BANGKOK: Thailand has gazetted a new law that allows chemical castration of sexual offenders as the nation hopes to prevent repeat offenders.
Authorities hope the law, which will come into force on Jan 25 next year, will help curb recidivism among sexual and violent crimes in the country.
Under the new law, convicted sex offenders can choose to get such an injection in exchange for a reduced penalty or even early release from prison.
According to a Bangkok Post report, it allows for the chemical castration of convicted rapists once released, if they are considered at high risk of committing the same offences.
The new measures to prevent repeat sexual or violent criminal offences had previously sparked heated debate in parliament, especially over the practicality of using chemical castration as a preventive measure.
The chemical castration is listed in the new law as one of the medical interventions being offered to decrease men's sexual hormones and it can be applied to convicted rapists under certain conditions.
Another measure is to impose legal restraints on those who have been convicted of rape, so that they cannot get close to other potential victims.
It also prohibits them from engaging in certain activities that may heighten the risk of them repeating their crime, and stops them from entering some designated areas.
High risk offenders can also be prohibited from leaving the country without a formal court order, be required to stay in designated places where they can be monitored, be confined to a rehabilitation facility, or otherwise undergo a rehabilitation programme as recommended by the Ministry of Public Health.
The Bangkok Post report said they need to have regular meetings with their probation officers, and frequently participate in activities ordered by the court or the probation officers, while some may even be required to wear an electronic bracelet at all times.
The law was passed in parliament last week with 292 MPs supporting it while one voted against and another abstained. It will need royal endorsement before coming into effect.
The castration procedure must be carried out by at least two specialists, psychiatric and medical. The law also requires the offenders to be monitored for 10 years.
Thailand's Justice Ministry data showed that more than 50 per cent of those convicted of serious crimes, committed the same offences within three years of their release from jail.
It was also reported that more than 4,800 of the 16,413 convicted sex offenders released from Thai prisons between 2013 and 2020, committed an offence again.
South Korea, Russia, Poland and some parts of the United States have also turned to chemical castration to reduce the number of repeat offenders.