<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>The People&#39;s Network of 5 Regions and a network of other NGOs submitted a letter on Tuesday (26 May) demanding the government revoke the Emergency Decree&nbsp;as it allows for blanket use of powers without required check and balance, causing concerns about abuse of power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People from various Songkhla fishing communities are&nbsp;demanding the authorities to halt a series of public hearings of a mega project that would turn over 16,000 rai of seaside land into an industrial zone. Meanwhile, Kaireeya Ramanyah, a young human right defenders and the Chana Rak Thin Network&#39;s youth representative, has been sitting in front of the Songkhla provincial hall since yesterday morning (12 May)&nbsp;and said that she will not leave until they get answers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Emergency Decree will remain in effect through May, and measures including flight bans, the night time curfew, the ban on social gatherings, and travel restrictions between provinces will continue to be enforced, announced Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin on Monday (27 April.)</p>

<p>An anti-mining, LGBT and community-based human rights defender has been summoned by the police after joining the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources in demanding a lock down of mining operations, and to prevent the situation from being exploited to give mining concessions.</p>

<p>The Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources issued a statement today (28 April) calling for the authorities to equally impose the Emergecy Decree by halting all mining operation and mine licensing process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least 10 homeless people in Chiang Mai have been arrested for breaking curfew by being outside after 22.00, says <a href="https://www.tlhr2014.com/?p=17223&amp;fbclid=IwAR1rsec56my0QLs6mvkIH5s3qXSs7ad3rQLcNrrELdUPCjgfvrfGv_fAVM0">Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).</a></p>

<p>The Thai authorities are prosecuting social media users who criticize the government and monarchy in a systematic campaign to crush dissent which is being exacerbated by new COVID-19 restrictions, Amnesty International said in a new report released today.</p>

<p>The Immigration Bureau <a href="https://immigration.go.th/content/visa_auto_extension">announced</a> on Tuesday (7 April) that all foreigners&rsquo; visas will be automatically extended as an effort to prevent long queues at immigration centres and control the spread of COVID-19.</p>

<p>As Cambodia considers joining other Southeast Asian countries in declaring a state of emergency in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, regional MPs today warned governments against using the crisis to crack down on critics, assert their power and threaten democratic institutions.</p>