CrCF and HRLA petition to investigate the arrest and halt the deportation of a famous Myanmar nationality monk at high risk of being pushed back to face peril persecution in Myanmar.
In the night of 13 January 2026, CrCF received report that a famous Myanmar nationality monk who is respected and faithful to groups of refugees, was arrested by Thai state officials, forced to renounce the monkhood (disrobe) and monastic discipline, and might be pushed back to face peril and persecution in Myanmar after traveling to Thailand to seek asylum from Myanmar.
During his custody, this Myanmar nationality monk recorded a video clip and posted on Facebook to ask for help, which appeared as evidence that he was threatened by officials that “if [you] do not consent to disrobe or delete the clip, we will send you back to Myanmar through the Ranong channel.” However, said clip was deleted out in time later.
From information that there are Myanmar military officials specifically requesting his deportation, including the fact that he has conflict directly with the Myanmar military government, whereby in the past he has expressed political opinions through social media criticizing the Myanmar military government and has followers on said platform more than 5 hundred thousand people. Sending him back may result in his danger to life.
From facts above, it is believable that the arrest of said asylum seeker might result in his deportation to Myanmar immediately on 14 January 2026, which might be an action that violates Section 13 of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565 (2022), which is Thai domestic law, including the Convention Against Torture (CAT) which Thailand is a state party to, as well as the principle of non-refoulement, which is international customary law that binds every state to have the duty to respect and follow.
Accordingly, the Human Rights Lawyers Association has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor and the Center for the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, while CrCF has submitted a complaint to the Committee on the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance. Under Section 29 of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture Act, the Public Prosecutor has authority to conduct investigations. The complaints call for urgent fact-finding, verification of the arrest, an immediate halt to deportation, a prompt investigation into the incident, accountability for those responsible, and effective remedies for the victim to ensure genuine justice.
In addition, CrCF also coordinated with the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, Ministry of Justice, in the capacity of national committee under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture Act and the National Human Rights Commissioner to coordinate to the police and prevent the deportation of said asylum seeker. If sent back, Thailand will be considered to be in cooperation in transnational repression, which occurs widely in countries in the ASEAN region, even though there are concerns throughout the global community.
CrCF calls on the media and the public to closely monitor this case to ensure that relevant authorities act transparently and are subject to accountability. This is crucial to preventing transnational repression in this and future cases, safeguarding Thailand’s sovereignty from such operations, and ensuring that Thailand continues to be recognized internationally as a country that upholds human rights.
