Thai-led US-based Public Charity “Engage Thailand” Launched to Advance Thai Democracy and Human Rights Internationally
Engage Thailand has officially launched with the mission to advance Thai democracy and human rights at the international level by educating the public, mobilizing the Thai diaspora, and building relationships with international organizations.
On November 4, 2024 (Bangkok time), Engage Thailand was introduced in an event via Zoom Webinar. Engage Thailand is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status under the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code. The organization was founded to strengthen the fight for Thai democracy and human rights abroad. They aim to achieve this goal through three facets of their work: strengthening international awareness around Thai democracy, mobilizing the Thai diaspora, and building relationships with international organizations to funnel more resources to Thai human rights defenders back home.
Founder and human rights lawyer Sirikan Charoensiri emphasizes in her presentation during the event the untapped potential of the Thai diaspora. These people moved abroad for various reasons, but many share the yearning to support and help people back in Thailand. Through Engage Thailand’s first initiative, the Thai diaspora and like-minded individuals abroad could donate money via the organization to support Freedom Bridge, a project based in Thailand that helps and advocates for political prisoners, who face dire living conditions. As of September 10, 2024, at least 42 Thais including 2 minors are in prison in cases related to freedom of expression. Among this number, 22 individuals are in pre-trial detention. Engage Thailand supports Freedom Bridge with funding for essential living items, food assistance and monthly deposits, and political prisoners’ children and ailing family members
Engage Thailand was founded by Thai human rights lawyer Sirikan “June” Charoensiri, who co-founded Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), and Yanisa Vararaksapong, a student activist charged with lèse-majesté who is seeking asylum in the US and now serves as the Engagement Lead for Engage Thailand. The organization boasts an impressive Board of Directors, with Prof. Tyrell Haberkorn serving as the Board President. Prof. Haberkorn is a Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Coordinator for the Justice in Southeast Asia Lab (JSEALab). Other board members include experienced advocates who have held leadership positions in various international organizations, such as the International Commission of Jurists. Full biographies of the Engage Thailand team can be found at engagethailand.org/about-us.
The launch event began with a keynote speech titled, “Incarcerated Voices: Unraveling Injustice in Thailand” by Prof. Tyrell Haberkorn, followed by a presentation on “What is Engage Thailand?” by Sirikan Charoensiri. After the presentation, Sirikan moderated a panel discussion titled, “Engaging with Thai Democracy and Political Prisoners”. Panelists include Yanisa Vararaksapong, Pathomporn Kaewnoo, the Project Officer at Freedom Bridge and family of the detained activist Arnon Nampa, and Yingcheep Atchanont, the Executive Director of iLaw. The event ended with an open Q&A session.
Supporters can follow Engage Thailand on Instagram at @engagethailand, subscribe to their newsletter, and make a one-time or recurring donation via engagethailand.org. The donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers due to the organization’s 501(c)(3) status.
For more information, please visit engagethailand.org or contact the team via team@engagethailand.org.
