UPDATE 17/01/22: Rung remains out on bail but with conditions that silence her right to protest, curtail her right to freely move, and she can’t do or say anything that affects the monarchy. Rung could be sent back to prison at any time, and she still faces many charges that are before the courts. This has left Rung feeling really low. Please keep signing this petition and sharing on socials. You can also send Rung a message of support.

Panusaya ‘Rung’ Sithijirawattanakul is detained and facing up to life in prison for speaking out for freedom and democracy in Thailand. Take action now and demand her freedom.

23-year-old Rung is a voice for young people in Thailand. She is one of many young people calling for equality, freedom of expression and systemic change in Thailand. She’s a leading voice in Thailand’s youth democracy movement.

Rung, which means ‘Rainbow’ in Thai, became politically active while studying sociology and anthropology at university in the capital, Bangkok. She bravely took part in protests for social and political change throughout 2020. By August 2020, she had become a protest leader and was watched by thousands, calling for equality, freedom of expression and – what is a highly sensitive topic in Thailand – the reform of the monarchy. This unprecedented act propelled her onto the national stage.

But the authorities branded her a troublemaker, and in March 2021, she was detained by the Thai authorities. She was accused of provoking unrest and was arrested under sedition and lèse-majesté laws that make illegal the criticism of the monarchy. She now faces up to life in prison just for speaking out for freedom in her country.

Rung has been detained since 15 November 2021, after authorities denied her bail. This is the second time in 2021 that authorities have detained her. She was previously detained for 60 days during which she was diagnosed with COVID-19. The authorities denied her bail six times. In defiance, she went on a 38-day hunger strike and was released on 30 April 2021. She must be released and acquitted of all charges immediately.

Sign the petition and call for her release and for all charges against Rung to be dropped immediately.