On November 8, 2022, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights together with 23 other Human Rights Organizations submitted a letter to various foreign embassies in Thailand including the members states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC such as the embassies of The United States of America, Canada, and Australia, the European Union member states such […]
On 27th October 2022, Embassy of Finland in Bangkok awarded Thai Lawyers for Human Rights a HÄN Honor for its exemplary work advancing human rights and equality in Thailand. The honor was delivered by the Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Jari Sinkari, […]
The number of prosecutions under “Lèse Majesté” from 24 November 2020 – 20 June 2022 *Last edited 16 September 2022 On 19 November 2020, General Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a statement regarding the political situation by declaring that it was necessary to increase intensified suppressing measure by enforcing every law and section against protesters who violate […]
At the end of September 2022, the cabinet approved the revocation of the Emergency Decree, which has been enforced for the past two and a half years. As a result, the public assemblies will be reverted to be subject to the Public Assembly Act. Nevertheless, the Emergency Decree cases associated with the past protests are […]
On 20 September 2022, Amnesty International Thailand together with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) organized a briefing on Children’s Exercise of the Freedom of Expression and Assembly in Thailand at The Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn. The participants include representatives from TLHR, Amnesty International Thailand, Foreign Embassies, OHCHR, UNICEF, Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, […]
*Last updated on 16 September 2022 According to TLHR database on Juvenile prosecution (from 2020 onwards), at least 283 youths from 211 cases have been prosecuted for political expression and protest. After the phenomenon of continuous leaderless protest from 2nd August 2021 to the end of October 2021 at Din Daeng Triangle, the youth activist […]
Series: YOUNG มีหวัง Seventeen years – the age of “Thanakon,” the first youth charged with violation of Article 116 of the Criminal Code and “Sainam,” the first youth charged with violation of Article 112 (lèse-majesté) of the Criminal Code. Sixteen years – the age of “Nat,” the youth who experienced the longest period of detention […]
“Mimi” is a 18-year-old feminist activist who is passionate about advocating for gender diversity. Since 2020, she has been participating in political demonstrations related to various socio-political issues. She has been charged with 6 political charges during her journey of activism. While participating in political activities, she has slowly discovered her passion. “Jai Foo” (Rising […]
Between 18 July 2020, the first Free Youth rally, and 22 July 2021, a total of 34,509,500 baht (approx. 1,049,942 USD)[1] were paid to the court as bail surety for 582 times for 404 individuals in 167 cases.[2] Such high amounts of surety money illustrate the overburdening costs put on those charged from exercising civil […]
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 […]
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 […]
On 20 January 2025, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and Freedom Bridge submitted an input to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health in preparation for her upcoming country visit to Thailand from 18 to 28 February 2025. […]
In December 2024, there were no new cases related to freedom of expression or public assemblies. However, several similar cases remain pending in the courts. Throughout the month, new verdicts have been issued in at least eight Section 112 cases and five political assembly cases. Notable among these involved lawyer Arnon Nampa, who was sentenced […]
Last November saw three new cases, including one Section 112 case in the South. Meanwhile, “Netiwit” was charged for his act of conscientious objection by refusing to participate in military conscription. Additionally, three activists in Chiang Mai were summoned to face charges of insulting the Constitutional Court for activities carried out in 2022. November saw […]
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 […]
In October, at least one new Section 112 case was filed, although no additional detainees were held pending trial. Five prisoners who had been convicted were released, including two individuals convicted under Section 112. Last month, during the witness examination in Section 112 trials, there were instances where the defendants could not be contacted. The […]
On 23 October 2024, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights submitted an input to the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls in preparation for the Working Group’s upcoming country visit to Thailand from 2 to 13 December 2024. The Working Group’s country visit will focus on issues related to discrimination against […]
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 […]
Last September, there was at least one new case under Section 112 and Section 116 each. One more individual has been detained pending trial. One individual convicted under Section 112 has been discharged under the Royal Pardon Decree while the amnesty bills are being considered in Parliament. Meanwhile, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights has submitted […]
In August, there were at least two news cases under Section 112 and two additional detainees. Meanwhile, the Court of First Instance dismissed one more case under the Public Assembly Act, making the trend of verdicts for such cases even more interesting. At the police and prosecutorial levels, preparations for indictments under the Emergency Decree […]
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 […]
