On 8 May, Viboon Boonpattararaksa posted in his Facebook page about his son, Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, aka ‘Pai’ that “Good news!, Pai Dao Din is to be released on 10 May 2019. Please share his news as people keep asking me about his. Thank you.” After being convicted and sentenced to two years and six months […]
This morning (30 April 2019), Ms.Payao Akkhahad aka ‘Mae Nong Ked’, Mr. Parit Chiwarak, aka ‘Penguin’, and Mr. Sirawith Seritiwat, aka ‘Ja New’ went on foot to Phayathai Police Station to answer to the charges pressed against them by Mr. Pinit Chanchai, a member of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) who has accused them […]
Universities should offer spaces to nurture the exercise of freedom of expression In the aftermath of Thailand’s national election on 24 March 2019, students and the general public have raised questions and expressed their skepticism regarding the performance of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT). Throughout the election process – from the tabulation of the […]
Ekachai Hongkangwan is a freelance writer and political activist. His activism has become prominent in the aftermath of the 2014 coup, around 2016. He has been campaigning on different issues: demanding an investigation on the failure to report assets (including 25 luxurious wristwatches) by Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, aka ‘The Rolex General’: searching for a plaque […]
“Has the court ruled yet?” “They will rule this time, won’t they?” Defence lawyers are repeatedly asked these questions by the defendants at every hearing at the Bangkok Military Court. “It will be a long time until the next witness hearing. And my brother remains in jail. My time should be put to better use, […]
On 31 March 2019, two activists, Ekachai Hongkangwan and Anurak Jeantawanich (also known as “Ford Red Path”) organised an activity at Ratchaprasong Intersection to collect signatures for a petition calling for the removal of the Election Commission. The petition came after Thailand’s general election on 24 March 2019 was beset with broad public concerns about […]
To instigate an effective military coup, an aspiring dictator or junta must oust the ruling government and abrogate the existing constitution. Over the past eighty-six years since the end of the absolute monarchy in June 1932 in Thailand, soldiers who aspire to launch coups have learned that there is a third component of a ‘successful’ […]
Monitoring harassments against politicians after the lifting of the ban on political activities ahead of the election Despite the 11 December 2018 issuance of the Head of the NCPO Order no. 22/2561 to lift restrictions on political activities despite the promulgation of the Royal Decree on the election, anti-junta politicians continue to face harassment and […]
It has been reported that on 10 February 2019, Andrew Johnson, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Princeton University, USA, claimed to have been detained by the Thai Immigration officers while departing the country. He was reportedly asked about who he had been talking with while staying in the country and where he had been. He […]
January 2019 was yet another month awash with intense political furore. Groups in various parts of Thailand have taken to the streets clamoring against the postponement of the elections. Such public outcries stem from uncertainty around the date of the next elections rousing fear that they might be cancelled or even annulled. Towards the end […]
At 9 am on 12 December 2018, the Chiang Mai district court held a hearing to question witnesses in the case of holding up the “An Academic Conference is Not a Military Barracks” sign during the International Conference on Thai Studies (ICTS) on 18 July 2017. There are 5 defendants in the case who were […]
2018 marks the fifth year since the Thai military staged a coup in Thailand, installing the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in government. During these five years, human rights violations have continued unabated. Restrictions of freedom of expression, holding individuals in custody in military barracks, prosecuting those exercising their rights and freedoms in […]
