Govt reluctant to embrace UN advice on civil and political rights pending study

Some of the suggestions needed further study before they could be accepted, permanent secretary Chanchao Chaiyanukij told a press conference.
Out of 249 recommendations, 181 were admissible, said Chanchao, who led the delegation to defend the Kingdom’s human rights record before the UN’s Human Rights Council.
But, the remaining 68 suggestions had not yet been accepted because they involved the lese majeste law, human rights limitations, trials of civilians in military courts, computer crime laws and abolishment of the death penalty.
The acknowledged recommendations, which the government can implement without hesitation, are related to education, public health and the protection of the vulnerable, namely children, the disabled and ethnic groups.
That guidance would be proposed to the Cabinet for approval. The results would be reported to the HRC at its 33rd session in September.
During the review, other countries raised concerns over freedom of expression, right to assemble, arbitrary detention and inclusive debates on the August referendum on the draft charter.
However, the delegation explained the necessity of the country to act the way it did.
The international community also appreciated some other issues that Thailand was able to deal with.
In a video documenting the review proceedings, the media were shown that after the session, representatives from 20 countries came over to shake hands with the Thai delegation and praised its achievements.
The review was just a regular protocol with all countries, which Thailand had to attend. However, it was not so “intense”, like in the past, he added.