The Human Rights Obligations of Thai Companies Investing in ASEAN

Thai companies are increasingly investing in neighboring ASEAN countries. While these investments have resulted in significant profits for both the companies and the host countries, they have also triggered adverse environmental and social issues.

Moreover, these outbound investments often occur without implementing the proper mechanisms to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and practices, which is exposing the local communities to human rights violations and abuses.

The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) has investigated Thai investments in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and it is playing a significant role in shaping the government cabinet resolutions in 2016 and 2017 on Thai outbound investments.

These resolutions align with the principles articulated in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. However, additional work is needed to strengthen how these resolutions are applied.

From 10am to Noon on June 1, 2018, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Community Resource Center (CRC), and Extraterritorial Obligations (ETO) Watch Coalition will hold a panel discussion on the human rights obligations that Thai companies have when they make outbound investments in ASEAN.

Panelists will include:

Tuenjai Deetes, NHRCT Commissioner;

Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, CRC Coordinator; and

Debbie Stothard, Alternative ASEAN Network Coordinator for Burma and Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

The panel will provide an overview of the main issues surrounding these Thai investments, discuss options on ways to ensure greater accountability and protection of people’s rights.

In addition, this event will combined with the publication of the Thai chapter of FORUM-ASIA’s latest publication: ‘Business and Human Rights: Learnings from Asia.’

A light lunch will be provided after the event.

For more information, please contact Marte Hellema at marte@forum-asia.org, communication@forum-asia.org or 0999 46 1108.

Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand
Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building
518/5 Ploenchit Road (connected to the BTS Skytrain Chitlom station)
Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel.: 02-652-0580
E-mail:  info@fccthai.com
Web Site:  http://www.fccthai.com