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![Anthony Kwan, who was arrested at Bangkok airport for carrying a safety vest, Instagram/Anthony.Kwan](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_hk_anthony_kwan.jpg)
Journalist arrested in Thailand for carrying safety vest
Dual Hong Kong-Canadian journalist Anthony Kwan was arrested at Bangkok airport and charged under the Thai Arms Control Act for carrying an illegal weapon, which was a bullet-proof vest.
![Members of the New Democracy Movement activist group and supporters hold up pictures of the 14 students who had been held for holding anti-coup protests, during a rally outside the military court in Bangkok, 7 July 2015, REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_protests_students_reuters.jpg)
First-ever law to control public assembly takes effect in Thailand
Critics decried the law’s broadly-worded grounds that can be used to deny demonstration permits; as well as its tortuous procedures that could be abused to infringe on people’s civil liberties.
![Link to: Thai authorities should have thanked, not sued Phuketwan journalists](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Thai authorities should have thanked, not sued Phuketwan journalists
Phuketwan and other media groups reporting on the Rohingya and human trafficking issue should be highly commended, since these have helped the Thai government identify entry points to address the crisis, says SEAPA.
![Link to: Australian, Thai journalists to be tried on Thai navy defamation charges](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Australian, Thai journalists to be tried on Thai navy defamation charges
The charges relate to the reproduction on phuketwan.com of a single paragraph from a Reuters special report on Rohingya boat-people published in July 2013. Reuters subsequently won a Pulitzer Prize for the investigation in 2014.
![Student activists gather outside Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, on 24 June 2015, AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_student_protest_ap.jpg)
14 student activists arrested for peacefully expressing opposition to military rule in Thailand
“Thailand’s junta should immediately stop arresting and prosecuting student activists,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “While insisting they aren’t dictators, the Thai generals have used the military courts as a central feature of their crackdown against peaceful criticism and political dissent.”
![Protesters are detained by police in Bangkok on the one-year anniversary of the coup, 22 May 2015, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_coup_anniversary_reuters.jpg)
Thailand: Media reforms at risk of reversal under coup government
One year later, the general political atmosphere in Thailand has been one of suppression of persons and groups opposed to the May 2014 coup.
![Protesters face policemen during a protest in central Bangkok, 22 May 2015, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_protests_may2015_reuters.jpg)
Thailand, one year after the coup: Muzzling a tame media
The military coup on 22 May 2014 quelled street protests that had unsettled Bangkok for months. But the military junta has since ruled the nation with an iron fist, suppressing any voice of opposition and restricting free speech and media freedom.
![A soldier provides security near the Parliament during the National Legislative Assembly meeting in Bangkok, 9 January 2015, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_soldier_reuters.jpg)
Martial law lifted in Thailand, but tougher measures in place
Thailand may have nominally ended martial law on 1 April but the new powers are just as sweeping and intimidating.
![Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thaimilitaryleader_rt.jpg)
Thai military leader threatens to execute journalists
On 25 March 2015, Thai military junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha made disturbing comments against journalists unwilling to adhere to the official line, saying, “We’ll probably execute them.”
![Arnon Numpa (2nd L), a 30-year-old rights lawyer, and Sirawith Seritiwat (R), 24, a student, leaves a police station for the military court in Bangkok March 16, 2015, REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thai_activists_rt.jpg)
Four activists against military rule charged for violating protest ban in Thailand
On 16 March 2015, Bangkok police charged four activists for violating the ban on political activity and holding a public gathering of more than five people.
![Patiwat Saraiyaem (front L), 23, and Porntip Mankong (R), 26, leave the Bangkok's Criminal Court after being sentenced on charges of lese majeste, 23 February 2015, REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_theatre_reuters.jpg)
Thai student activists sentenced for insulting the monarchy in a play
The case against two student activists relates to their involvement in staging a play about a fictional monarch, the “Wolf Bride”, at Thammasat University, Thailand in October 2013.
![Link to: Land rights activist gunned down in southern Thailand](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Land rights activist gunned down in southern Thailand
“For too long Thai authorities have stood by while activists like Chai Bunthonglek have been murdered in cold blood for standing up for their communities,” said HRW.
![Link to: Military cancels forum on Thai media landscape](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Military cancels forum on Thai media landscape
A media forum in Bangkok scheduled to launch a report measuring the Thai media landscape was cancelled following an order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
![Link to: Thailand’s junta aggressively pursuing increased legal, technical surveillance powers](https://ifex.org/wp-content/themes/ifex/assets/images/placeholder.png)
Thailand’s junta aggressively pursuing increased legal, technical surveillance powers
Since the beginning of the year, the military-led government of Thailand has been focusing on increasing their surveillance capabilities, both from a legal and technical standpoint.
![Thai Facebook users were alarmed on 28 May 2014 when the ICT Ministry blocked access to Facebook at the request of the military, but the junta blamed the brief shutdown on a technical problem, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_internet_reuters.jpg)
Cyber security bill threatens media freedom in Thailand
CPJ calls on Thailand’s military-appointed legislature to scrap proposed legislation that would allow for mass surveillance of online activities and platforms. The Cyber Security Bill was approved this month by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s Cabinet and is pending in the National Legislative Assembly.
![Reporters take pictures of a woman protesting against military rule in Bangkok, 26 May 2014, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj](https://ifex.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/thailand_protest_js_reuters.jpg)
Martial law must be lifted to address impunity in Thailand
The abuse of powers by politicians and the unjustified use of security-related laws in the aftermath of Thailand’s military coup d’etat in May characterises impunity in the country, leading to the general worsening of freedom of expression over the past year.