Speech curbs hold back nationLast week's final acquittal of rights activist Andy Hall by the Supreme Court, whilst certainly welcome and the correct verdict, was also a stark reminder of just how damaging to free speech Thailand's laws are. It was a verdict seen as yet another example of the protection afforded to businesses and individuals when legitimate questions are raised over their conduct. On these shores, truth is often no defence if a reputation is considered to have been tarnished. A scathing Human Rights Watch report in late 2019, among recommending a wealth of necessary changes to its legal framework, urged the need to "amend Thailand's criminal laws to conform to international human rights standards for freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly". And, right now, who can blame him?

Source: Bangkok Post July 04, 2020 23:26 UTC