Thailand

On 10–11 September, hearings took place in the case of Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, the Thai activist and conscientious objector who is on trial for refusing military service. Netiwit’s case is the first legal challenge in Thailand addressing conscientious objection.

We, the undersigned organisations, express our strong support for Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, Thailand’s first public conscientious objector, who faces trial at the Provincial Court of Samut Prakan on 10–11 September 2025. Netiwit’s refusal to serve, first declared as a teenager after the Thai military seized power in 2014, is a matter of conscience. His refusal is not only a deeply personal act of conscience, but also a stance that international law recognises and protects.

A recent report, "I’ll Never Feel Secure: Undocumented and Exploited Myanmar Nationals in Thailand", by Human Rights Watch, highlights the struggles of Myanmar nationals in Thailand, many of whom fled forced military conscription under the 2024 National Service Law and continue to face severe human rights violations.

On the occasion of International Conscientious Objection Day, we are sharing the voices of conscientious objectors from around the world — individuals who have taken a stand against war and militarism by refusing to serve in the armed forces.

The following list includes individuals who have been imprisoned for their nonviolent resistance to war and conscientious objection to military service.

On 5th April, Thai conscientious objector and human rights activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal declared his conscientious objection in front of a military conscription centre in Samut Prakarn province, openly stating his beliefs instead of complying with a call-up. Connection e.V., War Resisters’ International, the Movement for Conscientious Objectors, Conscientious Objection Watch, New Profile and World Without War are calling for conscientious objection to be fully recognised in Thailand.

Water cannon produced by the South Korean company Jino Motors has been photographed being used against pro-democracy protesters in Thailand.

The latest issue of our newsletter CO Update is out! In this issue, you'll find stories on conscientious objection and conscription from Ukraine,Turkey, Eritrea, Germany, USA, Azerbaijan, Thailand, among others.

On 7th May, student activist and conscientious objector Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal shared an internal police report from 2018 on his Twitter account, according to which he got engaged in ‘unsuitable behaviour’ and he cannot be in the Youth Board of Amnesty International Thailand.

I am a conscientious objector; this means I will not take part in conscription or government required military service in Thailand. Military rule has dominated Thai society, not only now but also for a long time, and its power increases every year. However the Thai army is a joke for people around the world.

Since 2008, the Klong Sai Pattana community in Thailand have been resisting the encroachment of a large palm oil company - Jiew Kang Jue Pattana Co Ltd. The company has illegally occupied and cultivated palm oil trees, and the community believes it is behind escalating violence that has led to a number of deaths, in a campaign of intimidation they believe is being waged to drive them from the land.