Bangkok: The Lawyers' Center for Human Rights has issued a statement supporting citizens' rights to assemble and call for a "recount" of votes, emphasizing the need for state protection rather than harassment of citizens.

According to Thai News Agency, the statement was released in response to the general election organized by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) on February 8, 2026. Concerns about the transparency of the election process have surfaced in various districts, leading to 17 complaints across 15 provinces, as reported by the Royal Thai Police on February 10, 2026. This has resulted in calls for recounts in several areas, with demonstrations occurring in locations such as Constituency 1 in Chonburi Province and Constituency 1 in Maha Sarakham Province.

The Lawyers Center for Human Rights, which provides legal support to citizens exercising their political expression rights, has highlighted the following points in their statement:

1. The right of citizens to submit complaints to government agencies and receive timely feedback in accordance with Section 41 (2) of the Constitution. This includes the ability to monitor the performance of government agencies.

2. The freedom to peacefully assemble without weapons, as assured by Article 44 of the Constitution and the Public Assembly Act B.E. 2558 (2015). Although this law does not restrict the number of participants, it imposes limitations on the use of sound between midnight and 6 AM, prohibiting the use of loudspeakers for speeches or assemblies.

3. The responsibility of the Royal Thai Police to ensure the safety of citizens and facilitate their freedom of assembly. The police are urged to be cautious in monitoring "watch lists" that are unrelated to the situation, as this could be seen as an invasion of privacy and an abuse of power.

The statement underscores the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of the people, as emphasized by the Lawyers Center for Human Rights.