Thailand

69,260,817

0.21%

Estimated prevalence among girls and women

There are no national statistics for female genital cutting (FGC) in Thailand, however there are anecdotal reports of the practice being carried out in southern parts of the country.

Type practised

Girls in Thailand are thought to undergo FGC Type IV.

Age

Unknown. There are reports of FGC being carried out on babies. An academic study found that in central Thailand, girls up to 11 underwent FGC as a mark of the child fully entering the “human group”.

Source: The Guardian & Merli

Agent

Traditional practitioner or medical practitioner.

Legal status

Legal.

Challenges to ending FGC

• The practice is linked to religion within some Thai communities, and is an entrenched social norm.
• Little is being done to end FGC in Thai communities. The practice is viewed as cultural and non-harmful to the health of girls and women, despite international consensus that FGC is a violation of human rights.
• Lack of research and statistics on FGC in Thailand remains a challenge to progress.

Human Development Index ranking

83 in 2018 index, based on 2017 data.

Infant mortality rate

10.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (2016).

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths per 100,000 live births (2015).

Source: Human Development Index

Prevalence breakdown

By region

FGC is thought to be widespread in the south of Thailand, and has also been found in central Thailand.

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