Bangkok, Thailand-
The Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to a declaration by some US Senators asking the Thai Government to respect freedom of speech and assembly this week.
The statement, which was led by Thai-American senator Ladda Tammy Duckworth, was according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not an official declaration or resolution and came from a small group of senators.
Mr. Tanee Sangrat, who is the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to the statements saying that the senators in question had likely been given misguided information and did not have a full picture of the situation.
The Thai Government has stressed that peaceful assembly is allowed but must not violate existing laws and follow proper regulations and rules. They have stated those who have been charged have broken laws and were not demonstrating peaceful assembly.
Protests have been heated and controversial in Thailand over the past several months especially around one particular demand of protesters asking for reform of the highest institution. Protesters are also asking for Thailand’s lese majeste law which protects against insulting the countries monarchy to be repealed.
Multiple protesters, mostly prominent leaders, have been charged with this law over the past several weeks. Some have also been charged with sedition along with other lesser charges.
