Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)
established on 24th May 2014, two days following the coup in 2014, by a group of human rights lawyers and social activists. Initially as an ad-hoc organization, TLHR aimed to provide legal and litigation assistance to individuals who had been summoned, arrested, and detained by the military as a result of the 2014 coup.
Statement: Calling on Thailand to Guarantee Basic Rights in the Criminal Justice System in Section 112 Case Regarding the Arrest of Dr. Paul Chambers
On 8 April 2025, Dr. Paul Wesley Chambers, an American academic affiliated with the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, was charged under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of Thailand’s Criminal Code and Section 14(1) (entering distorted, fake, or false computer data into the computer system in a manner likely to cause […]
Advocacy Team
13/04/2568
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Finds the Detention of Human Rights Lawyer Arnon Nampa Arbitrary and Calls for his Immediate Release
During its 100th session in late August 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued its opinion (Opinion No. 28/2024) on the detention of human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of the Thai Criminal Code. The Working Group concludes that the deprivation of Mr. Nampa’s liberty is arbitrary as it violates […]
admin05
16/12/2567
Thailand’s Recent Election to the UN Human Rights Council — Explained
On 9 October 2024, Thailand won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) following the election for the 2025-2027 term. Alongside Thailand, successful bids for a seat on the Council by other countries in the Asia-Pacific region include Cyprus, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, and the Marshall Islands. Thailand will begin its […]
Admin28
21/10/2567
“Arnon Nampa” Becomes The First Thai Recipient of 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in Dublin
“Arnon Nampa” Becomes The First Thai Recipient of 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in Dublin On 22 May 2025, in Dublin, Ireland, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa was awarded the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk for 2025 by the organization Front Line Defenders. He was recognized for his role in […]
Advocacy Team
22/05/2568
Report on the Seminar to Launch the Book “Feathers on the Scale”: the Life and Experiences of Human Rights Lawyers Who Work to “Serve the People”
February 20, 2024, marked Lawyer’s Day in Thailand, and at the SCC Creative Space in Bangkok (BTS Ratchathewi), a seminar titled “The Role of Lawyers in Protecting Human Rights” was held. The event also launched the book “Feathers on the Scales: 10 Interviews on the Life and Experiences of Human Rights Lawyers” which tells the […]
Admin20
28/02/2568
Prosecutor indicted 9 Malayu activists under Section 116 for their involvement in organizing the Melayu Raya cultural gathering in Pattani Province in May 2022
On 23 January 2025, at the Pattani Provincial Court, a prosecutor from the Office of Criminal Litigation 4 Region 9 issued an indictment order against nine Muslim activists on charges under Sections 116 (sedition), 209 (secret society), and 210 (conspiracy) of the Criminal Code, as well as the Emergency Decree. These charges stemmed from their […]
admin05
28/02/2568
Malay HRDs attended advocacy meetings in Bangkok to provide details about cultural rights in Southern Border Provinces
On 28 August 2024, human rights defenders (HRDs) from Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) met with the diplomatic community at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok to provide briefing about the ongoing criminal proceedings against the HRDs for exercising their right to freedom expression. The meeting was attended by […]
Admin21
06/09/2567
UN Letter to Thai Government: UN Experts “Alarmed” by Record-Breaking 50-Year Prison Term under Thailand’s Lèse-Majesté Law
On 13 March 2024, UN Special Procedures submitted a joint letter of allegation to the Thai government concerning the use of the lèse-majesté law by Thai authorities to prosecute individuals who expressed opinions deemed to be critical of the Thai monarchy. In particular, this letter came after the Thai Court of Appeals Region 5 sentenced […]
admin010
28/05/2567
Secretariat of the House of Representatives launched a public consultation on People’s Amnesty Bill, which will take place between 13 May-12 June 2024 via Parliamentary website
On 8 May 2024, Pol. Sub-Lt. Arpath Sukhanan, secretary of the House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretariat of The House of Representatives, sent a letter to Ms. Poonsuk Poonsukcharoen, a representative from the People’s Amnesty Network who kickstarted the introduction of the People’s Amnesty Bill into Parliament. The letter indicates that the Bill […]
admin010
24/05/2567
May 2025: Attorney General issued a non-indictment order in the case against ‘Paul Chambers’; ‘Netiwit’ indicted for his conscientious objection
In May 2025, three new cases related to political expression emerged. One of these involved a Section 112 (lèse-majesté) charge against a member of the public accused of making a statement regarding King Rama X in March 2023. Another case was brought against former workers of Yarnapund PCL under the Public Assembly Act, following their […]
Advocacy Team
23/06/2568
April 2025: Paul Chambers, American academic charged by Third Army Region for violating Section 112; Criminal Court issues bans on reporting details of proceedings in important cases
April 2025 saw seven new cases concerning political expression, one of which was the case against Dr. Paul Chambers under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of the Thai Criminal Code in connection with a promotional blurb introducing an academic seminar hosted by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. The case was brought against him by an officer authorized by […]
Advocacy Team
23/05/2568
March 2025: More 112-116 cases in the South; ten-year-imprisonment for messages posted in 2014 and bail denial; Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand revoked outdated regulations on student hairstyles
Three additional cases related to political expression were reported in March 2025. Two of them occurred in the South: “Jiradee” was prosecuted under Section 112 in Phatthalung Province, while “Poon” Thanapat was charged under Section 116. Both individuals had arrest warrants issued against them, and the same person—Chair of the People Protecting the Monarchy Group—filed […]
Advocacy Team
18/04/2568 May 2025: Attorney General issued a non-indictment order in the case against ‘Paul Chambers’; ‘Netiwit’ indicted for his conscientious objection
In May 2025, three new cases related to political expression emerged. One of these involved a Section 112 (lèse-majesté) charge against a member of the public accused of making a statement regarding King Rama X in March 2023. Another case was brought against former workers of Yarnapund PCL under the Public Assembly Act, following their […]
Advocacy Team
23/06/2568 April 2025: Paul Chambers, American academic charged by Third Army Region for violating Section 112; Criminal Court issues bans on reporting details of proceedings in important cases
April 2025 saw seven new cases concerning political expression, one of which was the case against Dr. Paul Chambers under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of the Thai Criminal Code in connection with a promotional blurb introducing an academic seminar hosted by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. The case was brought against him by an officer authorized by […]
Advocacy Team
23/05/2568 “Arnon Nampa” Becomes The First Thai Recipient of 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in Dublin
“Arnon Nampa” Becomes The First Thai Recipient of 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in Dublin On 22 May 2025, in Dublin, Ireland, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa was awarded the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk for 2025 by the organization Front Line Defenders. He was recognized for his role in […]
Advocacy Team
22/05/2568 Statement: Calling on Thailand to Guarantee Basic Rights in the Criminal Justice System in Section 112 Case Regarding the Arrest of Dr. Paul Chambers
On 8 April 2025, Dr. Paul Wesley Chambers, an American academic affiliated with the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, was charged under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of Thailand’s Criminal Code and Section 14(1) (entering distorted, fake, or false computer data into the computer system in a manner likely to cause […]
Advocacy Team
13/04/2568
Public Statement on Section 112 and the Ruling to Dissolve the Move Forward Party: Undermining adaptability of a political system in response to changes in Thai society
On 7 August 2024, pursuant to a petition from the Election Commission of Thailand, the Constitutional Court ruled (Case No. 10/2567) to dissolve the Move Forward Party. The petition from the Election Commission stemmed from several factors, including: The Court determines that such acts are tantamount to an attempt to overthrow the system of government, […]
admin010
20/08/2567
Overcoming Threats with a Brave Heart : Opening speech for Murdered Justice 21 May 2024
To all who cherish and desire democracy Coup in 2014 The coup in 2014 had a profound impact on Thai society and people. At the time, the coup took away the opportunity for Thai society to peacefully progress towards democracy. Although many citizens demanded and expressed their desire for change, they were instead subjected to […]
