1/ HRF strongly condemns Thailand’s sentencing of pro-democracy activist Sopon Surariddhidhamrong to two years in prison under the royal defamation law for his November 2022 peaceful protest. HRF reiterates its call to Thailand to drop all charges and immediately release him.

2/ Sopon’s charge stems from a peaceful protest against then-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s attempt to gain international legitimacy. He called for civil society participation and criticized Prayut’s rule and the use of the royal defamation law to silence critics. https://prachataienglish.com/node/11586

3/ Sopon has long advocated for an end to the oppression of activists under the harsh royal defamation law. He is one of hundreds targeted in the regime’s campaign to silence dissent. Detained for two years, he now faces more than 10 years in prison. https://hrf.org/latest/hrf-submits-joint-unwgad-petition-for-thai-pro-democracy-activist-sopon-get-surariddhidhamrong/

4/ For insights into Thailand’s clampdown on free speech, political opposition, and democratic movements, listen to former @OsloFF speaker @paritw92’s speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fig_LqtG41A