Prachatai has been awarded 2 Human Rights Media awards by Amnesty International Thailand for a report on the five people accused of being "Men in Black" firing war weapons on Tanao Road during the 10 April 2010 crackdown on Red Shirt protests and a video feature on the death in detention of activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom. Meanwhile, ThisAble.Me received 2 awards for a report on the experience of disabled candidates in the Senate election and a photo series on access to disability aid and prosthesis in Si Saket.

Recipients of the 2024 Human Rights Media Awards (Photo from Amnesty International Thailand)

Amnesty International Thailand held the award ceremony on Monday (17 February) at the Best Western Hotel in Bangkok's Chatuchak district. The awards were presented to honour outstanding works on human rights in the categories of print and online news and news feature, broadcast news and news features, online video features, and photographs.

Puttanee Kangkun, Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand, said that the award is not just a symbol of success but also an expression of courage for those on the frontlines and an underlying drive for human rights. Despite facing relentless pressure and uncertainty, Puttanee said, every entry showed that the media still recognizes the importance of human rights and is ready to be a voice for those whose rights have been violated, as well as to stand by human rights activists who are fighting for justice.

2024 is a year full of challenges and increasing pressure as media organizations struggle to secure funding and keep their businesses afloat. Given the situation, reporting on human rights could face restrictions and may have to compromise on freedom and facts. Meanwhile, many outlets still face the risk of prosecution, threats, and pressures from those in power. Press freedom has therefore become an issue that needs to be closely monitored because press freedom is the people's freedom.

Puttanee thanked the journalists who continue to cover stories about human rights, noting that everyone is instrumental in the documentation and presentation of stories of oppressed people and uncovering hidden information about human rights violations.

“In an era where information is digested quickly, news consumers yearn for content that is rich and interesting. However, restrictions due to economic pressures still challenge the ability to produce content about human rights. Media helps people to understand the complexity and in-depth meaning of their fellow human beings. The Media Awards attest to an importance of press freedom and how meaningful the independence of media to society," said Puttanee.

In closing, Piyanut Kotsan, Director of Amnesty International Thailand, thank the media, who are the most important people at today’s event as they have helped drive and be a medium to fight for human rights and provide the public with correct understanding, both in the past and in the future. She emphasized that these awards do not only honor the work of media, but also attest to the role of media in protecting human rights and freedom of expression, which remains critically important to Thai society. Amnesty International Thailand would like to thank everyone who has helped to advocate for human rights with us, to make human rights a matter for everyone.

Prachatai multimedia reporter Burapat Chanpratad (right) receiving the award from Tantawan Tuatulanon, an activist who featured in the video report "Death of justice? How an activist's death in detention raise questions about the Thai justice system".

Prachatai received two honourable mention awards. One is for the report "For how much longer do they have to be the Men in Black for the Thai state?" by Sorawut Wongsaranon. The report is about the five people accused of being "Men in black" firing war weapons on Tanao Road during the 10 April 2010 crackdown on Red Shirt protests, their arrest, and repeated prosecution. 

Another honourable mention award was given to the video feature "Death of justice? How an activist's death in detention raise questions about the Thai justice system" about the death of activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom, who died following a long hunger strike while held in pre-trial detention on a royal defamation charge.

Meanwhile, ThisAble.me was given two honourable mention awards. One is for the report "A lifter falls down the stairs – Assistants of people with disability prohibited: A memoir of experience during the selection of 2024 senators at the district level" about the experience of disabled candidates in the Senate election, for whom the limited accessibility at election venues made it harder for them to participate in the election.

Another honourable mention award was given to ThisAble.me reporter Kotcharak Kaewsurach for "Disability Aids and Prosthesis for People with Disability in Si Saket," a photo story about people with disability in Si Saket province who have had a hard time accessing and getting maintenance support for their disability aids, such as wheelchairs and air mattresses, and prosthesis.

ThisAble.Me reporter Kotcharak Kaewsurach (right) receiving the award from Piyanut Kotsan, Director of Amnesty International Thailand.

The full list award recipients is as followed:

Two Outstanding News and News Feature Awards in Print and Online Media:

• “Pattaya Ladyboys Never Looked Good’: in Pattaya, Ladyboys Are Subjected to Urine Test, Drug Users Subjected to Extortion and Labelling” Thairath Plus
• ‘Stateless Novice Learning Center’: A Borderless Education Under the Shade of the Saffron Robe” The 101.world

Six Honorable Mention News and News Feature Awards in Print and Online Media:

• “Children of Migrant Workers: New Lives Without Legal Status, Born and Opening Their Eyes in Thailand, With No Birth Certificates” Thairath Plus
• “Recycling on Land – The Demise of Waterways: ‘Khlong Kiew Recycling Plant’: Flaws in Every Square Inch of Land Where Laws Turned into Scraps of Paper” The 101.world
• “The Flow of Money: Transnational Businesses, State Interests, Financial Transactions and the Post-Coup Situation in Myanmar” WAY Magazine website
• “Tricked into slavery, detained and prosecuted: An ordeal of ‘forced criminals’” HaRDstories news agency
• “A lifter falls down the stairs – Assistants of people with disability prohibited: A memoir of experience during the selection of 2024 senators at the district level” Thisable.me online news agency
• “For how much longer do they have to be the Men in Black for the Thai state?” Prachatai news agency

Five Honorable Mention Award in the news or news feature category in broadcast category (Total length not exceeding 20 minutes):

• “SEE TRUE: Exposing the Lives of Male Sex Workers”, Thairath TV 32
• “Sediment Disappearance due to Mekong Dams”, Nation TV
• “‘Moken Sea Gypsies’ on Koh Phayam: Forgotten Lives?”, One News Agency
• “Tak Bai Case toward A History Without Statute of Limitations” and “Tak Bai Part 2: Lighting a Fire in People’s Hearts?”, Nation TV
• “D-Day, 25 March, Thailand Kicks Off ‘Humanitarian Corridor’”, Social Agenda and Public Policy Communication Center (The Active), Thai PBS

One Outstanding News or News feature Award Presented for Online Video Clip Format:

• “We Need to Talk About Anon: The Man Who Bring Equality to People”, Thairath Plus News Agency

Four Honorable Mention Awards for News or News feature presented in the form of online video clips:

• “Who's the Black Shirt?” The 101.world
• “The 20th Ramadan of the Tak Bai Case” Decode Online News Agency
• “The Potash Mine That “Srettha” Wants: Has It Really Destroyed the Land in Korat?” BBC Thai 
• “Death of justice? How an activist's death in detention raise questions about the Thai justice system” Prachatai News Agency

1st Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:

• “The Justice After Waiting for 20 Years: The Tak Bai Case” by “Suphasarn Kannarong”

2nd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:

• “Mobile Registration Units: Restoring Rights of Children with G Code” by Chanakan Laosarakam

3rd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:

• “From Karen State to Rayong: Fleeing War to a New Life Far from Home” by Wachanapol Srichumpuang

Honorable Mentions in in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights:

• “Bamboo School: The Last Shelter for Stateless Children” by “Natthaphop Sangket
• “Stars by the Garbage Pile”: Collecting Rubbish to Make a Living Hoping for An Education to Change Life” by Chin Chomdee
• “12 Years of Love and Acceptance: Voice from the Hearts of Blind Couples” by Anan Chonmahatrakul
• “Home That One Cannot Return To” by Nattapol Phanpongsanon
• “Way of Life of Street Workers in the Middle of City Market” by Supanat Rattanathanaprasan
• “Suffering in the Mountains: Solving the Drug Problem in Remote Areas with Harm Reduction” by Worawut Phongpipat
• “Disability Aids and Prosthesis for People with Disability in Si Saket” by Kotcharak Kaewsurach