The cabinet has acknowledged a proposal, from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), to increase the marriageable age of Thai people from 17 to 18, to protect youth from being forced into marriage against their will.

Government deputy spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri, said yesterday that the NHRC had proposed amending the Civil and Commercial Code to be in line with the principles of international human rights.

According to the code, Thai males and females can get married when they are 20, otherwise they must have the consent of their parents if they are at least 17. Those who are under 17 but over 15 can also get married, but only with the permission of the Civil Court.

The NHRC also proposed that the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand adjust the marriageable age of Muslim males and females from 17 to 18, on the grounds that 17 is too young and not in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).