A new report by the CIVICUS Monitor rates civic space in Thailand as 'repressed,' as the royal defamation law continues to be used to criminalise dissent and spyware has been used against activists. Protesters were also prosecuted and faced excessive force while concerns remain about a restrictive NGO bill. 

<p>Prachatai interviewed Thitirat Thipsamritkul, lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Thammasat University, and also&nbsp;the Chair of Amnesty International Thailand, on the impacts that the Non-profit Organisation Act may have if passed.</p>

<p>Protesters from over 67 civil society organisations (CSOs), who have been demonstrating at Ratchadamnoen Road for the past 8 days, announced that they have met their immediate objective in communicating with society and pressuring the government to refrain from adopting a Draft Act on the Operations of Not-for-profit Organisations.</p>

<p>The protest against the new NPO bill is now in its 4th day since it occupied the street in front of the United Nations headquarters on Monday (23 May), while concerns are being raised as the police try to convince them to move to make way for an upcoming royal motorcade.</p>