This report provides a landscape view of the state of civil society in Thailand. It explores why, despite the presence of a civilian-led government, the country is still classified as “repressed” by the CIVICUS Monitor. This status is largely due to the continued and widespread use of restrictive laws on free speech, such as the lèse-majesté law and the Computer Crimes Act. It also explores looming developments in the field, from the constrictive draft “NPO law” currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Interior, to the draining effects of shriveling funds from global donors. Lastly, the report expands upon other relevant factors to the operating environment of civil society, such as public perception of CSOs, citizens’ access to digital rights, and government transparency with legislative documents.
Though civil society’s place in Thailand has been cemented through decades of existence, the current trajectory of increasing restrictions on CSOs threatens to stifle the voices of civil society in a year where they stand as one of the last lines of defense against the world’s current bent towards authoritarianism. Despite these significant challenges, civil society in Thailand continues to play a vital role in advocating for positive change and contributing to the betterment of communities.
