According to Prayut, Thai laws are quite strong in these cases with severe punishments, including the option for the death penalty for both offences.

But he said a major weakness might lie in the process of granting pardons to many of those convicted in such cases, resulting in much shorter jail terms than the original punishments ordered by courts.

Prayut said justice and related authorities would have to be more strict when examining whether to reduce penalties for people convicted of these crimes, while society should brainstorm for new measures to tackle this problem.

The prime minister, who earlier rejected calls for capital punishment for all rape and murder cases, added that Thailand’s legal actions should be consistent with universal values.

His remarks followed the case of Chularat Towanna, a provincial schoolteacher brutally murdered in a rape attempt in Saraburi province.

The crime took place at the victim’s apartment in Kaeng Khoi district on July 1. Chatri Ruamsoonnerm, who lived in the same apartment, was arrested and admitted to stabbing her to death after he attempted to rape her.