Unending Repression Under Thailand’s Military Junta
Abuses Persist Five Years After Coup
Since Thailand’s military seized power on May 22, 2014, the country has faced unending repression of fundamental rights and freedoms. Five years after the coup, Thailand is nowhere near the “return to democratic, civilian rule” the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta has repeatedly promised.
The March 24 general election was structurally rigged, enabling the military to extend its hold on power. While maintaining a host of repressive laws, the junta dissolved a main opposition party, took control of the national election commission, levied bogus criminal charges against opposition politicians and dissidents, and packed the Senate with generals and cronies who will have the power to determine the next prime minister, regardless of the election results.
The junta has routinely enforced censorship and blocked public discussion on the state of human rights and democracy in Thailand. Hundreds of activists and dissidents have been prosecuted on criminal charges such as sedition, computer-related crimes, and insulting the monarchy for peacefully expressing their views.
Even those who fled Thailand to escape political persecution are not safe. There are serious concerns about exiled Thais in neighboring countries. In Laos, at least two Thai exiles have been forcibly disappeared and another three abducted and murdered. In May 2019, three activists were allegedly repatriated from Vietnam to Thailand and have since gone missing. Last week, a Thai asylum seeker was forcibly sent back by Malaysia to be prosecuted by Thai authorities on charges related to her involvement with the dissident Organization for Thai Federation.
Over the past five years, the military has pressured thousands of activists to cease making political comments against the junta and the monarchy. Authorities continue to secretly detain people for up to seven days without charge and interrogate them without access to lawyers or safeguards against mistreatment.
These abusive powers will remain in effect after a new government takes power, and officials will stay immune from all forms of accountability for human rights violations.
