On 4 March 2017 (Thailand’s time) Department of State of the United States of America released the 2016 edition of the Country Reports on Human Reports Practices which is an annual report submitted to the Congress as mandated by the Foreign Assistance Act 1961.

The 2016 edition of the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices is the 41st edition since its inception.  It covers 195 countries in 6 continents.  The Secretary of State’s preface stresses the importance of promoting human rights and democratic governance which is a core element of the United States foreign policy. The preface also states that these values form an essential foundation of global stability and security.  This report is a demonstration of the United States’ unwavering commitment to advancing liberty, human dignity, and global prosperity.

In the section on Thailand, the report refers to both progress and limitations of the situations in the same manner as it covers more than 190 other countries. Some limitations included in this year’s report for instance, limits to freedom of assembly and political expression as well as the situation in the southern border provinces resemble those in the last year’s report. As for progress, the report records advancement in several areas such as gender equality, combating trafficking in persons, and lifting of prosecution of civilian under military jurisdiction.

In response to this report, the Thai side wishes to provide information and opinion as follows:

1. The Government is committed to the implementation of the roadmap towards achieving sustained democracy, social harmony and lasting stability. The country is currently at the second phase of the three-stage roadmap. Laws and orders that have been issued by virtue of the Interim Constitution has the objectives of preserving public order and solving problems that have been long overdue and could not otherwise be addressed with ordinary legislation. Nonetheless, the Government exercises this power only when necessary, with prudence and for the best interest of the nation. These actions have received wide-spread support from various sectors across the country.

2. Regarding the Government’s efforts in addressing the situation in the southern border provinces along the policy of ‘understand, reach out and develop’, the overall situation in the southern border provinces has much improved with the number of violent incidents continues to decrease. To bring about sustainable peace, the Government pursues dialogue with those of differing views from the State. It is an inclusive process that involves all stakeholders. While it is still at the confidence-building stage and the process will take some time, there have been positive developments to be taken note of.

The report is an exercise carried out unilaterally by the United States of America to present the situation in Thailand from an outside perspective. Many of the concerns, statistics and case studies cited in the report come from unidentified or unverified sources. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage with the United States Embassy for further clarifications and updates on human rights development in Thailand.