Over 270 individuals have faced criminal charges since 2020, with some serving up to 50 years, following a trend that originated from the 2014 military coup in Thailand. The country has also seen a rise in a “swap mart”, where critics seeking refuge overseas are exchanged by regional governments.
Instances include the kidnapping of a Vietnamese blogger who sought refugee status in Bangkok, the arrest of a Malaysian LGBT rights activist, and the killing of a Laotian democracy advocate. Thai authorities have also detained Chinese dissidents and refugees, potentially under Beijing’s request, and almost deported a Bahraini football player with refugee status.
Moreover, Thai activists have disappeared or been killed in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, with a notable case in 2015 where two activists were found dead in the Mekong river. Despite these challenges, there’s hope for change under the new coalition government that took office last year.
Transnational repression and forced return of exiled dissidents have intensified, prompting calls for a shift in approach to protect human rights in the region.
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