Urgent Call for Human Rights Reforms in Thailand: A Letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

New Thai Government Urged to Prioritize Human Rights Amid Ongoing Concerns

Bangkok, November 12, 2025 — In a compelling letter addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Human Rights Watch has called on the newly formed Thai government to break from the oppressive practices of previous administrations and take decisive action to uphold human rights in the country. Anutin, who assumed office on September 7 following a parliamentary election and royal endorsement, is being urged to prioritize human rights as a cornerstone of his administration.

Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the need for immediate reforms. “The Anutin government should make human rights a priority and demonstrate a commitment through swift and effective action,” she stated. The organization has highlighted the urgent need to revoke abusive laws, cease the repression of fundamental rights, and exonerate individuals prosecuted for peacefully expressing their views.

Since the military coup in 2014, the Thai government has imposed stringent restrictions on dissenting voices, leading to the prosecution of nearly 2,000 individuals for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Among these, at least 284 people have faced charges under the controversial lese majeste law, which penalizes insults to the monarchy. Critics have often found themselves in pretrial detention for extended periods without the option of bail.

Human Rights Watch has called for a comprehensive reform of the lese majeste law, advocating for a moratorium on prosecutions and pretrial detentions under this statute. The organization also urges the government to dismiss all pending charges related to Covid-19 restrictions, which remain in effect for over 1,400 individuals despite the lifting of emergency measures in October 2022.

The letter also addresses the alarming trend of enforced disappearances and violence against human rights defenders and civil society activists. High-profile cases, such as those involving ethnic Lahu activist Chaiyaphum Pa-sae and Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, remain unresolved, with cover-ups obstructing justice.

In November, United Nations human rights experts expressed concerns over threats and online harassment faced by Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit and Human Rights Watch adviser Sunai Phasuk, following their comments on potential violations of international humanitarian law during the recent Thailand-Cambodia border conflict.

Pearson urged Anutin to enforce measures to prevent torture and enforced disappearances, in line with existing laws. “Numerous allegations of police and military torture and other ill-treatment have gone unpunished,” she noted, calling for accountability in these cases.

The letter also highlights the Thai government’s troubling history of refoulement, where refugees and asylum seekers are forcibly returned to countries where they face persecution. Recent incidents, including the return of Uyghur men to China, have raised serious concerns about the safety of critics of foreign governments residing in Thailand.

On a more positive note, the government has been commended for a new policy allowing Myanmar refugees in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border to work legally, signaling a potential shift towards more humane treatment of displaced individuals.

As the Anutin administration embarks on its journey, Human Rights Watch emphasizes the opportunity for a new path in Thailand’s human rights landscape. “Prime Minister Anutin has a chance to chart a new path for Thailand by ending ongoing human rights abuses,” Pearson concluded. “The new Thai government should quickly adopt a clear plan to address human rights issues and implement it.”

The world watches closely as Thailand navigates this pivotal moment, hoping for a commitment to justice and the protection of fundamental rights for all its citizens.