BANGKOK, Thailand – A week before the gubernatorial election, prominent human rights organizations and a broad civil society coalition have issued clear demands: Bangkok must transform into a human rights city that leaves no one behind. The call encompasses the homeless, discriminated groups, women lacking access to safe abortions, the poor in slums, and vanished street vendors. They are all calling for a binding action plan from the next city leader within their first year in office.
Grand Stage for Human Rights Ahead of Election
On June 20, 2026, the network convened at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) for an event titled, “Words of Leadership, Agenda of Human Rights: Bangkok, A City That Leaves No One Behind.” The goal was to provide aspiring candidates for the June 28 gubernatorial election a platform for their visions and to encourage citizens to discuss the future of the city.
Discussion panels focused on education, youth participation, and specific human rights issues. Simultaneously, organizations presented their work, highlighting that human rights are decided on the streets, sidewalks, in schools, healthcare facilities, and the air everyone breathes.
Amnesty Demands Human Rights Plan in First Year
Amnesty International Thailand is urging candidates to launch an “Action Plan for Bangkok as a Human Rights City” within their first year. Phetcharat Saksirivethakul, Campaign Manager at Amnesty Thailand, stated:
“The election of a governor should not be just a matter of personality, but an important opportunity to advance political agendas, especially human rights policies that daily determine people’s quality of life.”
said Phetcharat Saksirivethakul, Campaign Manager at Amnesty Thailand.
The plan must be integrated with the city’s powers, development plans, budget, and clear objectives. Citizens need verifiable indicators, timelines, and complaint mechanisms to ensure that human rights are not reduced to empty promises.
“Not Dependent on One Governor”
Phetcharat cautioned against tying fundamental rights protection to a single leader: “Bangkok must make human rights a city system that continuously and fairly protects people, even with changes in leadership.” She pointed to international examples like Gwangju, York, Vienna, Lund, and Ulaanbaatar, which demonstrate that a human rights city is built through citizen participation, official training, and impact assessments.
Human rights must be tangible in services and public spaces. As the direct authority for sidewalks, schools, health departments, and the environment, the Thai capital plays a central role—acting as the bridge between paper principles and tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Do Not Evict the Homeless, But Uplift Them
Atchara Saravari of the Issarachon Foundation emphasized:
“The homeless or people living in public spaces—this is not a problem of a specific group, but a matter of welfare and dignity for all.”
said Atchara Saravari of the Issarachon Foundation.
A livable Bangkok, she argued, is not one that sweeps the homeless out of sight, but one that supports everyone when life becomes difficult. This requires a system offering housing, work, and healthcare, and crucially, preventing people from losing their homes in the first place. This can only be achieved through collaboration between the state, civil society, and citizens, rather than short-term symptom management.
More Equality Despite Diversity
Jarunee Siripan from the Move-Di (Movement for Social and Environmental Justice) network highlighted that while Bangkok is rich in diversity, it lacks equality. Many citizens continue to face stigma and discrimination in receiving services, education, and employment. The key question, she posed, is how to leverage existing diversity into the strength of an inclusive city.
Move-Di invites candidates to champion Bangkok as a model city against discrimination, incorporating concrete complaint mechanisms and an organizational culture that protects difference. The goal is to establish a pilot region for future anti-discrimination laws where everyone can live safely and with dignity.
Safe Abortion Locally and Without Stigma
Chonthita Kraisrikul of the Tamtang Foundation stressed that access to safe abortions is part of comprehensive health policy. With over ten million residents, Bangkok has the highest demand nationwide, yet comprehensive, free, and non-stigmatizing services are lacking.
The foundation urges the new governor to enable abortion services at all 13 hospitals under the Medical Department and the 69 health centers of the Public Health Department. Only through the training of medical personnel and the removal of unnecessary barriers, such as expensive ultrasound examinations, can the city truly fulfill its promise of “safe abortion for all.”
Welfare State Over Mere Economic Growth
Teerat Panichudomphat from the We Fair (We Move for a Fair Society) network stated that the right to a good quality of life—including education, housing, health, safety, and fair work—must be actively implemented by the city. A sole focus on infrastructure development for economic power is insufficient.
Bangkok needs policies that protect people facing risks and empower them to balance family and work. Only then can a city emerge that cares for everyone and offers genuine security—regardless of social status or income.
Fear of Eviction: Slums Need Security
Nueangnit Chitnok from the Slums in Four Regions Network encapsulated the demand for housing security: “If Bangkok wants to be a human rights city, it must start by ensuring that the urban poor can trust they have a safe home and can return in the evening without fear—without the dread of eviction or displacement from their neighborhood.”
For many residents of informal settlements, the fear of bulldozers is an everyday reality. Without protected housing and reliable tenant rights, any human rights rhetoric remains hollow, the activist warned.
250,000 Street Vendors Disappeared – A Cry for Help
The civil society coalition is also demanding support for street vendors. Approximately 250,000 street vendors are estimated to have disappeared from Bangkok over the past decade, revealing a social crisis hidden behind the city’s modern facade. A representative from the street vendors’ association warned of the complete collapse of this livelihood.
Those who clear sidewalks without creating alternative locations and fair licensing leave thousands without income. The incoming governor must find a balance between order and a chance for survival, or an entire population group will continue to be marginalized.
On June 28, Bangkok Decides Its Future
On June 28, 2026, Bangkok’s citizens will elect a new governor and city council. The recent event demonstrated that these groups are not focused on partisan politics but on tangible improvements that must impact daily lives. Whether the next city leader will implement the human rights plan or continue with old priorities of concrete and economic interests will become clear after the election. The pressure from civil society has undoubtedly been established.
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