Thailand is currently bidding for the third time for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), with the election for a three-year term for 2025-2027 being held at the U.N. headquarters in New York in October. Like many countries with poor records on human rights, Thailand’s bid will come with a high … Read more
Thailand’s new government cannot get enough of “soft power.” It has become such a buzzword in the Kingdom that a Chiang Mai man on X (formerly Twitter) gasped at the extent of its use, mockingly noting, “My [mate’s] daughter won a Thai dancing competition in [Bangkok] and her school called it a soft power competition.” … Read more
Human rights groups have condemned the Thai government’s arrest of three Cambodian political activists ahead of of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s first visit to the country later this week. On Friday, Radio Free Asia reported the arrest of Kung Raiya, a government critic who has spent two spells in prison over the past decade, opposition … Read more
A dissident Russian rock band detained in Thailand for violating the country’s immigration laws has departed for Israel, avoiding deportation back to Russia, where the musicians would have faced ill-treatment for their anti-war views. Thai immigration officials yesterday confirmed that members of Bi-2 had flown out of the country. BenarNews quoted Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanthana Nuchanart, … Read more
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a draft law on marriage equality and that will be brought to parliament during a session starting next month, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said yesterday. Srettha told reporters that the draft law is expected to be proposed to Parliament on December 12. Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesperson, elaborated on … Read more
The Debate | Opinion Despite vowing respect for human rights at the U.N. General Assembly, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been largely silent on the issue of marriage equality. Participants hold signs during the annual Pride Parade in Bangkok, Thailand, June 5, 2023. Credit: Facebook/Bangkok Pride Advertisement When Thailand’s new prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, addressed the U.N. … Read more
Advertisement It has been the subject of conversation for years, both celebrated and dreaded by different parts of Thai society. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed for several years that he wants to return to Thailand, a possibility now accentuated by the rise of his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a prime ministerial candidate for the … Read more