Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Prison labour. 1. The Committee noted previously that, under section 18 of the Criminal Code B.E. 2499 (1956), penalties to be imposed on offenders comprise imprisonment and detention, and under section 25, paragraph 2, a detainee shall perform work in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable at the place of his detention. The Committee noted that the Penitentiary Act B.E. 2479 (1936), the Act on Confinement Procedures under Criminal Code B.E. 2506 (1963) and the Act on the Rules of Practice on Relegation under the Criminal Code B.E. 2510 (1967) were still in force. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide information on measures taken, and a copy of any regulations adopted, pursuant to section 5 of Act B.E. 2506 (1963) and section 5 of Act B.E. 2510 as concerns work, education and training.

Article 1(a) of the Convention. 2. In its previous comments, the Committee has referred to the following provisions of the Criminal Code B.E. 2499 (1956): section 116 (advocating change of the laws of the Kingdom or causing disorder or disaffection among the people); sections 209 to 213 (dealing with secret societies and criminal associations); sections 207, 215 and 216 (dealing with unlawful assemblies); and section 384 (alarming the public by circulating false reports). The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the practical application of these provisions.

The Committee noted previously the Government's statement that few cases had been filed under section 116 and no case involving other sections had been noted. The Committee notes the information on a case under section 116 provided by the Government in its latest report. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to provide information on the practical application of the above-mentioned provisions.

3. The Committee has noted the provisions of the Political Party Act B.E. 2524 (1981) such as amended in 1992, a copy of which was sent by the Government with its report. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the practical application of section 47(1) and (2) under which a court may order the dissolution of a political party for taking actions which may be contrary to the democratic system of government or may be a threat to national security or be against laws, peace or good order or good morals of the population (including the number of, and grounds for, dissolution ordered by the court, and on any penal sanctions imposed under section 52 of the Act).

4. The Committee hopes that the Government will provide information on the practical application of the following provisions of the Press Act B.E. 2484 (1941) to which the Committee referred previously: section 62 (publishing of any matter relating to international political affairs, where such publication has been prohibited by the police in the interests of public order) and section 63 (publishing any matter which contravenes a censorship order imposed in case of declaration of a state of emergency).

5. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any prohibitions made under sections 8 and 9 of the Emergency Administration Act, 1952, regarding public meetings and the expression of opinions.