<p>Emergency measures adopted to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have been repeatedly used by Thai authorities to target government critics and peaceful protesters, said ARTICLE 19.</p>

<p>In conjunction the 36th ASEAN Summit, held virtually on 26 June, 45 civil society organizations issued a <a href="https://www.forum-asia.org/?p=32059#:~:text=26%20June%202020%2012%3A07,months%2C%20rights%20groups%20said%20today.">joint statement</a> condemning the increase in human rights violations by ASEAN member states during the Covid-19 pandemic, and also criticising the exclusion of civil society organisations from participating in the summit.</p>

<p>Prime Minister plans to ask various sectors to propose a plan for the country to move forward and to improve citizens&rsquo; lives in the coming weeks.</p>

<p>The Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration with the PM at its helm decided to lift the 11 pm &ndash; 3 am curfew. Many businesses are also allowed to resume, with protection measures and social distancing, on 15 June. Border controls rermain in place.</p>

<p>The Covid-19 outbreak has added to the uncertainty of university graduates&rsquo; struggle to find a job as unemployment soars and government solutions are just not enough. Academics urge state-funded training and employment projects.</p>

<p>Students have joined hands with labour organizations in submitting a letter urging the government to lift the Emergency Decree after the cabinet decided to extend it to 30 June. The letter says, &ldquo;stop using the pandemic as an excuse to oppress the people.&rdquo; Thai Lawyers for Human Rights pointed out three legal reasons why the situation does not warrant extending the Emergency Decree.</p>

<p>The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced the relaxation of some Covid-19 control measures as the number of new cases per day continues to drop.</p>

<p>Thousands of foreign nationals who are married to Thai citizens are expressing their concerns and frustrations over the Thai government&rsquo;s travel restrictions because they are not included among those allowed into the country, leaving them stranded overseas, separated from their loved ones.</p>

<p>The cabinet decided on Tuesday afternoon (26 May) to extend the State of Emergency to the end of June, while civil society organizations have called for the Emergency Decree to be lifted, raising concerns about abuse of power in situations unrelated to the pandemic.</p>

<p>Guerilla message projection and online sharing are being used as protest movements as the Covid-19 Emergency Decree is used to prosecute and prevent offline gatherings, foreshadowing many days which could trigger public discussions and gatherings.</p>

<p>Police in Songkhla Province have turned down a request to hold an anti-seawall public gathering at Muang Ngam beach, claiming it would violate the Emergency Decree on Covid-19 control. Many people still went to express their objections on the beach where the construction is taking place, while police took video recordings and photos.</p>

<p>Three Thai exchange students in the US share their experience of facing government restrictions as they try to return home after their programmes were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>