A foundation advocating for sex workers submitted a draft bill to parliament on Thursday that would decriminalise sex work and extend labour protections to those in the industry.
The Empower Foundation presented the proposed Sex Service Provider Protection Act to the House of Representatives at 10:30, where it was received by an adviser to House Speaker Sophon Zarum on his behalf.
Representatives from the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, as well as MPs from the People’s Party and Pheu Thai Party, were also present.
A foundation representative said the existing Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act of 1996 is outdated, as it criminalises voluntary sex workers, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and discrimination.
The proposed law would repeal the 1996 act and recognise sex work as legitimate labour, entitling workers to the same basic protections as those in other professions.
“This bill is not an endorsement of sex work,” the representative said. “It is about respecting the decisions of those who do this work and ensuring they receive the same basic rights as anyone else — nothing more, nothing less.”
The foundation said the legislation would also address safety concerns for clients and business operators, arguing that a legal framework is needed to protect all parties involved.
