Thailand

A ministerial decree empowering officials under the Minister of Digital Economy and Society to order online service providers and social media platforms to remove content violating the Computer Crimes Act within 24 hours and without a court order took effect on 25 December. Human rights activists have said the measure will result in arbitrary restrictions on online expression and information beyond the already expansive interference permitted under the previous legal framework. The bill prohibits hosting vaguely-defined “false computer data” that might defame people or damage national security.

Freedom of Expression Censorship Digital democracy

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled on 30 September that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha can continue in office after finding that he had not exhausted his eight-year term limit based on when the constitution came into effect in April 2017. The ruling prompted anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok with protesters asserting that the decision was politically motivated amid the court’s long history of ruling against parties challenging the established order.  

Protests Prayut Chan-o-cha Constitutional Court

Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled on 24 August that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha must step aside until the Court rules on a petition filed by the opposition, arguing that Prayuth’s time spent as head of a military junta should count towards his constitutionally stipulated eight-year term. It is not clear yet when the court will deliver a final ruling. 

Prayut Chan-o-cha Constitutional Court