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.
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.
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