Thailand's media is receiving support from friends in the region and human rights agencies after receiving orders to refrain from criticising coup-makers.
The Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) created a Facebook page called "Message for Thai Media" yesterday to show its support for the Thai press.
Netizens are asked to write in comments, essays, or poems; post drawings, photos, selfies, or videos; share notes, experiences, and links to show concern and boost journalists' morale.
Messages in English or native Asean languages were encouraged.
The Thai media is expected to respond to the tributes.
"This thread will be moderated, to guard against hate speech, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, or incitement to violence," the SEAPA said.
The SEAPA encouraged journalists and non-journalists to share the campaign with friends and encourage them to post something.
The Myanmar Journalists Association yesterday expressed deep concern about restrictions on the Thai press, referring to "the infringement of the freedom of the press following the military coup in Thailand".
The association also appealed to the Thai military to restore freedom of the press by lifting restrictions on Thai journalists and ceasing arbitrary arrests.
The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission also expressed concern, saying human rights protections have fallen away since the coup.
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), a legal aid centre, was also launched yesterday.
It aims to provide legal advice, and increase legal and human rights knowledge — including understanding of orders issued under the declaration of martial law — nationwide.
"As more orders are issued, including lists of summoned persons that need to report [to the coup-makers] at designated times and places, and a number of persons were deprived of their liberty by being arrested, searched and detained under martial law, these operations have caused confusion, misunderstanding and misinterpretation.
"Ordinary persons might not understand their human rights and the complicated legal procedures under martial law and coup orders," said TLHR.
Those affected should contact TLHR using their hotline and email address to send complaints and ask questions.
TLHR also intends to compile a list of notable cases and trends, and to observe trials if possible.
The National Human Rights Commission has also assigned the sub-committee on civil and political rights chaired by Niran Pitakwatchara to work with related agencies.
The NHRC will continue to work to ensure its article 15 law on protecting the rights of the people is being upheld.
"It’s not an investigation or examination of how the military is carrying out its job, it’s just communication as the NHRC has not been dissolved and we still have to do our job and abide by international human rights treaties,” said Dr Niran.
He said there were three issues now — the detention of those who might think differently or are implicated in lese majeste cases; the detention of those who violate the martial law; and the detention of those who are summoned to report to NCPO headquarters.
Dr Niran said initial requests submitted by the NHRC to the NCPO were to inform relatives of the whereabouts of detainees, to set up a centre to dispense information about detentions, and to provide medical care for those with health conditions or disabilities.
Also, if detainees are held under martial law beyond the seven-day limit, the NCPO must release or charge them, according to the Criminal Code.