Thailand ‘unaffected by US report’
Foreign minister Don Pramudwinai on March 5 said the US 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices will not effect Thailand even though the annual report criticised the ruling junta for curbing rights and freedoms in the Kingdom. “The report does criticise the current limited freedom of assembly and a future election,” the minister said. “However, it also praises our progress on gender equality promotion, combating trafficking in persons and lifting the prosecutions of civilians under military jurisdiction.” US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has yet to speak about the report, which was released on March 4. Don said that was because human rights was not the only agenda item on the table and the release of the report was routine.
