On 17 February 2025, Amnesty International Thailand organized an event to announce and confer the “2024 Human Rights Media Awards” at the Best Western Hotel, Chatuchak, Bangkok. The awards were presented to honor outstanding media works in the field of human rights in the categories of news and news feature in print and online media, news or news feature in broadcast, news or news feature presented in the form of online video clips, and photographs on the topic of “human rights.”
Puttanee Kangkun, Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand, espoused the important role of media in creating a just society. She said that this award is not just a symbol of success, but also an expression of the courage of those who stand in the front lines and becomes an underlying drive for human rights. Despite facing relentless pressure and uncertainty while performing their duties, every entry showed that the media still recognizes the importance of human rights and is ready to be a voice for those whose rights have been violated, as well as to speak alongside human rights activists who are fighting to seek justice.
In 2024, many media organizations struggled to secure funding to keep their businesses afloat. It was a year full of challenges and increasing pressure. This shows that reporting on human rights news in various aspects could face restrictions and may have to compromise on freedom and facts. Meanwhile, many media outlets still face challenges while performing their duties, especially the risk of being prosecuted, threatened, and pressured by those in power. These things have made press freedom an issue that needs to be closely monitored because press freedom is akin to freedom of the people.
Puttanee thanked all media outlets who continue to stand firm in their duties including field reporters, investigative journalists, or anyone who convey stories about human rights. Everyone is instrumental in the documentation and presentation of the stories of oppressed people, including voiceless societies, and is a place to share and uncover hidden information about human rights violations.
“In an era where information is digested quickly, news consumers yearn for content that is rich and interesting. However, restrictions due to economic pressures still challenge the ability to produce content about human rights. Media helps people to understand the complexity and in-depth meaning of their fellow human beings. The Media Awards attest to an importance of press freedom and how meaningful the independence of media to society.”
The Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand wrapped up that the juries for the 2024 Media Awards consisted of experts from media and human rights sectors. Of all submitted works, the results can be announced as follows:
Two Outstanding News and News Feature Awards in Print and Online Media:
● “Pattaya Ladyboys Never Looked Good’: in Pattaya, Ladyboys Are Subjected to Urine Test, Drug Users Subjected to Extortion and Labelling” Thairath Plus
● ‘Stateless Novice Learning Center’: A Borderless Education Under the Shade of the Saffron Robe” The 101.world
Six Honorable Mention News and News Feature Awards in Print and Online Media:
● “Children of Migrant Workers: New Lives Without Legal Status, Born and Opening Their Eyes in Thailand, With No Birth Certificates” Thairath Plus
● “The Flow of Money: Transnational Businesses, State Interests, Financial Transactions and the Post-Coup Situation in Myanmar” WAY Magazine website
● “Tricked into slavery, detained and prosecuted: An ordeal of ‘forced criminals’” HaRDstories news agency
● “A lifter falls down the stairs – Assistants of people with disability prohibited: A memoir of experience during the selection of 2024 senators at the district level” Thisable.me online news agency
● “How long will they have to be ‘men in black’ for the Thai state?” Prachatai news agency
Five Honorable Mention Award in the news or news feature category in broadcast category (Total length not exceeding 20 minutes):
● “SEE TRUE: Exposing the Lives of Male Sex Workers”, Thairath TV 32
● “Sediment Disappearance due to Mekong Dams”, Nation TV
● “‘Moken Sea Gypsies’ on Koh Phayam: Forgotten Lives?”, One News Agency
● “Tak Bai Case toward A History Without Statute of Limitations” and “Tak Bai Part 2: Lighting a Fire in People’s Hearts?”, Nation TV
● “D-Day, 25 March, Thailand Kicks Off ‘Humanitarian Corridor’”, Social Agenda and Public Policy Communication Center (The Active), Thai PBS
One Outstanding News or News feature Award Presented for Online Video Clip Format:
● “We Need to Talk About Arnon: The Man Who Bring Equality to People”, Thairath Plus News Agency
Four Honorable Mention Awards for News or News feature presented in the form of online video clips:
● “Who’s the Black Shirt?” The 101.world
● “The 20th Ramadan of the Tak Bai Case” Decode Online News Agency
● “The Potash Mine That “Srettha” Wants: Has It Really Destroyed the Land in Korat?” BBC Thai
● “Bung Netiporn: Death of the Justice Process?” Prachatai News Agency
1st Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
● “The Justice After Waiting for 20 Years: The Tak Bai Case” by “Suphasarn Kannarong”
2nd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
● “Mobile Registration Units: Restoring Rights of Children with G Code” by Chanakan Laosarakam
3rd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
● “From Karen State to Rayong: Fleeing War to a New Life Far from Home” by Wachanapol Srichumpuang
Honorable Mentions in in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights:
● “Bamboo School: The Last Shelter for Stateless Children” by “Natthaphop Sangket
● “Stars by the Garbage Pile”: Collecting Rubbish to Make a Living Hoping for An Education to Change Life” by Chin Chomdee
● “12 Years of Love and Acceptance: Voice from the Hearts of Blind Couples” by Anan Chonmahatrakul
● “Home That One Cannot Return To” by Nattapol Phanpongsanon
● “Way of Life of Street Workers in the Middle of City Market” by Supanat Rattanathanaprasan
● “Suffering in the Mountains: Solving the Drug Problem in Remote Areas with Harm Reduction” by Varuth Pongsapipatt
● “Disability Aids and Prosthesis for People with Disability in Si Saket” by Kotcharak Kaewsurach
In closing, Piyanut Kotsan, Director of Amnesty International Thailand, thank the media, who are the most important people at today’s event as they have helped drive and be a medium to fight for human rights and provide the public with correct understanding, both in the past and in the future. She emphasized that these awards do not only honor the work of media, but also attest to the role of media in protecting human rights and freedom of expression, which remains critically important to Thai society. Amnesty International Thailand would like to thank everyone who has helped to advocate for human rights with us, to make human rights a matter for everyone.