Coup or Political Crisis: Your Safety and Your Rights

A coup breaks the constitutional order that democratic life depends on. Thammasat has stood with democracy through moments like this before, and as students here you are citizens with rights, not bystanders. Stay safe, stay informed, understand your rights, and make your own considered decisions during a political emergency such as a coup, martial law, or a declared state of emergency.

At a glance

Alert level: Critical

Do this first

Make sure you are somewhere safe, and let a friend, housemate, or family member know where you are and that you are okay.

Key numbers

What to do now

  1. Make sure you are somewhere safe, and let a friend, housemate, or family member know where you are and that you are okay.
  2. Get your information from independent and official sources, and be careful with rumours. Check anything alarming before you act on it or share it.
  3. Charge your phone and any power bank, and save an emergency contact and a legal-aid number somewhere you can reach them.
  4. Keep your ID or student card, passport (if you have one), and some cash within reach.
  5. Find out whether a curfew or a ban on gatherings has been announced, and which areas are affected, so any choice you make is an informed one.
  6. Secure your phone and accounts with a strong passcode, and remember that anything you post can be seen by others.

Know your rights

  • Even during martial law or a state of emergency, you have rights. Learn what they are and what emergency powers can and cannot do, so you can recognise when a line has been crossed.
  • If you are stopped, questioned, or detained, you can ask for the reason, ask to contact a lawyer and someone you trust, and you are not required to sign documents you do not understand. Be aware that under martial law these protections can be limited in practice.
  • Do not sign anything you have not read and understood, and ask for a copy.
  • Memorise or write down a lawyer or legal-aid number. Do not rely only on your phone, which you may not always be able to reach.

If you take part in political life

  • Taking part in peaceful civic and political life is your right. Under a coup, martial law, or an emergency decree, gatherings may be restricted or banned, and the legal risks (arrest, detention, and charges) can be real and serious. Weigh this honestly and decide for yourself.
  • If you go to a gathering, go with people you trust, tell someone your plan, agree on a meeting point, and keep an eye on the exits and on the mood of the crowd.
  • Write an emergency and legal-aid contact number on your arm or somewhere on you, in case you lose your phone.
  • Stay calm and non-confrontational. Do not provoke, engage with, or approach security forces.
  • Carry water, keep your phone charged, and think about what personal data is on your phone if it were searched.
  • Know basic crowd first aid: help anyone who faints or is being crushed to a safe space with fresh air, and call 1669 for medical emergencies.

Documenting what happens

  • Recording events, safely and from a safe distance, can matter for accountability later. Never put yourself at risk to get a photo or video.
  • Back up important footage somewhere off your device if you can.
  • Be thoughtful about sharing footage that could identify other students or put them at risk.

Where to get legal help

  • Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) provides free legal aid to people affected by political prosecution.
  • iLaw monitors laws, rights, and freedom of expression, and documents cases.
  • Keep at least one legal-aid number written down and shared with a friend before you ever need it.

Look after each other

  • Check on classmates, especially international students and anyone living alone or far from home.
  • Share verified information, not panic. A calm, well-informed community is a safer one.
  • If someone is detained, note the time, place, and any names or units shown, and contact legal aid and their family quickly.
  • Thammasat was founded on democratic principles, and its students have long stood for civil liberties and the rule of law. Whatever you choose to do, do it informed, do it together, and stay safe.

Staying informed

  • Follow Thammasat University and the Faculty of Political Science official channels for announcements about classes and campus access.
  • Follow official government announcements for national measures such as curfews and restricted zones, but do not rely on any single source. Independent media and human-rights monitors matter, especially if official information is restricted.
  • Rumours spread quickly during a crisis. Confirm anything alarming against a reliable source before you believe it or share it.
  • Keep in touch with family so they know you are safe.

For international students

  • Your position is different and can be more exposed. Political activity can carry visa and immigration consequences for non-citizens, on top of the legal risks everyone faces. Understand this before you decide anything.
  • Contact your embassy or consulate in Bangkok, follow their guidance, and register with your government's travel-registration service if it has one (for example the US STEP programme, or the UK's travel-advice service).
  • Check your home country's travel advisory for Thailand regularly, as it may change during a period of instability.
  • Keep your passport and visa documents accessible, and know the location and contacts of your embassy in Bangkok.
  • Thammasat's Office of International Affairs (OIA) can help with university matters. Your embassy is the right contact for consular matters such as a lost passport, evacuation advice, or personal safety.

In the days after

  • Keep checking official Thammasat and faculty channels. Class schedules, deadlines, and exams may be adjusted, so do not assume the normal timetable resumes automatically.
  • Let your family and, if applicable, your embassy know that you are safe.
  • Documentation and legal support can still matter after events pass. Keep records safe and reach out for help if you or someone you know needs it.

Useful contacts

Contact BIRSA

This is general guidance from a student-run site. In an emergency, always follow the instructions of the emergency services and Thammasat University.

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