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Explore Amnesty International Thailand under the leadership of Petcharat “May” Saksirivetkul, who has stepped from youth activism to national campaigns advancing freedom and human rights.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people working to protect and promote human rights. It seeks justice for those whose rights have been violated, campaigns for stronger laws and policies and raises awareness of human rights among young people and the wider society.
In Thailand it began operating in a formal capacity in 1993, when its first national committee representing various human rights interests was elected. In 2002 it was officially registered under Thai law as the Association for Amnesty International (Samakhom Phuea Ongkan Nirothotsakam Sakon). Since then, it has worked with supporters across the country to promote human rights education and protection in coordination with government bodies, private organisations and independent institutions.
As we look at Amnesty’s role in Thailand, attention turns to Petcharat “May” Saksirivetkul, a Thai human rights advocate who serves as Campaign Manager at Amnesty International Thailand.
Leadership Rooted in Learning and Action
Her background lies in International Relations at Webster University Thailand, where she graduated in 2015. During her studies, she worked at Red Mountain Hua Hin from 2013 to 2015 managing communication between homeowners and construction teams. Those early experiences shaped her ability to navigate complex human situations with empathy and focus.
In 2015, May entered the human rights field with Amnesty International Thailand as an Activism Officer. By 2017, she advanced to Activism and Human Rights Education Coordinator, where youth engagement and civic awareness stood at the centre of her efforts. Schools, workshops and activist networks turned into spaces for dialogue and empowerment. From 2019 to 2020 she became a government official and served at the Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo, where she gained insight into international policy and state systems beyond Thailand.
Later that year, she returned to Thailand and rejoined Amnesty International Thailand, which marked a new chapter of leadership. As Campaign Supervisor, she oversaw strategy, guided teams and assessed human rights developments to shape national advocacy. In March 2022, she stepped into the role of Campaign Manager. In this position she leads major campaigns, works with partners, government agencies and media and ensures alignment with Amnesty’s mission and values. The responsibility reflects both growth and commitment to justice.
Alongside her professional work, she continued her studies. In 2022, she earned a certificate in Psychology of Industrial Organisation from Chulalongkorn University. From 2023 to 2024, she completed a Certificate in Non-Profit and Organisational Management at Harvard Extension School, which deepened her expertise in leadership and management within the non-profit sector.
Fight for the Unheard
May believes human rights work is not only about defending individuals. It is about bringing people together to create real change. Through both offline and online activities, she sees collective action as the driving force behind progress.
“At Amnesty International Thailand we stand firm in human dignity, equality and respect for diversity. Human rights are not distant issues. They are the foundation for living together in a diverse society.”
Here are three of her most impactful recent initiatives.
Amnesty PSU Club
Under May’s leadership, Amnesty International Thailand signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Faculty of Political Science at Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus. The partnership strengthens long-term youth engagement in the South and integrates human rights learning into university life.
The Amnesty PSU Club emerged from the region’s social and political context. It offers students a space to engage with human rights issues at both national and international levels.
Despite the distance between Pattani and Bangkok, Amnesty remains committed to the region. The collaboration includes classroom sessions, training and support for student activities and volunteers, public outreach and internship opportunities through a formal selection process.
Free Ratsadon on the Road x Amnesty People
Free Ratsadon on the Road x Amnesty People is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and encourage people to stand up for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It supports the proposed People’s Amnesty Bill and carries the hopes of political detainees to communities across Thailand, calling for a future without political prosecutions.
The campaign began in Chiang Mai, then travelled to Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and concluded in Songkhla. Each stop featured exhibitions, public discussions with academics, human rights organisations, lawyers and affected individuals, as well as opportunities to write letters to detainees through an online platform.
Through open dialogue and public participation, the campaign brings human rights closer to everyday people and reinforces the belief that these rights belong to everyone.
Human Rights Agenda
Amnesty International Thailand teamed up with major media and leading universities to host a public debate, Leadership Agenda Human Rights Agenda, on 28 January 2026. Seven political parties took the stage to make their positions on human rights clear before the election. The forum invited the public to listen closely, question directly and examine where each party stands before casting their vote.
During the event, May urged both participants and political representatives to reflect on a simple but powerful idea: politics that people can truly take a rest from. She called for a pause from rights violations, authoritarian practices, the disregard of ordinary people, SLAPP lawsuits used to silence critics and a climate of fear and suspicion. She stressed that real rest comes when politicians uphold human rights in practice.
May also underlined that Thailand’s credibility on the international human rights stage depends on concrete action, not symbolic roles. Genuine respect, protection and promotion of human rights, she said, are essential to building trust at home.
