA Asia stands firmly with its Thai partners in advocating for justice, accountability, and comprehensive legal frameworks that can protect vulnerable communities from targeted violence.
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