Thailand

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Thailand

484 articles
Reports on Thailand

  • Thailand: Denying the demand for democracy

    The Thai government’s treatment of pro-democracy protesters has been discriminatory and violated their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, ARTICLE 19 found. Thai authorities exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to enact repressive emergency measures and aggressively and expansively deployed Section 112 of the Criminal Code against protesters.
    ARTICLE 19 — 19 December 2022

  • Children’s Access to Justice for Environmental Rights

    This report looks at whether the laws and policies in Thailand make it possible for children to access their environmental rights.

    Child Rights International Network — 28 April 2022

  • #WhatsHappeningInThailand: Government crackdown on the right to protest

    The protesters’ complaints about the government’s anti-democratic nature have been underscored by the authorities’ response to the protests. The government has harassed and obstructed protest organisers at every turn. At least 173 individuals have been charged because of their role in protests this year.

    ARTICLE 19 — 28 October 2020

  • Freedom on the Net 2017: Thailand

    Military courts sentenced at least two internet users to more than a decade each in prison, one based on private chat messages criticizing royalty

    Freedom House — 15 November 2017

  • Freedom of the Press 2017: Thailand

    In December [2016], the government approved an amendment to the 2007 Computer Crimes Act (CCA) that expanded authorities’ power to monitor internet activity and censor online content.

    Freedom House — 27 April 2017

  • Thailand HRW Report: Events of 2016

    During the year, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta curtailed the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly through repressive laws such the Referendum Act, the Computer Crime Act, and article 116 of the penal code on sedition, as well as NCPO orders censoring media and preventing public gatherings of more than five people.

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) — 16 January 2017

  • Freedom of the Press 2016: Thailand

    The authorities proposed new measures that could further restrict media freedom, including a Cybersecurity Bill that would increase surveillance, prevent the publication of sensitive material, and facilitate data interception and website blocking. However, the government appeared to step back from plans to create a single gateway for all internet traffic following a public outcry.

    Freedom House — 23 April 2016

  • Freedom on the Net 2015: Thailand

    Military court passes longest lese majeste sentence on record, 56 to 60 years in prison

    Freedom House — 31 October 2015

  • Freedom of the Press 2015: Thailand

    Ranked 166th in annual global media freedom report

    Freedom House — 1 May 2015

  • Divided media, divided country

    “Hate speech has now become common in satellite TV, low-powered radio stations and social networks”

    Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) — 2 May 2014

  • Freedom in the World 2014: Thailand

    Authorities ease restrictions on “Red-Shirt” websites and radio stations

    Freedom House — 1 May 2014

  • Attacks on the Press in 2013: Thailand

    “Authorities extend online censorship to social media”

    Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) — 11 February 2014

  • World Press Freedom Index 2014: Thailand

    Ranked 130th in annual press freedom index

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — 31 January 2014

  • World Report 2014: Thailand

    Computer Crimes Act and lesse majests law continue to be used to suppress free speech

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) — 21 January 2014

  • Freedom of the Press 2013: Thailand

    Ranked 140th in annual global media freedom report

    Freedom House — 1 May 2013

  • Freedom in the World 2013: Thailand

    Authorities ease restrictions on red-shirt websites and community radio stations

    Freedom House — 16 January 2013

  • Country Press Freedom Reports 2012: Thailand

    “Finally, an independent broadcast regulator”

    Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) — 3 May 2012

  • Attacks on the Press in 2011: Thailand

    New Premier wields lèse majesté laws to censor websites and Facebook pages, harass internet users who post material critical of monarchy

    Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) — 21 February 2012

  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Thailand

    Ranked 137th in annual press freedom index

    Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — 25 January 2012
Members of the National Legislative Assembly attend the first meeting at Parliament, in Bangkok,Thailand, 8 August 2014, PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP via Getty Images

Thailand: Groups say NGO law would strike severe blow to human rights

Thailand | Censorship

Several global groups said a draft law in Thailand threatens to muzzle civil society groups and non-government organizations.

ARTICLE 19 - 8 April 2021
Joint Statements
A pro-democracy protester wearing chains around his neck makes the three-finger salute outside the Criminal Court, Bangkok, Thailand, 9 March 2021, JACK TAYLOR/AFP via Getty Images

ARTICLE 19 submits UPR report on Thailand’s state of freedom of expression

Thailand | Attacks

For the third time, Thailand will undergo a Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In a detailed UPR submission, ARTICLE 19 highlighted the state of freedom of expression in Thailand.

ARTICLE 19 - 28 March 2021

Thailand government asked to protect the right to protest

Thailand | Attacks

Thailand asked to uphold the right to protest of its citizens after police used water cannons and tear gas against pro-democracy protesters.

ARTICLE 19 - 20 November 2020

Freemuse and PEN International call for the release of Thai poet and lawyer Arnon Nampha

Thailand | Free Expression & the Law

Thai poet and human rights lawyer Arnon Nampha was arrested and charged with sedition for his participation in pro-democracy protests in Bangkok.

PEN International - 14 November 2020

Thailand: ‘End crackdown, respect the right to protest’

Thailand | Attacks

In a briefing, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and ARTICLE 19 said Thailand authorities have arrested or charged at least 173 individuals in relation to their protest activities since the beginning of 2020.

ARTICLE 19 - 28 October 2020

Thailand issues emergency decree, nationwide restrictions on press

Thailand | Censorship

Aside from prohibiting mass gatherings, the state of emergency decree imposed a nationwide ban on publishing and broadcasting news that could incite fear.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) - 18 October 2020

Thailand: Government escalates crackdown on peaceful protesters

Thailand | Censorship

A human rights lawyer and a student activist were arrested which signals the intensifying suppression of the protest movement in Thailand.

ARTICLE 19 - 9 August 2020

Thailand urged to stop harassment of ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ organizers

Thailand | Censorship

Police harassment, denial of permit, and other restrictions have been placed against the planned event.

ARTICLE 19 - 11 January 2020

Thai junta critics intimidated, forced to apologise

Thailand | Attacks

Thai junta authorities are harassing critics for mocking the prime minister after he assumed the premiership for another term.

Human Rights Watch - 16 June 2019
A woman walks past an electoral poster of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party and Prime Minister candidate in Bangkok, Thailand, 12 February 2019, Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Stacked senate, media restrictions, repressive laws undermine right to vote

Thailand | Censorship

Human Rights Watch warns that structural flaws subvert election in Thailand.

Human Rights Watch - 23 March 2019
A Thai Buddhist monk reads a newspaper as he waits for others to join him during his morning walk, Bangkok, 17 May 2017, David Longstreath/LightRocket via Getty Images

Thai media faced “interference and slowdown” in 2018

Thailand | Digital Rights

The Thai Journalists Association said freedom of expression remains under threat in Thailand.

Thai Journalists Association - 7 January 2019
Anti-government protestors look at a newspaper board outside Government House in Bangkok, Thailand. 8 October 2008, Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images

Thailand urged to lift free speech restrictions ahead of elections

Thailand | Free Expression & the Law

After lifting a ban on political activities, Thai authorities are pressed to remove restrictions on freedom of expression.

Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) - 17 December 2018
A Thai pro-democracy activist holds a fan with a caricature of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha with a Pinocchio nose and flashes the three-finger salute inspired by the movie "The Hunger Games" during a raly in Bangkok, 22 May 2018, Chaiwat Subprasom/NurPhoto via Getty Images

NGOs call on Thailand to drop charges against pro-democracy activists

Thailand | Free Expression & the Law

Pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged last month for protesting against the continued military rule in Thailand.

ARTICLE 19 - 8 June 2018
A pro-democracy demonstrator takes part in a protest against the delay in fixing an election date in Bangkok, Thailand, 27 January 2018, Anusak Laowilas/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Thai activists face charges for protesting against corruption and delay of polls

Thailand | Freedom of Assembly

Dozens of Thai activists have been charged for violating the ban on public assembly.

Global Voices Advox - 9 February 2018
Thai social critic Sulak Sivaraksa leaves a police station to go to Bangkok military court in Bangkok, Thailand, 9 October 2017, AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Thai historian Sulak Sivaraksa could face 15 years in jail for ‘insulting’ a 16th-century king

Thailand | Free Expression & the Law

PEN International is deeply concerned by reports that renowned writer and activist Sulak Sivaraksa is facing trial for violating article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code (lèse majesté) in a connection with a speech he gave at Thammasat University in 2014.

PEN International - 2 November 2017
Thai columnist Pravit Rojanaphruk poses for a photograph while being called to report to the ruling military along with other journalists in Bangkok, 25 May 2014, AP Photo

Veteran journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk accused of sedition in Thailand

Thailand | Digital Rights

The police have informed Thai columnist Pravit Rojanaphruk that his Facebook posts criticising the military regime are seditious.

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) - 4 August 2017