Freedom in a perilous stateAbout a year after Thailand under the Prayut Chan-o-cha government could boast about a small improvement in its freedom ranking, as rated annually by Freedom House, the country has suffered a setback with it damningly described as no longer having any freedom at all -- a position it held during the coup years. The new ranking by Freedom House is ironic given Thailand's name that means "land of the free". Altogether 210 countries and territories are rated in two categories, political rights (40) and civil liberties (60). The only three countries considered to afford their citizens complete freedom in the report were Finland, Norway and Sweden. It was rated poorly in the areas of freedom of assembly, civil society space, due process, an independent judiciary, academic freedom and the rights of marginalised people, but scores better in freedom of religion, freedom of movement and personal social freedoms.

Source: Bangkok Post March 08, 2021 23:03 UTC