Ama Obeng-Sakyi, Grade 12
UWC Thailand
One of the main and biggest issues in Thailand is the restriction of rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. During the spread of Covid-19, 1,545 protests took place over the course of the year in different parts of the country. The riot police are known to use excessive force during the protests, indiscriminately firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at short range toward protesters, bystanders and journalists. Many described being kicked, hit with batons and restrained for hours in tight plastic wrist cuffs, both on arrest and while in detention. Authorities often did not disclose where individuals were detained and delayed their access to lawyers.
When I was in Bangkok on a school trip, my group and I saw a protest occurring in the flesh. We were at the Art Museum for the first ever official LGBTQ+ event in Thailand. When we came out, There were many reporters around, some - gathered in a group - looked like they were camping, others were just standing around getting ready with their cameras. We weren’t sure what they were there for, so we approached a reporter and asked him. He told us a protest against the government for human rights was about to happen, that 15 battalions of police were stationed all around, some on the highway footpath right across the museum, and the reporters were expecting a clash.
I remember how we felt that day, the fact that the reporters were expecting a clash between the police and protesters was terrifying. We panicked and quickly took the train to our next destination, hoping to avoid the protest altogether. The fact that these protests still happen, and I was there to witness one, made the situation in Thailand more real. There have been many protests and many casualties, yet they keep fighting for their rights boldly.
It’s amazing and inspiring. Seeing that Thailand is ruled by a monarchy, where the rules command respect and all authority to the King, I can see why such an issue is a huge problem in Thailand. I do not think protests are the way to bring about change, but they are a way to bring attention to this problem by the media and the world. Though there are better ways, I doubt there are safe ways, considering the strict laws in Thailand. One of the laws states, "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
The laws are strict, but hopefully, now that the protests are catching international attention, there might be a way to help the people of Thailand.
Works Cited
Panu Wongcha-um,Panarat Thepgumpanat. “A Year after Taboo on Thai King Broken, 103 Face Jail for Royal Insult.” Reuters, Reuters, 3 Aug. 2021, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/year-after-taboo-thai-king-broken-103-face-jail-royal-insult-2021-08-03/. Accessed 24 July 2022.
“Thailand Archives.” Amnesty International, 2018, www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-east-asia-and-the-pacific/thailand/report-thailand/. Accessed 24 July 2022.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Lèse-Majesté in Thailand.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 July 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8se-majest%C3%A9_in_Thailand#:~:text=Section%20112%20of%20Thai%20Criminal,of%20three%20to%20fifteen%20years.%22. Accessed 24 July 2022.
Photo Credit: https://www.sawasdeemagazine.com/travel/thailand/bangkok-art-and-culture-centre-free-attractions-in-bangkok/77570
When I was in Bangkok on a school trip, my group and I saw a protest occurring in the flesh. We were at the Art Museum for the first ever official LGBTQ+ event in Thailand. When we came out, There were many reporters around, some - gathered in a group - looked like they were camping, others were just standing around getting ready with their cameras. We weren’t sure what they were there for, so we approached a reporter and asked him. He told us a protest against the government for human rights was about to happen, that 15 battalions of police were stationed all around, some on the highway footpath right across the museum, and the reporters were expecting a clash.
I remember how we felt that day, the fact that the reporters were expecting a clash between the police and protesters was terrifying. We panicked and quickly took the train to our next destination, hoping to avoid the protest altogether. The fact that these protests still happen, and I was there to witness one, made the situation in Thailand more real. There have been many protests and many casualties, yet they keep fighting for their rights boldly.
It’s amazing and inspiring. Seeing that Thailand is ruled by a monarchy, where the rules command respect and all authority to the King, I can see why such an issue is a huge problem in Thailand. I do not think protests are the way to bring about change, but they are a way to bring attention to this problem by the media and the world. Though there are better ways, I doubt there are safe ways, considering the strict laws in Thailand. One of the laws states, "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
The laws are strict, but hopefully, now that the protests are catching international attention, there might be a way to help the people of Thailand.
Works Cited
Panu Wongcha-um,Panarat Thepgumpanat. “A Year after Taboo on Thai King Broken, 103 Face Jail for Royal Insult.” Reuters, Reuters, 3 Aug. 2021, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/year-after-taboo-thai-king-broken-103-face-jail-royal-insult-2021-08-03/. Accessed 24 July 2022.
“Thailand Archives.” Amnesty International, 2018, www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-east-asia-and-the-pacific/thailand/report-thailand/. Accessed 24 July 2022.
Wikipedia Contributors. “Lèse-Majesté in Thailand.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 July 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8se-majest%C3%A9_in_Thailand#:~:text=Section%20112%20of%20Thai%20Criminal,of%20three%20to%20fifteen%20years.%22. Accessed 24 July 2022.
Photo Credit: https://www.sawasdeemagazine.com/travel/thailand/bangkok-art-and-culture-centre-free-attractions-in-bangkok/77570
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