Thailand's conservative Democrat Party has pledged to legalize sex toys if it comes into power after the national elections next month. The party believes that legalizing sex toys will promote the safety of users and reduce the rate of sex crimes. In addition, it can help eliminate the number of low-quality products that are illegally smuggled from overseas and can cause infections among users.
Moreover, the party argues that doctors are even recommending sex toys as a safer alternative to sex services or cheating on partners. According to Ratchada Thanadirek, an executive member of the Democrat Party, legalizing sex toys can have positive health impacts, and the government could collect taxes on imported sex toys. The country, as a major global producer of rubber, has the potential to become a sex toy production hub, which can further boost the economy.
The sale of sex toys is currently illegal in Thailand under Section 287 of the Criminal Code, and violators can face imprisonment, a fine of up to $175, or both. The Democrat Party proposes that sex toys should be regulated by the government and sold only to individuals aged 18 years and above. Although the party has traditionally been conservative, it is projected to win between 20-30 seats in the upcoming elections.
Legalizing sex toys could help start conversations around sexual pleasure and taboos in Thailand, where they are considered immoral by some but are readily available on the streets of Bangkok. The proposal has sparked debates about religious and moral concerns, but Thanadirek insists that legalizing sex toys will have positive health impacts and can help the economy. By legalizing sex toys, the country can potentially eliminate the disconnect between the law and the reality on the ground.
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