Background Several studies reveal that corporal punishment does not facilitate moral internalisation and it has been implicated in the aetiology of criminal and antisocial behaviours. In Thai society, corporal punishment seems to be an acceptable tool for discipline in child rearing. The previous study for children in child care centres of urban poor communities in Bangkok found that the prevalence of corporal punishment by spanking is 83.4% of all children.

Methods An anti-corporal punishment program was developed. It consists of two group conferences. The first group conference was done in the community using the educational package (VDO multimedia, leaflet, and role play). Then 1 month later, a group conference was done, aimed to empower all parents by reviewing all knowledge, and sharing opinions, their stories. The program was implemented in parents and their children in 4 child centres in Bangkok (n = 351). The intervention group is those from 2 child centres (n = 200) and the control group is those from another 2 child centres (n = 151).

Three measurements were done for pre and post intervention; punishment incidences using Punishment Incidence Questionnaire (PIQ) modified from Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, injury incidences using Injury Record Form, and child behaviour and emotion using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results 52.4% of parents use the severe corporal punishment (SCP) as discipline strategies, 79.5% using minor corporal punishment (MCP), 89.7% using non-violent punishment (NVP), and 90.3% using psychological aggressive punishment (PAP). SCP and PAP in intervention group was significantly more than control group. Our anti-corporal punishment program was shown effectiveness in reducing parental use of all violent discipline strategies (20% reduction in SCP, 7% in PAP, and 12% in MCP).

Conclusions This study demonstrated that our anti-corporal punishment program decreased the corporal punishment in the urban poor communities.