A bill to get tough on people caught with child pornography is being proposed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
The bill was proposed by 50 NLA members, led by Jintanun Chayasuphamitre, making it the first bill proposed by its members.
The NLA held a meeting on Thursday to deliberate an amendment to the Criminal Code to toughen the nation's stance against child pornography.
According to the bill, child porn is against basic children's rights in accordance with the convention on the rights of the child, Ms Jintanun said.
She said while the reproduction of adult porn violates the Criminal Code, it was reasonable to introduce tough measures regarding child pornography.
According to the bill, the definition of child porn will be listed in "Section 1" of the Criminal Code, describing violations of the legislation.
People who possess pornography involving young people aged between 15 and 18 will face a fine up to 30,000 baht and/or a jail term up to three years, according to the bill.
Violators who have pornographic image of children aged under 15 in their possession will face a fine up to 100,000 baht and/or a jail term up to five years.
People who produce pornography of young people aged under 18 for sale whether it be in the country or for export will face a fine up to 140,000 baht and/or a jail term up to seven years.
Eight years ago, authorities attempted to introduce child pornography legislation to help protect young children with about 20,000 people signing a petition supporting the legislation but lawmakers did not pass it, Ms Jintanun said.
Pornpetch Wichitchonchai, who chaired the NLA meeting yesterday, said it was acceptable for an NLA member to propose a bill to the NLA committee since this was in accordance with the constitution's Section 14, Paragraph 5.
Mr Pornpetch said the NLA would have to allow the government to study the bill before the members cast their votes. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said changes to the Criminal Code must be made carefully.