State response and arrests
Thai authorities have summoned university chancellors to order them to prevent students from demanding monarchy reform and to draw up lists of student protest leaders, warning that student demands could lead to violence, specifically referencing the Thammasat University Massacre of student protesters by far-right paramilitary groups and the 1992 Black May massacre by the Thai military.[1] An Isaan Record analysis found that the government response has included force and intimidation, arbitrary detention, arrests and changes, disinformation, the deployment of military Information and Operations (information warfare) units, media censorship, delaying tactics, obfuscation, support for pro-government groups, gaslighting, and negotiation.[2] In late August, it was reported that the Government Public Relations Department of Thailand had released two propaganda videos on YouTube attacking the protesters, leading to a reaction on social media accusing the government office of creating disunity. They were later denied access.[3] The existence of an information warfare unit participating in a cyber campaign against government critics was leaked to the public in late February 2020.[4]
General Apirat Kongsompong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, expressed concerns that some students' actions were inclined to lèse majesté. He cried while vowing his loyalty to the King.[5] In a Facebook post, Colonel Nutsara Woraphatharathorn, former spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army, dubbed the protesters “Mob Mung Ming” (ม็อบมุ้งมิ้ง; adorable mob). Her action was widely criticised for being partisan. The term Mob Mung Ming was later used in many protests; one organised by the Seri Thoey group on 25 July also incorporated the term in its event's name.[6] Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a notable politician from a junior coalition partner, expressed concern about implications for COVID-19 spread whilst signaling that he was neutral about the protestors' demands.[7]
Some universities and schools responded by forbidding their staff and students to join the protests and by banning gathering on their grounds, claiming COVID-19 concerns. Satri Phatthalung School in Phatthalung Province was sent a warning by the local police.[8] On 23 July, the dean of Prince of Songkhla University, Pattani Province Campus warned the students not to organise a demonstration on its grounds. The protest, however, went on and called for the dean's resignation in addition to the three demands.[9] On 18 August, a department in the Ministry of Education allowed rallies in its schools, only forbidding outsiders to join.[10]
On 7 August, watchdog organization iLaw reported at least 78 incidents of intimidation of protest sympathizers.[11] Anon Nampa (Thai: อานนท์ นำภา), a leading figure of the protest, was arrested on multiple charges, including sedition,[12] after giving a public speech calling for monarchy reforms.[13] His arrest warrant, however, cited his participation in 18 July protest.[14] Another Free Youth leader was also arrested. Amnesty International Thailand released a statement demanding removal of all charges and protection of the right to protest.[15] On 9 August, five youth leaders in Phitsanulok Province were arrested without charge. An unnamed Thai police source reported that they were kept in custody in a Border Patrol Police camp to dissuade a local protest event.[16] One female member said she was approached by the officers at her dormitory.[17] On 14 August, student leader Parit Chiwarak was arrested on the outskirts of Bangkok. Police officers showed an arrest warrant, then carried him into a vehicle.[18]
| External videos | |
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 Arrest of student leader Parit Chiwarak on 14 August (3:09, in Thai), YouTube video. |
The Asia Times quoted a government official stating that the King was not bothered by the "children's" protests and that they should be able to express their views.[19] This position may be contradicted by an Al Jazeera article, stating that there were reports that the Thai monarchy has asked Thai media to censor any mention of the ten demands.[20]
On 20 August, nine were arrested and later released on bail, including Anon Nampa, who was arrested for the second time.[21] Officers reportedly visited the home of a three-year-old who had displayed a The Hunger Games-style three-finger salute.[22] A police document stating that mobile jamming devices were used on 23 August was leaked to the media. The police confirmed the authenticity.[23] In late August, student groups reported that at least 109 schools had suppressed or intimidated political expression.[24] On 25 August, police arrested four student leaders, Arnon Nampa, Suwanna Tanlek, Parit Chiwarak and Piyarat Jongthep, for multiple charges, including sedition.[25] On 28 August 15 further activists were charged.[26] In early September, the police summonsed the first schoolchild protester for violating the Emergency Decree and the Public Assembly Act.[27]
On 24 August, in response to a Thai government order, Facebook blocked access in Thailand to the million-member main Facebook page critical of the monarchy, Royalist Marketplace, administered by self-exiled academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun. Hundreds of thousands had switched to a replacement page within hours, and the site had 900,000 members by 30 August.[28] Facebook is challenging the order in the courts.[29]
A few days before a scheduled mass student protest on 19 September, Thammasat University's faculty of law stated that state security had asked the university to close on that day.[30]
The authorities attempted to block more than 2,200 websites ahead of the 19 September rally.[31] Following the rally, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, filed a complaint with police to prosecute Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for failing to delete posts in a timely manner, the first time the Computer Crimes Act has been used against foreign service providers.[32]
Prayut blamed the protesters for further damaging the country's economy ahead of the planned 14 October rally.[33]
On 16 October, the BBC reported that the Thai government had blocked access to Change.org after a petition calling for Germany to declare the King persona non grata attracted nearly 130,000 signatures.[34]
After the declaration of a severe state of emergency, police moved to ban or block independent and critical media under the emergency decree, specifically Prachathai.com, The Reporters, The Standard, and Voice TV, together with the Free Youth movement Facebook page. The Free Youth and the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration reacted by switching from their Facebook pages to the Telegram messaging app; government critic and former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala criticized police actions as regressing to "complete dictatorship".[35] The police seized books criticizing the monarchy.[36] Ministry of Digital Economy and Society stated it intended to prosecute internet service providers and online platforms which allows prohibited content. It also reported about 320,000 illegal messages.[37] In response, the National Press Council of Thailand, the National Union of Journalists Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Online News Providers Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and the Thai Journalists Association issued a joint statement opposing media freedom suppression and urged the government not to misuse the law by repressing the media, warning that lack of access to information could cause more people to join the demonstrations and destabilize the political situation, risking violence. Thammasat University's faculty of journalism and mass communications issued a similar statement, insisting on access to information as a basic right and urging the government to permit the media operate independently.[38]
On 18 October, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai asked parliament officials to schedule an unofficial meeting with government and opposition representatives on 23 October to discuss an extraordinary parliamentary session, which would require a royal decree, to consider amending the constitution.[39] Conditional on royal approval, the Thai Cabinet has backed the proposal for a two-day extraordinary meeting from 26 October.[40]
On 21 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed foreign diplomats and required them to obtain advance permission to observe protests.[41] The same day, Prayut suggested the impasse be resolved by lifting the state of emergency and through dialogue via the special parliamentary session.[42] In response, protesters, who had moved towards Government House after assembling at Victory Monument, delivered an ultimatum to Prayut to release detained activists and resign within three days, or encounter renewed demonstrations.[43] Nationally, tens of thousands of people, led by administrators, participated in pro-royalist parades, many held to officially commemorate to the 120th birthday anniversary of Princess Srinagarindra, the king's late grandmother.[44]
On 22 October, the National Human Rights Commission welcomed the government's lifting the emergency decree and its stance of resolving the political conflict via parliamentary processes.[45]
On 9 February, the Ratsadon group, Arnon, Parit, Panupong,[46] Patipan Luecha, and Somyot were arrested and detained, charges of Lèse-majesté and 10 other offenses, including sedition, over 19–20 September protest by Pol Lt Col Chok-amnuay Wongboonrit, Chana Songkhram police. The court denied them bail, remanded them in the Bangkok Remand Prison. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concern. United Nations human rights experts condemned on rising lese-majeste cases.[47] After the Court of Appeal, The court rejected a request and cited their disrespect for the monarchy and they posed a flight risk. In front of Bangkok Remand Prison, Prachak Kongkirati, Yukti Mukdawichit, Boonlert Wisetpreecha from Thammasat University and Puangthong Pawakrapan from Chulalongkorn University claiming to represent 255 lecturers at 31 universities and educations read out a statement calling for their release.[48] Human Rights Watch said that the country may returns to the dark days by abusing the law and demanded the Thai government to conform with Thailand's international human rights law obligations.[49]
On 8 March, Panusaya was arrested and the court denied her bail.[50]
On 15 March, Arnon wrote the petition, fear of death threat, to the Criminal Court while he was temporarily released to perform his lawyer duty, that prison officials tried four times to take Jatupat and Panupong out to test COVID-19 at night which was an unusual time. Arnon found it suspicious and there was rumours that they will be sent to hurt or kill.[51]
On 8 April, Arnon, Jatupat, and Somyot signed a letter expressing their intention to withdraw their lawyer from the trial because he cited lack of due fairness in the court so was therefore no longer required to defend them. While Patipan was released by bail, Parit and Panusaya had committed hunger strike until he get a bail.[52]
On 23 April, Jatupat and Somyot were released on bail.[53]
In May 2021 bail was granted to Parit, Panusaya and Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan.[54][50]
On 1 June 2021, Panupong was released on bail from Bangkok Remand Prison, detained for 86 days.[55]
On 6 June, Arnon was granted bail and released.[56]
On 9 August, Arnon, Jatupat, Parit, and Panupong[55] were revoked from bail. They have been in jail since 9 August until today on lese majeste and sedition charges.[57]
On 7 October, Benja Apan was arrested on lèse majesté charge related to the 10 August 2021 'Car Mob' protest, demanding political and monarchy reform. She was denied bail and imprisoned await trial in Central Women Correctional Institution.[58]
On 15 September, Panupong was released from the Thanyaburi Remand Prison. But later on 24 September 2021, Panupong has been denied bail and detained on Lèse-majesté charge filed for a Facebook post about monarchy reform. He has been detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison since then.[59]
On 4 November, Benja Apan was sentenced to 6 months in prison on contempt of court on 29 April 2021, demanding the release of imprisoned activists. It was a maximum jail term according to her lawyer. Nutchanon Pairoj was sentenced to 4 months in prison, but was later released by bail.[60]