Thailand
Monday 19.4.2021 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on Thai activists continues as new restrictive NGO law proposed
Since the beginning of 2021, scores of activists have been charged for lese majeste, sedition and other violations, including seven leading pro-democracy protesters who have been denied bail. A restrictive new NGO law has been proposed that could be used to muzzle civil society groups and non-governmental organisations. The security forces have used rubber bullets, tears gas and water cannon to disperse protests while the authorities are increasingly invoking the lese majeste laws to restrict public discourse on the monarchy. Read more
Wednesday 2.12.2020 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Thai authorities use excessive force, lese-majeste laws to clamp down on pro-democracy protests
There have been ongoing pro-democracy protests in Thailand demanding the dissolution of Thailand’s military-backed government led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the drafting of a new constitution and an end to the harassment of activists and government critics. Over the last month, the authorities have continued to attempt to suppress the protests by using excessive force and blocking public spaces, charging protest leaders for lese-majeste, targeting student protesters and using disinformation tactics
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Friday 30.10.2020 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Authorities escalate crackdown on the youth-led protest movement in Thailand
The Thai authorities have escalated their crackdown on peaceful protests in Thailand in recent weeks. TLHR and Article 19 reported that at least 90 individuals were arrested between 13th and 21st October 2020 and peaceful protests have been dispersed, in some instances with excessive force. Read more
Wednesday 22.7.2020 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Ongoing use of repressive laws, Thai activist abducted, increased surveillance in the South
In the last few months, there have been ongoing use of repressive laws, a prominent Thai pro-democracy activist was abducted in Cambodia, while there have been reports of increased surveillance using biometric data in the southern Malay Muslim provinces including a facial recognition system. A Thai poultry company continues to target human rights defenders while a new report highlights how the authorities are using repressive laws to intensify the crackdown on online critics. Read more
Wednesday 8.4.2020 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Activists and opposition face judicial harassment as emergency measures in Thailand raise concerns
Protesters holding a “Run Against Dictatorship” in January 2020 faced obstruction, harassment and intimidation. A leading opposition party was dissolved by the courts in February 2020, a move that many believe was politically motivated. Authorities have dropped serious charges against officials involved in the murder of a prominent ethnic Karen activist. A journalist was convicted for her social media post and human rights defenders continue to face charges for exposing labour abuses. New emergency laws passed could threaten the right to freedom of expression and access to information Read more
Friday 29.11.2019 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Activists, lawyers and critics continue to face harassment and defamation charges in Thailand
In the last few months, there has been harassment against activists, lawyers and government critics from both the state as well businesses while the bones of a disappeared ethnic Karen activist were found. A new report by Human Rights Watch documented cases of peaceful critics who have been prosecuted by the government for the last five years and concerns have been raised about a new anti-fake news center established by the authorities. A study finds that SLAPP or strategic lawsuits against public participation are on the rise. Read more
Friday 12.7.2019 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Civil society concerned about physical attacks and ongoing prosecution of Thai activists
In the last few months, there have been physical attacks against activists and human rights defenders or activists who have disappeared or placed under surveillance. Further, land rights activists from Sai Thong National Park have been prosecuted and jailed while pro-democracy student activists are facing sedition charges. Read more
Thursday 21.3.2019 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Media censored, activists silenced and opposition weakened ahead of Thai elections
Ahead of the 24 March elections there have been continued reports of media outlets and journalists being censored, activists being silenced and criminalised and opposition politicians being targeted . Further, restrictive laws and decrees issued by the military junta have yet to be lifted. Read more
Tuesday 13.11.2018 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Civil society calls for all restrictions to be lifted ahead of elections as persecution continues
As Thailand inches closer to holding long-delayed elections, peaceful protesters , government critics and opposition politicians continue to face investigations and charges Read more
Friday 7.9.2018 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Critics of military junta continue to be criminalised
The military junta continues to use sedition and other laws restricting expression and assembly against its critics. The courts have thrown out cases of criminal defamation filed by businesses. In the Deep South activists continue to be detained under martial law. Read more
