In its 2026 annual report, Amnesty International raises concerns about ongoing human rights violations in Thailand, including the detention of political prisoners and the lack of protection for refugees.

An activist-turned MP has been acquitted of a royal defamation charge over a speech he delivered at a 22 August 2020 protest in Ubon Ratchathani province. He faced three royal defamation charges, all of which resulted in acquittals.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of the Criminal Court, the fellows of the European Parliament's Sakharov Fellowship and laureate of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thoughts have called on the Thai authorities to drop charges against human rights defender Pimsiri Petchnamrob and end the prosecution of Thai Thai prisoners of thought currently behind bars for peacefully voicing dissenting opinions.

The Appeal Court has sentenced a pro-democracy activist to prison for royal defamation over a speech delivered during a protest at the King Taksin the Great Monument on 6 December 2020. She was later released on bail.

Last year, Thailand passed the Marriage Equality Act, which made it the first Southeast Asian country to legalise marriage for all. However, writes political science graduate student and former activist Ford (Tattep) Ruangprapaikitseree, this does not mean it is a free country.

Human Right lawyer and activist Anon Nampa is now facing over 26 years in prison for charges filed against him for his activism during the 2020 - 2022 pro-democracy movement, including several counts of royal defamation.

A Thammasat University student has been released after staging a solo protest against the attendance of Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the 6th BIMSTEC summit taking place in Bangkok. No charges were filed against him.

Thailand has reverted to ‘Not Free’ status, says Freedom House in its new Freedom in the World Report, due to the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, the forced repatriation of activists, refugees, and asylum seekers to countries where they faced ill-treatment, and on going prosecution and detention of pro-democracy activists.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday (14 March) condemning Thailand's deportation of Uyghur refugees to China and its use of the royal defamation law. MEPs called on the Commission to leverage free trade agreement negotiations to demand reform.

A pro-democracy activist has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for royal defamation after throwing dog food at an image of the King. The activist was later granted bail pending appeal.

The Thai government has so far failed to fulfill its pledge to promote human rights, says Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2025, highlighting several setbacks to its human rights situation and noting one positive step forward in the Marriage Equality bill. HRW calls on the Thai government to end the pervasive repression of free speech, amend or annul abusive laws, and release all those prosecuted for exercising their basic rights.

A 29-year-old pro-democracy activist has been given a 3-year suspended sentence in prison after being charged with royal defamation for posting a drawing of King Vajiralongkorn on social media.