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.
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
September 2024: No. of individuals prosecuted in political cases: 1,959 persons in 1,305 cases
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 […]
admin06
17/10/2567
August 2024: No. of individuals prosecuted in political cases: 1,956 individuals in 1,302 cases
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 […]
admin010
20/09/2567
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
Pro-democracy activist “Bung” passed away while in the custody of the Department of Corrections
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) urgently calls your attention to the passing of pro-democracy activist and human rights defender, Ms. Natiporn or “Bung” (last name withheld), on the morning of 14 May 2024, while she was in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Her detention stemmed from her conviction on 26 January 2024 […]
admin62
15/05/2567
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determines “Tawan’s” detention under Section 112 is arbitrary and in violation of international law
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (Working Group), a special mechanism under the UN Human Rights Council, has published its opinion on 23 October 2023 (A/HRC/WGAD/2023/49) regarding the case of “ Tawan” Tantawan Tuatulanon, a 21-year-old student and activist who was prosecuted under Section 112 for defamation of the King. The Working Group […]
Admin20
16/11/2566
Challenging Denial of Compensation: Families of the victims of enforced disappearances, Surachai and Siam, have challenged it before the Court of Thailand
Following the decision that determined Surachai Danwatthananusorn (Saedan) and Siam Thirawut did not qualify as beneficiaries entitled to compensation under the Damages for the Injured Person and Compensation and Expenses for the Accused in the Criminal Case Act, their families have challenged it before the Court of Thailand and persist in their efforts to secure […]
admin62
12/10/2566
October 2024: Six convictions and three dismissals in Section 112 cases, meanwhile public prosecutor persisting on prosecuting cases related to public assemblies during 2020-2021
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 […]
Advocacy Team
08/11/2567 September 2024: No. of individuals prosecuted in political cases: 1,959 persons in 1,305 cases
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 […]
admin06
17/10/2567 August 2024: No. of individuals prosecuted in political cases: 1,956 individuals in 1,302 cases
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 […]
admin010
20/09/2567 October 2024: Six convictions and three dismissals in Section 112 cases, meanwhile public prosecutor persisting on prosecuting cases related to public assemblies during 2020-2021
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 […]
Advocacy Team
08/11/2567
TLHR’s Input on Impact of Political Prosecution on Women and Girls to the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls Prior to its Visit to Thailand
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 […]
Advocacy Team
05/11/2567 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
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 […]
admin02
24/05/2567
“Thai Lawyers for Human Rights’s StatementTLHR Expresses Concern Regarding the Constitutional Court’s Ruling Finding that Proposals to Amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code Constitute An Act to Overthrow the Government”
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights’s Statement TLHR Expresses Concern Regarding the Constitutional Court’s Ruling Finding that Proposals to Amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code Constitute An Act to Overthrow the Government On 31 January 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat and the Move Forward Party violated Section 49, paragraph 1, of […]