On 22 May 2025, Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer and political activist, was awarded the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk by the organization Front Line Defenders. The award recognizes his courageous work in defending and promoting human rights, despite facing significant personal risk. This marks the fifth award Arnon […]
April 2025 saw seven new cases concerning political expression, one of which was the case against Dr. Paul Chambers under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of the Thai Criminal Code in connection with a promotional blurb introducing an academic seminar hosted by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. The case was brought against him by an officer authorized by […]
“Arnon Nampa” Becomes The First Thai Recipient of 2025 Front Line Defenders Award in Dublin On 22 May 2025, in Dublin, Ireland, human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa was awarded the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk for 2025 by the organization Front Line Defenders. He was recognized for his role in […]
Three additional cases related to political expression were reported in March 2025. Two of them occurred in the South: “Jiradee” was prosecuted under Section 112 in Phatthalung Province, while “Poon” Thanapat was charged under Section 116. Both individuals had arrest warrants issued against them, and the same person—Chair of the People Protecting the Monarchy Group—filed […]
On 8 April 2025, Dr. Paul Wesley Chambers, an American academic affiliated with the Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Naresuan University, was charged under Section 112 (lèse-majesté) of Thailand’s Criminal Code and Section 14(1) (entering distorted, fake, or false computer data into the computer system in a manner likely to cause […]
February 2025 saw the emergence of two new cases related to political expression, both occurring in the South. These include a Section 112 case against Watcharapong Sinso for commenting on a post in the “Royalist Marketplace – Talad Luang” Facebook group, and a Section 116 case against Abdul Afir Seng, a volunteer reporter for ‘Wartani,’ […]
In January 2025, two new cases involving political expression emerged. These included the Section 112 case against “Busbas,” now facing his fourth Section 112 charge, and Arnon Nampa, who was charged under contempt of court following his act of protest – the removal of his shirt in the courtroom. Moreover, an activist in Nakhon Ratchasima […]
On 20 January 2025, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights and Freedom Bridge submitted an input to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health in preparation for her upcoming country visit to Thailand from 18 to 28 February 2025. […]
In December 2024, there were no new cases related to freedom of expression or public assemblies. However, several similar cases remain pending in the courts. Throughout the month, new verdicts have been issued in at least eight Section 112 cases and five political assembly cases. Notable among these involved lawyer Arnon Nampa, who was sentenced […]
Last November saw three new cases, including one Section 112 case in the South. Meanwhile, “Netiwit” was charged for his act of conscientious objection by refusing to participate in military conscription. Additionally, three activists in Chiang Mai were summoned to face charges of insulting the Constitutional Court for activities carried out in 2022. November saw […]
In October, at least one new Section 112 case was filed, although no additional detainees were held pending trial. Five prisoners who had been convicted were released, including two individuals convicted under Section 112. Last month, during the witness examination in Section 112 trials, there were instances where the defendants could not be contacted. The […]
On 23 October 2024, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights submitted an input to the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls in preparation for the Working Group’s upcoming country visit to Thailand from 2 to 13 December 2024. The Working Group’s country visit will focus on issues related to discrimination against […]
