​In this submission, Manushya Foundation, IWNT, The Green World Network, Sab Wai Villagers, Phichit Villagers, Ka Boe Din Villagers, the Network of People Affected by the Pak Mun Dam, The Patani RESOURCE, The Saiburi River Youth Network, HomeNet Thailand, Young Pride Foundation, Empower, The Women Workers for Justice Group, MWG and the Thai CSOs Coalition for the UPR examines Thailand’s failure to ensure corporate accountability and uphold human rights in the context of business activities, in light of recommendations accepted during the third UPR cycle (2021). It focuses on the rights of marginalised communities affected by business operations and trade agreements, the right to public participation, and the protection of human rights defenders.

 

During the third UPR cycle, Thailand received and supported four recommendations addressing its business and human rights (BHR) legal framework, including calls to align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to adopt mandatory human rights due diligence measures (51.56-51.59). Despite these commitments, implementation remains partial and largely ineffective in practice. Crucially, no recommendations addressed the environmental impacts of business activities, despite ongoing cases of water contamination affecting communities across Thailand, as detailed in this submission. In addition, Thailand supported a recommendation on access to justice, including for Indigenous women, yet has persistently failed to implement it since the last review. These gaps reflect a pattern of weak enforcement and systemic inaction, allowing corporate impunity to persist.

 

Serious concerns arise regarding Thailand’s flawed process in drafting the Promotion of Responsible Business Conduct Bill, as well as its failure to meet international human rights standards. Business activities and development projects disproportionately benefit the wealthy, the economic elites, while often causing significant harm to the environment and local communities, driven by the absence of, or inadequate, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and the lack of meaningful community participation in decision-making processes. The adverse impacts of business activities on communities continue to be overlooked by the State, which prioritises large-scale development projects over the rights and wellbeing of affected populations. In parallel, violations of workers’ rights persist, alongside the continued criminalisation of sex workers. Access to effective remedy for environmental harm remains severely limited, leaving affected communities without justice or redress.

​

This submission demonstrates that business activities and development projects in Thailand are not conducted in a sustainable manner, resulting in widespread human rights violations, as outlined below:

​

• Section 2 discusses the Lack of Legal Framework to Regulate Business Activities.

• Section 3 discusses the Systemic Failures in Environmental Impact Assessments.

• Section 4 discusses the Adverse Impacts of Business Activities on Communities.

• Section 5 discusses the Criminalisation of Environmental Human Rights Defenders.

• Section 6 discusses the Systemic Violations of Labour Rights.

• Section 7 discusses the Criminalisation and Marginalisation of Sex Workers.

• Section 8 discusses the Lack of Effective Remedy and Fair Compensation.

• Section 9 provides Recommendations.