The Senate has passed a bill allowing the voluntary chemical castration associated with recidivist sex offenders, despite remaining doubts concerning the effectiveness of the treatment that purports to help prevent severe sex offences simply by suppressing the production of male hormones.
Passed by House of Associates in February, the particular Senate unanimously authorized the new law, which will be applicable to replicate and violent lovemaking offenders, in its 3rd and final reading by 145-0 ballots, with two abstentions.
Legislation requires the use of the particular drug to have the permission of the convict and approval by a minimum of two specialists, psychiatric and medical. Convicts who agree to get the treatment will in return have their prison terms shortened.
The draft is going to be next sent back to the House of Representatives to acknowledge changes made by the Senate before being suggested for royal endorsement and coming into impact.
Phatcharin Samsiriphong, a Bangkok MP serving as the secretary-general of the House of Representatives committee vetting the draft, mentioned she strongly thinks another committee stage will be needed because of the scale of the changes.
The chemical castration process involves an shot of pharmaceutical medicines every three months plus costs about hundred, 000 baht for each time.
Senator Triroj Krutvecho, who is a medical professional and member of the home committee vetting the particular bill, admitted that there is still no very clear evidence that chemical substance castration effectively deactivates the testes.
On the other hand, Senator Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, the doctor, said that many convicted of sexual offences deeply regretted their actions and might opt for a therapy that helped suppress their sexual urges.