Thailand
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
33 / 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom
39 / 100
Not Free
While its 2023 elections were comparatively open and competitive, Thailand's leading opposition party, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate. Press freedom remains constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against activists.
Research & Recommendations
Thailand
Not Free
33
100
| PR Political Rights | 11 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 22 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
34
100
Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Following five years of direct military rule, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semielected government in 2019. While 2023 elections were comparatively open and competitive, the leading opposition party, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate and subsequently dissolved by the Constitutional Court. The second-largest opposition group, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), entered government in coalition with several military-aligned parties, but two successive PTP prime ministers were removed by the same court over alleged ethics violations in 2024 and 2025, signaling the continued dominance of the country’s unelected institutions. Press freedom remains constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against civic activists.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Thailand
Not Free
39
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 17 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 14 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 8 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
39
100
Not Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Political Overview
Following five years of direct military rule, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semielected government in 2019. Protests calling for further democratic reform in 2020 and 2021 prompted authorities to use repressive tactics including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, and harassment. While 2023 elections were comparatively open and competitive, the leading opposition party, Move Forward, was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate and subsequently dissolved by the Constitutional Court. The second-largest opposition group, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), entered government in coalition with several military-aligned parties, but its initial prime minister was later removed by the same court over an alleged ethics violation, signaling the continued dominance of the country’s unelected institutions. Press freedom remains constrained, due process is not guaranteed, and there is impunity for crimes committed against activists.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
For decades, Thailand has served as a haven for people escaping war and political repression in countries throughout Southeast Asia and the broader region. However, protection for individuals from foreign governments in Thailand is limited and ad hoc.
Policy Recommendations: Transnational Repression
Raising awareness about the threat of transnational repression.
Like-minded governments and international organizations should work together to highlight the threat of transnational repression and establish international norms for addressing it.
Limiting the ability of perpetrators to commit transnational repression.
This includes agreeing on a common definition of transnational repression, and prohibiting the use of Interpol notices on their own to deny immigration or asylum benefits or conduct arrests.
Bringing accountability for acts of transnational repression.
Among other tactics, governments should deploy a robust strategy for targeted sanctions against perpetrators of transnational repression.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
33
/ 100
Not Free
Freedom on the Net Score
39
/ 100
Not Free
Population: 71,700,000
Internet Facts
Status
Not Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
Yes
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
May 14, 2023
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
69.72%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
30
/ 100
Transnational Repression
STATUS
HOST COUNTRY
KEY ORIGIN STATES:
Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam
BEST PRACTICES
Cooperation with UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Responsive to pressure from civil society about incidents
