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Thailand: Silent No More - Student Organizations from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan Slam Junta's Suppression of Pro-Democracy Movement

Since the military coup on the 22nd May 2014, Thais have been forced to live under the repressive military junta for six years. Prayut's regime has arbitrarily undermined the constitution by persecuting and intimidating pro-democracy activists. Those who made tart remarks on the junta and the royal family could not escape the fate of living in the shadows of these uncontrollable giants.

In February 2020, hundreds of students protested after the Constitutional Court dissolved the Future Forward Party (FFP), a party favoured by Thailand youths. However, further protests halted after the government ordered to shut down the campuses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the evening of the 18th July, the group Free Youth led more than a thousand demonstrators to gather in front of the Democracy Monument. They asked for three core demands which are the dissolution of the parliament, to end intimidation of the people, and the drafting of a new constitution. Later, on 10th August, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, a student group based in Thammasat called for royal reforms. They demanded Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn to reform the monarchy and limit the king's powers.
Thailand may not fully recover from the repercussions of the Covid-19 virus. Yet, Thailand people, in particular the younger generation, understand the fundamental rights of citizens such as the freedom of speech and freedom of the press are hard to come by. The dismantling of a repressive state apparatus is evitable even before the virus can be dissipated. Inspired by The Hunger Games, Thailand students raised their three fingers during the protests to symbolise the three demands of the pro-democracy movement. Streets of Thailand came to live in the middle of the year with people passionately marching on the streets. Moreover, these large-scale rallies are also the first time Thais directly challenged the authority of the royal family since the transition of Siam into modern Thailand.
On 15th October 2020, after tens of thousands protested outside the Bangkok's Government House, the junta declared the state of emergency in Bangkok. In addition to arresting four activist leaders, the state also amended the law to ban gatherings of five or more. The emergency decree also punishes citizens and media outlets who posted relevant information on the radio, television or social media. Besides, the government deployed the police, and they were left unchecked to order, arrest or detain suspected protesters and toss them to prison. They also fired water cannons towards peaceful protestors who were unarmed. Such acts not only suppress the freedom of association and freedom of speech, but it creates an atmosphere of 'white terror' among the Thailand society. Hence, the Malaysian student organisations heavily condemn Thailand's military government for disregarding public opinion and suppressing the democratic movement by force. They run the government office like a whorehouse and treat its people like garbage.
We stand in solidarity with all Thailand people who pursue freedom and democracy. We call on the international community to pay close attention to the situations in Thailand. The Thailand royal family and government have fabricated a myth where all achievements and progress made today must be attributed to the sacred royal family in the past. This also meant that the legitimacy of the government is beyond doubt. However, today’s situation has shown that Thais are not sheep waiting to be slaughtered, and the young will no longer be silent.
Malaysian Student Organization
Regards
List of Malaysian Student Organization:
New Student Movement Alliance of Malaysia
UMANY
Voice of Youtharian
Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution (Malacca HQ)
Gerakan Mahasiswa Maju Universiti Putra Malaysia
Malaysia Youths and Students Evolution (Johor Branch)
New Era University College Student Union
Student Progressive Front UUM
TARANY
Student Unity Front UKM
Youtar
KLSCAH Youth
Gerakan Pembebasan Akademik - GPA
List of Hong Kong Student Organizations:
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Students’ Union
City University of Hong Kong Students’ Union
The Education University of Hong Kong Students’ Union
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Students' Union
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Students’ Union
The Student Union of Hong Kong Shue Yan University
The Open University of Hong Kong Students' Union
Tung Wah College Students’ Union
The Provisional Executive Committee, The Student Union of The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong Baptist University Students’ Union Acting- Executive Committee
The Hong Kong University Students’ Union
Lingnan University Students’ Union
Hong Kong Federation of Students
List of Taiwan Student Organizations:
National Taiwan University Student Association (NTUSA)
National Students' Union of Taiwan (NSUT)
Youth of Malaysia (YOM)




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