Thailand
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
36 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
39 / 100
Not Free
While its 2023 elections were comparatively open and competitive, Thailand's leading opposition party, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate. Press freedom remains constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against activists.
Research & Recommendations
Thailand
Partly Free
36
100
| PR Political Rights | 12 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 24 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
30
100
Not Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
Following five years of direct military rule, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semielected government in 2019. The combination of democratic deterioration and frustrations over the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s governance triggered massive demonstrations in 2020 and 2021. In response, the authorities used repressive tactics including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, and harassment of activists. While the 2023 elections were comparatively open and competitive, the leading opposition party, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate; another opposition group, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), entered government in coalition with several military-aligned parties. Press freedom remains constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against activists.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
Thailand
Not Free
39
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 16 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 14 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 9 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
39
100
Not Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the research methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom is severely restricted in Thailand. Ahead of the 2023 general elections, opposition members were discredited through state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, while prodemocracy activists faced arrest, surveillance, and extralegal harassment in retaliation for their online content. Authorities blocked websites and removed content that violated provisions of the restrictive Computer-related Crimes Act (CCA). Internet users continued to be charged with lèse-majesté, with some receiving heavy prison sentences for defaming the monarchy online. Although the repressive emergency decree issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic lapsed in September 2022, cases continued for individuals previously charged under its provisions.
Freedom on the Net 2023 Policy Recommendations
Promote freedom of expression and access to information.
Freedom of expression online is increasingly under attack as governments continue to restrict connectivity and block social media platforms and websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards.
Defend information integrity in the age of AI.
Even before the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products, AI was a key factor in the crisis of information integrity, serving as an intensifier in environments that were already vulnerable to manipulation. However, advancements in generative AI will supercharge the creation and dissemination of false and misleading content.
Combat disproportionate government surveillance.
Governments worldwide have passed increasingly disproportionate surveillance laws, and can access a booming commercial market for surveillance tools, giving them the capacity to flout the rule of law and monitor the private communications of individuals inside and beyond their borders.
For decades, Thailand has served as a haven for people escaping war and political repression in countries throughout Southeast Asia and the broader region. However, protection for individuals from foreign governments in Thailand is limited and ad hoc.
Policy Recommendations: Transnational Repression
Raising awareness about the threat of transnational repression.
Like-minded governments and international organizations should work together to highlight the threat of transnational repression and establish international norms for addressing it.
Limiting the ability of perpetrators to commit transnational repression.
This includes agreeing on a common definition of transnational repression, and prohibiting the use of Interpol notices on their own to deny immigration or asylum benefits or conduct arrests.
Bringing accountability for acts of transnational repression.
Among other tactics, governments should deploy a robust strategy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators of transnational repression.
News and Updates
Featured
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
36
/ 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom Score
39
/ 100
Not Free
Population: 71,700,000
Internet Facts
Status
Not Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
Yes
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
May 14, 2023
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
69.72%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
30
/ 100
Transnational Repression
STATUS
HOST COUNTRY
KEY ORIGIN STATES:
Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam
BEST PRACTICES
Cooperation with UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Responsive to pressure from civil society about incidents