1. Overview of the state of political expression, public assemblies, arrests and imprisonments
2023 is the year of governmental transition following the the government led by the Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-Cha for two terms since 2014 when the National Legislative Assembly decided to appoint General Prayut Chan-o-Cha as Prime Minister following the military coup. Then in 2019, despite gaining the most seats in the election, Pheu Thai Party nominated Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Leader of the Future Forward Party, as Prime Minister, while Phalang Pracharat Party nominated General Prayut as Prime Minister and the latter by the majority of votes became the Prime Minister for the second term. After serving two terms for eight years, he dissolved the Parliament on 20 March 2023 amidst the political situation in the first three months of the year saw more than 1,890 individuals were charged and 16 others were remanded. The situation of right to bail public assembly increased because Tantawan Tuatulanon and Bam Orawan (last name withheld) revoke their bail. It results in them being remanded since 16 January 2023 and staged a hunger strike for over 45 days.
Following the government dissolution, there were a series of public assemblies and political expression. In March, Yok, a 15-year-old activist, was arrested on charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the youngest person to be charged under the Section. She was arrested at the Phra Racha Wang Police Station on 28 March 2023 while livestreaming during Bang-earn (pseudonym), a freelance artist was allegedly spray-painting the text “112” and a symbol of anarchy on the wall of the Grand Palace. Later, she was detained at Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls for 51 days.
April was filled with election rallies after the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) had announced 14 May 2023 as the Election Day. In full steam, political parties held rallies nationwide and various public discussions have been held on various issues by mass media and civil society. This has caused the drop in the number of public assemblies across the country, but a few numbers of public assemblies which majorly focused on the right to bail.
Regarding the result of 14 May 2023 election, Move Forward Party (MFP) came as the winner with 14,438,851 votes, totaling 151 Members of Parliament and followed by Pheu Thai Party, Bhumjaithai Party, Phalang Pracharat Party, and Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (with General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Former Prime Minister as Prime Minister candidate of the party), respectively. Following the election, people focused their attention on the verification of the election’s outcome by the ECT which was supposed to complete this task within 60 days to be followed by the formation of a new coalition and the voting of the Prime Minister. Regarding the voting of Prime Minister candidate according to the 2017 Constitution, if more than 375 votes from the House of Representatives could not be garnered, the parties have to rely on votes from the Senators. As a result, issues concerning the election became a hot issue to prompt public assemblies as well including the action to urge the ECT to endorse the election’s outcome and the Senators to respect voice of the people
In July 2023, the political situation intensified again following the issuance of the Royal Decree to open the first sitting of the 26th House of Representatives, after the election on 14 May 2023. The Parliament scheduled the first Joint Sitting to vote for the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand on 13 July 2023 amidst reports of fierce opposition among the Senators against the nomination of Pita Limjaroenrat, despite the victorious MFP as Prime Minister. The senators wished that MFP could join with Pheu Thai Party, the second most voted party, and other parties to form a coalition. As it turned out, there were not enough votes from the parliament to secure the majority of the votes as only 324 votes supporting the MFP’s candidate.
Meanwhile, (12 July 2023), ECT filed a case with the Constitutional Court requesting for the revocation of the membership of the parliament of Pita Limjaroenrat, the MFP’s Leader and Prime Minister candidate, citing his holding of shares in ITV, PLC. Prompted by the incidence, Arnon Nampa has immediately called for a public assembly in the same afternoon at the Skywalk, Pathumwan intersection, to demand members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote for the Prime Minister candidate according to the election’s results and the people’s consensus. On the same day, several public assemblies were held in various place nationwide and throughout the week.
On 19 July 2023, the Constitutional Court ruled by 7 to two to accept the case filed by the ECT to examine Article 82 of the Constitution regarding the Membership of the Parliament of Pita Limjaroenrat, Leader and Prime Minister candidate of the Move Forward Party and to have it revoked pursuant to Article 101 (6) of the Constitution coupled with Article 98 (3), or not given his holding of 42,000 shares in the ITV, PLC. The ECT also requested that the Constitutional Court to immediately ordered the suspension of Pita Limjaroenrat from performing his duties as an MP until the decision is made. On the same day, at the parliamentary meeting to vote for the Prime Minister for the second time, the coalition of parties with their parliamentary majority still voted for Pita Limjaroenrat as Prime Minister, although they could manage to secure only 317 votes, less than a half of the Joint-Sitting members. That incidence has promoted a whopping number of 73 public assemblies nationwide in July.
22 August 2023 was fixed as the 3rd election of the Prime Minister by the Joint-Sitting of the Parliament according to Article 272 of the Constitution, This time, the second most voted party, Pheu Thai Party has broken the previous agreement and decided to join with the parties that supported the previous government while shunning the Move Forward Party. Srettha Thavisin was nominated as the 30th Prime Minister and he could garner 482 votes from the Joint-Sitting parliament and became the 30th Prime Minister. As a result, in August, apart from public assemblies to demand the right to bail, another focus was put in demanding Pheu Thai Party to elect the Prime Minister from the party that won the most votes during the election.
Apart from the 290 public assembles to demand the right to bail, 70 other assemblies were held on issues concerning the election and the formation of the government and these have become the most popular issue. There are also other issues that prompted public assemblies in 2023 including the issue of law and justice (60 assemblies), land and the environment (40 assemblies), demand for the government Dissolution (2 assemblies), education (4 assemblies), economy and livelihood (9 assemblies), gender equality and children (5 assemblies) and other issues (41 assemblies). In addition, the pro-monarchy movement continues to hold at least 15 public assemblies throughout the year in 2023 without facing any dispersal of the protest. At least in three cases of people arrested while exercising their freedom of expression. In the first case, on 14 March 2023, Wanthana, 61, and her friends flashed their three fingers during the passing of the Prime Minister’s motorcade to raise the issues concerning the economic woes. Wanthana was as a result dragged away by the police and later pressed with three charges concerning the resisting and obstructing officials and causing noise or disturbance in the public. In the second case, a freelance artist was arrested for allegedly spray-painting the text “112” and a symbol of anarchy on the wall of the Grand Palace on 28 March 2023. That incidence also led to the arrest of “Yok”, a girl (who was about to be) 15, as the police invoked the arrest warrant on a case against Section 112 reported to the police of Samranrat Police Station by Anond Klinkaew, core member of the People’s Center for the Protection of the Monarchy (PCPM). And in the third case on 10 May. 2023 at the Samranrat Police Station, a group of political activists have asked to meet the Superintendent of the police station regarding reports that more charges were being pressed against Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai, a 15-year-old youth. Crowd control police were deployed there with iron barricade to prevent the protesters from getting inside the police station. It was, however, reported that the main entrance was broken and water paint was sprayed on the staircase and walls of the police station. Following the incidence, nine individuals were placed under arrest including Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Noppasin “Sainam” Treelayapewat.
Although there was no record of public assemblies’ crackdown in 2023, efforts to obstruct by the police as they announced to cease public assemblies or obstruct were done for 13 times. including two times in January, four in February, two in March, two in September, and two in October. In most cases, such orders were made invoking the designation of public assembly area according to the Public Assembly Act B.E.2558.
According to the documentation of Mob Data Thailand, at least 514 public assemblies were held nationwide ( as of 15 December 2023) including 343 public assemblies in Bangkok and 171 in other provinces. The number of public assemblies has decreased compared to 2022. 2023 saw many verdicts delivered in cases stemming from the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, particularly after the election in May. Totaling in 2023, 47 cases, including three children, were imprisoned). Therefore, as of 15 December 2023, at least 24 people were detained as a result of bail denial and, of which, 15 people were prosecuted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code (this includes two children who are detained by the court’s order pursuant to measure in lieu). Lastly, at least 13 remanded people have received final verdicts.
The chart shows the numbers of public assemblies in 2023, 514 in total.
The table shows the numbers of public assemblies issues in 2023
2. Situation of public assemblies in 2023
2.1 Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in January
January saw at least 78 public assemblies nationwide. Most of them coalesced around the demand for the right to bail since the Court had revoked bail of four political activists including Sophon Surariddhidhamrongand Baipor (full name withheld). In addition, Tantawan Tuatulanonand Bam Orawan (last name withheld) had withdrawn their bail after which the Court decided to revoke their bail. Both were subsequently detained at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution. Soon after, Tantawan and Bam has escalated their protest by staging a hunger strike. Sitthichoke Setsawet was later detained for allegedly spraying oil-like liquid to set fire at the foundation of the portraits of the King and the Queen installed on the island in the middle of the Ratchadamnoen Nok road, the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge intersection during the #Mob18July2564. While detained in prison, Sitthichoke has escalated his protest by staging a hunger strike as well. Such incidences have prompted a slew of public assemblies to demand the right to bail for political prisoners, at least 69 times, nationwide. This included the Stand Stop Imprisonment in Bangkok and Metropolitan at least 42 times.
At least 28 activities by the Resistant Citizen Groupin front of the Supreme Court, at least ten activities by the Thalufahat the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), during which the police from the Pathumwan police station came to read an announcement for them to disband their assembly within 30 minutes. At least four public assemblies were organized by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration at the Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus, Pathumthani Province. In addition, at least 17 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies were held in various regions nationwide including at least five Stand Stop Tyranny assemblies at the Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. In Phrae province, ten flashmobs in the theme of Stand Stop Imprisonment were organized by the local pro-democracy groups at ten places throughout the province. In Phitsanulok, at least two Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies were held by the White Dove Group and the NU-movement. In Nakhon Sawan, at least one activity under the name of the Ratsadon Nakhon Sawan. Similar activities were held once in Lamphun and Lampang by the White Dove Group and its alliances. Two activities were held in Nan by the Network of Students of Nan. In Uttaradit, the Uttaradit Free Youth and the Uttaradit Progressive Movement organized least 1 activity. In Nakhon Sawan, the Ratsadon Nakhon Sawanorganized at leastone activity. And in Phatthalung and Khon Kaen, activities were held at least once in each of the province.
Photo by Chanakarn
Apart from the Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies, at least 11 other activities were organized to support the three demands of Tantawan and Bam including the Blood for Blood by Tantawan Tuatulanonand Bam Orawan (last name withheld) by pouring red liquid on their bodies while declaring the withdrawal of their own bail applications and to demand the release from custody of their friends and political activists who were yet offered bail since 2022 before both had their bail revoked and held in custody at the prison. A group of activities held a sit-in protest to demand the release of their friends at the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road, including the Musicians for Ratsadon. The students of Chiang Mai University held a five-hour-and-twelve-minutes-long-performance-art. They clad in prison uniform with shackles on their arms and legs and while other graduates participating in the graduation ceremony. The police approached and queried them during the activity and tried to stop them. Eventually, they rounded them up trying to take them away for a conversation. In addition, banners written with the text “Our Friends Are Dying” were hung in various university campuses in Chiang Mai including Chiang Mai University and North-Chiang Mai University, etc. Esan Free Feminists staged a hunger strike with their friends for eight hours at Bung Si Than Reservoir in Khon Kaen University.
Photo by Faozee
24 June for Democracy and its alliances organized a Car mob for Freedom from Democracy Monument to the Criminal Court. The Student Union of Chulalongkorn University (SGCU) and the Triamudom Not Bowing to Dictators organized the 1.12-kilometers-march to show their solidarity with the 112-hour-Stand-Stop-Imprisonment vigil being held simultaneously by the Thalufah. The Thalufah held a march toward the Criminal Courton Ratchadapisek Rd. to demand bail for jailed activists in collaboration with their lawyers and relatives. The Thaluwangmarched from the Thammasat University’s Tha Phra Chan Campus to the Supreme Court to submit names of people supporting the three demands pitched by Tantawan and Bam following their signature campaign on Change.org in which over 6,514 people have signed up the petition plus 16 faculty members from the Faculty of Law nationwide.In addition,the Thaluwang and its alliances have submitted a letter of petition to the executives of the Pheu Thai Partyto demand an urgent action on the three demands. Wanwalee Thammasattaya roleplayed the incidences concerning the case of Khathathon. Kongpetch and Phonpot in front of the Criminal Court to demand the right to bail for the political prisoners.
Photo by Faozee
Education reform was the other issue that prompted the second largest public assemblies with at least four public assemblies held on the National Children’s Day. Four members of the Bad Students handed out a survival guide in school at the Ministry of Education and demanded the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to meet their three demands including curriculum reform, addressing violence in school and reform of the outdated regulation imposed in schools. At least 20 uniform police officials, men and women, were deployed to monitor the situation. The four child activists tried to enter the Government House to participate in the event to mark the National Children's Day, but were denied entry by the uniform officials. As a scuffle ensued, Ear, a 14-year-old activist, was inured by his arm. On the same day, another event to mark the National Children's Day was held inside the Wing 41 Chiang Mai during which Yam, a 18-year-old activist, had her banner and crayon seized by the air forces officials while she was leading an activity urging people to write on the banner “What do children want to tell adults?” She was informed that no banner writing was allowed since the activity was considered uncreative. In addition, the theme she used which came from a hit song “Bad Boy” sounded terrible and why did she have to use it? As Yam and her friends were about to vacate the event, the plainclothes officials ran after them to ask “What kind of video you just shot? You have no permission from me to shoot the video,” and pulled Yam’s arm until she fell off causing an abrasive wound on her knees. Yam thus shouted for help from passerby and the officials decided to let Yam and her friends leave. The Reform Students/The Move-on Students organized a symbolic action on the Teaching of the Good Teachers (which dies not fit my era) to demand an education reform.
In this month, at least three public assemblies were held to demand the ouster of the government and to oppose the order to transfer a government official. The Chana District Hospital and civil society networks in Songkhla have submitted a letter of petition and made public speeches about the case of Dr. Suphat at the Songkhla Provincial Public Health Authority. In addition, a open letter was submitted for the Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul on the issue. Lastly, the demand on the environment and the right to land has led to at least two public assemblies. A protest was held to oppose the construction of waste-to-energy plant including the holding of a public discussion and sign-on activity for people opposed to the construction of a waste-to-energy plant in Tambon Tha Khum Ngoen, Mae Tha District, Lamphun. The villagers have converged to submit a letter of petition to the Governor insisting that such waste-to-energy plant not developed in their village. The White Dove for the People organized an activity to hold banners to welcome the Prime Minister during his visit to Lampang during which at least 30 police and security officials have intervened trying to prevent them from holding the banners bearing the words such as “Stop the Remnant of NCPO” and “Isus Pom #EnoughIsEnough the eight years we have to endure.” In addition, rally speeches were made about the remnant of the NCPO and the consequences from the exercise of power by the coup-makers and the failed management of the government. The officials tried to prevent media from taking photo during the incidence. The protest was prompted by reports about the transfer of Dr. Suphat Hasuwankit, director of Chana Hospital, to another office without known reasons. The local Chana Conservation Group also came to show their support to Dr. Suphat in January 2023.
2.2 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in February
February saw at least 78 public assemblies nationwide. Even though 15 political prisoners have been temporarily released this month, there remained those imprisoned including Khathathonwho has been remanded in custody since he was charged for having in possession of explosive since 11 April 2022 altogether more than 300 days and still is denied bail. In addition, the Court has convicted and imprisoned Thiranaiand Chaiphon, members of the Thalugaz, who were intercepted while they were on the way to participate in Mob 29 August 2021 and found to have Ping Pong bombs in their possession. Charges concerning having in possession of explosive were pressed against them. Following their guilty plea, they were convicted and sentenced to six years of imprisonment and then reduced to three years. Both have been incarcerated since 15 February 2022 and have since been denied bail.
Photo by @Chanakarn
Since the Court continued to refuse to uphold the right to bail of all political prisoners. Tantawan Tuatulanonand Bam Orawan insisted on staging their dry hunger strike, although they have changed their venue from the Thammasat University Hospital to the entrance of the Supreme Court. This has intensified the activism to demand the right to bail for political prisoners and this month saw at least 53 public assemblies on the issue. This included at least 37 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies in Bangkok and Metropolitan held by various political activist groups including the Resistant Citizen Group which held the Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies in front of the Supreme Court for the entire day for 29 times. In two such times, the authorities have approached them and asked them to rectify their public assemblies, otherwise they shall face a dispersal. Other assemblies were held by Thalufah (six times), Thalugaz (once), and the Labour Rights for Human Rights Network (once). At least four Stand Stop Tyranny activities were conducted at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. Apart from the Stand Stop Imprisonment, other activities have been held at least twice to demand the right to bail in other formats including a public discussion in response to the demand of Tawan-Bam for the path toward judicial reform in Thailand organized by a number of human rights and prodemocracy organizations to demand the reform of the judicial procedure, to demand the right to bail of the prisoners and to the relaxation of bail requirement. In Chiang Mai, the Lanyim Theatre organized the activity “Wad Wang” to draw pictures to show their solidarity with Tawan-Bamand other political prisoners who have been unfairly held in prison. While Tawan and Bam were staging their protest in front of the Supreme Court, some people came to harass them. Concerned that their presence could make it inconvenient for the court officials to get inside to work, both have sent their representatives to submit a letter to the President of the Supreme Court asking for permission to stage their hunger strike in front of the statute of HRH Krom Luang Ratchaburi Direkrit inside the compound of the Supreme Court in the North. They also requested access to utilities including water and electricity and other emergency equipment.
Photo by Faozee
Other less popular public assemblies coalesced around an order to transfer a government official considered unfair, the case of Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit. At least 13 activities were held including 10 by the Friends of Dr. Supat Alliance. Various activities were conducted including a sit-in protest overnight at the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi from 6-15February2023. During the sit-in protest, the authorities made at least two attempts to tell protesters to vacate the protest site. Letters of petition against the order to transfer Dr. Supat were submitted at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi as well. It was reported that the officials tried to close the gate to prevent the villagers from coming inside to hand their letters. Letters of petition have also been submitted to the Parliament and the government. Apart from such activities, others were done symbolically including the hanging bananas in front of the 12th Regional Health Office under the Ministry of Public Health in Songkhla, and the distribution of leaflets in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). During the activity, the police told the protesters to stay put and announced that their public assembly was unlawful since no permission had been sought. In addition, a public discussion was held and wreaths were laid in front of the headquarters of the Bhumjaithai Party. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ramkhamhaeng Network for Democracy. Moreover, in Songkhla, students from the Conservation Club of the Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus held a symbolic activity and read out a public statement accusing that the transfer of Dr. Supat had been made through the abuse of power. Academics from the university have also issued a statement to show their solidarity with Dr. Supat.
As to the demand for legal reform, at least six public assemblies have been held including the public assembly led by the Government Employee Union of Thailand to submit a letter of petition to the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi to urge the government to comply with the six demands regarding benefits of employees and officers of the Ministry of Public Health.
Photo by Faozee
In addition, Yok,a 14-year-old girl, the youngest to have been charged for violating Section112 in Thailand, has read out a public statement regarding the use of Section112 by the state to deprive children and youth’s freedoms. In addition, Yok blew her birthday cake and tore up a police summons to answer to the charges right in front of the headquarters of the United Nations as a symbolic action to the international community. Stateless activists conducted a poll asking “Do you think stateless persons should have the right to vote?” at the Tha Phae Gate and Ang Kaew in Chiang Mai to listen to feedback on the issue.
In February, the cabinet agreed in principle of the (draft) Emergency Decree for the Amendments of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance B.E. 2565 B.E. .... for the amendments of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance B.E. 2565 which was supposed to become effective on 22 February 2023. The Emergency Decree was proposed to defer the application of Sections 22, 23, 24, and 25 which concern the performance of duties of the police while conducting the search, arrest, detention and deprivation of liberty to prevent their abuse of power. This has prompted civil society organizations to converge at the Government House and submit a letter of petition to oppose the cabinet resolution which endorsed the promulgation of the Emergency Decree for the Amendments of the Act on Torture and Enforced Disappearance. Meanwhile, Amnesty International Thailand has submitted a letter of petition to urge the Ministry of Justice to adhere to the original timeline for the enforcement of the Act.
At least two anniversary activities were held including the Bright Future’s public assembly on the second anniversary of the Myanmar’s military coup at the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand to read out a public statement and roleplay how the Myanmar military has attacked the people. A group of Ukrainians and other foreigners were gathered to conduct a symbolic action to mark the first anniversary of the Russian war in Ukraine to show their opposition to Russia’s invasion and their opposition to the war at the Embassy of Ukraine in Thailand.
In addition, at least one activity was held on an environmental issue including when the members of the Udon Thani Conservation Group marched to oppose the granting of concessionary rights to operate potash mining and to spread the news and recruit alliances before filing the case with the Administrative Court in late March. At least one public assembly was held on other issues including the gathering of students and alumni of the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus to show their opposition to the relocation of their university from the current place and to submit a letter of petition to the President of the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok.
2.3 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in March
March saw at least 42 public assemblies nationwide, a decline of at least 36 from February. The issue that underpinned most of the public assemblies was the demand to release political prisoners, at least 32 activities.This included at least 27 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies at the Supreme Court in Bangkok and at least four Stand Stop Tyranny assemblies at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. Another activity was the march to submit a letter of petition to the Prime Ministerto demand the withdrawal of charges and release from custody of political activists led by Amnesty International Thailand during which at least 20 uniformed police officials were deployed and formed a barricade to prevent the participants from submitting a letter of petition at the Government House.
The demands on livelihood and welfare prompted at least three public assemblies. During the Prime Minister’s visit to Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi, Wanthana, 61, and her friends flashed three fingers to the Prime Minister’s motorcade complaining about the economic problems. She was dragged away by the authorities who opened umbrellas to prevent photo-taking of the incident. They shut her mouth using their hands and inflicted injuries on her body. She was later taken into custody at the Ban Pong Police Station and charged with refusing to adhere to the officials’ order, causing loud noise in the public and resisting or obstructing an official. She was bailed out for 10,000 baht.
Peasant Federation’s protesters marched from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives toward the Government House to submit a letter of petition to the Prime Minister. They demanded a solution to address the needs of farmers getting into troubles with the Office of Farmers’ Reconstruction and Development Fund. Later, the cabinet decided to restructure the debts of 50,000 farmers and would further provide such assistance to farmers countrywide.1 Employees of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) were gathered to submit a letter of petition to the Prime Minister at the Government House to demand the government’s help to service more than 50 billion baht of their debts owed to the company.
Photo by Gun Saengthong
As 8 March marks the International Women’s Day, at least two public assemblies were held on women’s rights The Civil Society Network for Gender Equality in Chiang Mai under the theme of standing up for freedom and justice organized a walk from Buddha Sathan to the Tha Phae Gate where they held a public discussion to promote women’s rights and freedoms. The Labour Rights Network for People’s Rights mobilized workers to mark the International Women’s Day 2023 by holding public speeches and reading out public statements to convey their policies on labour and welfare to all political parties before the election and organized a Stand Stop Imprisonment assembly for 112 seconds as well. During their public assembly, at least 20 Metropolitan police officials in their khaki uniform and women police were deployed surrounding the participants.
Photo by Faozee
In this month, at least two public assemblies were held on issues concerning the election. The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration under the theme “House Dissolution to Remove a Curse and Oust Dictators” asked people to come and help clean the Parliament from any contamination of the dictators just before the election. While they were reading out a statement about their underlying reasons, six uniform police officials approached them at the sign of the National Assembly and prevented them from using their cleaning tools prompting the participants to yell and told them to stay away. Activists of the Ratsadon and its alliances held a symbolic action and read out a public statement regarding the House Dissolution and the election and then launched the Vote for Change campaign for the 2023 election at the Democracy Monument to show their stance and their political demands.
In addition, at least one[K1] public assembly was held for legal amendment. The drivers of minivans under the Association of Minivan Transportation in Bangkok and other provinces converged to submit a letter of petition at the Ministry of Transport and the Government House demanding the amendment of regulations which had caused accumulated problems with the minivan transportation including the restriction on the vehicle age. One public assembly was also held on the environmental issue when the villagers from Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son, organized a ceremony to prolong the life of the Salween River to mark the International Day of Action for Rivers and to hold a public discussion to show their stance against the state policies to promote dam construction.
2.4 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in April
April saw at least 33 public assemblies, a decrease of at least 10 from March since the election was nearing and all political parties were engaged in full swing in their campaigns nationwide. This has deescalated the intensity of public assemblies. The issue that prompted most of public assemblies was still the demand for the right to bail with at least 25 public assemblies on the issue. This included at least 16 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies in front of Bangkok’s Supreme Court.
Photo by Kai Maew Cheese (ไข่แมวชีส)
Regarding “Yok” Thanalop (last name withheld), a 15-year-old activist and the youngest person ever to be charged for violating Section 112, she was still remanded in custody at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom causing her to likely lose her opportunity to further her study in Grade 10 if she failed to report herself to the school on the first day of the semester. Therefore, activists organized a slew of activities to demand the release from custody of Yok and other political prisoners, at least 12 times.
In addition, at least eight symbolic actions were taken by friends of Yok including Tantawan Tuatulanon, Orawan Phuphong, Sophon Surariddhidhamrong, Sai Nam (full name withheld). They were holding banners saying “A 15-year-old girl is being imprisoned for Section112” at Gymnasium 2, the Thai-Japan Bangkok Youth Centre, which was used as a venue to enroll candidates for the elections in the 33 constituents of Bangkok. The one-off action was made amidst tight security of the police. The activists led by Anna took a symbolic action and Performance Art as well as distributed leaflets “Free Yok”to demand the release from custody of Yok and presenting information about Section 112 prosecutions at Siam Square.2 The Performance Art “Let’s dream of the drawable dream” was conducted and people were invited to draw pictures to show their solidarity to Yok at Siam Square as well. Both activities drew much attention from the public.
Tantawan and Sophon have gone to distribute leaflets about Yokat The Old Siam Plaza, Tri Phet Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, but were prevented from entering the area by a barricade of the police and a group of the pro-monarchy activists including the PCPM . Both groups exchanged verbal tirades while the police beefed up their barricade. A straw poll was conducted on “Do you think a 15-year-old child should have a chance to visit Book Fairs, or to go to jail because of Section 112?” at the Book Fair held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Several activists led by Sophon distributed leaflets and made noise to demand responsibility from the Attorney General accusing him of allowing too many individuals to be charged with politically motivated cases at the Victory Monument BTS Station. In addition, banners were held about Yokand “This Songkran, someone is deprived of the chance to return home” referring to their friends who are still incarcerated in jail. Tantawan and Orawan distributed letters penned by Yok who wrote them while being held in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center and held a press conference to explain the case at the Central Juvenile and Family Court.
The Ratsadon 888tied green ribbons to show their solidarity with Yokat the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom and have inquired political parties about the release of Yok at least three times. This included the activist group led by Tantawan and Orawan who went to a political rally of the Palang Pracharath Party and asked for a meeting with the Minister of Digital Economy and Society to demand the release of political prisoners. This has led to a clash between the activists and the security staff as well as attendants at the rally. One of the activists was subject to a physical assault committed by some teenagers and was sent to the Siriraj Hospital for medical treatment. They reported the case to the Bang Yi Khan Police Station later. After the public discussion on the amendment of the Penal Code at Thammasat University, some activists asked representatives of the political parties about Yok and other political prisoners regarding their right to bail. They also proposed the same questions to the politicians who participated in the Amnesty International’s human rights agenda debate held at the Lan Khon Mueang Town Square.
In addition, freelance activists organized the activity “Orders from the Palace Walls: The voice must be heard by the world” and submitted a letter of petition to the representatives from the United Nations (UN) in Thailand regarding the cases of Yok and ‘Hin’ (pseudonym), a 19-year-old activist, both of whom are being remanded in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center. On the same day, photos exposing the unlawful arrests of both youths were publicized
The second biggest issue that prompted public assemblies was the election. The “Vote for Change” Ratsadon Network has gone to the office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to submit a letter of petition to urge the ECT to hold a transparent and accountable election. The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) organized a forum to present policies to stop politically motivated prosecutions and the Pheu Thai Party, Move Forward Party, and the Commoners Party all agreed with the recommendation to grant amnesty to political cases dated back to at least 2006.
This month saw at least two commemorations of the slain or disappeared victims due to political incidents. The People’s Party to Restore Justice for 2010 held an event to commemorate “the 13th anniversary of the April-May 2010” to mark the 13th anniversary of the crackdown of public assemblies by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) with a Buddhist ceremony to dedicate the blessing to the martyrs and wreath-laying by various organizations, political parties, and activists. Freelance activists clad in prison uniform were seen riding BTS as a symbolic action to demand the judicial process reform to mark the 9th anniversary of the disappearance of Porlajee or Billy.
2.5 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in May
May saw at least 41 public assemblies, an increase of at least eight from April. Even though the election was held, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) was yet to endorse the results of the election causing people to conduct public assemblies on the issue. Nonetheless, the issue that still prompted most of the public assemblies was still the demand for the right to bail with at least 27 public assemblies conducted on the issue. This included at least 23 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies in front of Bangkok’s Supreme Court and at least one Stand Stop Tyranny assembly at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai.
Regarding “Yok” Thanalop (last name withheld), a 15-year-old activist and the youngest person ever to be charged for violating Section 112, she had been remanded in custody at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom since 29 March 2023, and only been released on 18 May 2023, this has prompted activists to hold activities to demand the release of Yok at least three times. This included the “Walk for Friends” by the Mok Luang Rim Nam as they marched from the Central Juvenile and Family Court while making speeches about the judicial process during various stops until they reached the Ban Pranee in Nakhon Pathom. They have also submitted a list of over 5,000 names to the Central Juvenile and Family Court as well. Freelance activists including Tantawan Tuatulanon, Bam Orawan and Sai Nam organized the activity “Whoever wants to scold, scold!, whoever wants to hurl, hurl!#saveYok” at the Samran Rat Police Station to ask the Police Superintendent about reports that additional charges were pressed against Yok while she was remanded in custody. This has led to a clash between the participants and the police. The police used violence to place the nine activists under arrest and then pressed charges against them. The Kiam Pattana Democracy held an activity “Stand Stop Imprisonment #saveYok” for 112 minutes to demand Yok be released to attend school in front of the Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn School, Yok’s school. After the activity, two students in Grade 10 were reprimanded by the teachers.
After the election, people stayed vigilant about the possible formation of a new coalition and the voting of the Prime Minister candidates. For the voting of Prime Minister candidate, if not more than 375 votes could be garnered from members of the House of Representatives, they have to rely on votes from the Senate according to the Constitution 2017. The issues about the election thus prompted at least five public assemblies to demand the Senators to respect people’s voice by voting for the Prime Minister candidate nominated by the majority parties. This included the people in Lampang who held a symbolic action to read out names of all the 250 Senators while lighting candles with the attendance of around 20 participants. The Phrae Pro-democracy Network held a symbolic action to ask questions about the voting of Prime Minister candidates by the Senators. The Democratic Club, Chiang Mai University Student Union, took a symbolic action to demand “Senators must respect public consensus” and conducted a poll on “Senators must respect people’s voice by voting for Prime Minister according to the majority of MPs.” The Lanna Ratsadon Party and North Commoners organized a caravan to promote the drafting of the dream Constitution “What do Chiang Mai people want to say to the Senators?” with a traditional Lanna cursing ritual and the drawing of banners to send a message to the Senators.
Photo by Faozee
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration held an activity “Don’t let anyone take away our dreams and hopes: Senators not to vote against public consensus” including two public discussions and the reading out of an open letter in front of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, freelance activists led by Sai Nam and Eye were holding banners calling out the Senators and opposing Section 112. Some participants were not happy with the action of the freelance activists, therefore, the security staff had to ask the group to stop their activity. Then, papers were scattered to demand the Senators to respect people’s voice.
Another issue was concerned with events to commemorate past incidents with at least three public assemblies on the issue. This included the commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the crackdown of the Red Shirt public assemblies organized by the People’s Committee on Justice of 2010. The Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) organized a commemoration “Four Years of Siam Theerawut”, a political exile who has been disappeared. It presented the journey and struggle for justice of Siam’s family and the importance of the Act on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance. The Workers’ Union and members of the public hoisted a large banner saying “Holding NCPO accountable, 3 P must go to jail” to mark the 9th anniversary of the military coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) at the Skywalk, Pathumwan intersection in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).
As to the environmental issues, at least one public assembly was conducted. Local people in Tambon Rueso Ok, Rueso District, Narathiwat gathered to oppose granite mine in their neighborhood during the public hearing on the attempt to apply for granite mining concessionary rights. They were concerned about environmental and health impacts and none of the people present at the hearing agreed with the project
In addition, at least two public assemblies were held on other issues. Six activists in Chiang Mai have gone to answer to charges of “Contempt of Constitutional Court” while more than 30 uniformed and plainclothes police officials were deployed at the police station triggering the attempt to snatch banners saying “Reform the Judiciary” which the activists tried to unfurl before answering to the charges. Some activists organized a Performance Art “Demolishing Spirit House” to exercise their freedom of expression and as a symbolic action. Nongovernmental organizations, civil society and their alliances held the “Chiang Mai Pride 2023” with the multi-color parade to promote gender equality and outdoor movie screenings.
In this month, the People’s Center for the Protection of Monarchy (PCPM) led the effort to hold at least three public assemblies. This included the “#save112” march while holding banners to oppose an attempt to amend or repeal Section 112 while blaring out patriotic song “We Love Our Land” as they walked through streets in Ayutthaya. They have also submitted a letter of petition to demand the USA to refrain from intervening with domestic affairs in Thailand, particularly on the monarchy, at least two times at the American Embassy and Consulate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, respectively.
2.6 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in June
In June, there are at least 54 public assemblies, increasing from the previous month at least 13 times. There are more assemblies on the environmental issues and land rights. Regarding public concerns on the election public assemblies were still held to demand the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to promptly endorse the results of the election. Nonetheless, at least 29 public assemblies occurred in accordance with the demand for the right to bail which become common to public gatherings since the demand has not been responded to by the government. This included at least 26 Stand Stop Imprisonment assemblies in front of the Bangkok’s Supreme Court by the Resistant Citizen Group, and at least three Stand Stop Tyranny assemblies at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai by the “We, the People” group.
Apart from the political issues, the land rights and environmental issues are about 9 assemblies. This included Ban Kwan Khiri Nok villagers in Lampang with members of the Northern Peasant Federation (NPF), and the Lampang Ethnic Network submitting a letter of petition to the Director of the Forest Resources Management Office 3 (Lampang) at the Lampang Provincial Hall to prost against any reforestation plan in the area since it might affect their traditional livelihood. The Kham Pa Lai Watershed Conservation Group submitted a letter of petition to the Governor of Mukdahan to protest against the windfarm project which has received permission to utilize the land which is a part of the Dong Mu National Reserved Forest 2. Residents around Kud-Thing Lake, Bueng Kan, mobilized to protest against the public hearing on the draft plan for the conservation of the Kud-Thing Wildlife Sanctuary demanding an investigation of the case and the revocation of the wildlife sanctuary from public land. The People’s Network for the Conservation of Tro Pling Mountain and its alliances have submitted a letter of petition to the Pattani Governor to nullify the public hearing on the granting of granite mining licenses in Sai Buri District given a lack of transparency in various matters and only villagers supporting the project were invited.
The Northern Peasant Federation (NPF) has submitted a letter of petition to Pita Limjaroenrat during the Move Forward Party’s forum to meet civil society and ethnic and indigenous people in Chiang Mai. They reiterated the four recommendations from the ethnic network of land and forest and raised a concern that the policies on ethnicity in seven aspects of the Move Forward Party were not included in the MOU of the coalition parties. The NPF has vowed to press ahead with its mobilization to assert the right to land at their land reform site in Ban Tha Ko Muang, Lamphun. Residents in Wang Hip and a network of artists for the protection of Wang Hip Forest organized the second concert “Forest Lullaby: Hua Jai Rak Pa” featuring musical performance, poem recitation, art exhibition, public discussion, reading out statement, and symbolic action to protest the dam construction in the area.
The people opposed to mining in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son, have met to exchange and discuss their plan to protest against mining projects as the concerned authorities were about to conduct the public hearings. Members of the Khon Rak Ban Kerd Dan Khun Thot Group were gathered to “stop potash mining in Don Nong Pho and restore Nong Sai” to demand the authorities to address the suffering endured by the local people as a result of potash mining. They vowed to continue their sit-in protest if they did not hear from the Nakhon Ratchasima Governor. Later, the Governor ordered the suspension of the project. The Chaolay Andaman submitted a letter of petition to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand requesting an investigation into the granting of permission from investors to build a hotel on the land critical for the preservation of the traditional livelihood of the ethnic Chaolay and for the egg laying of sea turtles.
Photo by Gun Saengthong
The ECT had 60 days to verify the results of the election, but the longer it took, the more it took a toll on the public confidence. Such concern prompted people to figure out other ways to ensure this election would effectively bring about change. As a result, at least 4 public assemblies were conducted on the issue to demand the ECT promptly endorse the results of the election. The people in Chiang Mai organized “Democracy must move on, ECT must endorse the election’s results immediately” to make their demand on the issue and to call on the stoppage of a procedure to disband a political party. Activists from the 24 June Democracy have submitted a letter of petition to the ECT demanding an endorsement of the election’s results and to not accept to review a complaint about iTV shareholding of Pita Limjaroenrat, Leader of the Move Forward Partysince there is no proof it is still in operation as a media. The people and academics in Chiang Mai have converged to submit an open letter to the ECT30 days after the election since the ECT was still failing to endorse the election’s results. People gathered in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) to urge the ECT to endorse the election’s results even after 33 days. The People Who Love the King gathered to submit a letter of petition at the National Assembly to show their solidarity with the Senators urging them to not vote for political parties with policies to abolish the monarchy.
24 June 2475 marked the day of the transformation from an absolute monarchy to a democracy and on its 91st anniversary, a commemoration was organized at least in four separate events. The Neo Lanna organized the “Procession of democracy logs, installing milestones for decentralization” to bring the logs and banners to be installed at the Three Kings Monument. While victorious drums were beaten, the First Declaration of the People’s Party was read out as well as their demands for a better ruling system. Apart from the Neo Lanna’s activities, a public discussion was held by the Constitution Advocacy Alliance (CALL) organized the “Heading to Thammasat, Celebrating the Ratsadon National Day” at the Sculpture Lawn, Thammasat University Tha Phra Chan Campus. The Move Forward Party organized “The New Era, the New Constitution, 24June, the Dawn of Democracy and Hope” and the Mok Luang Rim Nam organized “Democuisine: Devouring Hope, Swallowing Truths” to dine together and listen to a public discussion on the fight for democracy.
Nonetheless, at least two attempts were made to stop the “Procession of democracy logs, installing milestones for decentralization” by the Network of Royalist and Patriotic Thais (North) which has submitted a letter of petition to the President to oppose the holding of activities in the Chiang Mai University. The People’s Center for the Protection of Monarchy (PCPM) marched to show their resolute devotion to the Nation, Religion, and the King in front of iBis Styles while a public discussion was held on the topic.
In this month, the pro-monarchy groups organized at least four activities. Apart from the above activities, the PCPM has submitted a letter of petition to General Prayut Chan-o-cha asking for an investigation into the public discussion to launch the National Student Movement since such activity could be deemed liable as a secessionist attempt and treason. They also submitted a letter of petition to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to express their concern about the possible separatist movement and a brainwashing attempt that spread in various regions. They also demanded clarity on an effort to protect the three key institutions of the country.
Photo by Faozee
In addition, several organizations helped to organize the Bangkok Pride 2023 with a march to call for the rights, freedoms and human dignity of all people equally. Most importantly, they demanded gender recognition, marriage equality, the rights of sex workers and universal welfare of LGBTQ+. On the same day, freelance activists organized the “Three years later, we still do not forget Wanchalearm ”to commemorate the enforced disappearance of Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a political exile, and to demand justice for his family. It was organized during the procession of the Bangkok Pride 2023.
2.7 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in July
Photo by Faozee
In July 2023, the political situation became tense yet again following the Royal Decree for the Opening of the National Assembly’s First Session, the 26th Batch of Members of the House of Representatives, Year One, after the election of Members of the House of Representatives on 14 May 2023. The National Assembly was also scheduled to meet to vote for the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand for the first time on 13 July 2023 amidst reports of the Senators’ opposition to the voting for Pita Limjaroenrat from the Move Forward Party even though the party won the most seats from the election. As a result, less than a half of the joint-sitting votes could be secured for Pita. Previously (12 July 2023), the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has requested the Constitutional Court to review the House membership of Pita Limjaroenrat, MFP Leader and Prime Minister candidate since he appeared to hold shares of the ITV PLC.
Photo by Faozee
Prompted by the incidence, Arnon Nampa called for a public assembly in the afternoon of the same day at the Skywalk, Pathumwan intersection to demand members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote for the Prime Minister candidate according to the election’s results and the people’s consensus. On the same day, several other public assemblies were held in various places nationwide and throughout the week. On 19 July 2023, the Constitutional Court by 7:2 decided to accept the case filed by the ECT to rule according to the Constitution’s Section 82 on the Membership of the Parliament of Pita Limjaroenrat, Leader and Prime Minister candidate of the Move Forward Party and whether to have it revoked invoking the Constitution’s Section 101 (6) coupled with Section 98 (3) given his holding of 42,000 shares in the ITV PLC. The ECT also requested that the Constitutional Court ordered to immediately suspend Pita Limjaroenrat from performing his duties as an MP until the decision is made.
Photo by Faozee
According to the observation and documentation by Amnesty International Thailand and iLaw via Mob Data Thailand in July 2023, it could be summarized that at least 73 public assemblies were organized nationwide. The underpinning issues of public assemblies in July were generally different from June since they demanded members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote for the Prime Minister candidate according to the election’s results and the people’s consensus. In Bangkok, such public assemblies were organized 29 times including the one called for by Arnon Nampaat the Skywalk, Pathumwan intersection, one day before the first day to vote for Prime Minister.
A Car Mob was organized to bring a resignation form to the Senators who are the military top brass. The Constitution Advocacy Alliance (CALL) held a public assembly to monitor the voting of the Prime Minister under the campaign “Respect My Vote” at the Chaloem Phrakiat Kiakkai Park. There was also the assembly in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), the assembly on 19 July for the cremation of the Senators, an assembly organized by Kasetsart University students to “eradicate the Crooked Senators”, the first and second Mob Prom led by Sombat Boonngamanong, etc.
#the first Mob Prom Photo by Faozee
#The second Mob Prom Photo by Gun Saengthong
In addition, 44 public assemblies on the issue were organized in other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Nan, Si Sa Ket, Ayutthaya, Uttaradit, Nakhon Pathom, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Roi Et, Tak, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. This was followed by the assemblies to demand the right to bail including the Stand Stop Tyranny at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai every Saturday, the third Stand Stop Imprisonment in front of Bangkok’s Supreme Court. The third Stand Stop Imprisonment reached 365 days on 5 July 2023, and the group announced it would stop such activity on that day. In addition, a public assembly was organized on the environmental issue led by the villagers of Ban Rak Khao Kala, Nakhon Sawanwho were opposed to the EIA process of the limestone mine fearing the impacts on the villagers and ecological balance. A public assembly was also led by the Khon Hug Thung Kula Network in Roi Et against the EIA procedure of a sugar mill and biomass powerplant. A public assembly on a foreign issue was organized by Myanmar people living in Thailand who were opposed to the government of Myanmar and protested at the United Nations headquarter in Thailand on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok to mark the birthday of Min Aung Hlaing and the public assemblies by the People’s Center for the Protection of Monarchy.
2.8 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in August
Throughout August, the political situation remained intense albeit with a decline in public assemblies compared to July. There were at least 15 public assemblies nationwide, mostly, 10, in other provinces. The most common issue was still the demand for the right to bail of political activists including at least four Stand Stop Tyranny assemblies at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai, every weekend, This was followed by the issue of land and the environment which yielded two public assemblies including one led by villagers of Ban Mae Siang, Moo 7, Soem Khwa Subdistrict, Soem Ngam District, Lampang to protest against Mae Siang mine. The other public assembly was organized by residents in San Phi Suea, Chiang Mai, against a project to construct ‘Wat Leng Noei Yi’, a Chinese temple like the one in Yaowarat. Four public assemblies were held on other issues including the proposed cut of old age allowance, ethnic issues and the demand for the voting of Prime Minister according to the people’s consensus with at least five public assemblies held in Bangkok. Reports of attempts to vote for the Prime Minister candidate from the Pheu Thai Party and form a coalition government including political parties from the previous government prompted at least three public assemblies on the issue.
Photo by Faozee
Photo by Gun Saengthong
The Car Mob “Garland Procession” led by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration was organized.
the “Chasing out rats, Beating cobras...Phoen Rak” was organized by the Mok Luang Rim Nam, another public assembly “Shining light on the path” was held by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. In addition, at least two public assemblies were held on other issues including one to mark the anniversary of the death of Warit, a boy, who died from gunshot wound with live bullet during the public assembly in front of the Din Daeng Police Station in 2021.
Photo by Chanakarn
A foreign issue on the arrest of activists in Myanmar, etc.
2.9 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in September
In September, there was a transition to a new coalition thanks to the resolution of the National Assembly on 22 August 2023 with 482:165 votes to agree to elect Srettha Thavisinas the new Prime Minister including 152 votes from the Senate to support the candidate from the Pheu Thai Party. On 2 September 2023, the Government Gazette published the Royal Command for the appointment of Ministers and the cabinet was composed of politicians from the previous government. The number of public assemblies has not increased from August, and altogether, there were at least15public assemblies nationwide including at least 10 in Bangkok.
This included the public assembly to demand the right to bail under the theme “The Judge of Death” led by Tantawan Tuatulanon; thepublic assembly to demand solutions to address the problems of the Bang Kloi ethnic Karen community based on the resolutions of the Independent Inquiry Committee to Investigate the Facts and to Address the Problems of the Bang Kloi ethnic Karen community led by the Save Bang Kloi; the public assembly to urge the Prime Minister to endorse the Draft Anti-Discrimination Act led by civil society; the public assembly by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand against Min Aung Hlaing dictatorship led by Bright Future.
Photo by Chanakarn
The public assembly to urge the government to act in compliance with labour law led by the Labour Rights for Human Rights Network; the public assembly on the drafting of the Constitution by the people’s representatives to advocate for the drafting of the Constitution; the public assembly to submit a letter of petition to Minister of Justice to transfer ‘Ekkachai Hongkangwan’ to receive treatment at the Thammasat University Hospital led by freelance activists; the public assembly to submit a letter of petition to the ‘Pheu Thai Party’ to accelerate the registration of delivery riders to legalize their work led by “Rapid Grab Network”; and the two public assemblies by Amnesty International to demand the right to bail.
2.10 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in October
According to the observation and documentation by Amnesty International Thailand and iLaw via Mob Data Thailand in October 2023, it could be summarized that at least nine public assemblies were organized nationwide. If counted by the number of nights the protesters stayed on the street, it should come to at least 60 assemblies. Most of the public assemblies were small (less than 100 participants) and medium (at least100 participants). At least three assemblies were held on the demand for civil and political rights including the demand for the right to bail for those prosecuted from exercising their freedom of expression and political assembly.
Photo by Faozee
This included the sit-in protest and symbolic action with other participants in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road led by Busbas, apolitical activist, between 1-15 October2023; the public assembly led by ThaluWang and its symbolic action by cladding in prison uniform and walking from Thammasat University Tha Phra Chan Campus to the Supreme Court on 6 October2023; and the Stand Stop Tyranny assembly at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai led by We, The People for the 67th week to demand the right to bail. As to the demand on economic, social and cultural rights, at least four public assemblies were held including the public assembly by the Four Regions Slum Network (FRSN) which organized the “Walk for Home” to mark the World Habitat Day as they marched to bring to attention of the authorities their demand on housing including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Ministry of Transport, the Government House and international organizations including the United Nations.
Photo by Chanakarn
The public assembly by P-Move which held a sit-in protest at the Government House to demand policies concerning economic, social and cultural rights and to raise their concern about the government’s support of the carbon credit policy and decentralization between 2-17 October and P-Move called off their public assemblies after the government accepted to review their recommendations to solve the problems at the policy level and to appoint seven subcommittees to address the issues including to solve land issues systematically, to address impacts from state sector’s development, state welfare, the right to housing, etc.
Photo by Chanakarn
The Assembly of the Poor staged a sit-in protest at the Government House since 8 October for one month after which the government agreed to set up subcommittees to address their problems. In addition, on labour issues, the labour unions have marched to demand the government proceed to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions No. 87 on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. Moreover, Symbolic actions were organized to show solidarity on the issues concerning rights violations abroad in two cases. One was an assembly held by Bright Future Myanmar of migrant workers in Thailand in front of the United Nations to condemn Min Aung Hlaing and another was a protest against the Israeli war against the Palestinians at the Embassy of Israel in Thailand.
As to Busbas’s sit-in protest to demand the right to bail in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, according to Prachatai and Mob Data Thailand, on 15 October 2023, around 17.00 in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Busbas climbed up the sign of the Court of Justice and the Criminal Court while live streaming from his personal Facebook page explaining he had to get up there since his personal belongings had been stolen and he had later learned they were taken away by the Municipality officers and someone had reported to the police accusing him of being a homeless person.
During that time, Anond Klinkaew, Chairperson of the People’s Center for the Protection of Monarchy (PCPM) and three young men, one of them held an iron stick in his hand, hurled a water bottle at Busbas while ranting aggressively against him. It was reported that some participants got injured in their face being punched by the pro-monarchist group. After the initial incident paused around 18.30, the PCPM went to the Phahonyothin Police Station and asked the police to prepare a daily record of the incident. They claimed they had to come after Busbas because he had climbed up to sit on the Criminal Court’s sign since the afternoon, but the police could not bring him down, as a result, they had to deal with the problem by themselves.
2.11 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in November
In November, at least seven public assemblies were organized nationwide. If counted by the number of nights the protesters stayed on the street, it should come to at least 16 assemblies. At least five public assemblies were held this month in Bangkok, at least once in Chiang Mai, and at least once in Bueng Kan. The assemblies were held to demand the civil and political rights by submitting a letter of petition to the government to demand an Amnesty Bill for all political prisoners and to demand justice led by the 24 June Democracy and the Campaign Committee for the Repeal of Section 112.
Photo by Chanakarn
On labour issues, a protest was held to demand a fair wage for Lalamove delivery riders. On women and children issues, a demand was made for the government to acknowledge and address the suffering of women workers and children led by the Women Workers for Justice and alliance. On the issues of economic, social and cultural rights, and the environment, villagers from three subdistricts in Mueang Bueng Kan District have submitted a letter of petition to the Governor to call off the public hearing on the draft plan for the conservation and protection of the Kud-Thing Wildlife Sanctuary for 2023-2032. The People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) gathered to follow up on an order to address the problem since it appears that the Srettha Thavisin government will likely not keep their word and fail to address the problem. The Assembly of the Poor held a sit-in protest to demand the government proceed to address the suffering endured by the villagers affected by state development projects. The Assembly called off their public assemblies on 8 November 2023 after reaching a conclusion and an agreement with the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thammanat Prompao. Altogether, they were gathered at the public assembly for 31 days.
2.12 The exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in December ( as of 15 December 2023 )
December is the month of important anniversaries in terms of social and political context. For example, 10 December marks the International Human Rights Day and the Thai Constitution Day. This year, Padipat Suntiphada, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, held a press conference on the events to mark the Constitution Day on 10 December 2023 at the People Plaza in front of the National Assembly building in Kiak Kai. It was the first celebration of the Constitution Day in 66 years as the last celebration was held in 1957. The Organizing committee comprised the House Speakers and Former House Speakers. Representatives from civil society also presented at the events. Around 13.00, about 8-10 individuals clad in Thai traditional costumes appeared with banners saying “No amendment of Constitution’s Chapter 1 and 2” and “Support Section112” while walking around without any clash with any party.
In December (as of 15 December 2023), at least eight public assemblies occurred nationwide including five in other provinces and three in Bangkok. The most common theme of the public assemblies was the demand of the right to bail including the two Stand Stop Tyranny assemblies at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. In addition, activities were held to show solidarity with the families of the jailed political activists and the submission of a letter of petition to demand parole for political prisoners at the Ministry of Justice. Held by freelance groups, the protesters were holding banners saying “Political prisoners are humans, they dream and aspire to make the world better. Show our solidarity to the political activists’ families” and “Free Our Friends from Prison.”
The second most popular issue was concerned with the environment. The Hug Nam Khong Network and civil society organized “Hom Poy ceremony and faith in the Mekong” at the Mekong School, in Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai on 9 December 2023. During the event, stories of the Mekong and the fight against the damming of the Mekong Region were told as well as a memorial speech about the slain defenders of the Mekong. The group also organized a boat trip along the Mekong on 10 December 2023 while reading out the Mekong Declaration at the Mekong School in Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai. Signs of protest against the Pak Beng Dam were spotted at the event and other activities including rowing the Kayak to pick up litter from the Mekong, etc.
At least three other activities were held on other issues. On 8 December 2023, Jakkrapan Sriwichai and members of the public demonstrated the potential route of the Blue Line of Chiang Mai mass rapid transit system through the Performing Art “The Invisible Train” from 12:00 – 16.00 The event was held to reflect the potential reality if the project is up and running. Details demonstrated at the event were made based on the model of mass rapid transit system by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning in Chiang Mai. It ended with the Performing Art “The Invisible Blue Line Train” covering a length of 11 kilometers and 13 stations. The travel time between each station takes about 15 minutes, or 40 minutes for the longest time. Con for All organized the ‘Con for All, Pitching the flag for the election of Constitutional Drafting Council’ on 9 December 2023 at the 14 October Memorial (Khok Wua Intersection) to mark Constitution Day. During the event, speeches were made to urge the government and to reiterate their demand for the Constitutional amendment through ‘a rewrite of the Constitution, 100% election’. Lastly, the Thai Labour Solidarity Confederation (TLSC) and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SERC) held a protest at the Government House on 10 December 2023 to submit an open letter to the Prime Minister and the government to demand a fair increase of minimum wage or a living wage to provide for family members in compliance with international standards, the minimum wage must be equal throughout the country and measures must be taken to control prices of commodities.
3. The state of prosecution
According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), from 18 July 2020 until 30 November 2023, at least 1,935 individuals have been charged for participating in public assemblies or expressing their political opinions in 1,262 cases. Of these cases, 217 cases are against 286 youths under 18 years of age, and cases against 448 women and 68 LGBTQ+.
Altogether, there have been at least 3,939 legal actions against the individuals although some of them are charged for multiple offences.
As to the prosecutions, they can be divided mainly into:
“Lèse-majesté” offence pursuant to the Penal Code’s Section112, at least 262 suspects in 285 cases including 20 children in 23 cases.
“Sedition” pursuant to the Penal Code’s Section 116, at least 135 suspects in 43 cases.
“Sedition” pursuant to the Penal Code’s Section 116, at least 135 suspects in 43 cases. since May 2020 when such offence has been invoked against people engaged in political activities).
An offence against the Public Assembly Act, at least 179 suspects in 91 cases.
An offence against the Computer-Related Crimes Act, at least 195 suspects in 213 cases.
A contempt of court, at least 42 suspects in 24 cases, and insult of the court, at least 34 suspects in 10 cases.
Of 1,262 cases, 463 have reached the final verdicts. There remain more than 800 cases being pursued at different stages of the judicial procedure.
4. The state of the demand for the right to bail
According to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), in 2023, verdicts have been delivered in 47 cases to imprison the defendants including three minors (as of 15 December 2023). At least 24 individuals remain incarcerated without bail on charges concerning freedom of political expression, or other politically motivated charges. Of this, 15 have been sentenced to jail for violating Section 112 (including two minors who are being remanded based on the special order of the Court.)
In addition, there are 13 convicted prisoners including Anchan (Section 112, imprisoned since 19 January 2021), “Ma” Nutchanon (having in possession of explosive, imprisoned since 9 August 2022), Corporal “Methin” (Section 112, imprisoned since 11 August 2022), Kritsana and Wannapa (Organization For a Thai Federation case, being members of criminal associations, imprisoned since 30 November 2022), “Parithat” (Section 112, imprisoned since 12 October 2022), Suwit (having in possession of explosive, imprisoned since 24 April 2023), Thattapong (having in possession of explosive, imprisoned since 1 March 2023), Ekkachai Hongkangwan (Computer-Related Crimes Act, imprisoned since 6 July 2023), “Wat” (pseudonym) (Section 112, imprisoned since17 July 2023), Sudjai (having in possession of explosive, imprisoned since 12 October 2023), “Kitcha” (Section 112, imprisoned since 1 November 2023), and “Yong” (Section 112, imprisoned since 1 December 2020).