Parliament Approves Domestic Violence Protection Bill
Parliament overwhelmingly approved a new Domestic Violence Protection Act on September 23, giving lawmakers a chance to strengthen victim safeguards and inter-agency coordination before incidents occur.
On September 23, 2026, Social Development Minister Nikorn Somklang, representing the Cabinet, attended a parliamentary session to consider and vote on the first reading of the draft Domestic Violence Protection Act. The meeting approved the bill with 434 votes in favor, 1 abstention, 4 absent, and no votes against. The bill will proceed to a select committee for detailed review.
Minister Nikorn stated that parliamentarians had conducted extensive debate on prevention before incidents occur, protection for victims and children, access to assistance, clearer definitions, inter-agency coordination, data collection and linking, and emerging forms of violence in the digital age.
"The Social Development Ministry will incorporate parliamentarians' feedback into the select committee stage to ensure the law is thorough and practically enforceable," Nikorn said. "The core objectives are to provide victims rapid and safe assistance, prevent repeated incidents, and improve inter-agency coordination. The law must protect citizens before, during, and after violent incidents occur—not just manage the aftermath."
