Source: CIA World Factbook

International and Regional Human Rights Agreements

* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty

Constitutional Framework

The freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly, among other rights, are enshrined as fundamental rights in Sections 25-49 of the 2017 Thai constitution (Thai):

• Freedom of expression: Section 34 provides that “A person shall enjoy the liberty to express opinions, make speeches, write, print, publicize and express by other means.” This liberty also covers “academic freedom.” “The restriction of such liberty shall not be imposed, except by virtue of the provisions of law specifically enacted for the purpose of maintaining the security of the State, protecting the rights or liberties of other persons, maintaining public order or good morals, or protecting the health of the people.”
• Freedom of association: Section 42 provides that “A person shall enjoy the liberty to unite and form association, cooperative, union, organization, community, or any other group…[T]he restriction of such liberty…shall not be imposed except by virtue of a provision enacted for the purpose of protecting public interest, for maintaining public order or good morals, or for preventing or eliminating barriers or monopoly.”
• Freedom of peaceful assembly: Section 44 provides that “A person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble peacefully and without arms. The restriction of such liberty under paragraph one shall not be imposed except by virtue of a provision of law enacted for the purpose of maintaining security of the State, public safety, public order or good morals, or for protecting the rights or liberties of other persons.”

Throughout 2021, the House of Representatives had been considering an amendment to the 2017 Constitution of Thailand. Section 83 (the number of Members of the House of Representatives) and Section 91 (the calculation of the number of Members of the House of Representatives on a party list basis) were proposed as amendments. In September 2021, Thailand’s Parliament officially approved these amendments, effectively changing how lawmakers are elected (reverting back to the general election system of the 1997 Constitution). Those who opposed the amendment believe the move will allocate more seats to big parties at the expense of smaller ones.

Pending NGO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives

A. On January 4, 2022, a revised draft NPO law was approved by the Thai Cabinet, replacing the version approved by the Cabinet in February 2021. The drafters made significant revisions from the prior draft, including moving NPO oversight from the Ministry of the Interior to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security; and narrowing the definition of NPOs to exclude groups gathering to implement a one-time activity or an activity that serves “only the interests of the group, or a political party.” Formal registration no longer appears to be mandatory, and the revised Bill removes the blanket restrictions on foreign funding that existed in the prior draft. Criminal penalties and imprisonment terms have also been removed, and some provision has been made for appeal processes.

Chapter 1 of the revised Bill envisions the establishment of a new “Committee for the Promotion and Development of Not-for-Profit Organizations” (“Committee”), comprised of a mix of government officials, experts, and appointed NPO representatives. The duties and powers of the Committee include determining policies and strategies for the promotion and development of NPOs, supporting NPOs in their civil society work, and formulating recommendations for the development and reform of laws, ministerial regulations, and rules concerning the promotion and development of NPOs. The revised draft seems to also envision funding support and tax benefits for NPOs, in line with good regulatory practices.

Despite these enabling revisions, Chapter II of the Bill introduces new, far-reaching restrictions that undercut most of the positive changes. The Bill’s restrictions run counter to international norms regarding the freedom of association.

Summary of Key Concerns 

The revised draft NPO law will impermissibly restrict the freedom of association of organizations. The following is a summary of concerns arising from the Bill:

• Prohibitions on NPO operations are far too broad, and capture most legitimate, protected NPO activity. Section 20 of the draft bill, setting forth five areas in which NPOs are barred from operating, is extremely problematic. Each of the five enumerated areas is so broad that, collectively, most legitimate NPO activities could be defined in such a way as to fall under one or more of the prohibited areas. 
• The Bill is not sufficiently targeted in its reporting and disclosure requirements. Section 19 of Chapter II of the Bill requires every NPO to “to disclose information regarding its name, founding objectives, implementation methods, sources of funding, and names of persons involved with its operations to ensure such information is easily accessible to government agencies and the public.” By adopting a blanket, one-size-fits-all approach to reporting and disclosure, Section 19 imposes a disproportionate burden on the NPO sector as a whole. The NPO sector is diverse, and blanket reporting requirements violate the principle that regulation should be commensurate with risk.  
• The Bill still exerts undue control over foreign funding, in an overbroad manner. Section 21 of the Bill requires NPOs to essentially report all foreign funding received to the registrar with numerous details regarding the source of the funding, the bank account, amount received, and purposes for the disbursement of funds. Section22 requires that detailed income and expense reports for foreign funding be prepared and made public, in violation of NPOs’ right to privacy.
• The Bill’s fines and penalties are disproportionate. The penalties included are disproportionate, especially considering that almost any legitimate NPO activity can be defined as one of the prohibited acts under Section 20 of the Bill. While reporting violations are punishable by fines up to 50,000 baht and daily fines of 1,000 baht during the period of the breach, NPOs which fail to cease operations after a Section 20 violation are subject to fines of up to 500,000 baht (~USD 15,000) and daily fines of 10,000 baht (~USD 300). These are substantial fines in Thailand, even for larger, more-resourced NPOs.  Section 28 makes NPO leadership individually liable for any organizational violations, thereby undermining a key incentive for registration. Collectively, these provisions could chill individuals from forming organizations.  

B. In February 2021, the Office of the Council of State (OCS) proposed a draft Act on the Operation of Not-for-profit Organisations (Bill). A draft Act on the Promotion and Development of Civil Society Organizations was also proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), along with an NGO Act proposed by certain Thai civil society organizations. Of the three draft laws, the OCS draft Act on the Operation of Not-for-profit Organisations was most concerning. The OCS draft Act was open for public comment in March 2021. ICNL analyzed an unofficial English translation of the Bill and noted the following concerning features:

• Overbroad definition of not-for-profit organizations (NPOs). Section 4’s overly broad definition of NPOs could capture nearly every informal gathering of individuals carrying out almost any activity, opening the door to dangerous government overreach.
• Ministry of the Interior and Department of Provincial Administration as choice of regulatory agency. These government departments have historically been hostile to civil society and are also responsible for security concerns. If administration of NPOs is located with the Interior Ministry, the government will likely adopt a securitized approach to registration and oversight, rather than a more independent, administrative approach.
• Mandatory registration requirements. Section 5 requires all NPOs to register under the Minister of Interior’s criteria, essentially prohibiting the existence of unregistered groups in violation of freedom of association.
• Vague registration criteria and potential arbitrary denials. Section 5 institutes vague and unspecified criteria for registration, leaving open the likelihood of arbitrary denials.
• Potential interference with NPO activities. Section 5 requires organizations to comply with criteria established by the Minister, none of which are defined, raising the possibility that NPOs will be censored or controlled by authorities.
• Burdensome, intrusive reporting constraints on NPOs. Section 6 institutes burdensome reporting requirements on all NPOs, without distinction to size, resources, or activities; it also provides blanket powers of surveillance and investigation without any due process protections.
• Restrictions on foreign funding for NPOs. Section 6 gives the Minister of Interior total discretion to authorize or block any foreign funding for any NPO in Thailand.
• No possibility for appeal. The Bill does not provide any appeal process for decisions taken by the registrar, including suspension or termination.
• Criminalization of unregistered groups and disproportionate punishments. Section 10 criminalizes any person operating an unregistered NPO with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fines of 100,000 baht (~$3250 USD). It also allows for revocation or termination of NPO registration for failing to comply with designated provisions of the Bill.
• Inadequate timeline for implementation and registration. Section 11 requires NPOs operating in Thailand to register with the Registrar within 30 days of the Act coming into force. Most laws in other countries allow a minimum of six months and more often a one-to-two-year period in which NPOs can register following implementation of a new registration regime.

ICNL recommended that consultations on the proposed NGO Acts be extended, and that the current OCS version be withdrawn.

C. Below is a summary of the draft Bill on the Promotion and Development of Civil Society Organizations, which was proposed by CSOs and taken up (in part) by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in 2021.

Rationale

Despite the crucial role of CSOs in promoting the welfare and civil and political rights of all groups of people in society, especially the underprivileged, as well as their participation in politics and the public policy process pursuant to Section 42 of the Constitution, there is no law for the promotion and development of these organizations. The absence of such a law accounts for the lack of mechanisms for the integration of activities undertaken by CSOs and those in the public, private and other sectors. Hence, pursuant to Section 133 (3) of the Constitution, CSOs cooperated under Chapter III on Rights and Liberties of the Constitution in petitioning to introduce a bill promoting the participation of civil societies, and their partnership with the public and other sectors, in the country’s sustainable development and in serving as a mechanism for solving the problems of inequalities and conflict and creating justice in society.

Section 42 of the Constitution endorses the right of persons for form organizations other types of groupings, and Sections 57-58 and 60 provide for the duty of the state to promote formation by the people into social groups, communities, or organizations, and to support the strengthening of the civil society sector as a social force participating and assuming a role in working for community and social development and solving the problems of inequalities in society, thereby helping to drive the country along the path mapped out in the 20-year national strategy and reform. The role of CSOs is conceived of as follows:

1) providing help including welfare and protection to the people, especially children, women, the elderly, the disabled and other disadvantaged groups, so that they have access to opportunities, justice, and better quality of life as a basis for sustainable social development

2) promoting the people’s political role and participation in Thailand’s constitutional monarchy rule

3) promoting the formation of social groups by the people and their participation in the public policy process at both national and local levels and developing their potential for self-management

4) inculcating in the people a value of good citizens who are public-mindedly and aware of the need to solve social problems and protect the rights and liberties of the people as provided for under Chapter II of the Constitution of Thailand.

The Draft Bill on the Promotion and Development of Civil Society Organizations contains the following substantive points:

(1) Definitions (Draft Section 3)

This section defines CSO, the committee, the evaluation committee, the fund, the office of the civil society organizations assembly, the director, local government organizations, and the minister.

“Civil society organizations” refers to organizations which are not state- or private-sector organizations, legal or non-legal entities, established for the benefits of the community, locality, society, or for the common good, without any profit-sharing purpose, but which do not include organizations or groups of people set up and operating for the benefits of political parties, business organizations, or state-sector agencies, directly or indirectly, as to be designated by the announcement of the committee.

“Civil society organizations assembly” refers to the process whereby CSOs, as well as other related sectors, gather to harmoniously share knowledge and engage in mutual learning.

(2) The person/agency in charge of the implementation of this Act

A Minister Attached to the Government Office shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act.

(3) The CSO Promotion and Development Committee

It is provided that a committee on the protection and development of CSOs be formed, which is to assume a proactive role in promoting and developing those organizations.

Under Draft Section 5, the Committee is composed of 17 members, including 5 ex officio members, 7 members representing CSOs, 3 members who are experts in CSO promotion and development, and 1 member who is an expert in fund management. The Director of CSO Committee serves as member and secretary of the Committee. The Committee chairperson comes from the process of selecting the Committee members representing the civil society organizations under Section 5 (2), and the first and second deputy chairpersons come from the process of selecting the Committee members under Section 5 (1) (2) (3).

(4) Authority and functions of the CSO Promotion and Development Office (Draft Section 16)

The Office is authorized to prepare draft policy, strategy, plans, and action plans on the promotion and development of civil society organizations, support the revision of the law and policy for this purpose, and coordinate the activities of relevant agencies in the public and other sectors, among other functions and undertakings.

(5) Authority and functions of the Office regarding revenue-generating activities (Draft Section 17)

• authority and functions to mobilize fund or resources from various sectors for participatory undertakings
• authority and functions to engage in investment, joint-investment, or support for investment, shareholding, or partnership with private-sector organizations or legal entities, state enterprises, financial institutions, community enterprises operating under the Community Enterprise Act, social enterprises operating under the Social Enterprise Promotion Act, or funds under the oversight of the Securities and Exchange Act, or any financial mobilization activities or investment endorsed by the Committee
• authority and functions relating to support for social investment and management of revenue from various types of activities

(6) The Civil Society Organizations Promotion and Development Fund (Chapter III, Draft Sections 24-30)

It is stipulated that a fund be set up in the Office, entitled the “Civil Society Organizations Promotion and Development Fund.” The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support for the promotion and development of CSOs.

The CSO Fund comprises the following financial resources and assets:

• money allocated by the government as the initial capital
• cash subsidies from the private-sector or other organizations, local as well as external
• counterpart funding contributed by civil society or local government organizations, as designated by the committee’s announcements
• fees for registration of CSOs, annual fees, stipends, service fees, money or assets left over to the Fund in accordance with the law or as a result of other legal transactions, income from interests generated by the Fund’s cash or assets, and other types of revenue.

(7) With the purpose of achieving sustainable development of CSOs, the objectives are as follows: (Draft Section 32)

• supporting the empowerment of CSOs, including the people associated with them, so that they become strong with working potential, good governance and self-reliance
• strengthening the process and participatory role of CSOs
• strengthening the role of CSOs in working in partnership with other organizations and agencies
• promoting the people to form groups working for the community and society, and connecting and coordinating with one another into civil society networks for the purpose of enabling them in an integrated manner
• enabling CSOs to participate and assume a role in working to encourage the people, community, and families to become public-minded citizens, who are aware of their participation in national development and governance.

(8) Registration of CSOs (Draft Section 34)

CSOs wishing to apply for support and promotion under the Act must submit their application for registration to the Office in accordance with the criteria, methods and conditions stipulated by the Committee.

(9) Benefits for CSOs which have registered under this Act (Draft Section 35)

CSOs that have registered under this Act are eligible to apply for financial support from the Fund in accordance with the criteria, methods, and conditions set forth by the Committee; assistance from the Office in the form of technical support, promotion and development of organizational management efficiency, development of the personnel potential, or assistance to other aspects of the promotion and development of CSOs; as well as assistance in the form of tax benefits under Sections 37-39, which cover the persons providing support to the activities and operations of CSOs registered under this Act.

D. In July 2021, the government introduced new regulations restricting speech, prohibiting the release, distribution or dissemination of texts that may “instigate fear” or are “intended to distort information to mislead understanding of the emergency situation to the extent of affecting the security of state or public order or good morals of the people.” Regulation No. 29 additionally grants government authorities new enforcement powers, enhancing their ability to censor online speech and investigate internet users. Public opposition to the regulation resulted in its suspension on August 9, 2021, subject to further changes. The following is an unofficial translation of the regulation.

Fake News Regulation (Issue 29) (effective July 30, 2021) (Suspended)

Regulation

Issued under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration

in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005)

(Issue 29)

Following the issuance of the declaration of a nationwide emergency situation on 26 March 2020 and its subsequent 13^th extension to 30^th September 2021, there has been a widespread dissemination of fake news which may cause fear among the people, or distorted news for the purpose of creating their misunderstanding and confusion. This has resulted in depriving the people of their ability to act in a proper way, and instigating damages or serious incidents in the emergency situation, which can eventually lead to a threat to the security of the state, the violation of the rights and liberties of others, the maintenance of order and good morality of the people and the upkeep of the latter’s health. Fake or distorted news has been propagated through various types of media, especially the internet, which have the important effect of aggravating the emergency situation – i.e., making it even more critical. It is therefore imperative that measures be taken to enforce an exercise of the rights and freedom of expression that is reasonable, truthful, and responsible for the peace of society as a whole within the framework designated by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Pursuant to Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E. 2548 (2005), the Prime Minister deems it expedient to issue the following Regulation:

1. A person is prohibited from disseminating news, selling or providing for the propagation of books, print-matters, or any other type of media, which contain statements likely to cause misunderstanding about the emergency situation, such that it threatens the security of the state or order and good morality of the people in the area declared to be under an emergency situation.
2. In case of the statements or news under 1 being disseminated on the internet, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) Office is authorized to inform all holders of an internet provider license under the Act on the Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services of their responsibility to check from which IP addresses such statements or news come from. If these IP addresses are those provided by them, the license holders must report such details as designated by the NBTC Office to the latter and immediately suspend their internet service to such IP addresses.

The NBTC is obligated to send the details reported to it to the Royal Thai Police headquarters for the latter to proceed to prosecution.

Any license holder does not comply with para 1, it is deemed to have failed to meet the conditions set forth in the license for providing internet service, and the NBTC Office is authorized to take legal action.

This Regulation comes into force on 30 July 2021 onwards.

Issued on 30 July 2021

General Prayuth Chan-o-cha

Prime Minister

E. On January 11, 2022, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft Act on Media Ethics and Professional Standards, which will be up for parliamentary debate and approval. In principle, it claims to support self-regulation by media professionals. However, civil society members still have concerns over it becoming another tool for state censorship because the law aims to create a state-funded Media Council that will oversee the ethical compliance of media professionals or organizations applying for membership under the Council. The media recognized by the Council will have access to privileges that the Council may provide, such as trainings. Although the ethical standards have yet to be established, the Council can sanction violations through warnings, probations, and public reprimand. The issues that most worry media professionals seem to be the legal definition of media, media ethics standards, state membership in committees, and an annual 25-million baht (around $747,384) budget.

Organizational Forms

Thai law recognizes a diverse range of organizational forms, including associations, foundations, trade associations, chambers of commerce, employer associations, labor unions, state enterprise labor unions, and cooperatives. These organizational forms all are regulated under their own stand-alone laws. For example, trade associations are governed by the Trade Association Act, whose regulator is the Department of Business Development in the Ministry of Commerce. Associations and foundations, by contrast, are regulated by the Civil and Commercial Code, with the Ministry of Interior as the regulator.

CSOs are most often formed as associations or foundations, both of which are “non-profit organizations” that pursue public benefit purposes. The main difference between these two organizational forms relates to the establishment requirements. An association is formed by at least 10 members. (Civil and Commercial Code, Section 81) There are many types of associations, such as trade associations, professional associations, and sport associations. Section 78 of the Code states that associations may not be established for sharing profit and income among members. A foundation is formed with property or cash assets of at least 500,000 baht (approx. 15,000 USD) to be used as an operating fund in the pursuit of their objectives. Section 110 of the Civil and Commercial Code states that “A foundation consists of property specially appropriated to public charity, religious, art, scientific, education or other purpose for the public benefit and not for sharing profit, and has been registered under the provisions of this Code. The property of a foundation must be managed for implementing the objects of that foundation, and not for seeking interest for any persons.”

In addition to associations and foundations, cooperatives may be formed under the Cooperatives Act. Section 4 of the Cooperatives Act states that cooperatives are “a group of persons who jointly conduct affairs for socio-economic interests of the members whose nationality is Thai on the basis of self-help and mutual assistance, and are registered under this Act.”

According to Section 3 of the Social Enterprise Act, a social enterprise “refers to a company, a partnership, or any other legal person, set up under Thai law” that “engages in the production, or sale of goods, or provision of services with social mission as the main objective and are registered under this Act.” Section 5(1) of the Social Enterprise Act also states that a social enterprise “must have objectives of promoting employment of disadvantaged people; or solving the problems of, and developing the community, society, or the environment; or for other social benefits.” Most social enterprises are established as companies or foundations, and in some cases as cooperatives, and are regulated under the Social Enterprise Act, the Public Limited Company Act, Civil and Commercial Code, and/or the Cooperatives Act.

Foreign private organizations (FPOs), as CSOs established under foreign laws, are a distinctive legal form. Since FPOs are considered foreign entities, their operations are more limited, and their objectives must be purely not-for-profit and non-political.

Unincorporated associations (e.g., a dancing club at a university) may serve a social purpose for a small group of people and need not be registered under the law.

Community enterprises are regulated by the Community Enterprise Promotion Act B.E.2548 (2005) and its 2019 amendment. These enterprises fall under the Department of Agricultural Extension in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. They are not required to register as a legal entity and exist mainly as unincorporated associations whose objectives are quite similar to cooperatives.

The various organizational forms of CSOs are regulated under different authorities. For example:

• Associations and foundations are under the authority of the Department of Provincial Administration in the Ministry of Interior.
• Cooperatives fall under the authority of the Department of Cooperatives Promotion in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
• Social enterprises are under the authority of the Department of Social Development and Welfare in the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
• FPOs fall under the Department of Employment in the Ministry of Labor.

It is difficult to determine the exact number of all CSOs because they are registered under different government agencies, and information about them is usually not available online. Nevertheless, according to the National Statistical Office, there were 84,099 CSOs in 2018. These included 48,248 religious organizations; 26,326 social welfare organizations; 3,496 trade associations and chambers of commerce; 3,397 cremation associations; 1,757 employer associations, labor unions, and state enterprise labor unions; 740 educational organizations (private schools and universities); 83 foreign private organizations (FPOs); and 17 private hospitals.

Public Benefit Status

Associations and foundations are recognized by the Civil and Commercial Code as “non-profit organizations” that must pursue public benefit purposes. Section 78 of the Code states that associations may not be established for sharing profit and income among members. Section 110 of the Code states that foundations are set up for public charity, religious, art, scientific, education, or other purposes for the public benefit and not for sharing profit.

Associations and foundations are entitled to tax exempt status under certain provisions of the Revenue Code (Thai; English (not updated)). The list of these organizations can be found in the Ministry of Finance’s Announcement on Income Tax and Value Added Tax (Issue 2) Re: Criteria for Consideration and Announcement of Organizations, Public Charitable Institutions, Clinics and Educational Institutions under Section 47(7)(b) of the Revenue Code and Section 3(4)(b) of the Royal Decree under the Revenue Code Regarding Value Added Tax Exemption (No. 239), B.E. 2534 (1991) as Amended by the Royal Decree Issued under the Revenue Code Regarding Value Added Tax Exemption (No. 254), B.E. 2535 (1992). As of August 2020, a total of 974 associations and foundations were recognized as tax-exempt.

To receive tax exemptions, associations and foundations must apply to the Revenue Department in the Ministry of Finance for “public charitable” status, which is a legal designation, and meet certain requirements, namely: they 1) must not have income from sales or services which yields monetary consideration in an ordinary course of business; 2) charitable expenses must exceed 60 percent of their income; 3) charitable expenses must exceed 65 percent of their total expenses; and 4) charitable expenses must be made general and wide-ranging (See the Ministry of Finance’s Announcement on Income Tax and Value Added Tax (Issue 2) re: Criteria for Consideration and Announcement of Organizations, Public Charitable Institutions, Clinics and Educational Institutions under Section 47(7)(b) of the Revenue Code and Section 3(4)(b) of the Royal Decree under the Revenue Code regarding Value Added Tax Exemption (No. 239), B.E. 2534 (1991) as amended by the Royal Decree issued under the Revenue Code regarding Value Added Tax Exemption (No. 254), B.E. 2535 (1992)).

Cooperatives benefit from government support in various forms, including exemption from corporate income tax; from fees for the acquisition, disposal, or retention of ownership of immovable property; and from stamp duties on certain documents. Cooperatives, however, still have to pay other taxes, such as withholding tax, VAT, and specific business taxes.

Once the regulations under the 2019 Social Enterprise Promotion Act are finalized, social enterprises are expected to be entitled to various forms of support and benefits from the state; however, these regulations are still being finalized as of August 2020.

Barriers to Entry

The law does not prohibit the formation and operation of unregistered groups, including social clubs, so long as they do not engage in social vices or disturb the peace and good morality of the people. There are, for example, numerous clubs and societies in universities, or social groups such as dancing clubs. Unregistered groups can be formed for the full range of purposes CSOs may register to undertake; not all of them, of course, are public benefit-oriented. There are no sanctions or penalties for carrying out activities through unregistered organizations, unless, of course, these activities are illegal (for instance, gambling).

Associations

The law requires at least three members of the association to submit a registration application on an official form to the district office (governed by the Department of Provincial Administration in the Ministry of the Interior) in Bangkok or a provincial area where its head office will be located. (Civil and Commercial Code, Section 81) There is no capital or asset requirement for setting up an association.

The application for the establishment of an association must be accompanied by a number of documents as required by regulations issued by the Ministry of Interior:

1. The association’s regulations;
2. The names, addresses, and occupations of at least 10 people who will be the association’s members, and of those who will be members of the association committee;
3. The minutes of the association’s founding meeting;
4. A sketch map of the location of the association’s head office and its branch offices (if any) and a paper permitting the association to use this location as its office;
5. Photocopies of identification, other government-issued cards, house registration, and resident books of all association committee members;
6. A photocopy of the paper permitting the formation of the association if its objectives are related to the work of the National Culture Council; and
7. Other documents, if required. (According to officers involved in registration, requiring other documents is rare but can happen on a case-by-case basis, such as when the name of an association is similar to the name or trademark of another organization, in which case the applicant has to provide a letter certifying that they are not the same organization; or when an association—usually a sports association—wants to use “of Thailand” after its name.)

The registration fee for setting up an association is 2,000 baht (approx. 60 USD), plus a number of small miscellaneous expenses that are generally not burdensome. These include, for instance, the document amendment fee of 200 baht (approx. 6 USD), the document check fee of 50 baht (approx. 2 USD), and a fee of 5 baht for any other request (approx. 0.15 USD). These fees have remained unchanged since 1994.

There is no fixed time period for officials at a district office to review the application before forwarding it to the Ministry of the Interior Registrar for approval. The district officer or the Interior Minister may deny the registration application if it does not comply with the relevant legal provisions or if its objectives are contrary to the law or good morality or likely to endanger public order or national security. Vague terms such as “good morality” rarely result in rejection of an application. The applicant has the right to appeal a registration refusal in writing to the Minister of Interior, who will make a final decision on the issue.

Foundations

At least three people are required to apply for the registration of a foundation. (Civil and Commercial Code, Section 111) An application to establish a foundation may be submitted to the district office (governed by the Department of Provincial Administration in the Ministry of the Interior) in Bangkok or a provincial area where its head office is to be located. A foundation must be endowed with a cash asset of 500,000 baht (approx. 15,000 USD), or a cash asset plus other types of assets, which together amount to 500,000 baht.

The application to establish a foundation must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. The name and address of the assets’ owner;
2. The list of assets to be given to the foundation;
3. The names, addresses, and occupations of all persons who will become members of the foundation committee;
4. The regulations of the foundation;
5. A written promise of the owner to donate the assets to the foundation, or a photocopy of the will if the foundation results from an inheritance;
6. Photocopies of identification, other government-issued cards, house registration, and resident books of the assets’ owner and all foundation committee members;
7. A sketch map of the location of the association’s head office and its branch offices (if any) and a paper permitting the association to use this location as its office;
8. Minutes of the establishment meeting of the foundation; and
9. Other documents, if required.

The registration fee for setting up a foundation is 200 baht (approx. 6 USD), plus miscellaneous expenses such as the document request fee of 10 baht/document (approx. 0.5 USD), the document amendment fee of 50 baht (approx. 2 USD) or the document check fee of 50 baht (approx. 2 USD).

The responsible authority (the Registrar, who in Bangkok is the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary but in other provinces is the provincial governor) may refuse to register a foundation if it is found, for instance, to be not truly aimed at promoting public benefit, but rather seeking to benefit from special treatment, such as tax exemption for a foundation. The applicant has the right to appeal a registration refusal in writing to the Minister of Interior, who will make a final decision on the issue.

Cooperatives

Establishing a cooperative involves a far more complicated process comprising many stages. The Cooperative Promotion Department within the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is responsible for the registration and governance of cooperatives. (Cooperatives Act, Section 5) Typically, before the final stage of submitting the application for the establishment of the cooperative, those preparing to set up a cooperative must have a consultative coordination meeting with the responsible officials from the Cooperative Promotion Department, as well as meetings among the cooperative’s organizers. All necessary preparations must be completed at these stages. Because details are typically worked out through these meetings, the actual application stage usually proceeds without problems. The application must include the following documents:

1. Application form;
2. List of names of the prospective members;
3. Plans for business or other activities;
4. Regulations of the cooperative;
5. Minutes of the meeting of the prospective members; and
6. Minutes of the cooperative founding meeting.

There is no fee for establishing a cooperative.

Barriers to Operational Activity

Once established and registered, CSOs may not act contrary to the law, disturb the peace and good morality of the people, or pose a threat to the state’s security. The committee members of associations and foundations may not have criminal records or known moral misconduct. An annual finance report may be required for certain categories of CSOs.

Only the offences under the Act Prescribing Offences Relating to Registered Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Limited Companies, Associations, and Foundations carry penalties. These penalties include fines, imprisonment, or dissolution of the organizations. Offences under the Act include using the terms “association” or “foundation” or insignia for an organization that has not been properly registered as an association or foundation, misleading others to think that an organization’s activities are undertaken in the name of an association or foundation, or failure to register changes to the committee members and regulations of an association or foundation. (Chapter II, Section 60) In addition, these penalties must be imposed in compliance with the law. Government protection for CSOs facing threats of violence typically follow a normal legal process: the CSO must report the threat to a police station, which will then take action.

FPOs’ operational activities are limited. They cannot engage in any forms of profit-making or political activities. Their activities and proceedings must not be detrimental to stability and to good relations between Thailand and other countries, and they cannot impede public order or public morals. (Application for Obtaining Permission to Operate in Thailand for Foreign Private Organizations, Rule 6) The permission to operate in Thailand is initially a maximum of two years, but then FPOs must apply to extend their registration (Application for Obtaining Permission to Operate in Thailand for Foreign Private Organizations, Rule 7) every one or two years The decision on whether to grant a one- or two-year extension mainly depends on the period of the organization’s project.

As a result, FPO operations are impermanent and can be stopped by the government at any time, whether or not the registration is being renewed. At the same time, there have generally not been cases of government intervention to terminate the operations of a foreign organization. Amnesty International, for example, can still freely operate in Thailand, even though it sometimes harshly criticizes the Thai government.

Barriers to Speech and Advocacy

The 2017 Constitution contains provisions protecting freedom of expression. Section 34 stipulates that “A person shall enjoy the liberty to express opinions, make speeches, write, print, publicize and express by other means. The restrictions of such liberty shall not be imposed, except by virtue of the provisions of law specifically enacted for the purpose of maintaining the security of the State, protecting the rights or liberties of other persons, maintaining public order or good morals, or protecting the health of the people.” This section also provides protection for academic freedom, and Section 35 stipulates that “a media professional shall have liberty in presenting news or expressing opinions in accordance with professional ethics.”

While the Constitution provides robust protection for the freedoms of expression and advocacy, the Criminal Code contains provisions on libel and defamation that protect the King and the Royal Family, as well as individuals and institutions. Violation of these provisions can result in fines and/or imprisonment. In particular, the lese majeste provision of Section 112 on Insulting and Defaming the Royal Family stipulates that “whoever defames, insults, or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years.” Section 326 of the Criminal Code protects individuals and institutions against defamation.

In principle, individuals or CSOs may criticize the government or advocate politically sensitive causes, including human rights and democracy. CSOs (with the exception of foreign private organizations) may also engage in political or legislative activities. In practice, however, governments, including fully elected governments, may take a more restrictive approach. Under recent military governments, there has been an increase in harassment, arrests, and retaliatory lawsuits against critics of the monarchy and the government, as well as against human rights defenders. The government has routinely censored opinions critical of the monarchy, including on social media platforms, charging individuals under the penal code, as well as under sedition, cybercrime, and other legal provisions.

Authorities have also frequently blocked websites and social media posts with alleged “illegal” content, defined as “inappropriate content that could harm the country’s security, including content that harassed the monarch.” This has resulted in the blocking of over 2,200 websites, and the government threatening action against social media companies for failing to remove illegal posts.

In March 2020, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government declared a state of emergency. The emergency measures barred the “reporting or spreading of information regarding Covid-19 which is untrue and may cause public fear, as well as deliberate distortion of information which causes misunderstanding and hence affects peace and order or public morals.” The decree empowered authorities to (1) order journalists and media groups to “correct” reports deemed incorrect and (2) to pursue charges against journalists under the Computer Crimes Act, with five-year prison penalties for violations.

Whistleblowers have faced retaliatory lawsuits and intimidation by the Thai authorities after they reported alleged corruption related to hoarding and profiteering of surgical masks and medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some medical staff were also threatened with disciplinary action for speaking out about shortages of essential supplies needed to treat Covid-19.

There has been widespread public debate over the introduction of an ‘anti-fake news regulation.’ The debate has centered on whether the regulation would restrict media freedom, which is protected under the Constitution. The controversies around the regulate likely resulted in the suspension of the regulation on August 9, 2021 (although there may be further changes). For more information, see the Pending NGO Legislative/Regulatory Initiatives above in this report.

Barriers to International Contact

There are no formal restrictions on the ability of CSOs to contact and cooperate with colleagues in civil society, business, and government sectors within or outside the country, apart from the speech and internet restrictions mentioned in the previous section.

Barriers to Resources

There are no special restrictions or rules for domestic CSOs to receive foreign funding.

Associations and foundations, particularly those having charitable purposes, face restrictions on income-generating activities (Civil and Commercial Code, Section 78). While permitted to engage in economic activities, associations and foundations must dedicate most or all of their revenue to the promotion of social welfare and benefits. Moreover, there may be restrictions on the type of economic activity; for example, a foundation dedicated to helping rice farmers is not permitted to open a coffee shop. Therefore, most foundations rely heavily on grants and donations, and some of them separately establish a for-profit organization, such as a company.

By contrast, CSOs that register as cooperatives, social enterprises, or community enterprises are considered to be a hybrid between a non-profit and for-profit organization, which means they are less restricted in making a profit. For example, a social enterprise is characterized by its ability to generate revenue but is subject to spending limitations. Social enterprises must use most of their revenue for reinvestment or social or community benefit; investors or shareholders are entitled to no more than 30% of the profit. Section 5(3) of the Social Enterprise Act, for example, states that “At least 70% of profits must be reinvested for the objectives mentioned in Section 5(1) and not over 30% can be shared among shareholders. This reinvestment is for social benefit.” While cooperatives are typically established to serve the welfare of their members, social enterprises that are established as cooperatives must be more oriented to social or community benefits rather than those of only their members.

The perception of increasing risks of the misuse of CSO funding for money laundering and terrorism, however, has led the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to receive authorization to request any relevant CSO documents, suspend any suspected CSO transactions, and enter the premises of any CSO under Section 16/1 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 1999, so long as the AMLO has “sufficient evidence.” Under the Thaksin government, Thai editors and journalists purportedly faced fabricated investigations by the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

Barriers to Assembly

Section 44 of the Constitution protects freedom of peaceful assembly, stating that “a person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble peacefully and without arms” and that “the restriction of such liberty under paragraph one shall not be imposed except by virtue of a provision of law enacted for the purpose of maintaining security of the State, public safety, public order or good morals, or for protecting the rights and liberties of other persons.”

Public assemblies are regulated by the Public Assembly Act, B.E. 2558 (2015) (Thai). The Act makes a distinction between public assemblies and other types of gatherings, such as religious gatherings and gatherings within educational institutions. A public assembly is defined as an assembly of individuals in a public place, which may amount to a demonstration. The text of the law does not leave room for excessive government discretion. The law was published in the Royal Gazette and has been generally publicized in other sources. In addition, a number of legal websites and NGOs have provided interpretation/explanation of the law to ensure public understanding, including tcijthai.com, ilaw.or.th, cpg-online.de (see also here), and tlhr.com.

Advance Notification and Permission

Assembly organizers must provide the police with advance notification of an assembly in a public place at least 24 hours beforehand. (Public Assembly Act, Section 10) The notification does not amount to a request for permission to hold the assembly; instead, police are notified so they can make necessary preparations to facilitate the event. The Public Assembly Act authorizes fines for failure to notify the police of an assembly in advance.

If the assembly will move in a procession between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM, i.e., during the night, then the organizers must seek and secure permission. (Public Assembly Act, Section 16(8))

Other requirements primarily involve protection for public peace and order, for example a prohibition on activities, including delivering speeches, with amplifiers from midnight until 6:00 AM, and on activities causing undue inconvenience to members of the public. The law also permits those who suffer adverse impacts or damages from the assembly to lodge a complaint with the court to order an end to the gathering. (Public Assembly Act, Section 21)

Emergency Situations

The Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005) potentially limits freedom of assembly, as it provides for the introduction of “urgent measures” in the case of emergency situations. In practice, its use has been limited to Thailand’s Deep South, which has been plagued with continuing unrest and separatist violence.

In October 2020, the Prime Minister declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, asserting that escalating protests by pro-democracy groups contravened the law and the constitution, caused disturbances, undermined measures to curtail Covid-19, and harmed national security and public safety.

In August 2021, further lockdown regulations (Issue 30) took effect. They state:

• It is prohibited for any person throughout the country to leave their dwelling places from the time of 21.00hrs to 04.00hrs of the following day (effective until August 31, 2021).
• Cross-province travel is prohibited particularly to/from restricted areas (Red Zone).
• Public gatherings of more than 5 people are prohibited in the Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces. Certain gatherings (e.g., a protest) may be permitted with the approval of the Governor of Bangkok and other provinces according to the different restricted zones. However, the National Security Council (NSC), which functions as the operations unit of the government’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) can intervene, inspect and stop the gatherings.
• Construction sites and worker camps in risky areas particularly in Bangkok and Greater Bangkok have been sealed off under the Bubble and Seal measure.
• Department stores, shopping malls, and community malls are allowed to open until 20.00hrs, and only for supermarkets, pharmacies and medical supplies, and vaccination centres. Restaurants and eateries in shopping malls or similar venues can open for delivery services only up until 20.00hrs.
• Exceptions apply to those involving in COVID-19 situations and healthcare sector.

Quarantine rules: From May 1, 2021, all arrivals in Thailand regardless of their country of origin or vaccination status will be quarantined for 14 days. No quarantine schemes of “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” are alternative options for travelers.

Lastly, hundreds of protesters have also been arrested in anti-government protests related to the worsening coronavirus crisis and other government policies in summer 2021. Police have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to break up several of the recent demonstrations.

Policing/Enforcement

There have been repeated incidents of the state using force to break up public assemblies. For instance, in 2010, assemblies turned violent, with evidence of some assembly participants using weapons. The Armed Forces were called in to restore order, resulting in 87 deaths (79 civilians and 8 soldiers). More recently, in November 2020, ongoing pro-democracy protests were forcibly cleared, with at least 55 people injured when police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters.

While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change.  If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.

Key Events

There are no recent key events to report.

General News

Media ethics bill is suspect (March 2022)
On January 11, 2022, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft Act on Media Ethics and Professional Standards, which will be up for parliamentary debate and approval. In principle, it claims to support self-regulation by media professionals. But civil society members still have concerns over it becoming another tool for state censorship.

Ex-red shirt boss seeks Amnesty ban (November 2021)
A former red-shirt leader is backing a key government figure’s call to have the human rights watchdog Amnesty International banned in Thailand. Anon Saennan, the ex-leader of the protest group Red-Shirt Villages of Thailand but still a member, said the group will launch a campaign to pressure the group to stop operating in the kingdom. The move came after Seksakol Atthawong, an assistant minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the human rights group should be expelled from the country.

Pro-monarchy group to rally against Amnesty (November 2021)
A group of Thai citizens claiming to protect the monarchy plans to rally in front of Government House on November 25 to demand that Amnesty International cease its operations in Thailand. The group, led by Noppadol Prompasit, revealed to the public a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha calling for the government to conduct an investigation into Amnesty International Thailand to determine whether its activities could be regarded as a threat to national security and the royal institution.

Protests call to kick out Thai PM on coup anniversary (September 2021)
Hundreds of protesters drove through Bangkok’s streets to mark the 15th anniversary of a military coup that removed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire ex-leader – now living in self-exile – has remained a prominent figure in the country’s politics since the military deposed his government on September 19, 2006. Scrutiny of the government increased after a new COVID-19 wave in April snowballed.

Immediately Repeal Emergency Regulation that Threatens Online Freedoms (August 2021)
17 international human rights organizations denounced the Thai government’s newly announced Regulation No. 29, which empowers the authorities to censor online expression, and investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for communications that may “instigate fear.” The Regulation is the government’s latest attack on the right to freedom of expression and information in Thailand. The terms “fear”, “security”, “public order” and “good morals” used in the Regulation are vague and overbroad.

Civil rights activist contests new version of NGO bill (March 2021)
A civil rights activist is accusing Thailand’s cabinet of revising a law without gaining the public’s input. The new version of the bill, which is intended to dictate transparency in the promotion and development of civil society organisations, includes the words “non‐profit,” while the original version did not. The bill is also supposed to provide oversight of NGOs that may receive financial assistance from overseas sources.

The foregoing information was collected by ICNL’s CFM partner in [Country Name].