Page 22 - รายงานผลการประเมินสถานการณ์ด้านสิทธิมนุษยชนของประเทศไทย ปี 2562

21 รายงานผลการประเมินสถานการณ์
ด้านสิทธิมนุษยชนของประเทศไทย ปี ๒๕๖๒

In the prevention and eradication of torture and enforced disappearances, a progress was made
with the proposal of the Bill on Prevention and Suppression of Torture and the Disappearance of Persons
B.E. .... to the House of Representatives. The government cooperated with the UN Working Group on
Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, and the investigation into the case of Mr. Porlaji Rakchongcharoen
or Billy yielded a significant progress. As for the situation regarding the exercise of freedom of expression
and peaceful assembly, it was found that in general the public were able to exercise such freedom
without state interference, as a result of the abolition of the Head of NCPO’s order that banned political

gatherings since late 2018, and the NCPO’s announcement that ordered the media to refrain from
presenting information that criticize the government in 2019. There were still some cases of using
the Computer-related Crimes Act B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendments to prosecute political activists
for expressing their opinions. The number is relatively lower than in 2018, and most of the cases
involved disseminating false and deceptive messages to the public. Nevertheless, civil society
organizations still have concerns about the enforcement of relevant laws due to the ambiguity of
certain words that may subject to interpretation and discretion of the authorities.

On issues related to civil and political rights, the NHRC has made recommendations to
the government and relevant agencies, including the recommendations to adjust regulations or practices
that obstruct access to the Justice Fund; to protect human rights defenders who carry out peaceful

activities from threats, intimidation or attacks; to speed up the transfer of pending cases at the Military
Court to the Court of Justice; and to accelerate the consideration of the Bill to Prevent and Suppress
Torture and Enforced Disappearances B.E. ...., taking into account the compliance with the Convention
Against Torture (CAT), for immediate enforcement. The government should address the concerns of the
public regarding ambiguous enforcement of laws with provisions restricting freedom of expression and
peaceful assembly, such as the Computer-related Crimes Act B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendments, the
Broadcasting and Television Businesses Act B.E. 2551 (2008), and the Public Assembly Act B.E. 2558 (2015).

2. Important issues include rights to employment and social
The situation of
economic, social security, rights to education, rights to health, and human rights

and cultural rights related to business operations.

In 2019, the government adopted a policy to promote
employment among population groups that may have relatively
less access to job opportunities, such as informal workers. New laws
have been enacted to protect workers in the fishery sector and
to prohibit forced labor. However, international trade problems
had led to the closure of many factories, resulting in the layoffs
of workers. The adoption of artificial intelligence in the business
sector may lead to more layoffs. And there were problems with

the protection of labour rights of out-sourced workers or service
contractors in the government sector. Improvement of labour
relations law is underway.