General Prayut Chan-ocha Prime Minister of Government House Pitsanulok Road, Dusit Bangkok 10300 Thailand

February 16, 2017

Re: Ongoing detention of peaceful student-activist Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa

Your Excellency:

I write again on behalf of the Scholars at Risk Network to express concern over the continued imprisonment of Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa, a Khon Kaen University law student and activist, based on non-violent expressive activity.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network of over 450 universities and colleges in 34 countries dedicated to promoting academic freedom and its constituent freedoms of thought, opinion, expression, association and travel. In cases like that of Mr. Boonpattararaksa, involving alleged infringement of these freedoms, Scholars at Risk intervenes in hopes of clarifying and resolving matters favorably.

SAR last wrote on January 15, 2017, in regards to Mr. Boonpattararaksa’s detention and his application for bail. We understand that on February 10, 2017, Mr. Boonpattararaksa’s application for bail was denied and that he was formally indicted on charges of lèse majesté and violation of Article 14 of the 2007 Computer Crime Act, which criminalizes the “importation of illegal computer content.” The charges are reportedly connected to a BBC Thai article about King Rama X which he shared over Facebook on December 2, 2016. Although this article was reportedly reposted by more than 2,500 others, we understand that only Mr. Boonpattararaksa was charged with a crime for doing so.

We welcome any additional information that may explain these events or clarify our understandings. Absent this, the facts as described suggest that Mr. Boonpattararaksa was arrested and detained as a result of nonviolent exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and academic freedom – conduct that is expressly protected under international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a party. The arrest and detention of a student in connection with such activity raises serious concerns about protection for academic freedom and the higher education space in Thailand.

SAR therefore respectfully urges you to direct the appropriate authorities to release and drop any charges against Mr. Boonpattararaksa arising out of the non-violent exercise of the rights to expression, association, or academic freedom; and that the case against him otherwise proceeds in a manner consistent with Thailand’s obligations under international law.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter and look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Robert Quinn Executive Director cc:

The Honorable Don Pramudwinai Minister of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Ayudhya Road Bangkok 10400, Thailand Email: [email protected] Fax: +662 643-5320

Pol. Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan Khet Pathum Wan Bangkok 10330, Thailand Fax: +662 205-3738

Pol. Sub. Lt. Pongniwat Yuthaphunboripahn Deputy Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General The Government Complex Building B 120 Moo 3 Chaengwattana Road, Thoongsonghong, Laksi Bangkok 10210, Thailand Email: [email protected] Fax: +662 1439-546

The Honorable What Tingsamitr Chairman of National Human Rights Commission The Government Complex Building B 120 Moo 3 Chaengwattana Road Thoongsonghong, Laksi Bangkok 10210, Thailand E-mail: [email protected]

Pol. Cap. Withoon Pengbuppha Bang Sao Thaong Police Station Bang Sao Thong District Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand Fax: +662 3134-119

Khon Kaen Provincial Court Na Sun Ratchakan Road Nai Muang Muang Khon Kaen Khon Kaen 40000 Thailand Fax: +66 4323-5496 Email: [email protected]

The Honorable Rex W. Tillerson United States Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Fax: +1 202-647-1579

The Honorable Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10, Email: [email protected] Fax: +41 22-917-9220