It happens in schools, universities, theaters, pubs, and offices. It transcends gender and geography. We are talking about sexual harassment—a topic that has dominated headlines recently.
Yet, a sobering truth remains: these cases often only capture public attention when they involve a high-profile personality.
In reality, these incidents occur across the country. The core dynamic is rarely about sex; it is about power. One person holds “superiority,” and the other becomes the target.
We shouldn’t only look toward the obvious ranks of politicians, police, or military officers. Anyone, in specific circumstances, can become prey: a student to a teacher, an employee to a boss, a reporter to a government official, or a writer to an editor.
The list is inexhaustible and sadly endless.
We need look no further than the #MeToo movement, which ignited a global reckoning by exposing how systemic silence protects predators. It proved that whether in Hollywood or a local store, the “casting couch” mentality thrives where accountability is absent.
On a personal level, I have encountered several incidents I only narrowly escaped. In university, a friend recounted her ordeal with a lecturer notorious for “trading” high grades for sexual favors.
In the professional world, I watched a boss make a young colleague’s life a living hell with “weird” texts and invasive late-night phone calls.
A transgender friend faced targeted harassment from a teacher simply because of her gender identity.
Until recently, the narrative focused almost exclusively on harassment against women. But in our era of gender fluidity, anyone can be a victim.
The pattern remains identical: one side exploits a power imbalance, confident that their status makes them untouchable.
The reports we hear are merely the tip of the iceberg. Victims are often trapped between two agonizing choices: carry the trauma in silence forever, or go public and trigger a legal battle.
Choosing the latter means revisiting the most horrific moments of your life. Worse, in the age of social media, skeptics will inevitably accuse you of seeking fame, money, or revenge.
The digital world offers no shield for such behavior. A clear example involves a famous actor whose “angelic” reputation was recently tarnished after he posted a sexually aggressive comment on a young woman’s social media photo.
He is now facing the full weight of Thailand’s newly strengthened sexual harassment laws.
Even more alarming is when those who should be guardians of the law become the perpetrators. We’ve recently seen a celebrity legal expert—a man known for explaining justice on television—fall from grace.
Accused of harassing a young woman in his car, his public apology and claims of “losing control” only served to highlight the dangerous sense of entitlement that often accompanies power.
These cases remind us that no amount of professional prestige or public “good guy” imagery excuses predatory behavior.
Fortunately, the days of dismissing such behaviour as a “minor annoyance” are over.
As of December 30, 2025, Thailand’s Criminal Code was strictly amended to categorise sexual harassment as a standalone criminal offence.
Under the new Penal Code Amendment (No. 30), any act—physical, verbal, or digital—that causes distress, embarrassment, or fear is now punishable by prison time.
For those in positions of authority or those who use the internet to shame others, the penalties are even more severe. The message from the state is clear: your status no longer buys you immunity.
The bad news is that you cannot control the perpetrator’s actions. The good news is that you possess the power to set the boundary.
Contrary to popular belief, harassment isn’t always physical. It can be verbal, or even a predatory gaze. If someone’s words make you uneasy, react. If a hand lingers on an inappropriate spot, speak up and stop it. You do not “lose face” by defending your dignity.
Being polite is a virtue, but when you are being hunted, you owe the predator nothing. Silence is often misconstrued as consent. A forced smile sends a signal that you are “okay” with the behaviour.
Perpetrators often “test the waters” to see how much they can get away with before escalating. They rely on their reputations to gaslight victims into thinking no one will believe them.
As one male editor noted, this is often because society’s perception of harassment is dangerously subjective. We are often more forgiving of someone with a “charming” public persona.
A comment from a celebrity like Nadech Kugimiya might be laughed off as harmless flirting, whereas the exact same words from a man who doesn’t fit the “ideal” look might be immediately flagged as intrusive or rude.
This double standard is exactly what predators count on—they use their status or “likability” as a shield, assuming their victims will be too confused or intimidated to call it what it really is.
Precaution is also practical. Avoid isolated environments. If invited to a gathering, verify the guest list or bring a reliable friend. Even “safe” spaces like a cinema can be exploited; a perpetrator might choose a deserted weekday screening specifically for the lack of witnesses.
Despite the rise of whistleblowers and social media exposure, do not assume perpetrators will simply stop. Their impulses and predatory instincts remain. Our job is to shrink their window of opportunity and send a collective, echoing message: society no longer has a place for this behavior.
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If it happens to you; consult your parents, friends, colleagues, teachers, or anyone you can confide in. If you want to seek help: call hotline 1300 (One Stop Crisis Center), 1134 (Pavena Foundation for Children and Women); or visit naksit.net (Thai Lawyers for Human Rights) or apcom.org (Say Trees – specifically focused on LGBTQ+ rights).
