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Overview of public assembly
June 2024 saw a decrease of public assemblies compared to May and it could be considered the month with the lowest number of public assemblies in the first half of the year. According to the observation and documentation by the Mob Data Thailand, in June 2024, at least 24 small-scale public assemblies were organized. For sit-in public assemblies that lasted more than one day, altogether they happened in the span of 53 times. 10 public assemblies took place in Bangkok while 14 in the province. The known public assemblies in June were related to key issues including (1) the demand of the right to bail for suspects held in custody due to their exercise of freedom of expression and political public assembly, (2) LGBTI issues, (3) natural resources and the environment, and (4) the demand concerning the judiciary process, etc.
Detail of the public assemblies
Demand of the right to bail
Since the Free Youth led public assemblies on 18 July 2020 until 30 June 2024, at least 1,954 individuals have been charged for participating in public assemblies or expressing their political opinions in 1,297 cases. There remain at least 43 who are being held in custody in prison due to their political expressions or reasons concerning politics (25 on Section 112 charges) including at least 22 inmates being denied bail pending their legal defense (15 on Section 112 charges), and two minors who have been remanded in the juvenile detention centers thanks to the special measures in leu of judicial sentencing (1 on Section 112 charges) and at least 19 who are convicted prisoners (9 on Section 112 charges)
As a result, the demand of the right to bail continued to be the issue that prompted the most public assemblies in each month including June with public assemblies being held on the issue 8 times including;
‘We, The People’ conducted the Stand Stop Tyranny in Chiang Mai every Saturday from 17.00 - 18.12 at Tha Phae Gate and four such activities were organized in June marking the 94th week of the Stand Stop Tyranny (on 29 June 2024) to demand of the right to bail of political prisoners who are still incarcerated in jail. The participants simply stood still for 1.12 hours while holding signs demanding the right to bail and other signs.
On 13 June 2024, Matichon Online reported that the meeting room of the 14 October Memorial (Kok Wua Intersection), Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, the ‘Thumb rights’, the Workers' Union, the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), the Mok Luang Rim Nam, the 24 June for Democracy, the Labour Network for People’s Rights, the Labour Socialism, the universal human rights and democracy promotion division of the Student Club Management Organization Chulalongkorn University, the Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU), and the Thalu Gaz organized a panel discussion on ‘From rights to bail to reform of judiciary.’ Later at 3pn, the participants were gathered at the 14 October Memorial and then marched to the Office of the President of the Supreme Court to submit a letter to the President to demand of the right to bail and to perform a Buddhist ceremony in commemoration of Netiporn as well as hold a press conference on the investigation of her death. During the march, they handed pamphlets “Statement for rights and freedoms and justice to demand the release of all political prisoners” to passerby. At 3.40pm, upon their arrival at the Office of the President of the Supreme Court, they handed the letter. At 4.30pm, the participants laid flowers in mourning of the passing of Netiporn in front of the Office of the President of the Supreme Court and then sang the song ‘Ashes of the Fighters.’
On the same day, 13 June 2024, Prachatai reported that the People to Demand Justice for the 2010 Event and relatives of the slain Red Shirt protesters have gone to submit a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai on "The practical implementation to restore justice for the April-May 2010 incidence within the term of this coalition”, and it was accepted by the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Prime Minister Mongkolchai Somudon. The letter advocated for the amnesties that included people convicted on Section 112 offences as well.
On 20 June 2024, it was announced on the “Get Surariddhidhamrong” Facebook Page which belonged to Sophon “Get” Surariddhidhamrong, a political activist who has been remanded in custody on Section 112 cases since 24 August 2023 that there would be an activity to visit friends in the prison at 2pm on the same day. Titled “20 invaluable minutes, let’s combine our positive energy, while incarcerated persons shall not be hopeless, those waiting for them shall not forget them” in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison with at least 30 participants.
And on 24 June 2024, the Free Kasetsat Group held the "Stand Stop Detention" (Having evolved into a democracy, why hasn’t justice arrived?) for one hour and 12 minutes at the entrance on Phahonyothin Rd. close to the Kasetsat University BTS’s Exit 1 to demand the restoration of the right to bail for political prisoners.
LGBTI issues
Since June marked Pride Month, a time to express symbolically how one take pride in and likes one’s real identity. In the same month, the Senators were about to vote to approve the Draft Civil and Commercial Code Amendment Act (no. ..) B.E.. .... or Marriage Equality Act during its second and third read. The Bill was approved overwhelmingly with 130 votes, with 4 opposition votes and 18 for abstention. As a result, Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage. It thus prompted the organization of events in various provinces including;
On 1 June 2024, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Naruemit Pride held the ‘Bangkok Pride Festival 2024’ under the theme “Celebration of Love: Counting down to the enforcement of marriage equality law before the end of 2024” with parades starting from the Thephasadin Stadium and the parade was launched at the Nimibutr Arena, National Stadium along Rama I Rd. toward the Ratchaprasong intersection ending at the lawn in front of Central World, for over 2.5 kilometers. Attended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Bangkok Governor Chatchat Sitthiphan, the event was attended by parades of LGBTQIAN+.
Around 2pm, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was about to give an inauguration address, the People's Movement to Eliminate Discrimination (MovED) , one of the group that has applied to join the third parade on human dignity and representatives from civil society and various people’s groups including people with visual impairment, indigenous youth, LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender), women’s network, migrant workers, drug users, health information practitioners, and youth active on students’ issues in schools and its volunteers, altogether more than 50 of them, have expressed themselves by holding banners mimicking the picture of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s face with statements such as “When will Pheu Thai PM sign the Draft Act on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons.” Nonetheless, it was noted by MovED that unfortunately, although the network had prepared to hand the letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during the parade on that day, it was, however, met with some dissatisfaction as the PM did not anticipate having to received the letter on that day, even though it has been clearly asserted that the activity would be part of the effort to urge the PM to sign off the Draft Act on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons (the people’s version).
Around 5.46pm, as the Bangkok Pride 2024 parade was entering into the Ratchaprasong intersection, some participants shouted to demand the release of political prisoners and about the amnesties for the people while holding the banners including the pictures of 'Bung Thaluwang', the political prisoner who died of cardiac arrest while on hunger strike to demand the right to bail on 14 May 2024 with another statement written “freedom of opinion.”
Around 5.52pm at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), a group demanding ceasefire in Gaza was marching with their banners while chanting their demand for Israel to immediately stop its attacks. The group was part of those who joined the parade in the Bangkok Pride 2024.
In addition to Bangkok Pride, other activities were held in the province including the Isaan Pride Festival 2024 in Khon Kaen, the Discover Phuket PRIDE 2024 in Phuket, the Pattaya International Pride Festival 2024 in Chonburi, the Pride Nation Samui International Festival in Surat Thani, and the HAT YAI PRIDE FEST 2024 in Songkhla, etc.
Natural resources and the environment
This issue has prompted public assemblies mostly in the province including a series of public assemblies on natural resources and the environment. At least four of them were held on this issue including;
On 5 June 2024, the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources and its alliances held activities on 5 June, the World Environment Day. And this year, global warming has become a key issue that affects people the world over. Therefore, the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources, the Campaign for Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM), the Enlaw Foundation, the Community Resource Center (CRC) and the Protection International (PI) including human rights defenders from various networks who have been or are about to affected by mining have launched a campaign of litigation to revoke policies and address global warming. The participants held banners with statements such as “Suing mines to address global warming” concurrently in various province affected by mining projects including Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Udonthani where large-scale mining projects are located.
On 7 June 2024, residents of Huay Hin Lat Nai, Huay Hin Lat Nok, and Ban Pha Yueng Communities in Tambon Ban Pong, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai have gone to the 2nd Forest Resource Management Bureau in Chiang Rai to submit a letter to the Director of the 2nd Forest Resource Management Bureau, Chiang Rai, to ask for an investigation on the alleged attack by officers clad in black who raided and destroyed properties of the communities and rotational farms of the ethnic Karen villagers in Ban Huay Hin Lat Nai, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai on 4 June 2024. The letter was received by Thanachai Jintanawanich, Director of the Division of Forestry Protection and Fire Control. A meet was held inside the office for further discussion while the villagers were holding symbolic banners with statements such as “Who have threatened us?”, “Stop harassment”, etc.
On 18 June 2024 at the Provincial Hall in Lampang, the Lampang Northern Peasant Federation (NPF) has gone to submit a letter to the Provincial Governor to call out problems and impacts on the communities due to the laws, policies and orders from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation to increase forested area in Thailand. This ranges from the Forest Reclamation Policy, or the NCPO Order no. 64/2557, and the land allocation for community project by the government.
On 25 June 2024 at the Village Hall, Moo 10, Tambon Khao Kala, Nakhon Sawan’s Phayuha Khiri District, the 2nd public consultation and public participation meeting of the rock quarry project was held by the Tathata Environment, Co, an environmental consultant of the concession certificate no. 3/2565, the mining territory no. 32335 of the 347 Developer Co. As a result, a network of villagers from the communities and Rak Khao Kala Conservation group, more than 150 of them, came together to show their opposition to the project since Khao Kala is a water sprint area and a source of foods and local herbs as well as a place to learn about local wisdom. It is part of the ecosystem on which the villagers depend mutually. The quarry mine and blasting of mountain shall cause air pollution and noise pollution impacting local agriculture and the communities in Khao Kala, a watershed area which feeds into Bueng Boraphet and it might cause chemical contamination that affects health.
Demand concerning the justice process
At least three public assemblies were held this month on the demand for the justice process including;
On 4 June 2024 at 1pm, Sitanan Satsaksit, older sister of Wanchalearm Satsaksit and Pornpen Khongkachankiet, Director of Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), and Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk have gone to submit a letter to the Pheu Thai Party Leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra on the follow up of the nine cases of enforced disappearance following the 2014 military coup at the Pheu Thai Party Headquarter on Petchaburi Rd. Reportedly while waiting to hand the letter to a representative from the Pheu Thai Party, Noppasin “Sainam” blow a horn repeatedly during the wait. Later, the deputy government whip Kru Manit Sangphum, Pattana Supphaso, MP from Sakon Nakhon, Wanniwat Somboon, MP from Khon Kaen, came to receive the letter.7
On 14 June 2024 at 5pm at the Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court, members of the public held an event to mark “One month anniversary….of our friend’s passing" regarding the death of Netiporn "Bung" Sanehsangkhom, an activist from Thalu Wang group who died one month earlier while being remanded in custody due partly to her hunger strike. It was attended by around 50 participants who were clad in white to participate in the merit making ceremony in her commemoration after 30 days of her passing. The Buddhist ceremony was led by Samana Dao Din Pathawatto and Phra Pranomkorn Buddhi Chettho. Then, the participants joined the Stand Stop Detention for one hour and 12 minutes whit the live performance by Mr. Nuad Rimthang. It was also reported that on that day, Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, Nutthanit “Bai Por” Duangmusit and Anna Annanon also participated in the event. After the Stand Stop Detention, they laid flowers and lit candles for mourning before ending the activity at 7.30pm8
On 19 June 2024, the Mok Luang Rim Nam and the24 June for Democracy including Thanaphat Thammachot, Thitima Thongsri, Anna Annanon, Somyot Pruksakasemsuk and others, altogether 15, were gathered at the Chaeng Wattana Government Complex holding signs to demand the right to bail with photos of Siraphop "Khanun" Phumpuengphut, a 23-year-old post-graduate student who was indicted on Section 112 offence. The participants shouted that “From the rivers to the mountains, free our friends immediately”. The letter was handed to Suchart Setthamalinee and Pitikan Sitthidet from the National Human Rights Commission.9
Apart from the above four issues, public assemblies were held on other issues including;
The activities by the Empower Foundation and sex workers on on 14 June 2024 at the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to follow up the progress of the Draft Act on the Protection of Sex Workers which has been put for public consultations for over five years.
On 24 June 2024, the Neo-Lanna held an activity on “92 years of 2475: Until the people ascend to the supreme power” including a march to mark the 92nd anniversary of the change to democracy since 1932 and to declare their determination to advocate for the Constitution by the people. The motorcade has started from the lawn in front of the Three Kings Monument and has gone around the city moat ending at the Tha Phae Gate. Along the route, they released pamphlets with OR code which linked to the First Declaration of the People’s Party. At the event, attendants were encourage to put stickers to say if they “agree” or “disagree” with the proposed drafting of the new Constitution without touching on Chapter 1: General Provisions, and Chapter 2: The King.
Lastly, the public assemblies by the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (KPT) and the People's Center for the Protection of Monarchy (SPPS) at the Chamai Maruchate Bridge by the Government House since 2 February 2024. 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 30 June 2024, 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,