Kidnapping Of Thai Exile Ignites Protests For Justice – The Organization for World Peace

Demonstrations have broken out in Bangkok in response to the suspected kidnapping of a Thai activist who is recognized for sparking protests of the countrys constitutional monarchy. Activists have denounced laws that suppress opposition to the countrys ruling family, including restricting peoples abilities to organize and the freedom to criticize their government.

Protests began early in the year, largely originating from student-led groups, but were halted after the government implemented strict limitations to combat the spread of COVID-19. Now, fears of oppression and government censorship are building again after Wanchalearm Satsaksit, 37, was reportedly abducted in CambodiaSatsaksit had been living in Cambodias capital, Phnom Penh, to escape criminal charges against him for criticizing the military coup.

Protestors are accusing the Thai government of orchestrating the kidnapping, demanding an investigation into Satsaksits disappearance. Thailands police and government, as well as Cambodian officials, have denied any involvement in the situation.

Violent censorship by the Thai government is not unknown to its citizens. At least 8 activists, all critics of the 2014 military junta, have disappeared from the neighboring countries of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia while avoiding prosecution from the Thai government, and many others have fled the country while facing charges for treason. The bodies of 2 exiled activists have been found in the Mekong River in an apparent attempt to unlawfully dispose of any evidence of the missing persons. These actions show the level of danger that critics of the government are in, and likely the extreme lengths that the Thai government will go to silence its opponents.

Posters labelled Missing have appeared all around the city of Bangkok this past weekend in response to Satsaksits kidnapping. Small student groups at Bangkoks elite Chulalongkorn University have unofficially claimed credit for the work.

After Wanchalearm disappeared, we wanted to do something, said Pun Thongsai, a graduate student at the university, and member of protests taking place outside of the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok. We do not know who directly ordered the abduction, but we can see the ruling elite of this country does not care about this issue.

Outrage over the most recent act of censorship has also been heating up online. On Twitter, the hashtag #abolish112 began trending in Thailand, as over 450,000 people put on a rare display of opposition to the countrys government. The posts appear to be in reference to Article 112 of Thailands criminal code, which tie any insults to the royal family to a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

Although many missing dissidents have been accused of violating Article 112, Thai officials denied that Satsaksit was facing charges of treason. His sister also affirmed that he was not an anti-monarchist.

Thailands Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwam said he had no information on the situation when asked by reporters, but assured the public that the Thai government would discuss the situation with Cambodian authorities. This case is their matter, he added after the fact.

I want the Thai government to protect people who are living abroad whether they are political exiles or not, said a protester at a rally outside of the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok. Protests over Satsaksits disappearance are the latest disturbance in Thailand, however the state of affairs in the country was not always this animated. Until recent times, Buddhist society in Thailand rarely questioned the monarchy. Now, the outside threat of democracy and unorthodox thought has shown the governments insecurity, and the lives of those willing to speak out against the regime are very much at risk.

The threats to Thai citizens freedoms of speech are concerning. As our world becomes increasingly connected, the need to protect basic human rights, like that of expression, should be paramount. We should condemn systemic and authoritarian oppression of these rights, and seek justice for those who have the courage to speak out against it.

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Kidnapping Of Thai Exile Ignites Protests For Justice - The Organization for World Peace