Thailand

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Thailand

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Supporters and friends of Patiwat Saraiyaem and Pornthip Munkong sing a song under a picture of Thailand's King, after the students were sentenced on charges of lese majeste, 23 February 2015, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Thailand: A surprise royal move

PEN International welcomes the early release of student activists Patiwat Saraiyaem and Pornthip Munkong following a royal pardon.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives for a cabinet meeting in Bangkok, 9 August 2016. He has empowered a state media regulator to close news outlets without the right to appeal for reasons of national security, AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit

Thailand pressures two broadcast journalists off the air

Two television reporters in Thailand have been suspended for a 10-day period under pressure from military authorities and state media regulators over their critical news coverage.

An elephant holds a poster during a campaign ahead of the August 7 referendum in Auytthaya province, north of Bangkok, August 1, 2016 , REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Speech restrictions cloud constitutional referendum in Thailand

The pre-referendum period in Thailand has seen a spike in clampdowns on freedom of speech and freedom of the media under the military junta.

Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director of the independent news website Prachatai, talks to the media outside her offices following a visit by Thai police in Bangkok, 12 July 2016, AP Photo/Mark Baker

The referendum that gets journalists arrested for carrying leaflets

Online news site reporter becomes one of several arrested this month for violating Article 61 of the 2016 Referendum Act.

Link to: Shots fired at journalist’s car in Bangkok

Shots fired at journalist’s car in Bangkok

Shots were fired at a Thai journalist’s car in what is believed to be a work-related incident.

Link to: Thai rights defenders face military criminal complaint over torture report

Thai rights defenders face military criminal complaint over torture report

The Thai military should immediately withdraw its criminal complaints against three human rights defenders for reporting alleged torture by government security forces in southern Thailand

In this 1 September 2015 file photo, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, arrives at the government house in Bangkok, AP Photo/ Sakchai Lalit, File

In Thailand, eight charged for mocking junta leader on Facebook

The charges against the Facebook users in Thailand are part of the junta’s systematic repression of peaceful dissent and criticism since the military coup in May 2014.

Editor Somyot Pruekasemsuk gestures as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok, 23 January 2013, REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

International groups renew call for Thailand to release journalist Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk

Human rights defender Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk is currently incarcerated in Bangkok’s Remand Prison, where he is serving a 10-year sentence following his conviction on charges of lèse-majesté.

On 25 May 2014, outspoken columnist Pravit Rojanaphruk posed for a photograph while being called to report to the ruling military along with other journalists in Bangkok, AP Photo

Thai junta denies journalist permission to travel, attend press freedom celebrations

RSF condemns the Thai military junta’s censorship of Pravit Rojanaphruk, an outspoken journalist who has been denied permission to travel to Finland to attend a UNESCO event in Helsinki on 3 May 2016 marking World Press Freedom Day.

Theerawan Charoensuk/Facebook

Thai woman faces sedition charge for Facebook photo expressing support for opposition

Sedition charges for a Facebook photo expressing symbolic support for Thailand’s political opposition shows the military junta’s utter disregard for peaceful dissent.

Link to: Jailed activist, critic of Thailand’s junta, needs urgent medical care

Jailed activist, critic of Thailand’s junta, needs urgent medical care

Thai authorities should immediately provide necessary medical treatment to Thanet Anantawong, a critic of Thailand’s junta who was arrested in his sickbed and has been held in military custody since 13 December.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates addresses businessmen at Bangkok's government house, 30 June 2005, REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom CS/mk

Investigation exposes the role of Microsoft in Thailand human rights abuse case

A new Privacy International investigation reveals Microsoft’s complicity in a serious case of Government persecution in Thailand. It is a shocking example of how Western companies not only work with governments that fall considerably short of international human rights standards, but can actually facilitate abuses of human rights.

Thai police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri speaks to the media at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, 30 August 2015, REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Thai media hounded by junta since 2014 coup

A year and a half after a military coup in Thailand, RWB is releasing a report about the Thai military’s skilfully orchestrated crackdown on freedom of information.

Link to: Hong Kong photojournalist charged by Thai government for carrying safety vest

Hong Kong photojournalist charged by Thai government for carrying safety vest

The IFJ said “We condemn the charges against Anthony Kwan, who was simply carrying the equipment for his own personal safety. The IFJ supports and advocates the rights of journalists to safe and secure working conditions, including the right to protect themselves adequately in the field.”

Link to: Prominent Thai journalist released, but forced to sign government agreement

Prominent Thai journalist released, but forced to sign government agreement

Following his release, Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk said that he and the two politicians who had been detained were forced to sign an agreement not to lead, participate or assist in any anti-coup movement.

Alan Morison, right, Australian editor of the website Phuketwan and his colleague Chutima Sidasathien speak to the media ahead of their appearance in court to face charges of violating Thailand's Computer Crime Act in Phuket, Thailand, on 14 July 2015, AP Photo/Thanyarat Doksone

Decision to dismiss case has implications for controversial Computer Crime Act

A Thai court dismissed a criminal defamation case brought up by the Royal Thai Navy against two journalists in Phuketwan and said the controversial Computer Crime Act shall not be used to prosecute defamation.