The recent disappearance of Mr. Khean (widely known as Bao Mo Khean) has raised alarms in Laos. Evidence suggests he was under intense pressure and threats from authorities and anonymous individuals prior to his disappearance. He's been receiving regular threats through pro-government facebook anonymous accounts (see this FB account for example). The family of the disappeared Lao critic issued an urgent public appeal on the night of 17 February, calling on anyone with infor

On 13 February, a self-proclaimed spiritual healer known as “Lung Sanom” from Angthong, Central Thailand 🇹🇭 was caught sexually harassing several women who sought him out for healing. But what is equally disturbing is the wave of victim-blaming that followed. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲: first through the shaman who exploited them, then by the public who blamed them for their beliefs. Instead of holding the perpetr

จากกรณีข่าวสะเทือนใจที่เกิดขึ้น เมื่อผู้ที่อ้างตัวว่าเป็นผู้มีวิชาอาคม หรือที่รู้จักกันในนาม ”ลุงสนม“ ได้ใช้ความศรัทธาและความเปราะบางของสภาพจิตใจเหยื่อมาเป็นเครื่องมือ บิดเบือนคำสอนและความเชื่อเรื่องการปัดเป่าสิ่งชั่วร้าย ให้กลายเป็นช่องว่างในการ ”ล่วงละเมิดทางเพศ“ เหตุการณ์นี้ไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องของอาชญากรรมทางเพศทั่วไป แต่มันคือการ ”ทำลายความศรัทธา“ อย่างรุนแรงที่สุด 🚩 ทำไมความเชื่อถึงถูกใช้เป็นเครื่องมือ? การสร้างสภาวะจำยอม: ผู้กระทำมักอ้าง ”พิธีกรรม“ หรือ ”อาถรรพ์“ เพื่อสร้าง

🇹🇭 The People of Thailand are enraged ‼️ After the Election Commission denies the recount petition in Chon Buri arguing “lack of corruption evidence”, youth leaders organized a multi-sectoral protest in front of the Bangkok Art & Culture Center. Once again, the EC chooses to be conveniently blind to numerous election-related violations in what is now widely considered as “the most corrupt national elections in Thailand’s history”. As young feminist defender Pim clamours, Do

Multiple things can be true at once: We can respect what Valentine’s Day means to many… while also questioning how capitalism has co-opted love and shaped today’s culture of dating and partnership into something performative, exclusionary, and transactional. On a day that often pressures people to prove their worth through consumption, coupledom, and conformity to cis/heteronormative scripts, we hold space for those who feel excluded. So if you spent today alone, working, hea

📲 Can you imagine showing your face & ID just to keep your social media account? That’s what the Philippines and Thailand are pushing for with mandatory social media account verification. While promises of “online safety” and “battling disinformation” look good on paper, we must treat it for what this truly is: an extension of state surveillance and a deliberate attack on political freedoms. As Manushya Foundation’s Digital Rights Advisor Jean Linis-Dinco highlights in our b

For years, human rights defenders (HRDs) and communities in Laos have been silenced for speaking truth to power through intimidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and violence. Their struggles were ignored, denied, or deliberately erased. Today, many Lao HRDs continue this struggle from exile , facing transnational repression  through surveillance, threats, intimidation of family members, and cross-border attacks aimed at silencing their advocacy. These patte

Experienced election fraud in your voting precinct? Take power back. Report it now! 🗳️ A public complaint desk has been set up to compile cases and submit them to the Elections Commission (EC). If they won’t do their job, the people will. If you witnessed intimidation, irregularities, blocked access, vote manipulation, or other election violations, don’t let it disappear into silence. Demand justice! ✊ Report election-related violations here: bit.ly/RecountNow #WeAreManushya

Today, Thai citizens across different generations and backgrounds came together to stage an election protest in front of the Elections Commission (EC) Headquarters. Led by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration who also spearheaded the historic youth protests in 2020. ‼️ Their demand: A recount from the controversy-filled national elections where a party led by military coup supporters supposedly dominated. 🔥 EC stated they will come out with a decision in 2 days. B

Manushya Foundation’s Digital Rights Advisor Jean Linis-Dinco warns that social media account verification pushes in the Philippines and Thailand risk turning “online safety” into a gateway for expanded surveillance and repression. “Civil societies that play with the idea of breaking anonymity in order to solve the problem of misinformation are rehearsing a dangerous illusion. Once the doors have opened, no amount of ‘guardrails’ will stop the expansion of surveillance. ” In

🔎 All Eyes on the Supreme Court: A critical moment for democracy and freedom of expression ⚠️ Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is moving forward with an ethics case against 44 former Move Forward MPs (now People’s Party), in connection with their past sponsorship of a proposal to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code (Lèse-Majesté). [This is an ongoing case] If the case proceeds to the Supreme Court and is accepted, those accused could face severe polit

Our Manushya on-the-ground reporter Pipaw asked defenders at our UPR Capacity and Movement-Building Workshop in Khon Kaen and shares simple joys that keep the spirit strong. ✨ นักกิจกรรมในภาคอีสานดูแลกายและใจของตัวเองกันอย่างไร? 🪷 มาฟังเรื่องราวจากผู้สื่อข่าวภาคสนามของเรา ทีมManushya ✨ This weekend’s gentle healing ideas: 🥓 Thai BBQ - because good food feeds both your belly and your heart 🌳 A walk in the park - nature has a quiet way of restoring us 🌬️ Letting go - happin

Debunking dangerous myths that keep the reality of Female Genital Mutilation hidden in Southeast Asia On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C), we stand in solidarity with survivors and communities challenging this grave human rights violation. It is happening prominently across Southeast Asia, far more than official date and governments reveal. 🌏 An estimated 80 million women and girls in Asia have undergone some form of F

People with disabilities are an important part of our society. Still, their needs are too often ignored in daily life, and even more in politics.   Before choosing who to vote for, take a moment to see which political parties truly support inclusive policies.   👉 Our friends at Disabilities Thailand have broken it down clearly. Learn more about each party’s disability policies at https://bit.ly/DisabilityRightsTHElex   📅 8 Feb, use your voice and take power back. Vote for a

In a week marked by what many call the most corrupt national elections in the country’s history, people in Thailand turned out and voted Yes to replace the 2017 Constitution, a charter born from military junta rule. THAT’S People Power and resistance! The overwhelming YES vote is a clear declaration from the people: We are tired of politics controlled by dynasties, junta-linked leaders, and elite interests. We need a Constitution BY the People, FOR the People NOW! 🔥 ⚖️ 𝗧𝗵�