The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organizations Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) call on Thailand’s Constitutional Court to dismiss the petition to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) to ensure compliance with the country’s obligations under international human rights law.

The May 18 Memorial Foundation, a South Korea-based foundation established to remember the spirit of democratic struggle and solidarity during the 18 May 1980 uprising in South Korea, issued a statement today (3 April) demanding the release of activists Anon Nampa and Sirapob Phumpheungphut, both of whom are detained pending appeal on a royal defamation charge.

The Constitutional Court has ordered the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to submit new documents in support of its petition for the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) as some were unclear. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have condemned the ECT’s decision to seek the party’s dissolution.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.