LEGAL PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LAW NUMBER 11 OF 2012 AND THE JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT ACT B.E. 2553

Abstract

Legal protection for children in conflict with the law constitutes an integral part of criminal procedural law, placing the principle of the best interests of the child as the foundation of every law enforcement action. This study comparatively analyzes the regulation of child legal protection under Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System, in conjunction with the Law Number 20 of 2025 concerning the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Juvenile and Family Court Act B.E. 2553 in Thailand. The findings indicate that, normatively, both countries have adopted restorative justice principles through diversion mechanisms, the limitation of detention as an ultimum remedium, and guarantees of the right to legal assistance. However, at the level of implementation, challenges remain, including inconsistencies in the application of diversion and the suboptimal fulfillment of children’s rights. Therefore, strengthening procedural aspects is necessary to realize a more responsive and humane juvenile justice system.