Purpose of Preventing Recurrence and Swift Arrest
Victim Compensation Approximately 3.7 Million Won
[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] The Thai government has decided to attach electronic monitoring devices (electronic anklets) to sexual offenders targeting women.
According to local media Tiger on the 1st, the Thai government has prepared a bill to attach electronic anklets for up to 10 years to offenders targeting women to prevent recidivism and enable immediate arrest if a crime occurs.
The bill also includes an emergency provision granting police the authority to detain individuals who appear violent. Victimized women will receive compensation of 100,000 baht (approximately 3.72 million KRW) for medical expenses and other costs.
Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Justice, explained, "The goal is to prevent criminals from committing the same crimes again and to make our society safer," adding, "Under the new law, major offenders targeting women will be monitored even after their release."
Last month, a man in his 40s was arrested in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, on charges of assaulting and sexually assaulting two women and detaining them for three days. The offender, who had six prior convictions for similar crimes, committed the crime again shortly after being released from prison.
This has led to criticism that the government failed to properly manage repeat offenders who commit heinous crimes against women, along with calls to strengthen the system for protecting women.
According to statistics recently released by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, about 8,500 women in Thailand suffer physical and sexual abuse annually. Among them, 31% are adolescent victims aged 10 to 14.
Meanwhile, in July, a bill passed the Thai parliament allowing habitual sex offenders to receive reduced sentences if they voluntarily undergo chemical castration (sexual impulse drug treatment). Castration can be performed with the approval of two or more medical professionals, including psychiatrists, and the consent of the offender.
At that time, Thai correctional authorities revealed that out of 16,413 people who committed sex crimes between 2013 and 2020, nearly 30%, or 4,848, were repeat offenders.
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