Healing Thailand - Upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the Kingdom of Thailand (ePub)

This study address the human rights crisis in Thailand, which has led to blatant violations of democratic rights and human rights abuses in today's Thailand.

The people of Thailand have endured severe human rights violations since the 2014 coup. The military junta under Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha has banned political activity and public assembly, enforced media censorship, arbitrarily arrested dissidents, and detained civilians in military facilities. Authorities have used lese majeste (insulting the monarchy), sedition, and computer crime charges to suppress free speech; according to Human Rights Watch's Asia division. Over three million migrant workers face systematic abuse and exploitation, including in the fishing industry, despite government promises for reform.

Also, police violence and politically motivated legal harassment by Thai law enforcement against pro-democracy protesters in Thailand is increasing. Students say they have been harassed by the authorities with some reporting that they have been held for hours, and pressured into no longer taking part in protests.

Hence it is imperative that the government of Thailand counters and prevents police violence, corruption and intimidation in Thailand.

It should also be noted, that according to the NGO Amnesty International, in 2019 military officials in Thailand exercised abusive law enforcement powers, including holding individuals in unofficial places of detention and without charge. A number of detainees were held incommunicado.

The government of Thailand - in particular Mr. Prayut Chan-o-cha and the National Assembly of Thailand - have a legal and moral obligation to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Democracy in Thailand; in particular Freedom of Assembly, Association and Speech.

It is imperative that the UDHR is manifested in Thailand; so that fundamental human rights and true democracy can finally be implemented in Thailand.

Perhaps the King of Thailand, His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn, can also be of assistance here, to improve fundamental human rights in Thailand - such as freedom of speech and freedom of association - being both an individual right and a collective right, and guaranteed by all modern and democratic legal systems.

In short, the King of Thailand and his government must make the necessary reforms in Thailand; as stipulated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Otherwise an intervention by the NGO sector will be necessary.