<p>The police arrested the owner of an apartment in Nonthaburi on Sunday morning (18 July), ahead of the protest in the afternoon, and confiscated effigies made for the protest march, while a van belonging to the We Volunteer protest guard group was searched.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Activist Shinawat Chankrajang and another protester were arrested in front of the Ministry of Public Health on Friday (16 July) during a protest over the Covid-19 vaccination programme, while two other protesters and one police officer were injured.</p>

<p>As Thai authorities imposed strict virus prevention measures in Bangkok and nine provinces from Monday, Amnesty International calls on authorities to use these restrictions solely to address worsening rates of Covid-19 infection and not to&nbsp;arbitrarily or disproportionately penalise individuals for peacefully exercising their rights.</p>

<p>Beside curfews and lockdowns in many locations, the 27th regulation under the Emergency Decree also imposes a 2-year jail sentence and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht for anyone who spreads information or news that causes public fear or affects national security.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Thai Film Director Association (TFDA) filed a petition on 7 July calling for the authorities to ease disease control measures and procure effective vaccines in order to allow film crews to work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A group of doctors has submitted a petition, signed by over 200,000 medical professionals and members of the public, demanding that the government and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) provide mRNA Covid-19 vaccines for frontline workers.</p>

<p>New disease control measures have been announced for Bangkok and the surrounding five provinces, along with four provinces in the Deep South, including&nbsp;including a curfew between 21.00 &ndash; 4.00 and a ban on gatherings of 5 or more people, which will be implemented as of Monday (12 July).</p>

<p>A protest was held next to the Government House on Friday (2 July) demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha for the government&rsquo;s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and failure in sourcing effective vaccines.</p>

<p>The Thailand Nightland and Entertainment Business Association (NEBA), along with a group of musicians, went to parliament on 1 July to submit a letter inquiring about their demands&nbsp;for assistance for workers in the nightlife and entertainment industry who have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, while the Commoner Band performed by the Parliament compound to show support for their colleagues, and to hold a memorial event for a musician who recently committed suicide.&nbsp;</p>