<p>The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will ease international flight restrictions starting Wednesday 1 July. Flights with Thai nationals and certain groups of foreigners on board are permitted to fly.</p>

<p>Emergency measures adopted to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have been repeatedly used by Thai authorities to target government critics and peaceful protesters, said ARTICLE 19.</p>

<p>In conjunction the 36th ASEAN Summit, held virtually on 26 June, 45 civil society organizations issued a <a href="https://www.forum-asia.org/?p=32059#:~:text=26%20June%202020%2012%3A07,months%2C%20rights%20groups%20said%20today.">joint statement</a> condemning the increase in human rights violations by ASEAN member states during the Covid-19 pandemic, and also criticising the exclusion of civil society organisations from participating in the summit.</p>

<p>Students have joined hands with labour organizations in submitting a letter urging the government to lift the Emergency Decree after the cabinet decided to extend it to 30 June. The letter says, &ldquo;stop using the pandemic as an excuse to oppress the people.&rdquo; Thai Lawyers for Human Rights pointed out three legal reasons why the situation does not warrant extending the Emergency Decree.</p>

<p>The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced the relaxation of some Covid-19 control measures as the number of new cases per day continues to drop.</p>

<p>Thousands of foreign nationals who are married to Thai citizens are expressing their concerns and frustrations over the Thai government&rsquo;s travel restrictions because they are not included among those allowed into the country, leaving them stranded overseas, separated from their loved ones.</p>

<p>The cabinet decided on Tuesday afternoon (26 May) to extend the State of Emergency to the end of June, while civil society organizations have called for the Emergency Decree to be lifted, raising concerns about abuse of power in situations unrelated to the pandemic.</p>

<p>Three Thai exchange students in the US share their experience of facing government restrictions as they try to return home after their programmes were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>During the Covid-19 pandemic, Thai monks are returning the favor to the communities&nbsp;around their temples by setting up food donation spots, a concept which has also moved online. Mutita Chuachang investigates.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Choices Network Thailand, along with a network of civil society organizations, went to the Department of Health (DOH) on 15 May to submit an <a href="https://www.safeabortionwomensright.org/thailand-petition-to-the-department-of-health-to-ensure-that-women-can-access-safe-abortion-services-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/">open letter</a> to the DOH Director-General calling for the DOH to ensure that women can access safe abortion services during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Students at Mahasarakham University are demanding a 50% reduction in tuition fees, saying that the University must help every student without having to prove need, because every student is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>