WASHINGTON: Thai human rights lawyer Sirikan Charoensiri was among 10 women honoured on Friday as recipients of the International Women of Courage awards.
The awards were presented by US First Lady Melania Trump in a ceremony at the State Department.
In the immediate aftermath of the 2014 coup, Ms Sirikan and a dozen colleagues founded Thai Lawyers for Human Rights to provide pro bono legal services and to document human rights issues under the military government.
TLHR has represented hundreds of clients since the coup, often as the only alternative for those facing charges that are politically motivated.
"Because of the political sensitivity of the organisation’s work, TLHR lawyers and staffers, and Ms Sirikan in particular, have been subjected regularly to harassment, intimidation and criminal charges," the State Department said in a statement.
"As a consequence of her advocacy, June (Ms Sirikan's nickname) is currently facing three sets of criminal charges for her work as a lawyer, including a charge of sedition -– the first for a lawyer under the military government. Nevertheless, June continues undeterred in her work."
At the ceremony in Washington on Friday, Mrs Trump said the women are heroes who have made the world a better place.
In addition to Ms Sirikan, other recipients this year this year are from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mauritania and Rwanda.
US first lady Melania Trump smiles at Sirikan Charoensiri of Thailand, after presenting the International Women of Courage awards on Friday at the State Department in Washington. In the top row from left are Sister Maria Elena Berini of Italy, Aiman Umarova of Kazakhstan, and Dr Feride Rushiti of Kosovo. (AP Photo)
