freedom of expression

23 Feb 2024
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS has issued a statement raising concerns about the Thai government's prosecution of activists and journalists. They also called the Thai government to drop charges against activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, end its practice of judicial harassment, and review and repeal its repressive laws.
26 Jan 2024
Three human rights organizations have condemned the conviction of activist Mongkhon Thirakot, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for royal defamation and demand the immediate release of Mongkhon and other detained activists. They also endorsed the call for the repeal of the royal defamation, or lèse-majesté, law.
2 Oct 2023
At the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s award ceremony for the 2023 Albie Awards, lawyers from Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) during their acceptance speech addressed the prosecution and detention of activists charged for political expression.
5 Sep 2023
Four human rights organizations have published an open letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighting 10 key human rights priorities remaining unaddressed under previous administrations, from space for civil society and accountability for extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances to gender equality, and urged the new government to begin the implementation of their recommendations within the first 100 days in office.
29 Aug 2023
The denial of bail for activist Sopon Surariddhidhamrong has brought the number of people detained on a royal defamation charge in Thailand to 9. Of this number, 3 are detained following a final verdict or after a decision not to appeal, while 6 are detained pending trial or appeal.
10 Jul 2023
At 14, Thanalop Phalanchai became one of the youngest people ever charged with royal defamation. At 15, she was arrested and held in pre-trial detention, making her the youngest person to ever be detained on a royal defamation charge. Her arrest and detention raised questions about the Thai juvenile justice system and whether it is serving the best interests of the country’s children.
2 May 2023
Press associations have urged the public to value press freedom and encourage politicians who will be working in Parliament to protect and promote press and public freedom.
4 Apr 2023
A group of activists staged a protest in Bangkok’s Siam shopping district to demand the release of 15-year-old Thanalop, who has been held in pre-trial detention on a royal defamation charge for the past week.
4 Apr 2023
Publishing house Samanchon Books has been asked to remove posters calling for the repeal of the royal defamation law which they displayed in their stall at the annual National Book Fair, due to ‘concerns’ from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where the fair is taking place.
17 Mar 2023
A new report by the CIVICUS Monitor rates civic space in Thailand as 'repressed,' as the royal defamation law continues to be used to criminalise dissent and spyware has been used against activists. Protesters were also prosecuted and faced excessive force while concerns remain about a restrictive NGO bill. 
14 Feb 2023
A 14-year-old girl became the youngest person to be charged with royal defamation after she received a police summons following a complaint filed against her by a royalist activist.
5 Feb 2023
Activists Tantawan Tuatulanon and Orawan Phuphong, who are undergoing a hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners and judicial reform, will continue their hunger strike until every political prisoner is released, said their lawyer during a press conference on Saturday (4 February).

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