Protection International (PI) started working in Thailand in 2007, at first with human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Deep South. In 2010, Protection Desk (PD) Thailand was established and has run since then with a local team.
Protection Desk (PD) Thailand has been working with and supporting local grassroots initiatives, organisations and HRDs at risk for defending economic, social and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights and freedoms, including community rights in rural and semi-rural areas.
PD Thailand is also actively working with duty bearers and stakeholders: mainly local authorities and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Rights and Liberty Protection Department the National Commission of Human rights (NHRC), and the OHCHR.
PD Thailand is actively working with a number of organisations in regional and international level Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) and International Coalition for Women HRD. Indeed PD Thailand has become the focal point for information and strategic advice on issues concerning community based HRDs for INGOs such as Front line, ISHR, Urgent Action Fund for Women, FIDH, AHRC, FORUM-ASIA, APWLD.