Rodjaraeg Wattanapanit

Rodjaraeg Wattanapanit is a Thai free speech activist and bookstore owner. She was a co-founder of the organisation Creating Awareness for Enhanced Democracy (abbreviated CAFÉ Democracy), an organization based out of her bookstore that aims to facilitate the free exchange of ideas.[1] In 2016 she received the International Women of Courage Award.[2]

Rodjaraeg Wattanapanit
Born
Mae Hong Son
NationalityThai
Occupation
  • Free speech activist
  • Conservationist
  • Bookstore owner
AwardsInternational Women of Courage Award

Life and activism

Wattanapanit is from Mae Hong Son.[3] She graduated from Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.[4] She holds a degree in business administration.[3] Before engaging in free speech activism, she worked to raise money for forestry conservation.[4] She worked in this capacity for Community Forest Support Group, a non-governmental organization.[5]

In October 2011, Wattanapanit started the bookstore Book Re:public with Pinkaew Luangaramsri, an anthropologist at Chiang Mai University.[4] After the 2014 Thai coup d'état, the new government forced Book Re:public to close.[6] Wattanapanit was repeatedly brought to military camps (first Kawila Army Camp in Chiang Mai, then the Army Central Command) to pressure her to close the bookstore, and was made to sign an agreement pledging not to engage in political activity as a precondition for her release.[4]

After one year, Wattanapanit re-opened her bookstore, which also functioned as a forum for debate and a community center.[7]

In 2016, Wattanapanit won the International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State, making her the first Thai woman to win that award.[6]

References
  1. "Secretary Kerry Honors 14 Women of Courage". United States Department of State. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. "World Learning Hosts 2016 International Women of Courage". World Learning. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  3. Wilson, Edie (1 August 2016). "Let's Talk About Democracy". Chiang Mai City Life. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  4. "Chiang Mai activist wins US 'courage award'". Bangkok Post. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  5. Satitpanyapan, Uayporn (14 April 2016). "Thailand: Bookstore Owner Airs Views on Junta's Restrictions on Freedoms". BenarNews. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  6. "Pro-democracy academic, activists summoned into military camp". Prachatai English. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  7. "Biographies of 2016 Award Winners". United States Department of State. 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
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