2023 US Report on human rights in Thailand: Pavin's book ban made an entry

The US State Department recently launched the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Thailand. Here is there summary:

"There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Thailand during the year; a new government took office in September. Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: arbitrary arrest and detention; political interference in the judiciary; political prisoners; arbitrary and unlawful interference with privacy; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including arrests and prosecutions of those criticizing the government, censorship, and the use of lèse majesté and criminal libel laws; serious restrictions on internet freedom; serious government corruption; harassment of domestic human rights organizations; extensive gender-based violence, including domestic or intimate partner violence and sexual violence; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex persons; and significant restrictions on workers’ freedom of association. Authorities took some steps to investigate and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses. Official impunity, however, continued to be a problem. Insurgents in the southernmost provinces committed human rights abuses and attacked government security forces and civilian targets; authorities investigated and prosecuted such actions."

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, founder of 112WATCH is mentioned in the report. It says:

"In July the Royal Thai Police (RTP) preemptively banned Pavin Chachavalpongpun’s book Rama X: The Thai Monarchy under King Vajiralongkorn (scheduled to be published abroad in October) because it defamed the monarchy. Anyone convicted of importing the book could face imprisonment or a fine."

The report also informs the worsening lèse majesté cases, which confirms the view of 112WATCH. This view reflects an urgent need to reform Article 112 to defend Thailand's basic human rights.

Read the full report here: https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/thailand/