We, the undersigned organizations, express deep concern over restrictions on freedom of expression that have led to the exclusion of meaningful discussion on human rights issues ahead of Thailand’s upcoming general election and constitutional referendum.
On February 8, Thai voters will have the opportunity to replace the military-drafted 2017 constitution with one that enshrines political rights and civic freedoms, potentially paving a new direction for the country. However, ongoing restrictions on speech have shaped the electoral environment to such a degree that issues concerning freedom of expression and the continued imprisonment of prisoners of conscience have remained largely absent from public debate during this election cycle.
In 2024, the Thai Constitutional Court ruled that advocating for any changes to Article 112 of the Criminal Code, a lèse-majesté law which criminalizes criticism of the king, is unconstitutional. In August 2024, the court ordered the dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), which received a plurality of seats in the 2023 general election, for its pledge to amend the law, and imposed 10-year political bans on its party leadership. Additionally, 44 former members of parliament from the MFP, which was succeeded by the People’s Party after dissolution, continue to face politically motivated charges of ethical misconduct from Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for their advocacy to amend Article 112.
The Court’s ruling and subsequent legal actions have created a chilling effect on political debate across the country. Although mainstream and online media outlets have organized regular political debates, discussion on the right to free expression and the reform of Article 112 has been noticeably missing. Throughout the election campaign, which began in December 2025, the People’s Party stated that amending Article 112 was no longer part of its campaign.
Meanwhile, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 1,900 people have been charged or prosecuted for their political expression or participation in youth-led pro-democracy movements, while at least 55 people remain imprisoned for political expression as of January 2026. Among those detained include Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer who is serving a prison sentence of more than 29 years.
Broader human rights issues, including Thailand’s involvement in transnational repression, also remain largely overlooked in election campaigning. In 2025, Thailand faced strong condemnation from the international community for the forced return of Uyghurs to China and the extradition of human rights activists to their home countries, where they faced high risk of persecution, torture, and imprisonment. These issues, which were rarely addressed on the debate stage, are shaping Thailand’s alliances with other dictators in the region and seriously undermine the country’s stated commitments to promoting and protecting human rights.
We remain committed to supporting democratic principles and fundamental rights in Thailand, and will continue to monitor efforts to promote meaningful discussions. We call on Thailand to respect the right to freedom of expression, including the ability of political parties and citizens to freely debate legal and policy reforms.
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