A civil society network proposing a new marriage equality bill, a gender recognition bill, and a bill repealing the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act is poised to launch a campaign to collect signatures to introduce the bills into parliament.

A civil society network is proposing the repeal of the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act as part of a movement to legalise sex work and grant sex workers protection under the labour laws.

<p>Thai sex workers and supporting organisations are petitioning for a legalisation of the sex industry.&nbsp; In the meantime, the illegal status of the industry leaves loopholes for corruption, human rights abuse, and inequality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thai sex workers remain excluded from government assistance schemes, after the government ordered the closure of entertainment businesses to prevent the spread of Covid-19, causing many to lose their jobs and income.</p>

<p>Prachatai, with support from the Canadian Embassy&#39;s Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), presents &quot;Decent Work,&quot; the story of sex workers in Thailand and the problems they face as a result of their job being criminalised under Thailand&#39;s Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Women and the LGBT community have joined pro-democracy protests campaigning to abolish patriarchy, gender stereotypes and social norms that marginalize gender equality. They are also collecting signatures for petitions to decriminalize abortion and sex work.</p>