1. Overall situation

As peaceful protests in Thailand grow, the authorities continue to use vague, overly restrictive laws to harass and silence people, said Amnesty International today. The organization calls on the authorities to immediately drop all charges against peaceful protesters and release those still detained.

Responding to news that a court has upheld a government order to shut down “all platforms” of Voice TV, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns, Ming Yu Hah, said: 

Responding to the dispersal of protesters by Thai police using water cannons with irritants and dye, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns, Ming Yu Hah, said:  

Responding to news that the Thai authorities have ordered a ban on gatherings of five or more people in Bangkok and on sharing information that “could create fear”, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns, Ming Yu Hah, said: 

Ms. Piyanut Kotsan, director of Amnesty International Thailand reveals that four months after Mr. Wanchalearm Satsaksit was last seen in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh, there has been no progress in Cambodian authorities’ investigation of his abduction. His family fervently looks forward to news about his fate and whereabouts. They still long to know the truth about his disappearance, who the alleged perpetrators are and for anyone suspected of involvement in his alleged abduction to face justice. 

Thai authorities issued arrest warrants for 15 pro-democracy leaders and activists for their role in a mass gathering in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, on 18 July 2020. 16 other protestors have been summoned and charged from the same incident. All 31 face serious allegations including sedition – this broadly worded and repressive law is often used by the government to silence critical voices. If convicted, each activist could face up to seven years in prison. This recent slew of arrests of peaceful demonstrators illustrates the authorities’ intensifying crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly.

Following reports indicating that two protestors were killed and one was injured during protests in Kenosha, WI, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) released the following statement from End Gun Violence Campaign Manager Ernest Coverson. The protests come after local police shot and severely injured Jacob Blake as he tried to get into his car. 

Panupong Chadnok aka “Mike”, a prominent pro-democracy activist, was arrested on five charges related to his speech at “Thammasat Cha Mai Thon” (Thammasat will no longer endure) at Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, on 10 August 2020.

Responding to the arrests of eight more activists last night and today, Ming Yu Hah, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns, said:

Amnesty International Thailand will launch the “public assembly monitoring” program to observe and document facts during public assemblies based on international human rights principles. The program will start in August 2020 together with the launch of Mob Data Thailand website in collaboration with Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) to draw on public participation to develop the people’s sector public assembly depository.  

Responding to the arrest of a prominent activist today, Piyanut Kotsan, Amnesty International Thailand’s Director, said: