[JURIST] The UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) [official website] downgraded [official report] the security rating of Thailand’s aviation sector from Category 1 to Category 2 on Thursday. The agency clarified that the designation as a “significant safety concern (SSC) does not necessarily indicate a particular safety deficiency in the air navigation service providers, airlines (air operators), aircraft or aerodrome; but, rather, indicates that the State is not providing sufficient safety oversight to ensure the effective implementation of applicable ICAO Standards.” The ICAO warned Thailand in March that the safety regulations were not up to the agency’s standards, however, Thailand failed to make the necessary improvements within 90 days. Other countries joined Thailand in the red flag category including Nepal and Sierra Leone. Thai Airways responded [press release] to the security downgrade and stated that despite the safety audit on Thailand’s Department of Civil Aviation the airline maintains the highest safety protocols.

Thailand has undergone political turmoil since the military coup last May when the country’s armed forces declared martial law [JURIST report] on a military run television station, citing Thailand’s martial law act of 1914 as the basis for the military’s action. Just two days later, Chan-ocha announced that the military had seized control of the country and suspended its constitution [JURIST report]. In July Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej expressed his support [JURIST report] for the interim constitution even though the international community expressed concern. In April the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein expressed alarm [JURIST report] by Thailand’s decision to suspend martial law and impose Article 44 of the interim constitution. The order permits Chan-ocha to issue any legislative, executive or judicial order, and according to Zeid, the order may annihilate freedom of expression and allow violations of human rights to be free from liability.