Politicians tout porn, sex toys to battle rape

Several politicians have touted the idea of legalising pornography and sex toys, saying that they may help reduce incidences of sexual assault.

Treerat Sirichantaropas, spokesman of the House committee tasked with combating rape and secretary of Pheu Thai Plus, a party think tank, said in a Facebook post on Monday that he believed legalising pornography and sex toys will help reduce sexual assault cases in the country.

In his post, he expressed concern for the safety of Thai women after discovering many are sexually attacked each day -- equivalent to about 30,000 victims per year -- with the majority of victims aged between 15-19.

"Legalising [pornography and sex toys] might be the solution ... as it would make the means of channeling sexual desires more easily available," he wrote.

Mr Treerat is not alone -- Thai Civilised Party MP Mongkolkit Suksintharanon wrote on Facebook last week that he had proposed a similar idea in a Lower House committee meeting.

However, Supensri Phuengkhoksung, director of the Social Equality Promotion Foundation begged to differ, saying legalising pornography and sex toys will only benefit the adult entertainment industry.

Social Development and Human Security Minister, Chuti Krairiksh, also opposed the idea, saying legalisation will negatively affect government efforts to help human trafficking victims.