Thailand Becomes 68th Country to Ban Corporal Punishment Against Children, but Global Target Still 60 Years Away – Save the Children

BANGKOK (March 27, 2025) – Thailand became the 68th country to ban the use of corporal punishment this week, but it will still take 60 years to meet a global target to eliminate all forms of violence against children, Save the Children said.

Thailand has passed an amendment to its Civil and Commercial Code, which bans the use of all types of violent discipline or corporal punishment in schools, homes, residential care facilities, juvenile protection and training centers, and daycare centers.

In Thailand, every three in four children aged 1-14 have experienced some form of corporal punishment – a practice still widely accepted at home and in school, reflecting deeply rooted cultural attitudes.^[1]

Noppadol, 8*, a boy who attends school primary school in the Thai capital, welcomed the news:

"Adults shouldn't hit kids. That's not the right way to discipline us. It's inappropriate and humiliating."

Thailand's landmark decision is a big step for child rights and follows similar progress in Tajikistan and Laos last year. Still, it will take another 60 years to meet a global target to eliminate all forms of corporal punishment unless the current rate of progress is sped up, according to Save the Children analysis.^[2]

United Nations member states agreed to a 2030 target for the universal prohibition of corporal punishment as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) signed in 2015 to tackle poverty and inequality.

However, only 16% (less than 1 in 6) of children globally – an estimated 389 million children – are fully protected by law from corporal punishment, with 68 states banning corporal punishment in all settings. Only 22 countries have prohibited corporal punishment since the SDGs were adopted in September 2015, compared with 30 countries in the decade before.

Corporal punishment takes many forms, including smacking or slapping, kicking, shaking, burning and forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions. It also includes non-physical humiliating treatment which belittles the child.

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, said:

"We welcome this important step by Thailand to ban corporal punishment, which not only hurts but humiliates children and can have severe physical and emotional repercussions that they carry with them into their adult life and affect not just them but their community.

"We also urge the Thai government to put in place more support for teachers, parents, caregivers and all adults who come into contact with children to help them adopt positive discipline practices and help children grow up in safe and nurturing environments. Save the Children stands ready to contribute to these efforts by providing technical support and more."

Save the Children has been working to foster an environment where children from diverse backgrounds are protected from all forms of violence.

We have achieved this through promoting positive parenting, enhancing children's resilience, and advocating for legal reform. Save the Children has also collaborated with the Thai government to strengthen the social services workforce, aiming to improve the efficiency of child protection services.
 

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Notes:
*Name changed to protect anonymity.
[1] https://www.savethechildren.or.th/en/news
[2] The 60-year calculation is based on the rate of progress in outlawing corporal punishment in all settings, including the home, from September 2015, when the UN Sustainable Development Goals were agreed upon. In the almost ten years since, a further 22 countries have agreed to ban corporal punishment against children in all settings, making a rate of just over two countries per year. To date, 68 of around 200 states have banned corporal punishment in all settings.