Once again, Thailand deemed ‘not free’ by Freedom House

Thailand continues to be designated “not free” in the latest report by U.S. group that monitors democracy and free expression worldwide.

Freedom House gave Thailand 30 of 100 points, behind Kuwait, Pakistan, and Nigeria, assigning low marks for its two factors of political and rights and civil liberties. Overall, the ranking found cause for a slight bump over last year’s score of 29.

“The combination of democratic deterioration and frustrations over the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s governance triggered massive demonstrations in 2020 and 2021. In response, the regime has employed authoritarian tactics, including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, and harassment of activists. Press freedom is constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against activists,” the report wrote.

It gave…