Domestic violence can be "inherited" by children who witness their parents abusing one another, heightening the likelihood they will repeat the pattern when they have a family of their own, according to anti-violence campaigners.
The problem should not be dismissed as trivial and the government must step in and help stamp it out, said Angkana Inthasa, a leading member of the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation.
"Many women have even lost their lives," she said, explaining some of the complaints the foundation has received from victims.
She said domestic violence affects whole families, particularly children.
Young children who witness or are victims of household violence tend to copy those abusive acts in later life, she added.
"The violence gets transferred [to the next generation]," Ms Angkana said.
Last year, the foundation collected 466 reports about domestic violence in Thailand. She said in 70% of the reports, the victims were women.
Based on her experience, it is rare for the woman to fight back against an abusive husband, she said.
The problem is deeply rooted in society and requires a shift in mindset among men who consider it acceptable to physically or emotionally abuse a woman, she added.
She called on the government to put in place measures to deliver prompt assistance to women who are subject to domestic violence.
She suggested it launch a campaign educating people to respect gender equality.
The public must also stop regarding domestic violence as "someone else's problem", Ms Angkana said, adding the issue requires a collective effort to stamp it out.
Aye (not her real name) is 31. She said her husband would beat her regularly when they were living together.
She has taken part in the foundation's awareness campaign "The Home Is Not A Boxing Ring".
Aye said her former husband thought she was having an affair and assaulted her based on his paranoia.
Boat (not his real name) now works with the foundation.
He said he used to hit his wife for refusing to prepare his meals and take care of him after a night out.
A survey conducted in Bangkok last year by the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation showed that over 40% of Thai men view their wives as their "property".