Wissanu said that they had to split up to join in meetings with different agendas. For instance, some would need to travel to Austria to join a session there.

The deputy’s reaction came after a website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published a paper, issued by the Thai Permanent Mission in Geneva, to the UN Human Rights Committee, that the Thai delegation would take part to the UNHRC’s 119th session.

The review would be conducted to consider reports from Thailand and five other countries over whether they have complied with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

According to papers published on the website, Thailand holds highest number of 46 participants to the session, followed by 33 from Serbia, 25 from Italy, 16 from Bangladesh, 12 from Bosnia and Herzegovina and five from Turkmenistan.

Headed by permanent secretary to the Justice Ministry Charnchao Chaiyanukij, the delegation consists of 14 officers from the Foreign Ministry, six from the Justice Ministry, four police officers, four from the Labour Ministry, three representatives on South issues, three from the Education Ministry, two from the Interior Ministry, two from the Defence Ministry, two from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, each officer from the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the President of the Supreme Court, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, the National Security Council, and an interpreter.

The high number of Thai participants raised public doubts and criticism online, given that the 119th session would only run from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning.