Thailand approves chemical castration for sex offenders

In a bid to tackle sex crimes, Thailand on Tuesday passed a bill that allows the voluntary chemical castration of sex offenders. The Thai Senate passed the bill allowing the voluntary chemical castration of recidivist (a convicted criminal who reoffends) sex offenders, reported Bangkok Post.

Under the bill, certain sex offenders deemed at risk of re-offending may be given the option to receive injections that reduce their testosterone levels, in return for shorter jail time, providing they have the approval of two doctors.

Convicts who agree to receive the treatment, injections that reduce their testosterone levels, will in return have their prison terms shortened. The “Violence-Related Reoffending Prevention Bill” was proposed by the Justice Ministry and has already sailed through three readings in the House of Representatives.

Chemical castration is already in use in countries like South Korea, Pakistan, Poland, and at least eight states in the US. Other countries – including Norway, Denmark, and Germany – have opted for surgical castration of serious sexual criminals.