Bhumjaithai Proposes Criminal Code Amendment to Replace Jail Time with Community Service for Poor Defendants
Bhumjaithai Party proposes allowing poor defendants unable to pay fines to perform community service instead of jail time, aiming to reduce prison overcrowding.
Bhumjaithai Party has submitted a proposal to amend the Criminal Code, allowing poor defendants unable to pay court-ordered fines to perform community service instead of serving jail time. The party believes all parliamentary factions will support the measure, which aims to address prison overcrowding.
At 11:15 AM on May 7, 2569 at Parliament, Kravee Parisananuntkul, Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong and opposition leader, along with other party MPs, submitted a letter to the Parliamentary President through Deputy Speaker Mallika Jirapunphanwanit proposing amendments to the Criminal Code.
The core issue addresses cases where poor people are prosecuted, courts impose fines, but defendants lack funds to pay and are jailed instead. Bhumjaithai proposes changing this practice.
Suphat Jaisamutr, a Bhumjaithai list MP and party legal representative, explained that while various criminal penalties exist—detention, imprisonment, fines, and capital punishment—the societal problem particularly affecting the poor is when courts sentence defendants but they cannot afford fines. Courts then impose detention at 500 baht per day. This creates a situation where many poor people lose their freedom through imprisonment for unpaid fines. Bhumjaithai proposes legal amendments allowing community service as an alternative to incarceration.
The party proposes amending two articles of the Criminal Code, believing all parliamentary parties will support it. If expedited, the law could pass all three readings quickly or be assigned to a special committee.
Kravee stated this law is important to Bhumjaithai as it affects citizens' lives. Yesterday (May 6) at Parliament, during discussion of a justice matter, fellow members raised concerns about prison overcrowding. This law will address that issue.