Overall Situation of Public Assembly
The number of public assemblies in March 2024 was lower than in February, still a wave of assemblies took place throughout the country. According to the observation and documentation by the Mob Data Thailand, in March 2024, at least 42small-scale public assemblies were organized. For sit-in public assemblies that lasted more than one day, altogether they happened in the span of 71 times. 30 public assemblies took place in Bangkok while 12 in the province. The March’s public assemblies covered a range of issues including;
1.The demand for the right to bail
Photo:Pichet Pandam
The prosecutions against people who have exercised their right to freedom of expression and public assembly still persist, particularly on Section112 which saw an increase of six cases People have also been prosecuted for cases related to public assemblies under the Public Assembly Act B.E.2558 including the People's Movement for Just Society (P-Move) whose members held a sit-in protest at the Government House from 5-28 February 2024.Two of their leaders have been charged in four cases concerning holding public assemblies in the radius of 50 meters from the Government House and for encouraging people to march without making prior notification. This was the first case against a public assembly since the ascension to power of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. More people continue facing cases concerning the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and public assembly and have been sent to prison continually including at least two this month. Altogether, 46 are languishing in prison.As a result, the demand of the right to bail was the cause that has led to the highest number of public assemblies, as high as 19.
Photo:Faozee Lateh
Most of them were conducted as a Stand Stop Imprisonment activity with such activities organized at least 14 times by freelance protesters in front of the Ratchada Criminal Court and the 87th Week of Stand Stop Tyranny at Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai at least once. Other activities on the same cause were held including the submission of a letter of petition to the President of the Supreme Court by the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) and other civil society organizations to a prompt review and revision of orders concerning provisional release to apply to political inmates and the filing of a statement to the Criminal Court urging the court to review the remand in custody order of Tawan and Frank by freelancer protesters to demand the judiciary reform and the release of political inmates, to demand the right to bail of political inmates, and the activity called “Tantawan At Dawn” by freelance protesters at the Siam Square Center with an activity to encourage passerby to write to show their solidarity with Tawan and Frank and to demand the right to bail and the release of political inmates, etc.
2.Land rights, nature and environmental issues
Land rights, nature and environmental issues are still a cause of the most public assemblies in the province every month. Similarly, in March,at least 11public assemblies have been held based on the issues including;
During 4-6 March 2024, the People’s Network of Chumphon-Ranong Against Landbridge including the Southern People’s Council, the Phato Conservation Group, and the Ranong Conservation Group, which are against the megaproject Landbridge or the Economic Corridor to connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea (Chumphon-Ranong), has organized an activity to submit a letter of petition to oppose the project. The letter was submitted to various embassies including the Embassy of The People's Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand, the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Thailand and the United Nations (UN). They have gone to Government House to follow up on their demand and was prepared to submit a letter to urge an investigation of the lack of transparency of the Landbridge project with the Chairs of the four standing committees of the House of Representatives including the Committee on National Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform, the Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation, the Committee on Political Development, Mass Communications, and Public Participation, the Committee on Corruption Prevention and Suppression, and the Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment. On the Phato Conservation Group’s Facebook Page, their demands for the House Committees were listed as follows;
For the whole project from the site of the ports in the coastal area of Ranong and Chumphon, the double-track railway and motorway, and the suite of the industrial complexes and others, how much land will be needed? What types of land are they? Has there clearly been a survey on the residential area and farmland and which land owners will be affected, how many of them and what kind of ownerships of such land? If land confiscation or remedies are to made to damage, what is the plan the government has laid down on the two matters? For both land with ownership and land without ownership, how similar or different such land will be dealt? And which agencies are responsible for these matters?
Has there been an assessment of damage shall be done on the environment and the ecosystem including forests, mangrove forests, water supplies, coastal areas, fishery resources, and wildlife and how will it be conducted? What would be the mitigation plan in response to such damage?
During the public consultations or public hearings among local people, has there been a survey or study of the damage and impact on farmland, residential area and the ecosystem, and how?
On11 March2024, villagers in Klong Maduea, the Klong Maduea Conservation Group, the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, the Nakhon Nayok Citizen Association, the Khao Yai Conservation Group, and other conservation groups, 29 of them, have issued a statement demanding the suspension of dam construction in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex World Heritage Site during the event “Protecting Klong Maduea", stop dam building in Khao Yai World Heritage Site at Wat Ban Dong, Nakhon Nayok. A network of academics and their alliance have expressed their intention to support the demand to suspend the construction of the Klong Maduea Dam Project and other dams in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex to protect the Khao Yai World Heritage Site, to stop violating community rights and to preserve all natural streams including Klong Maduea.
On 13 March 2024, the Pak Moon people’s movement and the Assembly of the Poort organized a march to mark the International Day of Action for Rivers on 14 March every year. It aims to raise the awareness of everyone about how national development policy and dam construction have created various impacts on the environment and rivers. The villagers marched toward the crest of the Pak Moon Dam to read their public statement. It can be summarized that dam construction can differently affect the freshwater ecosystem since dams can be compared to a giant wall that block the river flow and change its course. It will inadvertently affect the pristine nature of the ecosystem including fish migration, fish spawning, or access to food sources of the villagers, etc. Then, the Pak Moon villagers have gone to Khon Chiam District to distribute the pamphlets to raise the awareness about the impacts from the Phou Ngoy Dam in the Mekong River with collaboration from the Thai government. Then, all villagers have participated in a ceremony to proliferate the life of the river by the Mekong River to raise the awareness of the importance of the river and to mourn the loss of lives of all the senior members of the Assembly of the Poor.
On14 March2024, the Tha Sae River Conservation Group organized a ceremony for the proliferation of the river and to raise the awareness of the government and the public that local people in Tha Sae, Chumphon, do not welcome any move to develop a dam in the area> Buddhist monks were invited to lead the ceremony in memory of the defenders who have passed away. They also marched to the Tha Sae River to float the lanterns to show their gratitude to the river and to curse those who intend to build a dam at the watershed area. They also read out a public statement which can be summarized as follows;
A cabinet resolution to suspend the construction of Tha Sae Dam is the only goal the people of Tha Sae are looking forward to. Until now, the state’s development has failed to meet the demands of the local villagers. The earth, water, and forest have been bestowed on us by nature. Therefore, the cabinet must issue a resolution to suspend the construction of the Tha Sae Dam.
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and the Ministry of Agriculture are directly responsible for water resource management and must be sincere to solve this problem.
On14 March 2024 the Youth and Community Network of the Yuam-Ngao-Moei-Salween River Basins collectively floated a raft bearing a sign which said “No Dam" in the Salween Riverat Ban Tha Ta Fang, Tambon Mae Yuam, Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son to symbolize the freeing of the river without any impediment. The Network and the community also read out a public statement expressing their demands and stand including the suspension of dam construction to allow the river to flow freely and the suspension of the state’s development projects which affect the environment and the community including the Yuam Water Diversion Project, etc.
Photo:P-move
On 18 March 2024,villagers of Hua Tha-Tha Ton Do, Ban Ko Ain, Thalang District, Phuket were gathered to hold signs bearing various statements including it is not justified to evict us from our homes, we are the indigenous Ko Ain community, etc. The activity was organized to welcome Mr. Apichat Sirisoontron, Chair of the Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment and its members who came to the area to hold meetings with concerned authorities at the office of the Mai Khao Tambon Administration Organization. They were there to investigate the complaint that the community members were being evicted from their land by the Harbour Department which accused them of building to encroach the rivers.
On 20 March 2024, according to the Protection International, the human rights defenders of the Dan Khun Thot Khon Rak Ban Kerd Group were gathered on 201 Road, Nakhon Ratchasima, to demand the Provincial Governor to issue an order to shut down the Dan Khun Thot potash mine which has been affecting local community for over eight years. The Dan Khun Thot Khon Rak Ban Kerd Group started their march from Wat Sa Khi Toon, Tambon Sa Khi Toon, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima from 08.30am and then took the 201 Road to walk toward the entrance of Ban Nong Sai, on Sikhio-Chaiyaphum Road, to demand the shutdown of the mine that belongs to the Thai Kali Co., Ltd. While holding a sit-in protest there, they have submitted their letter of petition to the Provincial Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima. After their negotiation with the Governor, they have then dispersed their assembly.
On 21 March2024, villagers of Tambon Kriangkrai, Muang District, Nakhon Sawan, were holding a protest to demand justice for over 68 rais of land that has been confiscated to build the Highway 122, to bypass the city of Nakhon Sawan on the Eastern front, for the length of 15 kilometers. Earmarked with over five billion baht as its budget, the road is part of the project to expand the four-laned road connecting between Nakhon Sawan – Phetchabun. The compensation was paid at 30,000-88,000 baht, which was unfair for the local villagers and they wanted a raise to one million baht.
On28 March2024, at the National Assembly, the Federation of Thai Fisherfolk Association has submitted a public statement expressing their concern about the amendments made to the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E.2558 on various issues. The statement was handed to Mr. Plodprasop Suraswadi, Chair of the Vetting Committee to review the Draft Act for the amendment of the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B.E.2558 B.E..... via Mr. Pongsoranat Thonglee, the secretary of the Second Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Mr. Woraphop Viriyaroj, party-list MP of the Move Forward Party, as the Second Deputy Chair of the Vetting Committee. The group members also held signs saying, for example, “Do not support law that destroys fishery”, etc.
Labour rights issues
Labour rights are an issue that has been prompting public assemblies since February. Most of them have been organized by the delivery raiders who have been affected by the Lineman’s policy to reduce their commission. This month saw at least six public assemblies on labour rights including;
On 2 and 5 March, the Lineman workers in Bangkok and Lopburi held their successive protests to oppose the company’s policy to cut their commission and to follow up on the case filed with the Labour Court.
On 5 March 2024 at the Democracy Monument, former workers of Alpha Spinning, AMC Spinning, and Body Fashion (Thailand) organized a protest march from the Democracy Monument to Government House to submit a letter of petition to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin asking for help on their litigation and compensation, wages, bonuses, and severance pay from their foreign employers. More than 1,000 workers have been affected with the damage totaling more than 279 million baht including the outstanding wages they have not received from their employers in the past four years. At 12.43, while they hit the Chamai Maruchate Bridge in front of the Government House, they were stopped by iron barricade put up by the police and rows of pickup trucks causing them to stay put at the foot of the bridge amid the scorching heat. They continued to stay there until 17.40at the Chamai Maruchate Bridge hoping to hand a letter of petition to the PM. According to reports, Mr. Somkid Chueakong, a prime minister's deputy secretary-general, and Mr. Mongkolchai Som-udon, Deputy permanent secretary for the PM's Office, have invited about a dozen of representatives from workers of the three companies including to meet including Alpha Spinning, AMC Spinning, and Body Fashion (Thailand) to meet and explore solutions to the layoff without receiving their pay, their bonuses, their overtime pay, and other benefits from their employers. Aroun 8.10pm, as the workers gathered at the Chamai Maruchate Bridge found their fellow workers spent too much time in the negotiation, they decided to duck through the iron barricade set up by the police. It has prompted the crowd control police to intervene to stop their moving closer toward the Government House before theassemblies were called off.
On27 March2024, at the Ministry of Labour, Din Daeng, Bangkok, Mr. Sawit Kaewwan, the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee leader and Chair of the State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation (SELRC) has gone to submit a letter of petition to Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour demanding the government to review the decision by the tripartite committee in order to raise minimum wage at the Tambon and District level to 400 baht/day and to raise the countrywide minimum wage to 400 baht/day to address inequality and to enhance the quality of life of people and workers. Initially, the Minister of Labour has instructed Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, Vice Minister of Labour, to receive the letter on his behalf.
On29 March2024, following the collapse of construction crane in Rayong causing seven deaths including six Myanmar and one Chinese workers, the workers staged a protest and lay siege to the premises to prevent the emergency services from taking the injured to hospital and to bring out the bodies of the deceased. They demanded the compensation be raised to five million baht per death, but was initially denied by the plant’s owners. It caused the police to intervene and mediate.
Apart from the three aforementioned issues, two public assemblies were held by the pro-monarchy groups and at least five other public assemblies including;
Two public assemblies by pro-monarchy groups including(1) the public assembly by the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (KPT) and the People's Center for the Protection of Monarchy (SPPS) which held a sit-in protest at the Chamai Maruchate Bridge by the Government House from 2 February 2024 onward. Previously, they have notified Pol Col Wanchai Wongwanichsanan, Superintendent of the Dusit Police Station of their intent to organize a public assembly for one month and would call it off on 2 March 2024. Still, they continued their assembly to until 31 March2024, and it did not appear that they would call it off. Their demands included (1) Mr. Thaksin must be brought back to prison, (2) concerned authorities that offered help to Mr. Thaksin must be held accountable, (3) the Ombudsman must explain why the Department of Corrects was quoted as saying that he had gone to see Mr. Thaksin on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital, (4) personnel in justice affairs must show their stand on the case of Mr. Thaksin and whether it would damage the justice system or not, (5) 20,000 people are invited to sign a letter of petition to take action against the National Anti-Corruption Commission for their failure to hold to account those who had offered help to Mr. Thaksin, and(2) the public assembly by the People's Center for the Protection of Monarchy (SPPS) on29 March2024 at the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge to oppose the demand to stop prosecuting 'Arnon Nampha' and others who are charged for violating Section 112 and previously the demands had been submitted to the UN Experts.
A public assembly was held to demand deportation of a foreigner at Ya Moo Beach, Phuket, the activities on the International Women's Day in Chiang Mai and Bangkok,the gathering of Red-Shirt activists in front of the Chiang Mai University to ask Mr. Thaksin and the government about their plan to restore justice for the slain Red-Shirt activists in 2010, and the public assembly by the People's Movement for Just Society (P-Move) as their leaders were pressed with charges for violating the Public Assembly Act as already mentioned.