The host of the civil society conference to be held in Bangkok next month has given assurances to foreign participants they will not be blocked from entering the country on security grounds.
The Thailand-based People's Empowerment Foundation is holding the Asean Civil Society Conference (ACSC) at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok between Jun 17 and 19.
Foundation representative Chalida Thacharoensak said entry would be trouble-free for participants since the Social Development and Human Security Ministry has agreed to sponsor the meeting.
"They will not be blocked or arrested because we have talked to the government," she said.
Other agencies including the Immigration Bureau and Interior and Foreign ministries are also aware of the event, she added.
Civic groups have expressed concerns over state security measures during the meeting which coincides with the Asean Summit in June.
Participants said they fear becoming targets as authorities may cite a need to keep order to act against them.
National security is a serious issue which can lead to strict monitoring at immigration where "some activists may be blocked", a member of Singapore-based non-governmental organisation warned recently.
The worry is also shared by other NGOs in the 10-country bloc, and many have called for precautionary measures such as deploying lawyers at airports to assist civil advocates and setting up a panel to speak up should authorities behave unreasonably.
"We also need to check whether special branch police who observe the meeting are genuine," said a member of a Malaysian civic group, stressing human rights activists need protection.
A civil advocate from Myanmar said his government would not prevent its people from joining the ACSC but is sensitive to issues involving the Rohingya.
The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority group in Myanmar, many of whom became illegal migrants in Thailand as they tried to escape conflict in their home country.