Cartoon by Stephff: New party member
The Dusit District Court has dismissed charges of violating the Emergency Decree against 15 activists and protesters for joining the Free Youth protest on 18 July 2020, but fined them 200 baht each for using a sound amplifier without permission.
The Dusit District Court has dismissed charges of violating the Emergency Decree against 15 activists and protesters for joining the Free Youth protest on 18 July 2020, but fined them 200 baht each for using a sound amplifier without permission. The activists at Samran Rat Police Station after...
The Thai authorities must not deport around 100 people from Myanmar, including children, interrogated after immigration and military officers raided apartment buildings in Mae Sot last week, allegedly to search for members of the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement and the People's Defence Force (PDF), said Amnesty International.
The Thai authorities must not deport around 100 people from Myanmar, including children, interrogated after immigration and military officers raided apartment buildings in Mae Sot last week, allegedly to search for members of the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement and the People's Defence Force...
The Thai parliament has been dissolved, according to a decree published in the Royal Government Gazette today (20 March), three days before the end of parliament’s term on Thursday (23 March).
The Thai parliament has been dissolved, according to a decree published in the Royal Government Gazette today (20 March), three days before the end of parliament’s term on Thursday (23 March). The parliament complex at Kiakkai Intersection (File photo) The decree is effective immediately after...
Cartoon by Stephff: Prayut's campaign for United Thai Party
The Cabinet has decided to postpone the enforcement of several sections in the new Prevention of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act requiring police officers to make audio and video recordings from the moment of arrest through to release, claiming the need for training and equipment.
The Cabinet has decided to postpone the enforcement of several sections in the new Prevention of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act requiring police officers to make audio and video recordings from the moment of arrest through to release, claiming the need for training and equipment. A rally...
The Royal Thai Police have issued a letter to the Ministry of Justice, asking them to delay enforcement of Anti-Torture Act. It claims the police are not ready in terms of training and equipment.
The Royal Thai Police have issued a letter to the Ministry of Justice, asking them to delay enforcement of Anti-Torture Act. It claims the police are not ready in terms of training and equipment. The Act, the first law of its kind in the Kingdom, was announced in the Royal Gazette on 24 October...
Sombath Somphone was abducted from the middle of Lao PDR’s capital Vientiane in 2012. A decade later, the perpetrators have not been brought to justice, his fate is still unknown, and his friends still hope for some progress in the case.
Sombath Somphone was abducted from the middle of Lao PDR’s capital Vientiane in 2012. A decade later, the perpetrators have not been brought to justice, his fate is still unknown, and his friends still hope for some progress in the case. Gatherers take a group photo at the Lao PDR embassy side...
On Monday (31 October), family and friends gathered to celebrate what would have been the 37th birthday of activist Siam Theerawut, who has been missing for the past three years and whose fate remains unknown.
On Monday (31 October), family and friends gathered to celebrate what would have been the 37th birthday of activist Siam Theerawut, who has been missing for the past three years and whose fate remains unknown. (Photo from Cross-cultural Foundation) Siam was a member of the Prakaifai theatre group...
An art exhibition about enforced disappearance has been postponed indefinitely as the venue's owner said they were 'uncomfortable' after being contacted by the police.
An art exhibition about enforced disappearance has been postponed indefinitely as the venue's owner said they were 'uncomfortable' after being contacted by the police.  Activists holding a sign asking why the exhibition was postponed. (Photo by Ginger Cat) The student activist group Mok Luang Rim...
Following the February 2021 coup in Myanmar and subsequent violence against protesters, a large number of people from Myanmar came to Thailand seeking safety and are now living as refugees in urban areas. Some came with valid visas, while some are undocumented, but all are unrecognised as refugees and unprotected under Thai law.
The use of violence by the Myanmar government after the 2021 coup in suppressing the people has resulted in a great number of Burmese people running for their lives to Thailand. Some came in legally with valid visas, some are undocumented. Although this group of people do not have a clear status as...
During the pandemic, Thai musicians and workers in the music industry faced unemployment as bars and entertainment venues were ordered to close. Many had to sell their instruments to keep themselves afloat, or make a living doing whatever else they could, while some left the industry altogether.In "Unplugged: Music in Crisis," Thai musicians talk about their lives during and after the pandemic, and the future of creative economy in Thailand.
When Covid-19 hits, they were the first to be out of a job, and when the lockdown ended, they were the last to get back to work. During the pandemic, Thai musicians and workers in the music industry faced unemployment as bars and entertainment venues were ordered to close. Many had to sell their...
The "Forest Reclamation Policy,” led to regulations to stop encroachment on forest resources in 2014. Enforcement resulted in more than 46,000 villagers around the country being arrested and sued.  Most were villagers who lived on, or had land plots that overlapped with, forest preserve areas in various ways.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announcement No.64/2557, better known as the "Forest Reclamation Policy,” led to regulations to stop encroachment on forest resources. Enforcement resulted in more than 46,000 villagers around the country being arrested and sued.  Most were villagers...
A series of previously unpublished photographs of the 6 October 1976 Thammasat University massacre taken by Thai photographers working for newspapers at the time of the massacre is now on display in a new exhibition at the Kinjai Contemporary gallery.
A series of previously unpublished photographs of the 6 October 1976 Thammasat University massacre taken by Thai photographers working for newspapers at the time of the massacre is now on display in a new exhibition at the Kinjai Contemporary gallery. The entrance to Kinjai Contemporary gallery...
For our 2021 Person of the Year, Prachatai has chosen Worawan Sae-aung, an elderly fruit vendor and regular protest-goer, for her courage in standing up against the authorities and her relentless support of the pro-democracy movement.
Interviews by Yiamyut Sutthichaya and Rattanaporn KhamenkitArticle by Anna Lawattanatrakul Worawan Sae-aung joining the 13 December 2021 march to Government House to protest against the Chana Industrial Project (Photo by Ginger Cat) Meet Worawan Sae-aung, an elderly fruit vendor and regular...
A student group at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Law has decided to cancel a board game night, during which they planned to play the card game “Patani Colonial Territory,” due to concerns caused by a visit from an officer of unknown affiliation.
A student group at Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Law has decided to cancel a board game night, during which they planned to play the card game “Patani Colonial Territory,” due to concerns caused by a visit from an officer of unknown affiliation. Patani Colonial Territory, a card game about...
The student who designed “Patani Colonial Territory,” a card game based on the history of colonization in the Deep South, is reported to have been summoned by the police, after the game was confiscated from a café in Yala by police and security officers. (Left) the "Patani Colonial Territory" card...
Security officers raided a cafe in the Deep South of Thailand, seizing “Patani Colonial Territory”, a board game using a set of cards about the history of the colonisation of Patani by Siam. The authorities claimed the content ‘may be illegal’.
Security officers raided a cafe in the Deep South of Thailand, seizing “Patani Colonial Territory”, a board game using a set of cards about the history of the colonisation of Patani by Siam. The authorities claimed the content ‘may be illegal’. Security officers stand guard at Life Coffe Slow Bar...
Two representatives of Buddhists in the Deep South group have gone to Malaysia to meet leading figures in the insurgency. The conversation hints at positive signs toward greater public participation in the peace process.
Two representatives of Buddhists in the Deep South group have gone to Malaysia to meet leading figures in the insurgency. The conversation hints at positive signs toward greater public participation in the peace process. From left to right: Phongsak Phromsing, Thida Wannalak. Phongsak Phromsing,...
At least 10 activists in Pattani are reported to have been visited by police and military officers ahead of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida’s visit to the province to attend the annual Quran recitation competition at the Pattani Central Mosque on Sunday (9 October). 
At least 10 activists in Pattani are reported to have been visited by police and military officers ahead of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida’s visit to the province to attend the annual Quran recitation competition at the Pattani Central Mosque on Sunday (9 October). Police officers visited...

News

Mar 26, 2023
The Dusit District Court has dismissed charges of violating the Emergency Decree against 15 activists and protesters for joining the Free Youth protest on 18 July 2020, but fined them 200 baht each for using a sound amplifier without permission.
Mar 20, 2023
The Thai parliament has been dissolved, according to a decree published in the Royal Government Gazette today (20 March), three days before the end of parliament’s term on Thursday (23 March).
Mar 17, 2023
A 23-year-old student has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for royal defamation and violation of the Computer Crimes Act, after the Criminal Court ruled that although the royal defamation law does not explicitly state that it covers only the current king, defaming King Bhumibol is still an offence under the law as it affects King Vajiralongkorn.

Highlight

11 Mar 2023

Following the February 2021 coup in Myanmar and subsequent violence against protesters, a large number of people from Myanmar came to Thailand seeking safety and are now living as refugees in urban areas. Some came with valid visas, while some are undocumented, but all are unrecognised as refugees and unprotected under Thai law.

11 Mar 2023

During the pandemic, Thai musicians and workers in the music industry faced unemployment as bars and entertainment venues were ordered to close. Many had to sell their instruments to keep themselves afloat, or make a living doing whatever else they could, while some left the industry altogether.

In "Unplugged: Music in Crisis," Thai musicians talk about their lives during and after the pandemic, and the future of creative economy in Thailand.

8 Mar 2023

Following the pro-democracy protests of 2020 - 2022, many activists were required to wear an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet to be granted bail. Among them are Chonthicha Jangrew and Panadda Sirimasakul.

In “Electronic Monitoring Devices: Online Shackles,” young activists talk about their lives after being charged for joining protests and being ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device while waiting for trial.

Feature

Mar 16, 2023
No government has ever admitted that the building of dams is the cause of “poverty” among the people of the Mekong River. The fish of the river and their economic value have been taken away in the name of development that comes with the construction of dams.  Mekong people have seen their options for survival restricted and narrowed. The poverty of their lives is not something that has just appeared out of the blue. Their fate lies entirely in political decisions, despite the government’s attempts to make the issue apolitical.
Mar 16, 2023
Fermented fish jars, once a sign of prosperity in Thailand's northeast, are now a grim reminder of a culinary tradition threatened by the construction of dams on the Mekong River.
Mar 13, 2023
Thai sex workers and supporting organisations are petitioning for a legalisation of the sex industry.  In the meantime, the illegal status of the industry leaves loopholes for corruption, human rights abuse, and inequality. 

Round Up

Dec 17, 2022
A monarchy supporter with a large online following was arrested on Saturday, hours after he claimed to have raised nearly 700,000 baht to cover the cost of what he described as a ritual to extend the life of King Vajiralongkorn’s eldest child.
Nov 17, 2022
Thailand is currently hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, taking place between 14 – 19 November at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), with the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on 18-19 November. Meanwhile, activist groups and civil society organizations are planning series of protests over the week against what they see as an attempt by the government to boost its legitimacy and greenwash the country’s major polluters.
Oct 15, 2022
A week has passed since the Northeastern massacre that left 37 dead. In the wake of the heartbreaking carnage, authorities and the media have begun to reflect on past errors and look for a way forward.

Interview

Nov 24, 2022
On the same day various leaders from Asia-Pacific nations mingled at a shiny convention center in Bangkok, photographer Chalinee Thirasupa was among a huddle of journalists taking photos of a phalanx of riot police close to Democracy Monument. A glass bottle was suddenly hurled toward her face.
Nov 16, 2022
The Thai office of Amnesty International over the past few months has increasingly turned to tackle more domestic human rights issues. An interview with the Country Director reveals that this decision has had a great impact, even threatening the organization’s existence, and including death threats against Amnesty personnel.
Nov 9, 2022
Two representatives of Buddhists in the Deep South group have gone to Malaysia to meet leading figures in the insurgency. The conversation hints at positive signs toward greater public participation in the peace process.

Opinion

Jan 20, 2023
A recent letter from the Royal Thai Police to the Ministry of Justice indicates that the police now want to delay implementation of the newly-touted points system for improving driver behaviour. 
Nov 15, 2022
Oct 24, 2022
Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, Chulalongkorn University's professor of political science, portrays an insightful outlook of how Thailand responded to Covid-19 from day one in parallel with many various pretexts and dimensions across the globe.

Multimedia

Mar 11, 2023
During the pandemic, Thai musicians and workers in the music industry faced unemployment as bars and entertainment venues were ordered to close. Many had to sell their instruments to keep themselves afloat, or make a living doing whatever else they could, while some left the industry altogether.In "Unplugged: Music in Crisis," Thai musicians talk about their lives during and after the pandemic, and the future of creative economy in Thailand.

Pick to Post

Mar 26, 2023
The Thai authorities must not deport around 100 people from Myanmar, including children, interrogated after immigration and military officers raided apartment buildings in Mae Sot last week, allegedly to search for members of the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement and the People's Defence Force (PDF), said Amnesty International.
Mar 17, 2023
A new report by the CIVICUS Monitor rates civic space in Thailand as 'repressed,' as the royal defamation law continues to be used to criminalise dissent and spyware has been used against activists. Protesters were also prosecuted and faced excessive force while concerns remain about a restrictive NGO bill. 
Mar 16, 2023
Prosecutors in Thailand should immediately drop criminal defamation charges brought against three human rights defenders by Thammakaset Company for their support of other activists facing criminal charges, and the Thai government should repeal criminal defamation law and strengthen anti-SLAPP measures, said Human Rights Watch.