Thailand

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Spotlight: Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law Freedom of Assembly

Stacked senate, media restrictions, repressive laws undermine right to vote

23 March 2019
Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Human Rights Watch warns that structural flaws subvert election in Thailand.

Thailand Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law

Thai media faced "interference and slowdown" in 2018

The Thai Journalists Association said freedom of expression remains under threat in Thailand.

‎ Thai Journalists Association‎ 7 January 2019

Thailand Free Expression & the Law

Thailand urged to lift free speech restrictions ahead of elections

After lifting a ban on political activities, Thai authorities are pressed to remove restrictions on freedom of expression.

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA)‎17 December 2018

Thailand Free Expression & the Law Freedom of Assembly

NGOs call on Thailand to drop charges against pro-democracy activists

Pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged last month for protesting against the continued military rule in Thailand.

‎ ARTICLE 19‎ 8 June 2018

Latest from Thailand

Thai activists face charges for protesting against corruption and delay of polls

‎ Global Voices Advox

Thailand Freedom of Assembly 9 February 2018
Thai historian Sulak Sivaraksa could face 15 years in jail for 'insulting' a 16th-century king

‎ PEN International

Thailand Free Expression & the Law 2 November 2017
Veteran journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk accused of sedition in Thailand

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Thailand Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 4 August 2017
Six detained for Facebook posts under Thailand's repressive lèse majesté laws

‎ ARTICLE 19

Thailand Digital Rights Free Expression & the Law 10 May 2017
Thailand: Draft media law threatens news reporting

‎ Human Rights Watch

Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 1 May 2017
TV news channel suspended in Thailand

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Censorship 28 March 2017
Thai laws on defamation and computer crimes used to deter reporting

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Thailand Digital Rights Censorship 1 March 2017
Thailand's Supreme Court reduces editor's sentence in lèse majesté case

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Free Expression & the Law 23 February 2017
Political TV talk show suspended for criticising Thailand's judiciary and military

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 13 February 2017
Thai media reform bill a "potential death blow" to media freedom

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Free Expression & the Law 31 January 2017
Thailand's Cyber Crime Act tightens internet control

‎ Human Rights Watch

Thailand Digital Rights Censorship 22 December 2016
While Thailand is in transition, free flowing information and the media's role are key

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Access to Information Thailand Censorship 16 November 2016
Thai authorities detain, expel Hong Kong democracy activist

‎ Freedom House

Thailand Free Expression & the Law Hong Kong (China) 7 October 2016
Independent media outlet challenges Thai army to test right to know law

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Access to Information Thailand 4 October 2016
British labour activist convicted for reporting abuses in Thailand

‎ Human Rights Watch

Thailand Digital Rights Censorship 23 September 2016
Thailand's Brave New Facebook

‎ Privacy International

Thailand Digital Rights 21 September 2016
Groups oppose proposed shift to state regulation of Thai media

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Free Expression & the Law 15 September 2016
Thailand: A surprise royal move

‎ PEN International

Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 6 September 2016
Thailand pressures two broadcast journalists off the air

‎ Committee to Protect Journalists

Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 18 August 2016
Speech restrictions cloud constitutional referendum in Thailand

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Access to Information Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 3 August 2016
The referendum that gets journalists arrested for carrying leaflets

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Thailand Censorship Free Expression & the Law 12 July 2016
Shots fired at journalist's car in Bangkok

‎ Southeast Asian Press Alliance, Thai Journalists Association

Thailand Attacks 20 June 2016
Thai rights defenders face military criminal complaint over torture report

‎ Human Rights Watch

Access to Information Thailand Free Expression & the Law 10 June 2016
In Thailand, eight charged for mocking junta leader on Facebook

‎ Human Rights Watch

Thailand Digital Rights Censorship 10 May 2016
International groups renew call for Thailand to release journalist Somyot Phrueksakasemsuk

‎ ARTICLE 19, Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders

Thailand Free Expression & the Law 2 May 2016
Thai junta denies journalist permission to travel, attend press freedom celebrations

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Thailand Digital Rights Censorship 6 April 2016

At a glance

members working in this country 2

Most covered free expression issues in this country

More from Thailand

Freedom on the Net 2017: Thailand

Military courts sentenced at least two internet users to more than a decade each in prison, one based on private chat messages criticizing royalty

Freedom House 16 November 2017
Freedom of the Press 2017: Thailand

In December [2016], the government approved an amendment to the 2007 Computer Crimes Act (CCA) that expanded authorities’ power to monitor internet activity and censor online content.

Freedom House 28 April 2017
Thailand HRW Report: Events of 2016

During the year, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta curtailed the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly through repressive laws such the Referendum Act, the Computer Crime Act, and article 116 of the penal code on sedition, as well as NCPO orders censoring media and preventing public gatherings of more than five people.

Human Rights Watch 16 January 2017

Freedom of the Press 2016: Thailand

The authorities proposed new measures that could further restrict media freedom, including a Cybersecurity Bill that would increase surveillance, prevent the publication of sensitive material, and facilitate data interception and website blocking. However, the government appeared to step back from plans to create a single gateway for all internet traffic following a public outcry.

Freedom House 23 April 2016