Terrorism and Civil Liberties in Thailand: Legal Definitions and Democratic Implications under the Criminal Code

Abstract

          This article explores the complex relationship between the right to public assembly and the legal definition of terrorism, with a particular focus on the Criminal Code of Thailand. It investigates into how large-scale public demonstrations, aimed at influencing government policies or demanding political change, can disrupt public infrastructure and be construed as acts of terrorism. The ambiguity surrounding the definition of terrorism in both international and Thai law poses significant challenges to civil liberties, especially freedom of expression. Through case studies of major political rallies in Thailand over the past decade, the article examines the Thai legal framework's. interpretation of terrorism, highlighting Supreme Court rulings and the perspectives of Thai criminal justice agencies. It also compares the definitions of terrorism adopted by the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing the need for a clearer and more precise definition that aligns with international human rights standards. The article argues that treating political protests as terrorism undermines democratic principles and human rights and calls for a refined legal definition that distinguishes between legitimate public assembly and genuine acts of terrorism.