As their ap plications for bail have been repeatedly denied by the Court , it has become clear that the lives of activists have become secondary to the social norm of remaining completely silent on the sensitive topic of monarchical reform.
The trials and tribulations of human rights defenders in Thailand have shed additional light on an unsustainable, protracted national crisis. The physical, political, and legal space for human rights defenders, political activists and supporting institutions has nearly evaporatedβand their environment grows more bleak with each passing moment.
While the current focus remains on university-age protest leaders languishing behind bars, the intimidation of secondary school protesters should not be forgotten. Late last year, police officers were deployed to schools to intimidate students who took part in pro-democracy protests.
School officials were pressured to punish students who wore white ribbons on their backpacks or who flashed the three-finger salute in solidarity with their older counterparts. Police went as far as to pressure the families of students to force them to cease their activities and teachers were ordered to monitor their students for their political views and activities.
While these practices have seen diminished attention due to a decline in the number of pro-democracy protesters, intimidation measures against high school students are likely to continue.
