Prachatai English

Stop using counter-terrorism financing measures to reduce civil society space, says ICJ

On 29 July, the ICJ urged the Thai authorities to refrain from adopting so-called additional principles to the “Draft Act on the Operation of Not-for-Profit Organizations” (‘Draft NPO Act’) as they are contrary to Thailand’s obligations under international human rights law.

6 media associations demand govt to stop its censorship against public opinions

6 leading Thai professional media associations issued a statement condemning what they consider an official assault on the Thai public’s right to good information as well as freedom of expression in general.

6 leading Thai professional media associations issued a joint statement condemning what they consider an official assault on the Thai public’s right to good information as well as freedom of expression in general. A part of the statement published on 28 July show the logos of 6 media associations...

Cambodia: A year on, the persecution of human rights defender Rong Chhun and other activists continue

CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, calls on the Cambodian authorities to drop the baseless charges against trade union activist and human rights defender Rong Chhun and to release him immediately and unconditionally.

‘What if it’s you?’, calls for an end to enforced disappearance

Victims of harassment and relatives of Thais who disappeared while living in self exile voiced their grievances at Government House, underlining the seriousness of the threats against those who think differently from the state. Participants lighting candles arranged to form the phrase "Returning...

The Thai bureaucracy comes clean on what it has done about Wanchalearm’s disappearance: ‘We had a meeting’

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department (RLPD) has responded to a request from Prachatai, New Naratif and Voice of Democracy for information regarding progress in the case of Wanchalearm Satsaksit, an activist who was abducted while living in self-exile in Phnom Penh.

No Progress in Wanchalearm Abduction Case

A year has passed since the disappearance of Thai human rights activist, Wanchalearm Satsaksit. Witnesses report that he was forcibly abducted from a street near his home in Phnom Penh, where he had been living in self-imposed exile. Despite considerable public interest in the case, the investigation has made little headway.

Family still waits for justice one year after activist’s disappearance

A year after the disappearance of Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, his family still waits for justice while official investigations seem to have stalled.

A year after the disappearance of Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, his family still waits for justice while official investigations seem to have stalled. Wanchalearm's sister Sitanun Satsaksit (right) during the 12 minutes of silence on the Pathumwan Skywalk A candlelit vigil was held in...

Multimedia

Sitanun Satsaksit: A changed life

Prachatai speaks to Sitanun Satsaksit, sister of missing activist in exile Wanchalearm Satsaksit, about the progress in her brother's case, and how her life has changed since she made the decision to do everything she can to find and call for justice for her brother.

"If you lose someone, no matter how many years, you won’t be able to forget." Sitanun Satsaksit is the older sister of Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a Thai refugee who was abducted from his residence in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 4 June 2020. Sitanun and her legal team have spent the last year gathering...

Recapturing messages from the 18 July protest

Although barred from approaching Government House, the protesters dispersed by crowd control police on 18 July left behind a number of clear ‘statements’ including a model guillotine, federalist graffiti, and demands for effective vaccines.

What Happened to Wanchalearm?

A year after Wanchalearm Satsaksit vanished, authorities say there is no proof he was abducted in Phnom Penh. A joint investigation reveals details of the Thai dissident’s escape from Thailand, life in exile in Cambodia and the last days before he disappeared.

Reporting by Jacob Goldberg, Danielle Keeton-Olsen, Anna Lawattanatrakul, Matt Surrusco, and Yiamyut Sutthichaya Illustration by Pssyppl Graphics by Ellena Ekarahendy and Matt Surrusco The authors reported this story with a Cambodian journalist who requested their name not be included due to fears...

Alien Thoughts

Viral Conspiracy

If I might call this meeting to order, please. Thank you, thank you. Pardon? Yes, you may continue replicating during this meeting, but quietly, please. No cheering unless you turn into a particularly virulent mutation, OK? So I declare this meeting of Covid-19 International, Thailand Chapter,...

Myanmar’s unity government lays out roadmap to topple junta

In order to eradicate all forms of dictatorship and restore democracy in military-ruled Myanmar, the newly formed National Unity Government (NUG) has called for urgent international recognition and an end to violence before political dialogue.

Round Up

Bizarre treatment of pro-democracy protesters raises concerns

The court’s rejection of bail for 4 pro-democracy activists on 8 March is raising questions about procedural irregularities as 3 of them were taken from court before they were allowed the opportunity to complete bail requests, while another was sent to a prison other than the one designated by the court.

Action group calls for international help in administering vaccine in the Deep South

Conflict and historical mistrust between the Malay Muslim in Thailand’s southernmost border provinces (Patani) and the Thai State have taken their toll on the government’s effort to carry out Covid-19 vaccinations, said on 4 June by Artef Sohko, President of The Patani, a political action group advocating rights to self-determination for the people living in this conflict-affected region bordering Malaysia.

185 accounts related to Thai military information operation removed by Facebook

In its February 2021 Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior Report, Facebook says it detected and removed 77 accounts, 72 pages, 18 groups and 18 Instagram accounts originating in Thailand, targeting audiences in the Southern provinces.

Pattani protesters visited by officials

Six people who participated in a demonstration at the Krue Se Mosque on 2 August have since been visited by police and military officers.

Six people who participated in a demonstration at the Krue Se Mosque on 2 August have since been visited by police and military officers. The Federation of Patani Students and Youth, or PerMAS, posted on their Facebook page that several army rangers twice went to visit Fadel Madeng, a participant...

Songs, tales, tears: State violence in the periphery from past to present

The war against the communists ended long ago over but the facts about the violence of the time are still not clear. We do not know the exact number of lives lost, particularly of villagers living in remote areas. Even the losses that happened in the middle of the city such as the events of Oct 14, Oct 6, May 1992, and May 2010, still remain obscure and the facts have not been proven.There has been no punishment for those responsible for these events, so it is hard for Thai society to learn lessons in order to prevent violence in the future.

1The Deep South: The Numbness of Repeated Loss Saya berita nok beri tahuI have news to tell you Dalae bongo berito hok Baru-baruBreaking news from Ba ngo Subdistrict Demo bedey ore dok tebae kayuThey shot people cutting wood Buleh mikey kito anok Melayu(Wondering) Perhaps because they were Malay...

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HRW, OHCHR condemn Yala Administrative Centre bombing

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have issued statements condemning the double bombing attack outside the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) in Yala on Tuesday (18 March).

News

Govt issues new ‘fake news’ decree

Prachatai

Jul 30, 2021

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha issued on Thursday (29 July) a new order under the Emergency Decree banning distribution of information causing public fear or misinformation.

Kaeng Krachan forest named World Heritage site amidst indigenous rights concerns

Anna Lawattanatrakul

Jul 28, 2021

The Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex was named a natural World Heritage site during the World Heritage Committee meeting on 26 July despite ongoing concerns about human rights violations against indigenous communities in the forest area.

3 million free bags of instant noodles run out after 6 hours

Prachatai

Jul 27, 2021

It took only 6 hours for people to register for 3 million bags of free instant noodles from the Sahapat Group (SPC), one of the country’s major household product companies. Registration for the handout campaign was due to last 1 week.

Highlight

Govt introduces law controlling non-profit organizations and public associations

Yiamyut Sutthichaya

23 Jul 2021

A new Draft Act on Operations of Not-for-profit Organizations is raising huge concerns among civil society a due to its extensive powers of surveillance and control of the finances of a wide range of associations. The broad scope of this law threatens almost any kind of association in Thailand.

Recapturing messages from the 18 July protest

Prachatai political editorial team

23 Jul 2021

Before midnight: new exhibition tells stories of Thailand in transition

Anna Lawattanatrakul

29 Jun 2021

Artist Wittawat Tongkeaw's latest solo exhibition "The L/Royal Monument," launched on 24 June, tells stories of Thailand at a political crossroad and buried memories. Prachatai speaks to Wittawat about his work, the role of art in opening up spaces for discussing what is seen as taboo, and what it means to be political and an artist in this country.

Feature

Recapturing messages from the 18 July protest

Prachatai political editorial team

Jul 23, 2021

Govt introduces law controlling non-profit organizations and public associations

Yiamyut Sutthichaya

Jul 23, 2021