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 […]
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 […]
On 22 May 2025, Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer and political activist, was awarded the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk by the organization Front Line Defenders. The award recognizes his courageous work in defending and promoting human rights, despite facing significant personal risk. This marks the fifth award Arnon […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
February 2025 saw the emergence of two new cases related to political expression, both occurring in the South. These include a Section 112 case against Watcharapong Sinso for commenting on a post in the “Royalist Marketplace – Talad Luang” Facebook group, and a Section 116 case against Abdul Afir Seng, a volunteer reporter for ‘Wartani,’ […]
In January 2025, two new cases involving political expression emerged. These included the Section 112 case against “Busbas,” now facing his fourth Section 112 charge, and Arnon Nampa, who was charged under contempt of court following his act of protest – the removal of his shirt in the courtroom. Moreover, an activist in Nakhon Ratchasima […]
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 […]
