Members of civil society organisations from across the country gathered at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) yesterday (24 March) to protest against the new non-profit organisation (NPO) bill.  They voiced concerns that additional state regulation of non-profit organisations will be used to restrict freedom of expression and association in Thailand.

Protesters marching to the ministry

Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Managkhasila House on Lan Luang Road at around 9.00 in the morning before marching to the MSDHS to demand that the cabinet withdraw the bill.

First proposed in July 2021, the Draft Act on the Operation of Non-Profit Organisations will give state officials the authority to oversee, and possibly stifle, a wide range of civic organisations. The bill defines NPOs as groups “that organise, in one form or another, to collectively pursue activities in society without seeking financial gain, exclusive of groups that stage ad-hoc activities of benefit to group members or political parties.”

It requires NPOs to register with the government and to comply with all Ministry of the Interior regulations.  Once the law is in effect, existing organisations will have 30 days to register. Those operating an unregistered organisation face punishments of up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 baht or both.

The bill prohibits organisations from engaging in activities that threaten national security, economic stability, foreign relations, public order, public safety and the rights and liberties of others.

It also attempts to control NPO funding, prohibiting groups from using foreign funding to pursue activities deemed inappropriate by the Ministry of the Interior.  In addition, it gives state agents the authority to search NPO offices and make copies of their online communications.  

NPOs receiving overseas funding will need to provide authorities with bank records showing where funds are held and what purpose they serve.

Nutchanat Thaengthong

Before the march, Nutchanat Thaengthong from the Four Regions Slum Network read a statement, saying that they opposed the bill and see it as an unnecessary attempt to further restrict freedom of expression and association.  NPOs are already subject to a number of existing laws, including the Public Assembly Act and the Emergency Decree.

The group’s statement noted that the bill’s excessive and vaguely-worded stipulations would interfere with the work of NPOs and other civic groups, giving state authorities the power to severely punish members and suspend organisation operation on the grounds of national security, peace and order, and good morals.

At least 800 people were reported to have joined the march.  The demonstrators carried banners with messages such as “No law to control people’s associations,” “Stop the bill to control associations,” and “Associations are a freedom the state can’t control.”

Chiranuch Premchaiporn

When the march reached MSDHS, Chiranuch Premchaiporn of the Constitutional Advocacy Alliance (CALL) gave a speech, noting that the NPO bill would destroy freedom of expression.  She proposed that the bill be renamed the restriction of people’s organisations act, to reflect its true purpose.

She also said that over the past 8 years, the NCPO and the Prayut government have been working to destroy freedom of expression and create conditions that make it difficult for people to organise, such as requiring people to notify the authorities before holding gatherings, a constitutional right. She further remarked upon state prosecution of protesters using the royal defamation law, the sedition law, the Emergency Decree, the Public Assembly Act, and other laws.

According to Chiranuch, the NPO bill is the latest effort to control public organisations and civic freedoms, another tool to restrict freedom of individuals, no matter what they do or which side they are on.   She added that although MSDHS was responsible for organising a public hearing on the bill, it did nothing more than set up an online platform, making it necessary for people to march on the Ministry to express their opposition.

“What type of democratic country uses a law like this? For the past 8 years, the government has tried to destroy democracy through the unjust use of law and judicial process. The law is being used to silence us and stop us from gathering together.  But we still come together in protest and are prepared for whatever charges that follow,” Chiranuch said.

“This [latest bill] is another tool that the government will use to stop the people from creating things themselves.  It will further constrain the will of the people.  It doesn’t matter which side you’re on, which kind of public interest work you do, all of us can get hurt by this bill.”

Demonstrators remained at the ministry until the evening.  In addition to listening to the speeches of activists, they staged a public hearing and invited NPO members and protest participants to give their opinion of the bill. They also submitted a petition to Social Development and Human Security Minister Juti Krairiksh calling for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to stop drafting further legislative constraints on NPOs and freedom of expression.

They tried to hang a large banner carrying the message “No NPO bill. It’s bad for all of us”
 on a nearby ministry building but were stopped by police officers because a portrait of the King was displayed there.

At the close of the protest, a representative from the People’s Movement Against Draft Laws that Undermine Freedom of Association Network, the event organiser, read a statement which noted that freedom of association is guaranteed by the constitution and international law.  It also noted that activities done in the public interest range from monarchy reform protests and constitutional amendment campaigns to protests against development projects and demonstrations against unjust laws - activities the authorities want to regulate, undermining freedom of association out of an unwarranted concern that they pose a threat to national security and public morals.

 “The Prayut government has been tirelessly working to undermine the power of the people. This includes the promotion of this draft law.  It will allow the government to determine which organisations and movements are “good” and which are “bad”,” said the statement.

“At no previous point in our history has the state harboured such fear of, and hostility toward, the people. Their fears and hatred are based on twisted imaginings, not facts. In reality, ultimate power belongs to the people. People from all walks of life are the ones who create wealth and develop the country on the state’s behalf.”

The network called on civil society groups to continue working to bring about social change.   It also asked that they mobilise opposition to the NPO bill and continue to protest against it until the cabinet withdraws the proposal.