Issues and Approaches to Protecting the Rights of Child Workers in Thailand’s Media and Entertainment Industry

Abstract

This research article aims to (1) examine theoretical concepts concerning the protection of children’s rights, international standards under international law, and legal measures adopted in foreign jurisdictions and Thailand relating to children working in the media and entertainment industry; (2) investigate the problems and limitations of legal protection for children working in the media and entertainment industry under Thai law; and (3) propose appropriate guidelines for improving legal and regulatory frameworks for child protection within Thailand’s media and entertainment industry.

This study employs a qualitative research approach using documentary research methods. It examines theories and concepts relating to children’s rights, including the concept of children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the principle of the best interests of the child, the principle of preventive protection, and the principle of child participation. The study is conducted alongside a comparative analysis of international law, foreign laws, and Thai laws concerning child labor in the media and entertainment industry, as well as an examination of the problems and limitations in the enforcement of Thai law.

The findings reveal that although Thailand has enacted laws and measures intended to protect children working in the media and entertainment industry, such protection remains subject to several limitations. These include unclear legal definitions, inadequate scope of protection, weaknesses in supervisory mechanisms, and enforcement practices that are not fully aligned with international standards. Furthermore, Thai legal and policy frameworks have not systematically integrated child rights principles into the development of protective measures. Accordingly, this research proposes guidelines for improving Thailand’s legal and regulatory frameworks in a manner consistent with child rights principles and the specific context of the media and entertainment industry, with the aim of promoting effective and sustainable protection for children.