Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that local security agencies used information operations (IO) to target civilians, academics, politicians, and political dissidents.

In a press briefing, NHRC Commissioner Wasan Paileaklee stated that the NHRC has asked to investigate these operations.

The complaint arose during a no-confidence debate earlier this year led by the People’s Party, which claimed that Thai national security agencies, including the Defence Ministry, Royal Thai Police, Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, as well as Internal Security Operations Command, had established a special national security task force to target and attack civilians, politicians, academics, and civil society organisations.

The agencies in question denied the allegation. The military said that its IO activities were limited to correcting misinformation online.

According to the investigation, the NHRC found credible grounds to believe that the agencies conducted IO with the aim of exerting influence on the information and decision-making capacities of opposing parties.

Confidential documents from the task force indicated that it collected personal information, including names, addresses, education, ID numbers, vehicle registrations, and information on political views. The task force reportedly also monitored the activities of political parties and organisations on its watchlists. Anonymous accounts were allegedly used by the task force to counter factual information and monitor targets.

The NHRC emphasised that such operations can only be done when authorised by laws and regulations in specific conditions with clear boundaries, using measures that are lawful and proportionate.

It found that no laws and regulations granted the government the power to conduct such activities.

The NHRC is concerned that such actions amounted to a violation of human rights, interfering with rights and freedoms which must be protected by the government agencies.

It resolved to submit recommendations to the Defence Ministry’s Chair of the Defence Council requesting that the case be investigated. The Ministry was also asked to ensure that the agencies under the Ministry maintain public order while respecting and protecting people’s rights and freedom.

It ordered that operations targeting individuals for expressing political opinions or engaging in political activities must cease.