Protests update

[Up2U]

Prayut extends Section 44 net
Govt bans street races, booze near schools
24 Jul 2015

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invoked his special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to tackle illegal street racing, alcohol sales near schools and universities, and illegal nightspot operations..... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... ion-44-net (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/632928/prayut-extends-section-44-net)

[Up2U]

Pressure mounts on Gen Prayut
Calls for cabinet reshuffle grow to restore confidence in government
26 July 2015

Pressure mounted yesterday on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reshuffle his cabinet and bring in more proactive ministers to tackle the economy, as fears mount of harsher financial times and falling confidence in the government...... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... gen-prayut (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/634368/pressure-mounts-on-gen-prayut)

[Up2U]

U. S. State Department TIP Report
Thailand

Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
2015 Trafficking in Persons Report

THAILAND: Tier 3

Thailand is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking.... (read more)...
http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/c ... 243547.htm (http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2015/243547.htm)

[Up2U]

And Thailand's response....

Press Releases : The Release of the US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report 2015
..... (read more)....

http://mfa.go.th/main/en/media-center/1 ... epartment- (http://mfa.go.th/main/en/media-center/14/58702-The-Release-of-the-US-State-Department-)

[Up2U]

PM predicts 2016 TIP upgrade
Critics accuse US of veiled political agenda
29 Jul 2015

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he is confident Thailand's standing on human trafficking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report will improve next year, as international accusations flew that the rankings were influenced by politics and economic interests.

The TIP report, issued in the US on Monday, has come under increasing fire from US lawmakers and international human rights advocates after it upgraded Malaysia and Cuba from Tier 3, the lowest level, but kept Thailand at its present Tier 3 ranking..... (read more)....

http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/63 ... ip-upgrade (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/637076/pm-predicts-2016-tip-upgrade)

[Up2U]

Election to be held in September next year
29 Jul 2015

A general election of members of parliament will probably be held in September 2016, 90 days after the promulgation of three organic laws, according to the Constitution Drafting Committee..... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... -next-year (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/637972/election-to-be-held-in-september-next-year)

[Up2U]

Suthep 'scheming' to prop up NCPO
Return to public life a bad sign, says UDD
30 Jul 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: MANOP THIP-OSOD, NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS & AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

A news conference called for today by Suthep Thaugsuban, the chief architect of the anti-government movement that led to the 2014 coup, is seen by his opponents as a strategic move to bolster the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)...... (read more)....
http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/63 ... op-up-ncpo (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/638268/suthep-cheming-to-prop-up-ncpo)

[Up2U]

Post-Coup Thailand Sees Economic Slump Putting Pressure on Junta
by Suttinee YuvejwattanaChris Blake
July 30, 2015
Thai economy lagging behind Southeast Asian peers again.

ThailandтАЩs government is under increasing pressure to overhaul the cabinet and bolster the economy as falling exports, eroding consumer confidence and a slump in manufacturing portend one of the regionтАЩs slowest expansions.... (read more)...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... e-on-junta (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-29/post-coup-thailand-sees-economic-slump-putting-pressure-on-junta)

[Up2U]

A short essay
The Military Muzzling of Thailand and the Quandary of Demilitarization
By Paul Chambers | Director of Research and Lecturer - Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs - Faculty of Political Science - Chiang Mai University | Jul 29, 2015

This essay is part of the Middle East-Asia Project (MAP) series on тАЬ'Civilianizing' the State in the Middle East and Asia Pacific Regions.тАЭ.... (read more).....
http://www.mei.edu/content/map/military ... tarization (http://www.mei.edu/content/map/military-muzzling-thailand-and-quandary-demilitarization)

[Up2U]

Thinking critically about democracy and education reform in Thailand
By Valerie Strauss July 30

Critical thinking is seen, of course, as an essential skill for college and careers тАФ but it is also essential in a healthy democracy. Here is a post about the Kingdom of Thailand, a country that straddles monarchy and democracy and where educators and politicians are grappling with how critical thinking should be taught in schools. HereтАЩs a post on this issue by Tanika Panyarachun, a Thai school guidance counselor, and Jessica Lander, an American educator who taught at a Thai University. Both are recent graduates of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

By Tanika Panyarachun and Jessica Lander..... (read more)......
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ans ... -thailand/ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/07/30/thinking-critically-about-democracy-and-education-reform-in-thailand/)

[Up2U]

Suthep says reform vital before poll
PDRC successor body 'won't stage rallies'
31 Jul 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: MANOP THIP-OSOD AND MONGKOL BANGRAPA

Ex-monk, ex-politician Suthep Thaugsuban promises no more street rallies, but only if the military drops its roadmap for total "reform before elections".

Former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has reaffirmed his demand that national reforms must take place before elections.

He said major changes must be achieved no matter how long the process takes..... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... efore-poll (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/639596/suthep-says-reform-vital-before-poll)

[Up2U]

The ultra-royalist who wants to defend your human rights

Boworn Yasintorn loves the lese majeste law and helped overthrow the last government, but he says he's just the man to join the rights commission

2 Aug 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: SPECTRUM | WRITER: JITSIREE THONGNOI ... (read more)..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special ... man-rights (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/640764/the-ultra-royalist-who-wants-to-defend-your-human-rights)

[Up2U]

Reds vow response to Suthep
The Sunday Nation August 2, 2015
Nuttawut slams reform foundation as political; plans press conference next week
The red shirts and Pheu Thai Party politicians have come out strongly against last week's launch of a new foundation by their arch-rivals, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Red-shirt leader Nuttawut Saikuar yesterday launched a verbal attack against the People's Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF) and its press conference, which he accused of being political in nature and aimed at prolonging military rule.

Nuttawut said he would hold a press conference as well and ask red shirts to wear red in response.

Nuttawut, a co-leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictator-ship (UDD), posted on his Facebook yesterday that the press conference

held by the newly established PDRF,

led by former PDRC chief Suthep Thaugsuban, was political in nature and yet it was permitted by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)..... (read more)....
http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/lZLqq

[Up2U]

Unity report wins faint praise
Special report: Debate over amnesty terms could dog reform efforts
3 Aug 2015 at 03:28 1,010 viewed1 comments
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS

Stakeholders in the political divide have poured cold water on a National Reform Council committee report on how to forge reconciliation...... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... int-praise (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/641796/unity-report-wins-faint-praise)

[Up2U]

Thailand seen as unlikely to meet EU's fishing standards
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION August 3, 2015
THE AUTHORITIES, the business sector and NGOs all predict that Thailand's rank on the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) list will not improve, despite the strict measures being implemented by the government ..... (read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 65769.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailand-seen-as-unlikely-to-meet-EUs-fishing-stan-30265769.html)

[Up2U]

Under the eyes of the law, students ponder democracy, education
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION August 4, 2015
YOUNGSTERS SHOULD BE TREATED AS 'CIVIC PEOPLE', SEMINAR HEARS
WHAT IS hindering the teaching of democracy in Thai schools?
The answer, say authorities, is teachers who treat students as "children" rather than "civic people", and Thai history textbooks that undermine the democratic regime rather than promote it...... (read more).....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 65854.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Under-the-eyes-of-the-law-students-ponder-democrac-30265854.html)

[Up2U]

Opinion
Suthep will turn reform into charade
Atiya Achakulwisut Contributing
4 Aug 2015

The reform-before-election mantra is coming around again but it's questionable if its spell will hold this time.
As a veteran politician who has been through many of these nice-sounding experiments, People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban must know reform takes forever..... (read more)...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... to-charade (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/643144/suthep-will-turn-reform-into-charade)

[Up2U]

Suthep helps country, not govt, says PM
5 Aug 2015 at 03:28 374 viewed0 comments
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: PATSARA JIKKHAM & AEKARACH
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban's "reforms before election" campaign, saying he is not aiming to help his administration but the country.

Mr Suthep heads the Muan Maha Prachachon (Great Mass of the People) for Reforms Foundation, established by a group of former People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including himself..... (read more)...
http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/64 ... vt-says-pm (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/644172/suthep-helps-country-not-govt-says-pm)

[Up2U]

Bloomberg : Thailand's Generals Don't Have an Economic Plan
William Pesek
2 Aug 4, 2015
By William Pesek
Militaries tend to justify coups d'etat by making assurances of political competence: The previous government failed the people, and military technocrats will now restore order, cleanse the system and get big things done.

The generals who seized power in Thailand in May 2014, however, have essentially abdicated that argument. To be sure, Prayuth Chan-Ocha and his fellow officers pledged to restore political calm, end corruption and bring happiness to tens of millions not benefiting from $373 billion of annual output. But 440 days on, Prayuth's regime has only made things worse.... (read more).... http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2 ... nomic-plan (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-08-04/thailand-s-generals-don-t-have-an-economic-plan)

[Up2U]

BURNING ISSUE
Blame the coup for Thailand's Tier 3 rating woes
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION August 5, 2015
If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted to blame something or somebody for Thailand languishing in Tier 3 in the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, he should blame himself and his May 22 coup.
The coup might be a political instrument for him and other elite to seize power to run the country - but it is not the perfect solution to solve all of Thailand's problems. On the contrary, it is a major part of the problem and an obstacle to many solutions..... (read more).....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 65926.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Blame-the-coup-for-Thailands-Tier-3-rating-woes-30265926.html)

[bkkguy]

If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted to blame something or somebody for Thailand languishing in Tier 3 in the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, he should blame himself and his May 22 coup.

I'm sure if he just expressed more interest in joining TPP then TIP could be worked around - it certainly worked for Malaysia!

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Thai junta envoy admits crush on China
August 5, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - As relations with western nations cool, Thailand's generals have visibly cosied up to China since seizing power in a coup last year.
But one Thai general appears to be especially enamoured.,.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 65995.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Thai-junta-envoy-admits-crush-on-China-30265995.html)

[Up2U]

If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted to blame something or somebody for Thailand languishing in Tier 3 in the 2015 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, he should blame himself and his May 22 coup.

I'm sure if he just expressed more interest in joining TPP then TIP could be worked around - it certainly worked for Malaysia!

bkkguy
I recommend he brush up on his golf game and play 18 holes with Obama.

[Up2U]

you will need your vpn or proxy server to read this
ThailandтАЩs Generals CanтАЩt Restart the Economy
Posted on August 4, 2015 By Philip Bowring Economics/Business, Headline, Thailand
Fifteen months in, a cabinet reshuffle looms. WonтАЩt help

Most of ThailandтАЩs economic news is continuing to dampen any remaining hope that the military junta, now in power for 15 months, would usher in an era of economic revival.

The kingdom is at best static while long-laggard neighbors Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines appear to be on the rise. Indeed the perception at home and abroad is of a society which has stalled despite its combination of entrepreneurial spirit and ethnic cohesion. This is not just reflected in the divide between red and yellow shirts, between richer and poorer, between rural and urban regions..... (read more)...
http://www.asiasentinel.com/econ-busine ... t-economy/ (http://www.asiasentinel.com/econ-business/thailand-generals-cant-restart-economy/)

[Up2U]

Forbes :
Asia 7/30/2015
Asia Photographer Of The Year: 'Bullets Flew Through The Air Over My Head'
Swedish photographer Jonas Gratzer has been named Photographer of the Year by the Foreign CorrespondentsтАЩ Club of Thailand (FCCT) and LightRocket, an online photo platform, for his documentary тАУ and often risky тАУ assignments throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.... (read more)....
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jnylander/2 ... r-my-head/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jnylander/2015/07/30/asia-photographer-of-the-year-bullets-flew-through-the-air-over-my-head/)

[Up2U]

NGO worker faces S44 charges
6 Aug 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: POST REPORTERS
A coordinator with the non-profit organisation Assembly of the Poor (AOP) was charged yesterday with inciting public unrest for allegedly supporting 14 students from the New Democracy Movement (NDM).
Baramee Chairat, who works with the AOP to help poor farmers, yesterday showed up at Samran Rat police station in Phra Nakhon district to hear a charge laid against him under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which forbids inciting public unrest.

Mr Baramee allegedly provided shelter for 14 students of the NDM who were arrested on June 25...... (read more)....
http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-rep ... 44-charges (http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/645576/ngo-worker-faces-s44-charges)

[bkkguy]

I recommend he brush up on his golf game and play 18 holes with Obama.

I thought Obama would be too busy for golf - is he still on his trip back home to find his birth certificate?

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Asian Correspondent Staff
US Senate approves Glyn Davies as new Thailand ambassador
By Asian Correspondent Staff Aug 06, 2015
The U.S. Senate has approved the appointment of former envoy for North Korea policy Glyn T. Davies as the new ambassador to Thailand..... (read more)... http://asiancorrespondent.com/134636/us ... mbassador/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/134636/us-senate-approves-glyn-davies-as-new-thailand-ambassador/)

and also,

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1438843276&section=11)

[Up2U]

Consumer confidence index hits new low
6 Aug 2015
WRITER: ONLINE

The consumer confidence index continues to slide, hitting a 14-month low in July due to lacklustre economic growth, struggling exports and drought..... (read more).....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/new ... ts-new-low (http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/646788/consumer-confidence-index-hits-new-low)

[Up2U]

Tanasak's amorous praise for Chinese FM 'may upset Asean'
MARISA ISHIKAWA,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION August 7, 2015
WAS IT LOVE, an ingenious diplomatic move, or a diplomatic faux pas
The unexpected public expression of amorous affection by Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn for his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday was met with mixed response by critics.... (read more)....
http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/Lzj1c

[Up2U]

Enticing Patriotism: Thai National Anthems and ElitesтАЩ Political Interests in the 1930s
Chanon Adsanatham

In May 2014, a video clip of an illegal Myanmarese immigrant singing the Thai national anthem with native-like proficiency at the order of the Thai police went viral, becoming an ironic spectacle for Thai citizens, who often assume only they can accurately sing the song. From this presumption, officers have used the singing of the anthem as a test to determine whether a suspected immigrant is a Thai native, but now the Myanmarese manтАЩs performance has complicated things. As the officer who arrested him remarked: тАЬIt will now be difficult to do an arrest because the man can sing the anthem so accurately. A crack down will be harder nowadays.тАЭ 1 The officerтАЩs comment and Thai citizensтАЩ fascination with the singer point to the larger significance of the Thai national anthem as a signifier of identity, commonalityтАФand exclusivity. How did Thais come to develop these perceptions, and what larger political functions does the song play in Thai political history? This essay offers a condensed history of the Thai national anthem to illustrate that the hymn is not merely a patriotic, ceremonial song; it exemplifies a multivalent rhetoric to propel the political interest and power of the elites, while simultaneously inciting patriotism, nationalism, and sovereignty.... (read more).... http://kyotoreview.org/yav/enticing-pat ... the-1930s/ (http://kyotoreview.org/yav/enticing-patriotism-thai-national-anthems-and-elites-political-interests-in-the-1930s/)

[Up2U]

Military court sends mother of two to 28 years for l├иse majest├й
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 07/08/2015

A military court in northern Thailand has sentenced a hotel employee with two children to 28 years behind bars for posting Facebook messages alleged to defame the Thai monarchy.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), Chiang Mai Military Court on Friday afternoon, 7 August 2015, sentenced Sasiwimol (surname withheld due to privacy concerns), a 29-year-old hotel worker in the province, to 56 years in jail for allegedly posting seven l├иse majest├й messages under the Facebook identity тАШRungnapha KampichaiтАЩ.

The military court sentenced the suspect to 8-year jail terms on each of the seven l├иse majest├й counts. But since the defendant pleaded guilty as charged, the court halved the jail term to 28 years.

At the deposition hearing in June 2015, the defendant denied all allegations. However, during the prosecution examination hearing today, 7 August 2015, she retracted her pretrial statements and pleaded guilty.

Prior to the ruling, Sasiwimol submitted a letter to the court, requesting the judges to reduce the jail sentence because she has never previously committed any crime and is the mother of two daughters aged seven and five. The military court judges dismissed the request and reasoned that the jail sentence is already light given the severity of the case because it is related to the revered Thai monarchy and has gravely affected the public sentiment of Thai people..... (read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5377? ... m=facebook (http://prachatai.org/english/node/5377?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook)

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
07 August 2015
Prayuth Eager To тАШReach UnderstandingтАЩ With New US Ambassador
BANGKOK тАФ Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said today he is eagerly looking forward to meeting the new United States ambassador to Thailand..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1438945908&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Prayut 'to retain power till new govt is formed'
THE SUNDAY NATION August 9, 2015
CHARTER DRAFTERS AGREE FOR NCPO CHIEF TO HAVE AUTHORITY VIA ARTICLE 44 TILL ELECTED CABINET IS READY TO TAKE OFFICE
THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee (CDC) has decided that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Cabinet maintain the power to invoke Article 44 of the post-coup interim constitution until a new government is formed, a source said yesterday.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 66231.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-to-retain-power-till-new-govt-is-formed-30266231.html)

[Up2U]

EU diplomat visits Isaan student group
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION
August 9, 2015
A SENIOR European Union diplomat has visited the Daodin activist student group in Khon Kaen province to see if they had illicit items such as weapons and to get an update on their activities..... (read more).....
http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/KvGGG

[Up2U]

BP Opinion
Quit moaning and fix Thailand's problems (Full text)
David Lyman Chairman of Tilleke & Gibbins
10 Aug 2015
David Lyman, chairman and chief values officer at Tilleke & Gibbins, gave this talk on Thai-US relations at the Foreign Correspondents Club last Wednesday. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of his firm.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... -full-text (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/649880/quit-moaning-and-fix-thailand-problems-full-text)

[Up2U]

Thai king treated for 'water on the brain': palace statement
BANGKOK | Mon Aug 10, 2015
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch, has been treated by doctors for 'water on the brain' and also has a chest infection, the palace said on Monday.

It was the second official statement on the 87-year-old king's health since he was admitted to hospital in May for what the palace said was a check-up..... (read more)....
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSK ... 0?irpc=932 (http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0QF1NW20150810?irpc=932)

[Up2U]

Why Is China Buying One Million Tons of Rice from Thailand?
Beijing is helping Thailand ease a large burden.
By Prashanth Parameswaran
August 11, 2015

On August 10, ThailandтАЩs Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya announced that China and Thailand had reached a government-to-government agreement for Beijing to buy one million tons of Thai rice.... (read more)....
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/why-is-c ... -thailand/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/why-is-china-buying-one-million-tons-of-rice-from-thailand/)

[Up2U]

BP Opinion
Without decentralisation, unity talk is meaningless
Achara Ashayagachat Senior Reporter
11 Aug 2015
The military regime has promised to bring unity and reconciliation back to society after the May 22 coup. But any reconciliation efforts have been significantly undermined by the regime's intensified campaign of centralisation and top-down administration..... (read more)....
http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/ ... eaningless (http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/651720/without-decentralisation-unity-talk-is-meaningless)

[Up2U]

Vpn or proxy needed
There can be no struggle for democracy which ignores l├иse majest├й тАУ so why is the Free Thai Movement silent about this?
August 7, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
During a trip to Denmark a few months ago I met with Thai pro-democracy activists. Many of them were former Red Shirts who now identify themselves with the Free Thai Movement. To my surprise I discovered that the Free Thai Movement were reluctant to have any public discussion or any public position about the l├иse majest├й law..... (read more)....
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... bout-this/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/there-can-be-no-struggle-for-democracy-which-ignores-lese-majeste-so-why-is-the-free-thai-movement-silent-about-this/)

[Up2U]

Vpn or proxy needed
There can be no struggle for democracy which ignores l├иse majest├й тАУ so why is the Free Thai Movement silent about this?
August 7, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
During a trip to Denmark a few months ago I met with Thai pro-democracy activists. Many of them were former Red Shirts who now identify themselves with the Free Thai Movement. To my surprise I discovered that the Free Thai Movement were reluctant to have any public discussion or any public position about the l├иse majest├й law..... (read more)....
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... bout-this/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/there-can-be-no-struggle-for-democracy-which-ignores-lese-majeste-so-why-is-the-free-thai-movement-silent-about-this/)

[Up2U]

UN Rights Agency Criticizes Thailand for Lese Majeste Cases
Aug 11, 2015
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said Tuesday it is appalled at the long prison sentences given to people convicted in Thailand of insulting the monarchy, and is calling for the immediate release of all people jailed for exercising freedom of expression.,.... (read more)..... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... s-33008176 (http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/rights-agency-criticizes-thailand-lese-majeste-cases-33008176)

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
10 August 2015
тАШReform Before ElectionтАЩ Would Ignite New Crisis, Official Warns

BANGKOK тАФ A top member of the junta-appointed National Reform Council warned yesterday that a new round of crises will hit Thailand if the government agrees to postpone elections for two more years.

Alongkorn Pollabutr, the councilтАЩs secretary general, spoke out against the recent proposal by a faction of conservative council members that the ruling military junta extend its stay in power two years to accomplish its effort of тАЬnational reformтАЭ before any election is held.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1439206071&section=11)

A top member of the junta-appointed National Reform Council warned yesterday that a new round of crises will hit Thailand if the government agrees to postpone elections for two more years.A Certain Person is expected to live for that long is he?

[Up2U]

Thailand Not Tilting Towards China, Away From US: Expert
A Japanese scholar sees more continuity than change in BangkokтАЩs foreign policy.
By Prashanth Parameswaran
August 13, 2015

Thailand is not shifting its foreign policy dramatically towards embracing China at the expense of the United States, a leading Japanese scholar said Wednesday...... (read more)...
http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/thailand ... us-expert/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/08/thailand-not-tilting-towards-china-away-from-us-expert/)

[Up2U]

Premier pushes amnesty to 'heal divide'
14 Aug 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: PATSARA JIKKHAM

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says it is time for former political opponents to show the way to national unity. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has stressed that the government's next major task is to push for unity now that the National Reform Council (NRC) has completed its reform blueprint.

Gen Prayut said those involved in past political conflicts who admit to their guilt should be given a chance to work for the benefit of the country, in order to foster reconciliation.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... eal-divide (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/654868/premier-pushes-amnesty-to-heal-divide)

[Up2U]

Thienchay defends crisis panel plans
14 Aug 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: MONGKOL BANGPRAPA & PATSARA JIKKHAM

National Reform Council (NRC) chairman Thienchay Kiranandana has defended the proposed formation of a crisis panel, saying it should not be seen as a tool for the military to prolong its hold on power.

The panel, known as the National Committee on Reform and Reconciliation Strategy, should be given credit for the good it could do, he said.

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has proposed the panel in the draft charter.

The CDC wants to incorporate a clause allowing the panel - whose members will include the army, navy, air force and police chiefs - to be given special powers to intervene in a political crisis. Their decisions would overrule the elected government.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... anel-plans (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/655020/thienchay-defends-crisis-panel-plans)

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
13 August 2015
Thanasak: Nothing to Explain About Stripping ThaksinтАЩs Rank to Foreign Governments

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra speaks at the 2013 Asian Business Leadership Forum Awards in the United Arab Emirates in this photo posted to his Instagram.

BANGKOK тАФ ThailandтАЩs top diplomat said there is no need to explain a campaign to strip former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his police rank to foreign governments.

Arguing the bid to deprive Thaksin, the de facto opposition leader, of his rank has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with the law, Foreign Minister Gen. Thanasak Patimapakorn told reporters yesterday when asked if foreign governments might see it as politically driven..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1439465837&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Northeasterners Mark 50th Anniversary of the Communist Armed Struggle
2015 August 13
by The Isaan Record

NAKHON PHANOM тАУ Fifty years ago, Comrade Tang fought for communism in the first violent clash between communist fighters and Thai security forces. Last week, at 88 years old, he marked the anniversary with a call for democracy.

In the early morning on August 7, villagers and local politicians flocked through the gate of NabuaтАЩs village temple to commemorate the incident that came to be known as the тАЬDay the First Gunshot Rang OutтАЭ. Against the militaryтАЩs demands, the crowd of 250 not only celebrated the former communists, but also rallied for freedom from the current military rule in Thailand..... (read more)... http://isaanrecord.com/

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... hai-junta/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/08/13/crime-and-punishment-under-the-thai-junta/)

[Up2U]

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/08/13/crime-and-punishment-under-the-thai-junta/

That first paragraph says it all, "ThailandтАЩs latest coup was meant to end conflict and build reconciliation. With no chance of justice for one side of politics, nothing could be further from the truth."

[Up2U]

Top cop pick тАШtightens regime gripтАЩ
15 Aug 2015
NEWSPAPER SECTION: NEWS | WRITER: POST REPORTERS
The selection of deputy police chief Chakthip Chaijinda as the new national police chief is likely a move by the military regime to tighten its grip on power, a source says..... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... egime-grip (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/656452/top-cop-pick-tightens-regime-grip)

[Up2U]

Thaksin urges 'no' for charter
15 Aug 2015
WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sent a clear signal on the draft charter, urging his supporters to throw it out.

Thaksin told a gathering of red shirts in Finland on Friday that the draft charter was against the will of the majority and said ''all democratic advocates'' should reject it.... (read more).. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... or-charter (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/656800/thaksin-urges-no-for-charter)

[Up2U]

Crown Prince leads cycling procession in Bangkok in historic Bike for Mom event
in General | August 16, 2015

Tens of thousands people, most of them in blue T-shirts, lined the streets where the procession passed through to greet the Crown Prince and his daughter, HRH Princess Bhajara Kittiyabha, who also joined the bike ride.,... (read more).....
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/crown- ... -mom-event (http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/crown-prince-leads-cycling-procession-in-bangkok-in-historic-bike-for-mom-event)

[Up2U]

A little history, use your vpn/proxy
Thailand and the Second World War
August 15, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

On the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War this short post looks back at Thailand during the war.

When the Japanese invaded Thailand in late 1941, the Thai government under Field Marshall Pibun hardly put up a fight. Pibun then declared war on Britain and the United States.

It should be noted that the Thai military has never really defended the country from outside invasions. Its weapons and hardware are used primarily to strengthen its political power and repress radical and pro-democracy citizens.... (read more).....
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... world-war/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/08/15/thailand-and-the-second-world-war/)

[Up2U]

Yingluck voices concerns about draft charter
Published: 17/08/2015
Writer: Online Reporters
(Read more)
http://m.bangkokpost.com/latestnews/658488

[Up2U]

UPDATE 1-Thai Q2 economic growth tops forecasts but still weak, 2015 forecast cut
Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong Thaichareon
* Q2 GDP +0.4 pct q/q, vs +0.2 pct in poll
* Q2 GDP +2.8 pct y/y, poll saw +2.8 pct
* Agency cuts 2015 growth forecast to 2.7-3.2 pct from 3.0-4.0 pct
* Exports contracted but tourism jumped - agency
BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's economy grew slightly more than expected in the second quarter but remained sluggish, putting more pressure on the military government to boost sputtering activity as it enters its second year in power..... (read more)...
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/16/reuters- ... t-cut.html (http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/16/reuters-america-update-1-thai-q2-economic-growth-tops-forecasts-but-still-weak-2015-forecast-cut.html)

[Up2U]

Suthep pleads not guilty in 'terrorism' libel case
Published: 17/08/2015

Former protest leader and Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban entered a plea of not guilty in the Criminal Court on Monday to a charge of defaming three red-shirt leaders by allegedly describing them as terrorists in 2010.... (read more)...
http://m.bangkokpost.com/latestnews/658604

[Up2U]

Bangkok blast: Suspect believed to be from group based in heartland of Red Shirt movement
August 18, 2015

BANGKOK (AFP, REUTERS) - ThailandтАЩs junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha on Tuesday said authorities are hunting a тАЬsuspectтАЭ seen on CCTV footage near the scene of a bombing that claimed at least 21 lives in Bangkok and wounded more than 120.... (read more).....
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... -pm-prayut (http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/bangkok-blast-attack-is-most-significant-assault-on-thailand-says-pm-prayut)

[Up2U]

Who is behind the Bangkok blast?
By James Giggacher
тАУ 18 August 2015Posted in: Thailand

In the wake of a devastating bomb attack in Bangkok overnight, which has already claimed more than 20 lives, many questions remain, including who is behind the atrocity and what their motivations are.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... um=twitter (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/08/18/who-is-behind-the-bangkok-blast/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
19 August 2015
'Challenges' Drive Revamp of Junta Cabinet

BANGKOK тАФ Observers are expecting an imminent and major reshuffle to the military government after junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha submitted a list of new ministers to His Majesty the King for a formal endorsement.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1439975949&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
17 August 2015
тАШChaosтАЩ Clause Empowers Unelected Panel to Seize Power

BANGKOK тАФ An unelected committee stacked with members of the military would be empowered to seize control from ThailandтАЩs elected government under a clause added to the draft constitution which is expected to go to voters in three weeks.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1439808569&section=11)

[Up2U]

use your vpn/proxy server
Opinion: Is the Thai-US Alliance About to End?
Posted on August 17, 2015 By Hunter Marston Headline, Politics, Thailand
Post-coup relations in the deep freeze

It is time for the US to reconsider its policy toward Thailand and seriously contemplate either ending the alliance or severely curtailing the treaty between the two countries. US policy toward Bangkok has been lost and ineffectual since the May 2014 coup.... (read more)...
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/op ... -alliance/ (http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/opinion-thailand-us-alliance/)

[Up2U]

Analysis
Bangkok attack is deepening THE DIVIDE in Thai society
TITIPOL PHAKDEEWANICH
SPECIAL TO THE NATION August 21, 2015
HOPES OF RECONCILIATION AFTER MORE THAN A |DECADE OF POLITICAL CONFLICT ARE WANING FAST
Four days on, Thailand is still reeling from the carnage caused by a bomb that ripped through central Bangkok's iconic Erawan Shrine during Monday rush-hour..... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion ... 67105.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Bangkok-attack-is-deepening-THE-DIVIDE-in-Thai-soc-30267105.html)

[Up2U]

AP August 21, 2015
Thailand seeks U.S. help to find Bangkok bomber

BANGKOK -- Thailand raised a reward Friday for tips leading to the arrest of the main suspect in Bangkok's deadly bombing and turned to the United States for help in tracking down those behind the attack that left 20 people dead.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he had received offers of assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and had assigned his deputy "to cooperate on borrowing equipment that includes facial-recognition technology."

Prayuth, however, ruled out working with U.S. investigators, insisting Thais can do the job... (read more)...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/thailand-se ... ok-bomber/ (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/thailand-seeks-united-states-help-to-find-bangkok-bomber/)

[Up2U]

Thai junta turning tragedy to farce
By Lee Jones, Guest Contributor
тАУ 21 August 2015Posted in: Thailand

In the aftermath of the Bangkok bombing, all weтАЩve seen is an investigation characterised by inconsistency and incompetency... (read more)...
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... -to-farce/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/08/21/thai-junta-turning-tragedy-to-farce/)

Thai junta turning tragedy to farceI'm afraid the well-known phrase or saying which includes the words "brewery", "organise" and "piss-up" applies to everything the Thais attempt

[Up2U]

Andrew MacGregor Marshall(zenjournalist), has posted Part I of a video, Siam Political Crisis, on his Facebook page.
https://t.co/8VZPhI4YnO

[Up2U]

Govt begs for confidence on security
23 Aug 2015
WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS
The government has pleaded for Thais and foreigners around the world to have confidence in Thailand's security measures.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... n-security (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/665800/govt-begs-for-confidence-on-security)

[Up2U]

Renowned royalist Sulak accused of l├иse majest├й
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 22/08/2015

A Thai military officer has filed a l├иse majest├й complaint against Sulak Sivaraksa, a renowned royalist and political science scholar known for his firm stand against the l├иse majest├й law, for allegedly criticising Thai monarchs of the early 20th century, King Rama V and Rama VII..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5407

[Up2U]

Khaosod English
24 August 2015
Bangkok Bomber May Have Fled Thailand: Police

BANGKOK тАФ Six days after a deadly bomb killed at least 20 people in Bangkok, police said yesterday their prime suspect in the attack may have successfully fled the country..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1440401187 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440401187)

[Up2U]

Police arrest photojournalist at Suvarnabhumi for carrying bulletproof vest
24 Aug 2015
WRITER: JON FERNQUEST
Bulletproof vests & helmets are classified as weapons under Thai law & must be licensed. Hong Kong photojournalist who brought one with him to cover bombing last week will be tried in military court..... (read more).....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/lea ... proof-vest (http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/667096/police-arrest-photojournalist-at-suvarnabhumi-for-carrying-bulletproof-vest)

[Up2U]

The kids will drink: Why Thailand booze ban could do more harm than good
By Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices Aug 24, 2015
By James Austin
ItтАЩs uncertain at the moment how the military junta intends to enforce its ban of alcohol sales within 300 metres (500 metres has also been talked about) of educational institutions. Numerous critics opposed to the ban have said that it would gravely affect business and diminish tourism revenue, but so far the potential benefits of the action itself, which is ostensibly to sway young folks from drinking тАУ have not been called into question. The junta seemed to back-peddle after the initial pronouncement of the order, but then said the ban would be enforced arbitrarily тАУ based on the, тАЬappropriateness of the situation,тАЭ according to Saman Footrakul, director of the Alcohol Beverage Office, as reported by Khaosod.... (read more)....
http://asiancorrespondent.com/135075/th ... than-good/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/135075/the-kids-will-drink-why-thailand-booze-ban-could-do-more-harm-than-good/)

[Up2U]

25 August 2015
Migrant Rights Activist Indicted in Thailand for Defamation

BANGKOK (DPA) - An activist who reported on alleged rights abuses at a Thai pineapple processing plant was indicted for defamation and committing computer crimes by the Thai Criminal Court Monday.

British researcher Andy Hall published a report in 2013 alleging Natural Fruit Company Limited committed human rights violations against migrant workers in one of its plants... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440443132&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

25 August 2015
Bangkok Bombing Dragnet Yields 142 Unrelated Arrests

BANGKOK тАФ A massive operation launched by police to find the perpetrator behind last weekтАЩs deadly bombing has netted 142 people on unrelated crimes, while the bomber and possible accomplices remain elusive.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=00 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440486074&section=00)

[Up2U]

PM lashes out at crisis panel foes
Politicians take aim at draft constitution
26 Aug 2015
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha launched a stinging rebuke Tuesday against political party leaders who oppose the formation of a "crisis panel" in the new draft charter.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut said politicians have no right to try and persuade the National Reform Council (NRC) to reject the draft.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... panel-foes (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/668964/pm-lashes-out-at-crisis-panel-foes)

[Up2U]

Forbes Magazine
Aug 25, 2015
Thailand's Shrine Bombing - The Case For Turkey's Grey Wolves
Susan Cunningham

The most likely perpetrators of the deadly Bangkok bombing last week were militant members of a right-wing Turkish organization infuriated by the Thai governmentтАЩs forcible repatriation of Uighur refugees back to China. Anthony Davis, a veteran security analyst with IHS-JaneтАЩs, made a persuasive case for the Grey Wolves on a panel at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand Monday evening.. (read more)....
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susancunnin ... ey-wolves/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/susancunningham/2015/08/24/thailands-shrine-bombing-the-case-for-turkeys-grey-wolves/)

[Up2U]

Opinion, Thai politics /history, vpn or proxy needed
ThailandтАЩs Disorganised Left
August 23, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Forty years ago left-wing political parties in Thailand managed to win 14.4% of the vote or 2.5 million votes in the General Election of 1975. Three main тАЬLeftтАЭ parties were represented in parliament. They were the Socialist Party, the Socialist Front and Palang Mai (New Force). These parties won many seats in the north and north-east of the country. Outside the arena of legal politics, the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) had enormous influence among student and worker activists and the CPT set the ideological agenda for the legal socialist parties in parliament.... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... ised-left/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/08/23/thailands-disorganised-left/)

[Up2U]

26 August 2015
Top Adviser to HM King Showers Praises on Junta
BANGKOK тАФ Leaders of the military government and the armed forces traded praise with the top adviser to His Majesty the King on the occasion of his 95th birthday today.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440569441&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Contrary to NCPO claims, stats show post-bomb tourist drop
26 Aug 2015
A day after the junta claimed the tourism industry has been unaffected by last week's bombing of BangkokтАЩs Erawan shrine, the Tourism and Sports Ministry released figures showing international arrivals actually fell 7% since the attack.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tou ... urist-drop (http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/tourism-and-transport/669580/contrary-to-ncpo-claims-stats-show-post-bomb-tourist-drop)

[Up2U]

BP Opinion
Feudal system stunts shoots of democracy
Sanitsuda Ekachai Op-ed Editor
26 Aug 2015
Why is ThailandтАЩs path toward democracy hitting a brick wall? The countryтАЩs economy тАФ despite its recent setback тАФ has created a huge middle class and a more open society that seemed to be heading toward democracy. What is holding the country back?.... (read more)...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... -democracy (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/669340/feudal-system-stunts-shoots-of-democracy)

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs nightmare scenario
By John Franklin, Guest Contributor
тАУ 26 August 2015Posted in: Thailand

There will be grim consequences if the Bangkok blast proves to have its origin in domestic politics..... (read more).... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... -scenario/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/08/26/thailands-nightmare-scenario/)

[Up2U]

26 August 2015
Prayuth Fumes at Politicians Critical of Charter
BANGKOK тАФ Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said politicians have no right to criticize the new constitution being drafted under the juntaтАЩs oversight.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1440593080 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440593080)

[Up2U]

Lessons we should learn from the Erawan Shrine bombing
Pravit Rojanaphruk
August 26, 2015
It's been a week since the deadly blast at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, and yet the investigation is still mired in confusion and contradiction.... (read more)....
http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/XrpVI

[Up2U]

27 August 2015,
In Run-Up to Charter Vote, Govt Forbids Campaigning
BANGKOK тАФ Thais will not be allowed to independently campaign either for or against their new constitution before it goes before voters in a referendum as soon as January..... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440656427&typecate=06&section=)

[Smiles]

The Prime Minister of Thailand thinks it's a great idea to ban 'certain words'. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... grassroots (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/670060/pm-wants-to-ban-word-grassroots)

[PeterUK]

The line of his that I liked in that article is, 'Today we do not have class divisions in society.' I chortled at that comment, yes, chortled.

[bkkguy]

my choice quote from this article:



"People who listened to the prime minister knew that his intention was to make fun, a joke or gag," said Maj Gen Sansern. "The media should carefully consider the overall context to avoid misinterpretation. Not having a sense of humour can create misunderstanding, and the media will lose credibility."

bkkguy

[Up2U]

Yes, we all know the General was joking, there is no "amart", "The amart are civil servants who are representatives of His Majesty the King in looking after the people," Gen Prayut said.

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs botched booze ban is forcing businesses to close
By Mark Inkey Aug 27, 2015
The confusion surrounding the recent announcements by the military government that alcohol cannot be sold near educational establishments is well illustrated in the seemingly random way the orders have been enforced in Chiang Mai.... (read more)....
http://asiancorrespondent.com/135126/th ... -to-close/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/135126/thailands-botched-booze-ban-is-forcing-businesses-to-close/)

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai: Toss out draft charter
27 Aug 2015
WRITER: AEKARACH SATTABURUTH AND PATSARA JIKKHAM
The Pheu Thai Party made its opposition to the draft charter official on Thursday with a letter to National Reform Council (NRC) chairman Thienchay Kiranandana.... (read more).... http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/67 ... ft-charter (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/671228/pheu-thai-toss-out-draft-charter)

[Up2U]

27 August 2015
Southern Separatist Leaders State Their Case to тАШEnd ViolenceтАЩ
KUALA LUMPUR тАФ Stepping out of the shadows of their long war against the Thai state, representatives from six separatist groups in southern Thailand said they are willing to lay down their arms if Bangkok formalizes peace talks as a national priority.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1440673999 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1440673999)

[Up2U]

Terrorism
August 27, 2015
The Thai Government Is Whitewashing the Bangkok Bombing to Reassure Tourists
By Geng Ngarmboonanant
BANGKOK тАФ Last Monday, my aunt called me at around 7 p.m. A careful and soft-spoken woman, her voice was filled with worry: тАЬTurn on the TV. Huge explosion at Rajprasong. Might be a bomb.тАЭ As she spoke, I heard a wail of sirens stream downtown on the expressway near my house, followed by more wails, and more, and more.... (read more)...
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/1226 ... e-tourists (http://www.newrepublic.com/article/122628/thai-government-whitewashing-bangkok-bombing-reassure-tourists)

[Up2U]

August 29,2015
Thai PM makes remark at Manila conference during visit to firm up defence, security ties
Raul Dancel Philippines Correspondent In Manila

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday the situation in Bangkok is "now under control", nearly two weeks after Thailand's worst bombing killed 20 people at a popular shrine... (read more)....
http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/bangko ... rol-prayut (http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/bangkok-situation-under-control-prayut)

[Up2U]

Unseen security footage underscores patchy Bangkok blast probe
Fri, Aug 28
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Andrew R.C. Marshall
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Eleven days after Thailand's deadliest bombing police have yet to review CCTV footage taken minutes after the blast which features a man dressed like the chief suspect, Reuters has found..... (read more).....
http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/id ... 8?irpc=932 (http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN0QX1CN20150828?irpc=932)

[Up2U]

Thirachai rises to top army post
28 Aug 2015
Assistant army chief Thirachai Nakwanich has been confirmed as the new head of the army in a military reshuffle list endorsed by His Majesty the King.... (read more)....
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... -army-post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/673108/thirachai-gets-top-army-post)

[Up2U]

Sat Aug 29, 2015
Thai police say suspect in Bangkok bombing arrested
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Police hunting for the perpetrators of Thailand's deadliest bombing arrested a suspect on Saturday they said fitted the description of a man seen on security cameras leaving a rucksack at the site of the Aug. 17 Bangkok blast.... (read more).....
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSK ... ce=twitter (http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0QY07O20150829?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=twitter)

[Up2U]

BANGKOK BLAST
Turkish embassy denies suspect it citizen
The Nation August 30, 2015
The Turkish embassy in Bangkok denied that the bomb suspect arrested by Thai police and troops on Saturday is a citizen of Turkey, Police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said Sunday.
Prawut said it could not yet be confirmed which nationality the suspect belongs to.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 67752.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Turkish-embassy-denies-suspect-it-citizen-30267752.html)

[Up2U]

Peaceful yet violent: the Thai paradox that still baffles the West
Lawrence Osborne 30 August 2015
The scene of the recent bombing at the Erawan shrine has swiftly been remodelled to make it seem as though nothing happened. Upbeat slogans тАУ тАШStronger TogetherтАЩ тАУ and a forensically dubious тАШclean-upтАЩ have gone hand in hand with a media campaign to reassure millions of tourists that they are safe in the Land of Smiles. The Chinese, however, have cancelled many of their vacations and the investigation rumbles on inconclusively, as is often the way with Thai investigations, which usually peter out in a vague inconclusiveness.... (read more)...
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/culturehou ... -the-west/ (http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/culturehousedaily/2015/08/peaceful-yet-violent-why-thailands-buddhist-paradox-still-baffles-the-west/)

[Up2U]

Police seek arrest warrants against three more foreigners
The Nation August 30, 2015
Police are seeking arrest warrants against three more foreigners suspected of being involved in Bangkok bomb attacks and having connection with the bomb suspect arrested in Nong Chok on Saturday.... (read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 67794.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Police-seek-arrest-warrants-against-three-more-for-30267794.html)

[Up2U]

Thai woman sought for bomb attacks
Arrested Erawan blast suspect gives little away
31 Aug 2015
Authorities are hunting for a Thai woman after materials believed to be used for bomb-making were seized from her room at an apartment in Min Buri district..... (read more)..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... mb-attacks (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/674164/thai-woman-sought-for-bomb-attacks)

[Up2U]

31 August 2015
Bangkok Bombing: Warrants Out for Thai Woman, Foreign Man
BANGKOK тАФ Arrest warrants for a Thai woman and a foreign national suspected of involvement in the bomb attacks earlier this month were issued this afternoon following a second raid conducted in the capitalтАЩs Min Buri district.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1441001720 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441001720)

[Up2U]

Bomb pair in Cambodia, say police
PM says gang may have Uighur trafficking links
1 Sep 2015
Police believe the two prime bombing suspects in the Erawan and Sathon pier explosions are hiding in Cambodia and have asked Phnom Penh authorities to hunt them down, a Crime Suppression Division (CSD) source said Monday.... (read more)...
http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/67 ... say-police (http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/675552/bomb-pair-in-cambodia-say-police)

[Up2U]

31 August 2015
Redshirt Leader Vows to Defy Charter Campaign Ban
BANGKOK тАФ A top leader of the Redshirt movement announced a campaign to reject the military juntaтАЩs draft constitution will be organized if it goes to a national vote next year.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441018782&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Opinion: Songkran Grachangnetara
1 Sep 2015
Charter to deal us a crippling blow
After scanning through what might be Thailand's 20th constitution in more than 80 years, I have to say, in my view it is a nasty piece of work. Imagine the most conniving characters in all of fiction, like Cruella de Vil, Fagin, Lex Luther and Hamlet, got together and decided to write a new constitution for Thailand. This draft would easily be something they could have come up with.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... pling-blow (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/676016/charter-to-deal-us-a-crippling-blow)

[Up2U]

Erawan bombing suspect arrested in Cambodia
1 Sep 2015
A foreigner suspected of involvement in last monthтАЩs bombing of the Erawan shrine in Bangkok was arrested in Cambodia and handed over to Thai authorities Tuesday, a police source said.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... n-cambodia (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/676696/erawan-bombing-suspect-arrested-in-cambodia)

[Up2U]

Suthep supports draft constitution
1 Sep 2015
The draft constitution to be voted on by the National Reform Council (NRC) on Sept 6 is appropriate to the present situation, former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday..... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... nstitution (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/676592/suthep-supports-draft-constitution)

[Up2U]

Police nab prime bomb suspect
Confusion emerges over arrest location
2 Sep 2015
Police have arrested a foreign man described by authorities as the prime suspect in the bombing of the Erawan shrine that killed 20 people and injured 130..... (read more)...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... mb-suspect (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/677024/police-nab-prime-bomb-suspect)

http://www.thairath.co.th/media/EyWwB5W ... DQP0wl.jpg (http://www.thairath.co.th/media/EyWwB5WU57MYnKOuXq4HQiPPMtt0VC6InEr5fjnTHjJzOnpyDQ P0wl.jpg)

[Up2U]

02 September 2015
Mounting Evidence Links Bombing to Turks, Uighurs
BANGKOK тАФ Moments after word began to spread yesterday of a new arrest in the Erawan Shrine bombing, an image said to be of the manтАЩs passport began circulating, only to be quickly disavowed by authorities.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441185005&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

3 Choices of тАШThai DemocracyтАЩ given by the junta
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 02/09/2015
The decision of the National Reform Council (NRC) to vote for or against the charter draft on 6 September 2015 is a pivot point on where Thai politics would turn. At the end of the line, however, people are given two main choices whether to prolong the life of the Thai junta or to have an elected government by late 2016, which will be lorded over by the тАШCrisis PanelтАЩ, a Thai style тАШPolitburoтАЩ.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5438

[Up2U]

NRC member queries 'majority votes' requirement for referendum
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION September 3, 2015
A MEMBER of the National Reform Council has called on his colleagues to shoot down the draft charter, arguing that the conditions for the referendum were flawed and it would be a waste of state funds if it were to go ahead... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 68022.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NRC-member-queries-majority-votes-requirement-for--30268022.html)

[Up2U]

Uighurs under watch as CSD investigates ties to terrorism
3 Sep 2015
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) is keeping a close watch on around 3,000 ethnic Uighurs in Thailand as authorities investigate possible links between Uighur extremists and the deadly Erawan shrine bombing.... (read more)....
http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/678624

[Up2U]

02 September 2015
Junta Mulls Granting Redshirts Forum Granted to Opponents
BANGKOK тАФ The ruling military junta is considering whether to allow Redshirt leaders to hold a news conference to announce their stance on ThailandтАЩs proposed constitution charter after one was held yesterday by a political archrival.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441189552&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

New Erawan bomb suspect arrested in Narathiwat
3 Sep 2015
A Thai Muslim man has been arrested in Narathiwat province, in the far South, and sent to Bangkok on suspicion of involvement in the Aug 17 Erawan shrine bombing, reports said... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... narathiwat (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/679580/new-erawan-bomb-suspect-arrested-in-narathiwat)

[Up2U]

Exclusive: Who's Really Behind ThailandтАЩs Erawan Shrine Bomb Blast?
The DiplomatтАЩs Shawn Crispin conducts an in-depth investigation into the recent Erawan Shrine bombing.
By Shawn W. Crispin
September 04, 2015
While ThailandтАЩs police claim success in apprehending and identifying foreign suspects in the countryтАЩs deadliest-ever bomb attack, national intelligence agencies are pursuing local actors as the likely masterminds behind the crime. Rather than an act of ideologically-driven international terrorism, as portrayed by security analysts and echoed in media reports, the lethal explosion was more likely an act of local commission, motivated by rising tensions between rival political and security force factions jockeying for position ahead of a high-stakes royal succession... (read more)...
http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/exclusiv ... omb-blast/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/exclusive-an-inside-look-at-thailands-erawan-shrine-bomb-blast/)

[Up2U]

Bombing tied to people smuggling
Govt crackdown may have spurred attack
4 Sep 2015
Police are giving weight to possible connections between the Erawan shrine and Sathon pier bombings and Uighur smuggling rings allowing migrants to flee China and head to Turkey... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -smuggling (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/680044/bombing-tied-to-people-smuggling)

[Up2U]

Thu Sep 3, 2015
Special Report: Thai junta hits royal critics with record jail time
By Aubrey BelfordBANGKOK (Reuters) - Just minutes after being locked up for 30 years for insulting ThailandтАЩs monarchy, Pongsak Sriboonpeng described what he thought was the cause of his capture: a poorly chosen Facebook friend..... (read more).... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0R400X20150904

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai PartyтАЩs Political Standpoint on The Draft Constitution as of 27 August 2015

This draft constitution totally disregards sovereignty of the Thai people. Elected government will be weak and cannot perform. The true power belongs to agencies and mechanism which are designed to maintain the juntaтАЩs power without check and balance. People will lack basic rights and opportunities. Economy will slump. Reconciliation will never be achieved. .... (read more).... http://ptp.or.th/news/232

[Up2U]

NCPO explains why it rejects UDDтАЩs public discussion on draft charter
in Politics | September 5, 2015
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree explained why the junta has disallowed the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship to hold a public discussion with the media on the draft constitution.... (read more).....
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ncpo-e ... ft-charter (http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ncpo-explains-why-it-rejects-udds-public-discussion-on-draft-charter)

[Up2U]

05 September 2015
Junta Nixes Redshirt News Conference
BANGKOK тАФ The event and place were to be the same but the hosts different.
Four days after granting permission for supporters to endorse the draft charter, the military government said today it has rejected a request by Redshirt leaders to do the same tomorrow, citing concerns about тАЬnegative attitudes.тАЭ... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441438134&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Thailand's Army-Backed Council Rejects Charter, Delays Polls
Sep 6, 2015
byGRANT PECK, HRVOJE HRANJSKI, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thailand's military-backed legislature on Sunday rejected an unpopular draft of a new constitution, delaying a return to democracy following a coup last year.. (read more)...
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... s-33566267 (http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thailands-army-backed-council-rejects-charter-delays-polls-33566267)

[Oliver]

More than the usual coverage in the UK and US. There is a suggestion that more pressure will be put on the Junta, now that a return to democracy is further away than ever; but somehow, I doubt it.

[frequentfliers]

They must be afraid of who the people would elect..sad.

[Up2U]

Dr Wyn Ellis: British academic detained in Thailand after exposing official as plagiarist
By Kashmira Gander
Sunday 06 September 2015
A British academic, who exposed a Thai official who had plagiarised his work, is being held at a detention centre in Bangkok over allegations he is a threat to national security.... (read more).... http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 89026.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dr-wyn-ellis-british-academic-detained-in-thailand-after-exposing-official-as-plagiarist-10489026.html)

[Up2U]

Drafters 'to blame' for charter rejection
7 Sep 2015
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is demanding those behind the botched draft charter must take responsibility for its failure.... (read more).....
http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/682 ... -rejection (http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/682496/drafters-to-blame-for-charter-rejection)

[Up2U]

Democracy activists say junta only want to maintain its power after charter draft was rejected
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 07/09/2015
An anti-junta activist group has urged the junta to step down after the 2015 charter draft was rejected on Sunday, saying that the junta only wants to hold on to its power.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5451

[Up2U]

Suspect confesses to delivering bag to shrine bomber, police say
8 Sep 2015
Erawan shrine blast suspect Yusufu Mieraili has admitted to delivering the backpack containing the bomb to the yellow-shirted suspect who left it in the Ratchaprasong area, causing the deadly explosion on Aug 17, police sources say.... (read more).....
http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/68 ... police-say (http://bangkokpost.com/news/security/683972/suspect-confesses-to-delivering-bag-to-shrine-bomber-police-say)

[Up2U]

British academic freed, seeks charges against ex-NIA chief
8 Sep 2015
Wyn Ellis, Supachai Lorlowhakarn, plagiarism, deportation
A United Nations consultant stuck in limbo in Suvarnabhumi airportтАЩs immigration detention centre as a result of a alleged тАЬvendettaтАЭ against him by a National Innovation Agency official is calling on the agency to take тАЬimmediate criminal actionтАЭ against the civil servant..... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... o-thailand (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/684072/detained-briton-freed-allowed-into-thailand)

[Up2U]

Opinion: Shrouding Thailand in a facade of happiness won't hide reality
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
September 9, 2015
THAILAND today is a happy land, it's "stronger together" and 99.99 per cent democratic, unless you happen to strongly disagree with junta-leader-cum-Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and the way he runs, or rather controls, the country.... (read more)...
http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/lWruC

[Up2U]

08 September 2015
Rebooting Charter Process Enables Longest Military Rule Since 1969
BANGKOK тАФ The most recent delay to holding elections in Thailand will leave the kingdom living under military rule for the longest time since 1969..... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441711517&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Thailand bombing suspect travelled to Bangladesh: police
AFP NewsAFP News
A key suspect wanted over the bombing of a Bangkok shrine that left 20 people dead flew to Dhaka a day before the blast before travelling on to China, Bangladesh police said Thursday..... (read more).... https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thailand-bomb ... 08319.html (https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thailand-bombing-suspect-travelled-bangladesh-police-141508319.html)

[Up2U]

10 September 2015
Prayuth Threatens to Silence Critics Amid Uptick in Detentions [Transcript]
BANGKOK тАФ Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha today vowed to escalate the suppression of his military regimeтАЩs critics and asked the media not to give them a platform.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441886499&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Voices from Isaan: The Failed Constitution Draft
2015 September 9
KHON KAEN тАУ Despite their relief about the rejection of the constitution draft, people in the Northeast are dismayed by the undemocratic drafting process and the prospect of extended military rule.... (read more).... http://isaanrecord.com/

[Up2U]

Cashing in on constitutions
By Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang
тАУ 11 September 2015Posted in: Thailand
Fame, money, power: constitution drafting in Thailand is a lucrative business. But those seeking fortune, should also recognise the risk.... (read more)... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... titutions/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/09/11/cashing-in-on-constitutions/)

[Up2U]

American Thai Community Seeks End to MonarchyтАЩs Influence
Posted by Editor on September 10, 2015 in Opinion
REUTERS/Damir Sagolij
By Leonard Novarro and Rosalynn Carmen
They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
No more.
Opinion LogoA conference held there over Labor Day weekend to restore democracy in Thailand is expected to have reverberations 8,200 miles away. Not only did it call for an end to the abuse of political and human rights in that country. Many called for an end to the monarchy, a move that would guarantee imprisonment in Thailand, or worse.... (read more)... http://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2015 ... influence/ (http://timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2015/09/10/american-thai-community-seeks-end-to-monarchys-influence/)

[Up2U]

10 September 2015
Conservative Actress Accuses Redshirt of Sabotaging her Image
BANGKOK тАФ An actress and avid supporter of the Yellowshirt movement filed a criminal complaint today against a Redshirt supporter, alleging he fabricated inflammatory quotes disparaging "low class" Redshirts in her name.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441871626&section=11)

[Up2U]

10 September 2015
Junta to Hold Politician тАШUntil He CooperatesтАЩ
BANGKOK тАФ The ruling military junta said today former minister Pichai NaripatapanтАЩs latest detention in an army camp тАУ said to be his seventh since the coup тАУ will only end when it deems him to be тАЬcooperative.тАЭ.... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1441879130&section=11)

[Up2U]

Coup politics in Thailand, Curiouser and curiouser
Thailand spins in circles as the generalsтАЩ friends vote down their draft constitution
Sep 12th 2015
ONLY the wildest optimists still believe that ThailandтАЩs military junta, which seized power in a coup last year, intends to step down soon. A farce that played out in the Parliament House in Bangkok on September 6th has made that even plainer. In a televised vote following a cheesy group photo, a junta-backed National Reform Council voted to abandon a proposed new constitution which a junta-backed set of drafters had spent ten months drawing up.... (read more)... http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2166 ... iouser-and (http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21664234-thailand-spins-circles-generals-friends-vote-down-their-draft-constitution-curiouser-and)

[Up2U]

Prayut government awaits decent replacement
11 Sep 2015
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged people to vote for good politicians in the next general election and assured he would step down if there is an accountable government that will not repeat past mistakes.... (read more)..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... -successor (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/690144/pm-awaits-decent-successor)

[Up2U]

never-ending rejections?
Critics warn constitution crisis looms
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
TANATPONG KONGSAI
THE SUNDAY NATION September 13, 2015
'Cycle of charter rejections may keep the junta in power'
CRITICS of the military junta have warned that Thailand may be trapped in a never-ending cycle of drafting and rejecting a new charter because the public will keep on rejecting undemocratic drafts in a national referendum. And this cycle, they said, would deepen the political crisis.... (read more)..... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 68688.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Critics-warn-constitution-crisis-looms-30268688.html)

[Up2U]

74 years-old detained for saying all Thais should be equal
Submitted by editor2 on Sun, 13/09/2015
Thai police officers detained an elderly writer after he made comments about the new constitutional draft, saying that it might affect national security.
Police officers Saturday afternoon, 12 September 2015, detained a 74 years old independent writer known by his penname as Bundit Aneeya after he made suggestions at a seminar on the new constitution drafting process at Thammasat University, Tha Prachan Campus, Bangkok..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5465? ... um=twitter (http://prachatai.org/english/node/5465?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

[Up2U]

False Front Rings Familiar in the Northeast
2015 September 13
KHON KAEN тАУ In the Northeast, most people were always doubtful. They laughed at the reconciliation trainings that came to their villages. They mocked a constitution drafting process that purported to include their voices. Very few here believed that the military had any intention of swiftly returning Thailand to a democracy. The news that the military rejected its own constitution draft comes as just another sign of the juntaтАЩs insincere rule..... (read more).... http://isaanrecord.com/2015/09/13/false ... northeast/ (http://isaanrecord.com/2015/09/13/false-front-rings-familiar-in-the-northeast/)

[Up2U]

Pravit's last tweet "Freedom can't be maintained if we're not willing to defend it."
FCCT STATEMENT ON DETENTION OF PRAVIT ROJANAPRUK 9/14/2015
The professional membership of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand is very concerned to learn of the detention of journalist Pravit Rojanapruk by the Thai military authorities. Pravit, who works for The Nation, was ordered to report to the 1st Army headquarters in Bangkok over the weekend.... (read more).... http://fccthai.com/items/1753.html

[Up2U]

14 September 2015
Military Holds 'The Nation' Journalist in Secret Detention
BANGKOK тАФ A journalist from a prominent English-language newspaper in Thailand became the third person to be held incommunicado by the military this month, as the ruling junta escalates its recent clampdown on dissent.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442222475&section=11)

[Up2U]

Govt bans foreigner 'visa runs' to borders
15 Sep 2015
Immigration police at land border crossings have now stopped giving entry stamps to foreigners who exit and immediately return to Thailand to extend their stay for 15-30 days on visa runs..... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... to-borders (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/692868/govt-bans-foreigner-visa-runs-to-borders)

[Up2U]

Tue Sep 15, 2015
Thailand's reluctant leader prolongs his grip on power
By Andrew R.C. Marshall
BANGKOK (Reuters) - He repeatedly presents himself as a reluctant leader, and yet Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is now on track to become his country's longest-ruling strongman since the 1970s..... (read more).... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idAFKCN0RF0B520150915

[bruce_nyc]

"reluctant leader prolongs his grip on power"

That's just comedy.

[Up2U]

15 September 2015
Junta Releases Critics from Secret Detention
BANGKOK тАФ Three of the ruling juntaтАЩs most vocal critics were released this afternoon from military custody... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442316935&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Nation writer, politicians let go after signing pact
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
JITRAPORN SENWONG,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION September 16, 2015
PM warns there will be no negotiations, 'offenders' will face court in the future
THE NATIONAL Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday released from detention The Nation's senior reporter and two Pheu Thai politicians after getting them to sign an undertaking to desist from any move or expression of opinions opposing the junta's road map..... (read more)..... http://linkis.com/nationmultimedia.com/cciWf

[Up2U]

PM ready to shorten time before next poll
THE NATION September 16, 2015
FOLLOWING mounting pressure, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that he would shorten the road map timeline and hold a general election in less than the previously planned 20 months.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 68894.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-ready-to-shorten-time-before-next-poll-30268894.html)

[Up2U]

The perils of Prayuth
By Chatwadee Rose Amornpat, Guest Contributor
тАУ 15 September 2015Posted in: Thailand
Junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha is not only an embarrassment to Thailand but is endangering the country..... (read more)..... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... f-prayuth/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/09/15/the-perils-of-prayuth/)

[Up2U]

Nation reporter resigns 'to end pressure'
16 Sep 2015
The Nation senior reporter Pravit Rojanaphruk resigned from the English language newspaper on Wednesday after his second detention by the military junta as a result of his anti-coup stance.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... d-pressure (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/695640/nation-reporter-resigns-to-end-pressure)

[Up2U]

US protests risk 'hurting' Thais
Premier wary of regime's critics at UN
17 Sep 2015
A protest against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a foreign country would hurt Thailand's reputation, the government warns...... (read more).... http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/69 ... ting-thais (http://bangkokpost.com/news/politics/695872/us-protests-risk-hurting-thais)

[Up2U]

Thailand Blames Uighur Militants for Bombing at Bangkok Shrine
By THOMAS FULLER and EDWARD WONGSEPT. 15, 2015
BANGKOK тАФ Nearly a month after the deadliest bombing in recent Thai history, ThailandтАЩs national police chief made his most explicit comments on Tuesday about who carried out the attack here and why..... (read more).... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/world ... .html?_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/world/asia/thailand-suspects-uighurs-in-bomb-attack-at-bangkok-shrine.html?_r=0)

[Up2U]

Thailand earns stay on EU fish deadline
17 Sep 2015
Thailand has been given more time by the European Union to stamp out illegal fishing practices beyond the initial deadline of October, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thursday..... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... h-deadline (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/697264/thailand-earns-stay-on-eu-fish-deadline)

[Up2U]

When Will ThailandтАЩs Elusive Election Be Held?
The latest read on the ever-shifting timeline for ThailandтАЩs election.
By Prashanth Parameswaran
September 18, 2015
In Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chaтАЩs first public address just over a week after the May 22 coup last year, he said that the ruling junta he led had a time frame of a year and three months to move towards elections.... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/when-wil ... n-be-held/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/when-will-thailands-elusive-election-be-held/)

[Up2U]

America's estrangement from Thailand
Nicholas Borroz Analyst
18 September 2015
The American public increasingly thinks of Thailand as unstable, a perception fueled by official criticism of Thailand's politics. Although this criticism is partially driven by developments in Thailand, it is also a result of uncoordinated and reactionary foreign policy.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... m-thailand (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/697912/america-estrangement-from-thailand)

[Up2U]

Football and blindfolds: Thai junta's 'attitude adjustments'
18 September 2015
By Jerome Taylor
From cordial cups of coffee and football games with soldiers, to blindfolds and black site prisons, Thailand's junta are employing a range of tactics in their so-called "attitude adjustment" campaign against critics.... (read more)... http://news.yahoo.com/football-blindfol ... NlYwNzcg-- (http://news.yahoo.com/football-blindfolds-thai-juntas-attitude-adjustments-053812445.html;_ylt=AwrXnCKXwPtV7RwAFHyZmolQ;_ylu= X3oDMTByb2lvbXVuBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYw Nzcg--)

[Up2U]

18 September 2015
Democracy Activists Ignore Junta Order to Call Off March
BANGKOK тАФ A pro-democracy group vows to go ahead with a demonstration tomorrow to mark the anniversary of the 2006 coup dтАЩetat despite being warned to call it off by the military junta... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442574471&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Thailand Builds Case in Bangkok Bombing
Ron Corben
September 18, 2015
Thai authorities have formally blamed last month's deadly Bangkok bombing on a Uighur human smuggling network that officials say was angry about a police crackdown on its business.... (read more)... http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand ... 68964.html (http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-builds-case-against-uighur-smugglers-in-bangkok-bombing/2968964.html)

[Up2U]

Why Pravit's attitude won't be easily adjusted
20 Sep 2015
In the wake of military detention and his controversial departure from 'The Nation', outspoken reporter Pravit Rojanaphruk says he still feels a duty to make society more equitable, democratic and free.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... y-adjusted (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/699500/why-pravit-attitude-won-t-be-easily-adjusted)

[Up2U]

19 September 2015
Police Allow Coup Anniversary Protest
BANGKOK тАФ A demonstration to mark the ninth anniversary of the 2006 military coup dтАЩetat ended tonight without confrontation with the authorities, who yesterday ordered the march be called off.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442673007&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Thaksin tells Thailand's red shirt opposition: 'play dead'... for now
Sat Sep 19, 2015
By Simon Webb and Pairat Temphairojana
UDON THANI, Thailand (Reuters) - From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead".... (read more).... http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/i ... dChannel=0 (http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0RK02F20150920?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0)

[Up2U]

written by Thailand's ambassador
September 20, 2015
Regarding the Sept. 16 editorial тАЬJailed for a bad attitude тАЭ:
Most Thai people have had enough of street unrest, political paralysis and rampant corruption.... (read more).... https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions ... story.html (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thailand-is-heading-toward-democracy/2015/09/20/06e89bfe-5e0e-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html)

[Up2U]

PM launches 'people's state' policy
Prayut denies move iseconomic populism
21 Sep 2015
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has unveiled a new strategy to build "a people's state" to bring together the state, the people and businesses for the long-term sustainable development of the country..... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ate-policy (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/700048/pm-launches-people-state-policy)

[Up2U]

With King in Declining Health, Future of Monarchy in Thailand Is Uncertain
By THOMAS FULLERSEPT. 20, 2015
BANGKOK тАФ After nearly seven decades on the throne, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 87, the keystone of ThailandтАЩs identity and a major unifying force for the country, is in declining health. With increasing frequency, the palace has issued medical bulletins detailing his ailments, and in recent days his youngest daughter has led prayer sessions following a Buddhist rite normally used for terminally ill patients.... (read more).... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world ... share&_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/world/with-king-in-declining-health-future-of-monarchy-in-thailand-is-uncertain.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0)

[Up2U]

9 years ago today
By Nicholas Farrelly
тАУ 19 September 2015
A lot has happened since the coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on 19 September 2006.... (read more)... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... ago-today/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2015/09/19/9-years-ago-today/)

[fountainhall]

The local Thai printer of the International New York Times has refused to publish today's issue because it contains the article in the USA edition highlighted by Up2U two posts earlier. Not sure how much longer the article in the overseas edition will continue to be available for reading.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34322123

[Up2U]

22 September 2015
Bangkok Bombers Rumored to be in Malaysian Custody
BANGKOK тАФ Thai police have not confirmed whether two men arrested in Malaysia are the principal suspects sought in last monthтАЩs bombing of BangkokтАЩs Erawan Shrine.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1442904143 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1442904143)

[Up2U]

Prayut to extol regime gains at UN
analysis: PM faces criticism over Thailand's human rights record amid escalating crackdown on dissent.
23 Sep 2015
Prime Minister and coup leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to highlight the progress the government has made in fighting human trafficking during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this week, but how he will handle criticism of the ruling junta's poor human rights record remains to be seen..... (read more)..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... ains-at-un (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/703068/prayut-to-extol-regime-gains-at-un)

[Up2U]

Thai junta to push eviction for special economic zones on northern border
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 22/09/2015
The Thai junta leader has urged the relevant authorities to speed up a special economic zone project in northern Thailand despite opposition from local people who are to be evicted.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5483

[Up2U]

General Happiness orders Great Firewall of Thailand
September 23, 2015
ThailandтАЩs military government has ordered the creation of a great firewall of Thailand to control the flow of information on the Internet.
General PrayuthтАЩs cabinet ordered the ICT and Justice Ministries and the National Police Department to set up a single internet gateway in order to control inappropriate websites and to control the flow of information into the country from overseas via the internet.... (read more)... http://www.telecomasia.net/blog/content ... OU.twitter (http://www.telecomasia.net/blog/content/general-happiness-orders-great-firewall-thailand#.VgIQnIbjvOU.twitter)

[Up2U]

Wed Sep 23, 2015
Malaysia arrests six people, says they may have aided Bangkok bomber
By Trinna Leong and Panarat Thepgumpanat
KUALA LUMPUR/BANGKOK (Reuters) - Malaysia has arrested six people suspected of being part of a human trafficking network and who may have helped a bomber who killed 20 people at a Bangkok shrine last month escape from Thailand, police said on Wednesday..... (read more).... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0RN0VR20150923

[Up2U]

23 September 2015
Bangkok Bombers Not in Malaysian Custody, Deputy Police Chief Rules
BANGKOK тАФ Malaysian authorities have not arrested the two bombers behind the bomb attack that killed 20 people in Bangkok last month, said ThailandтАЩs deputy police chief, who reportedly flew to Malaysia without his bossтАЩ knowledge..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1443015252 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443015252)

[Up2U]

Press release from the European Union:

[frequentfliers]

Thanks for the update..

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs Plan For Chinese-Style тАШGreat FirewallтАЩ Could Drive US Internet Giants Like Facebook, Google From Southeast AsiaтАЩs тАШLand Of SmilesтАЩ
By David Gilbert @daithaigilbert d.gilbert@ibtimes.com on September 24 2015
The Great Firewall of China is the name given to the severe restrictions imposed on Internet access within that country. But even as China mulls opening up as part of a broader effort to boost its economy, one of its nearby Asian neighbors, Thailand, is looking to ramp up its own censorship program, using the People's Republic as a model.... (read more)... http://www.ibtimes.com/thailands-plan-c ... ok-2111726 (http://www.ibtimes.com/thailands-plan-chinese-style-great-firewall-could-drive-us-internet-giants-facebook-2111726)

[Up2U]

Erawan bomb blast
Suspect 'confesses' he planted shrine bomb
THE NATION September 25, 2015
Police looking for clinching evidence to prove Adem Karadag was the bomber in yellow t-shirt
ADEM KARADAG, the foreigner arrested late last month in connection with the Erawan Shrine bombing, has confessed that he was the man who planted the explosive device that killed 20 people and injured 100 others on August 17.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 69521.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Suspect-confesses-he-planted-shrine-bomb-30269521.html)

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs Military Junta is Clueless about Economic Policy
PrayuthтАЩs government is failing to reverse the countryтАЩs economic decline.
By Anthony Kleven
September 25, 2015
ThailandтАЩs ruling military junta is proving to be as clueless about economic policy as it is disdainful for the rights of civil society.

In May 2014, General Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power from the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, promising to bring Thailand back to prosperity. Yet he and the ruling junta have shown themselves to be completely outmatched by the challenge to reverse ThailandтАЩs economic decline. Instead, ThailandтАЩs economic situation has suffered further declines, a nosedive similar to the battering administered to civil liberties at the hands of the military government.... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/thailand ... ic-policy/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/thailands-military-junta-is-clueless-about-economic-policy/)

[Up2U]

Arrest warrants sought for 16 from military court
THE NATION September 26, 2015
CHANGE IN CASE JURISDICTION IN KEEPING WITH NCPO GUIDELINES, SAYS CITY POLICE CHIEF
POLICE INVESTIGATORS yesterday sought permission from a military court to issue arrest warrants for 16 suspects for their alleged involvement in last month's bombing at the Erawan Shrine, the Metropolitan Police commissioner said.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 69589.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Arrest-warrants-sought-for-16-from-military-court-30269589.html)

[bruce_nyc]

Is this thread just an automated news feed.....? :(

[Up2U]

Is this thread just an automated news feed.....? :(
Bruce, we come from a country with a free press. That is not the case here as the story below illustrates. We would like to have an open discussion about some of these issues but we can't (no discussion of the elephant in the room), so yes this thread is about sharing information and often from nontraditional (for Thailand) news sources. There are expats and tourists here who read the Bangkok Post and the Nation and think unfortunately they are getting the whole story.
use your vpn/proxy server
Supine press helps Thai junta muzzle discussion
September 20, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
The treatment of outspoken pro-democracy journalist Prawit Rojanapruk should dispel any illusions that Thailand is on the road to тАЬpolitical reformтАЭ.... (read more)... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... iscussion/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/supine-press-helps-thai-junta-muzzle-discussion/)

[bruce_nyc]

I don't mean to bring up a touchy subject, but.... Isn't this forum at risk for hosting such "sensitive" discussions here? ( I mean about "politics" )

And members too, for that matter. ....at risk?

[Up2U]

I don't mean to bring up a touchy subject, but.... Isn't this forum at risk for hosting such "sensitive" discussions here? ( I mean about "politics" )

And members too, for that matter. ....at risk?
The members know the forum rules regarding discussions about the monarchy and royal family and Surfcest moderates. This forum has had discussions about Thai politics ever since I can remember. Thailand has strict laws prohibiting lese majeste which are strictly enforced.

[Up2U]

New Ambassador Holds Key to US-Thailand Relations
Can Glyn Davies lift bilateral ties from their lowest point in decades?
By Shawn W. Crispin
September 26, 2015
New U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies arrived in Bangkok this week after the senior post remained vacant for nearly a year amid troubled times for bilateral ties. The seasoned envoy, a 35-year veteran in AmericaтАЩs diplomatic corps, will be tasked with steering relations in the wake of last yearтАЩs military takeover and rising perceptions that China has stolen a march through overtures towards Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chaтАЩs rights-curbing government.... (read more)... http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/new-amba ... relations/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/09/new-ambassador-holds-key-to-us-thailand-relations/)

[bruce_nyc]

Yes but, as you've pointed out, Thailand now has a "new government" in place... with very new and mysterious and somewhat unpredictable "rules". No?

[Up2U]

Prayut looks to shore up US trade ties
Trafficking, graft 'being dealt with'
27 Sep 2015
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sought to ease concerns over human trafficking and forced labour in a meeting with senior US business lobbyists yesterday, an apparent effort to shore up confidence amid weakening economic data.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... trade-ties (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/708320/prayut-looks-to-shore-up-us-trade-ties)

[Up2U]

Police: Evidence sufficient to charge Bangkok bomb suspect
By AP News Sep 26, 2015
BANGKOK (AP) тАФ Thai police say they believe they have gathered enough evidence to prosecute the person they accuse of carrying out last monthтАЩs bombing at a landmark in the Thai capital that killed 20 people.... (read more).... http://asiancorrespondent.com/135823/po ... b-suspect/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/135823/police-evidence-sufficient-to-charge-bangkok-bomb-suspect/)

[Up2U]

News > Special Reports
27 Sept 2015
Military mind games play out under strict insecurity
Amid claims the government is engaged in psychological warfare, those who have had their attitudes 'adjusted' say the tactics only show weakness.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special ... insecurity (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/708280/military-mind-games-play-out-under-strict-insecurity)

[Up2U]

Government dismisses UN protests
Foreign countries 'confident' in regime
28 Sep 2015
The military regime and the government brushed off anti-coup protests at the United Nations in New York Sunday, saying the move would not cast Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a bad light or undermine him at the summit..... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... n-protests (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/708880/government-dismisses-un-protests)

[Up2U]

Thumbs down for proposed single Internet gateway
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION September 28, 2015
Government warned move could damage fast-growing e-commerce sector, besides also posing serious connection issues
THAI online businesses, Internet service providers and netizens have joined forces to oppose the government's single Internet gateway plan.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 69670.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thumbs-down-for-proposed-single-Internet-gateway-30269670.html)

[Up2U]

тАЬArrested DevelopmentтАЭ Why and how the Thai junta disciplines labor
Kriangsak Teerakowitkajorn 28 September 2015
Since the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) has taken control of the Thai administration, criticism of its handling of the economy has been widespread. While critics have focused on the juntaтАЩs lack of expertise and the short-term outcomes of its economic policies, there has been little attention on its distinctive strategies. This paper focuses on the conjuncture in ThailandтАЩs political economy, which provides a unique context in which the junta is conditioned to respond. Based on its conviction that various types of workforce each have their own place in society, the junta has responded to the policy recommendations of state agencies, technocrats as well as business interests with predictable but highly contentious results.... (read more)... http://kyotoreview.org/yav/why-how-thai ... nes-labor/ (http://kyotoreview.org/yav/why-how-thai-junta-disciplines-labor/)

[Up2U]

Military junta in Thailand undermines economic competitiveness
by Qingzhen Chen , September 27, 2015
In Thailand, a military-appointed council has rejected a draft constitution and the election has been postponed to no sooner than July, 2017. An extension of the military regime means political instability will persist and undermine ThailandтАЩs economic competitiveness.

Earlier this month, ThailandтАЩs National Reform Council, appointed by the junta government, voted down the draft constitution composed by the military-appointed constitution draft committee..... (read more)... http://globalriskinsights.com/2015/09/m ... etiveness/ (http://globalriskinsights.com/2015/09/military-junta-in-thailand-undermines-economic-competiveness/)

[Up2U]

28 September 2015
Eight to Be Tried for Blocking 2014 Election
BANGKOK тАФ After deliberating 18 months, prosecutors today announced they have taken up cases against eight activists who helped scuttle the 2014 election... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443441720&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs bid for the TPP тАФ time for trade, or trade for time?
By AT Editor on September 28, 2015 in AT Opinion, Southeast Asia
By Robert Held
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, an outgrowth of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, was conceived in January 2008 and has since been the subject of much huffing and puffing amongst political pundits. Although the Thai government under Yingluck Shinawatra announced an interest in joining the TPP back in 2012, the current military dictatorship has been loudly unenthusiastic about the agreement.... (read more)... http://atimes.com/2015/09/thailands-bid ... -for-time/ (http://atimes.com/2015/09/thailands-bid-for-the-tpp-time-for-trade-or-trade-for-time/)

[Up2U]

Pro-coup monk organises mob to US Embassy in Bangkok
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 29/09/2015
A pro-coup Buddhist monk known for leading anti-election mobs prior to the 2014 coup dтАЩ├йtat has urged the US and Human Rights Watch, a human rights civil society group, not to touch ThailandтАЩs l├иse majest├й law or intervene in its domestic affairs....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5500

[Up2U]

Thailand's Ousted PM Files Criminal Case Against Opponents
By nattasuda anusondisai, associated press
BANGKOK тАФ Sep 29, 2015
Thailand's ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was pushed from office more than a year ago, impeached and faces criminal charges, hit back at her opponents Tuesday with her own lawsuit. Yingluck filed a case at Bangkok's Criminal Court to counter-sue the country's attorney-general over the handling of her prosecution in connection with a subsidy scheme for rice farmers, which ran up huge losses... (read more).... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... s-34117882 (http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/thailands-ousted-pm-files-criminal-case-opponents-34117882)

[Up2U]

THE NATION September 30, 2015
Police chief tones down claim after criticism; lawyer doubt
A CONCLUSION reached by police concerning the prime suspect in the deadly Erawan Shrine blast and the implication that domestic political conflicts may have been behind the attack were vehemently questioned yesterday, while the country's police chief seemed to back off from the latter assertion.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 69840.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Red-shirt-anger-over-political-link-to-blast-30269840.html)

[Up2U]

29 September 2015
Single Gateway for Internet Still Under Study, Minister Says
BANGKOK тАФ The military governmentтАЩs plan to route all internet traffic in and out of the kingdom through a single gateway wonтАЩt happen anytime soon, a top official said today.

Responding to criticism over the plan, a junta deputy said today the government is still тАЬstudyingтАЭ the technical feasability of the single gateway, which would enable Thai authorities to police all internet content flowing in and out of the kingdom.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443513363&section=11)

[Up2U]

Thailand's Prayuth Avoids Coup in UN Speech, Lauds Human Rights
Chris Blake
September 30, 2015
ThailandтАЩs junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha made no mention of his military takeover in a speech to world leaders gathered at the United Nations, instead highlighting his countryтАЩs commitment to sustainable development and protecting human rights.... (read more)... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... man-rights (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-30/thailand-s-prayuth-avoids-coup-in-un-speech-lauds-human-rights)

[Up2U]

Thai Junta Leader's Promises in VOA Interview Draw Skepticism
Steve Herman
September 30, 2015
BANGKOKтАФ
Critics of ThailandтАЩs military government are expressing skepticism about promises made by the junta leader during a VOA interview.... (read more)..... http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-jun ... 85297.html (http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-junta-leader-promises-in-voa-interview-draw-skepticism/2985297.html)

NEW YORK тАФ
ThailandтАЩs prime minister insists he supports democracy and urges patience as a new constitution is being developed for the Southeast Asian country, weeks after an earlier draft's rejection... (read more)... http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-lea ... 84759.html (http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-leader-urges-patience-for-return-of-democracy/2984759.html)

[Up2U]

Single gateway protest halts government websites
1 Oct 2015
Thousands of internet users brought down at least three government websites on Wednesday night by flooding them in a citizens' "denial of service" attack.
Internet users Wednesday night protested the plans for a single gateway by attacking and bringing down the main websites of the prime minister, the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... t-websites (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/714432/single-gateway-protest-halts-government-websites)

[Up2U]

Internet gateway plan threatens online freedoms in Thailand
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 1 Oct 2015
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
An initiative in Thailand to create a single government-controlled gateway for international Internet traffic represents a clear danger to online freedoms, the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement today. CPJ calls on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to drop the proposed plan and stop harassing journalists and social media users.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5508

[Up2U]

Government warns netizen protesters
Opposition mounts to single gateway plan
2 Oct 2015
The government is threatening legal action against web activists who launched cyber attacks on state agency websites on Wednesday in a bid to derail the government's proposal to restrict the flow of online information, causing sporadic disruptions of several government home pages.... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... protesters (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/714964/government-warns-netizen-protesters)

[Up2U]

02 October 2015
Govt 'GatewayтАЩ Denials Contradict Cabinet Resolutions
BANGKOK тАФ Facing broad criticism to its plan to funnel all internet traffic through a single, government-managed choke point, the military government now insists the project has not been initiated despite evidence to the contrary.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443777645&typecate=06&section=)


Prayut backs down over single internet gateway
Regime chief tells public not to panic
3 Oct 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... et-gateway (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/716476/prayut-backs-down-over-single-internet-gateway)

[Up2U]

01 October 2015
Rising Anger in Boom-to-Bust Isaan
KHON KAEN тАФ The rural heartland of deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests.

The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an eight-year low..... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1443682062&section=11)

[Up2U]

Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices
ThailandтАЩs тАШsingle gatewayтАЩ internet plan backfires spectacularly
By Saksith Saiyasombut & Siam Voices Oct 02, 2015
Junta backtracks on plans to bottleneck ThailandтАЩs internet traffic through a single gateway after online backlash

Imagine this: you are being awarded for something you havenтАЩt done but you go to the reception gala anyway because itтАЩs too tempting to miss the limelight. ThatтАЩs what happened last Tuesday in New York, when Thai military Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha тАУ during his week at the United NationsтАЩ General Assembly тАУ received the тАЬICTs in Sustainable Development AwardтАЭ by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UNтАЩs IT and telecommunication agency.... (read more)... http://asiancorrespondent.com/135956/th ... tacularly/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/135956/thailands-single-gateway-internet-plan-backfires-spectacularly/)

[Up2U]

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal mix tennis, politics on Thailand trip
October 3, 2015
BANGKOK (AP) тАФ Two of the world's top tennis players, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, came to Bangkok to earn a few million dollars for an exhibition match. But there were a few strings attached.

Before their Friday night match, Djokovic and Nadal swapped tennis clothes for formal Thai silk jackets in baby blue and pastel yellow. The dress code was part of a tightly scripted trip meant to boost military-ruled Thailand's image, which included a meeting with the junta leader.... (read more).... http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/te ... /73204946/ (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/10/02/djokovic-and-nadal-mix-tennis-with-politics-on-thailand-trip/73204946/)

[Up2U]

Cyber activists hit refresh on single gateway protest
4 Oct 2015
A group of cyber activists has threatened to launch a fresh round of attacks on state agency websites unless the government formally abandons its single internet gateway proposal by Oct 14.

An online campaign against the proposed gateway is being waged through a Facebook page called тАЬSingle Gateway: Thailand Internet FirewallтАЭ.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politic ... ay-protest (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/716960/cyber-activists-hit-refresh-on-single-gateway-protest)

[Up2U]

Troubling questions about Bangkok blast probe
Tan Hui Yee
Oct 3, 2015
BANGKOK тАв Armed soldiers and policemen blocked the streets of Bangkok last Saturday as Thai police marched two foreign suspects through an elaborate re-enactment of the capital's deadliest bomb attack in recent years.

On Monday, retiring police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang all but called investigations a wrap, awarding his men some 3 million baht (S$118,000) in donated cash before journalists at a press conference.

Then, he threw a curveball:... (read more).... http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/tro ... last-probe (http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/troubling-questions-about-bangkok-blast-probe)

[Up2U]

Opinion
The big issue: Foxes drafted for henhouse duty
Alan Dawson
4 Oct 2015
The discovery of the previously secret plans to pipe the entire internet through one government-monitored tube was made by frequent tweeter @sikachu, whose online name is Prem Sichanugrist.

Three days after a presumably careless clerk posted it at the prime ministerтАЩs officeтАЩs Public Relations Department website... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... house-duty (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/717172/the-big-issue-foxes-drafted-for-henhouse-duty)

[Up2U]

Note: The Heritage Foundation is a Washington right-wing think tank with funding ties to the Koch brothers.
"Washington needs to think much more broadly and long-term about the value of the U.S.-Thai alliance."
Walter Lohman
October 2, 2015
The King of Thailand is (deleted) . The bluntness of this statement will win no friends in ThailandтАФas the New York Times was reminded last week when its printer there refused to publish an edition speculating on the KingтАЩs health. Yet, today, the KingтАЩs mortality is the central factor in Thai politics. It must be acknowledged directly and more fully accounted for in development of U.S. policy..... (read more).... http://nationalinterest.org/feature/whe ... dies-13993 (http://nationalinterest.org/feature/when-the-thai-king-dies-13993) (the deletions were by Up2u)

[Up2U]

Twists and turns in ThailandтАЩs bombing case.
Thai authorities claim progress, but many observers are dubious.
October 4, 2015
.... http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/twists-a ... bing-case/ (http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/twists-and-turns-in-thailands-bombing-case/)

[Up2U]

Thai authorities block website used by anti-single gateway netizens
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 05/10/2015
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has blocked a website used by anti-single internet gateway netizens to carry out attacks on government websites.

On Sunday, 4 October 2015, the MICT blocked тАШrefreshthis.comтАЩ, a website used to carry out cyber-attacks on government websites by many people opposing the juntaтАЩs plan to reduce internet gateways to one.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5517

[Up2U]

EDITORIAL
Blame people, not the 1997 charter
Despite what Meechai says, there is much of value in the previous constitution that should be retained
Having risen controversially to the helm of the National Legislative Assembly, Meechai Ruchuphan could not have chosen a worse occasion to express his highly questionable ideas for democracy. The 1997 Constitution, he said, was like a Rolls-Royce that can't be used in farm work. In other words, the "People's Charter", revoked by the coup-makers who overthrew the Thaksin government, installed the NLA and virtually backed Meechai for its presidency, was inapplicable in many aspects concerning Thailand's majority poor.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10 ... 017404.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/29/opinion/opinion_30017404.php)

[Up2U]

05 October 2015
Junta Picks Panel to Write Next Draft Constitution
BANGKOK тАФ Thailand's military government, which took power in May last year, today appointed a committee to draft the country's 20th constitution after a previous draft was rejected, delaying promised elections until at least 2017..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444042604&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Opinion
Gateway plan erodes trust
6 Oct 2015
The reason why the government has such a huge credibility problem over its plans to establish a one-gateway internet system is its refusal to come clean. From the moment the new internet plan became public, authorities have tried to spin the plan instead of portray it honestly. This is despite the fact that cabinet directives have made it clear it is a security proposal.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... odes-trust (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/719496/gateway-plan-erodes-trust)

[Up2U]

AFP award recognises Thai journalist for recording lese-majeste cases
Oct 6, 2015
Hong Kong (AFP) - Thai journalist Mutita Chuachang has won the 2015 Agence France-Presse Kate Webb Prize for her powerful and persistent reporting of royal defamation cases that have multiplied under the country's military rulers.... (read more).... https://news.yahoo.com/afp-award-recogn ... 03179.html (https://news.yahoo.com/afp-award-recognises-thai-journalist-recording-lese-majeste-044903179.html)

[Up2U]

06 October 2015
Activists Issue Ultimatum to Junta over тАШSingle GatewayтАЩ
By Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ Online activists have given the military government eight days to cancel its plan to route all internet traffic through a single point of control тАУ or else see an escalation of their cyberattacks.

After calling Friday for the plan to be abandoned by 14 Oct., the activists united online as тАЬCitizens Against Single Gateway: Thailand Internet FirewallтАЭ repeated their ultimatum yesterday, promising to cripple government websites should the government not cancel four Cabinet Resolutions authorizing the project.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1444112718 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444112718)

[Up2U]

CDC targets to finish first draft by January
Public to get say on 'compilation' charter
7 Oct 2015
Good elements from past constitutions will be collected to include in the new constitution and a first draft is expected in January which would then be presented to the public for feedback.... (read more)....http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... by-january (http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/720632/cdc-targets-to-finish-first-draft-by-january)

[Up2U]

Activists protest against new charter drafters appointed by junta
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 06/10/2015
Pro-democracy activists rallied in front of the parliament to protest against the new batch of constitutional drafters hand-picked by the junta.
At around 1:30 pm on Tuesday, 6 October 2015, political activists from New Democracy Movement (NDM), an anti-junta activist group, held a symbolic political activity to protest against the 21 new members of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) recently appointed by the junta yesterday.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5522

[Up2U]

07 October 2015
Court Tosses Out Yingluck Suit Against Prosecutor
BANGKOK тАФ A court on Tuesday threw out a case against the attorney general filed by deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, saying it found no evidence of any abuse by prosecutors.

Thailand's first female prime minister filed the lawsuit last month alleging unfair handling of negligence charges against her, relating to a multi-billion dollar rice-buying scheme that incurred big losses.... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444184688&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

07 October 2015
Gamers, Geeks on Epic Quest for Internet Freedom
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
BANGKOK тАФ Drawn in a form familiar to internet otaku everywhere, Nong Kalaland is a busty, geek villain holding the power to control the internet in her fist.
What looks like a helm from some fantasy game is her namesake headpiece, a coconut shell (kala), meant to represent ThailandтАЩs self-obsession and willful ignorance of the larger world; the frog who only knows the coconut shell it calls home.
With the government beating a hasty retreat from its plan to build a single gateway for all internet traffic, the character has become a symbol to netizens who, whatever their politics, have been roused from apathy by what they see as an unwelcome coup dтАЩetat in their virtual world.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1444191449 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444191449)

[Up2U]

Yingluck to appeal rejection of countersuit in rice trial

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will appeal against the Criminal Court's rejection of her lawsuit against attorney-general Trakul Winitnaiyapak and three prosecutors for alleged malfeasance in their handling of the rice-pledging case against her.

Published: 07/10/2015
Norawich Lalaeng, her lawyer, said Ms Yingluck would petition the Appeals Court to reverse the decision.

The Criminal Court on Tuesday rejected Ms Yingluck's lawsuit, ruling that the prosecution's actions were lawful and in accord with criminal investigation procedures.
http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/721672?re ... MDHvXTqUC1 (http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/721672?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FMDHvXTqUC1)

[Up2U]

To be or not to be: The great firewall of Thailand
As one nation hatches a government plan to control the Internet, advocacy groups in Bangkok voice opposition
October 7, 2015
by Adam Ramsey
BANGKOK, Thailand тАФ Tucked away in a coffee shop near Central Bangkok, Phannee Naksuk rushed behind her counter, sprinkling cinnamon on the foam of an iced latte that was beginning to wilt. All around, her dozen customers were stuck on smartphones or laptops, their faces illuminated in faint blue light inside the shady shop.
тАЬThis is normal,тАЭ she said, noting the near silence of her customers. тАЬSome people come in, order one drink and then just sit and work for hours. When I opened up 11 months ago, I knew I had to have Wi-Fi. Customers just expect it now.тАЭ
PhanneeтАЩs business reliance on a decent Internet connection is part of the reason why she is so troubled by a recent government proposal to alter the very framework of the countryтАЩs Internet..... (read more)..... http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2 ... ernet.html (http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/10/7/great-firewall-thailand-internet.html)

[Up2U]

requires vpn/proxy in Thailand
PrayutтАЩs little toy soldiers in Thai universities
October 4, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Every year, with each intake of new students to Thai universities, the тАЬSOTUSтАЭ system rears its ugly head. SOTUS stands for тАЬSeniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, SpiritтАЭ, qualities which would warm the cockles of Generalissimo PrayutтАЩs heart. It is a system of тАЬhazingтАЭ based on cruelty, torture, de-humanisation and abuse of power by senior students against first years. It originates in the worst institutions of the U.S.A. and may have come to Thailand via the Philippines... (read more)...
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... versities/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/prayuts-little-toy-soldiers-in-thai-universities/)

[Up2U]

Military summon students commemorating 1976 student massacre
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 08/10/2015
Military officers summoned university students in northern Thailand for a discussion after they commemorated the 1976 student massacre, saying that the event was political incitement.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), military officers from the 37th Army Division in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Tuesday, 6 October 2015, contacted Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, requesting to have words with all the students who commemorated the 1976 student massacre.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5527

[Up2U]

'Great Firewall' risks internet competition
A proposal by the junta for a single internet gateway to allow authorities to monitor content would destroy competition, while being reminiscent of the most authoritarian measures to stifle free speech, a former information minister said on Thursday.
Published: 08/10/2015
Writer: Reuters
The plan to create a single gateway for all internet traffic was approved by the military government in August but details remain unclear.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/723408?re ... EMu8XSIvMl (http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/723408?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FEMu8XSIvMl)

[Up2U]

Human rights: Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Thailand
Plenary Session Press release - Development and cooperation / External relations тИТ 08-10-2015
MEPs passed four resolutions on Thursday: urging Saudi Arabia to halt the execution of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and calling for a moratorium on the death penalty; demanding measures to starve Boko Haram in Nigeria of its sources of illegal income; expressing fears of civil war in Central African Republic; and deploring human rights abuses in Thailand following the coup of May 2014.... (read more).... http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/n ... d-Thailand (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151002IPR95368/html/Human-rights-Saudi-Arabia-Nigeria-Central-African-Republic-and-Thailand)

[Up2U]

October 8, 2015
Cyberactivists, Govt DonтАЩt Blink on тАШSingle GatewayтАЩ
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
BANGKOK тАФ Six days before online dissidents threaten escalated attacks on government web servers, ThailandтАЩs military government insists it is impossible to meet their demands.
A government spokesman today repeated that the project to route all internet traffic through a single point of control cannot be rescinded тАУ as online activists demand тАУ because it was never authorized in the first place.
тАЬI insist the prime minister has never ordered the single gateway to be implemented,тАЭ Maj. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. тАЬIt was only mentioned as an interesting example for discussion. There were also other topics that were talked about but never put on the record.тАЭ
Since Oct. 2, those organized online against the project have insisted the government capitulate by issuing a cabinet resolution canceling plans for the project to funnel all IP traffic through a single gateway. They point to a series of legally binding resolutions issued since June 30 which authorized the project and urged responsible agencies to тАЬspeed upтАЭ its implementation..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444308918&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

Regime irked over Europe rights rebuke
Thailand has expressed disappointment with a recent European Parliament resolution that urges Thai authorities to address what it says is a deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
Published: 10/10/2015
Writer: Prangthong Jitcharoenkul
The European ParliamentтАЩs press release says the resolution, which was supported by 581 to 35 votes during its Thursday session in the Belgian capital of Brussels, is non-binding.
However, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its website yesterday the resolution shows EuropeтАЩs тАЬmisunderstandingтАЭ of the governmentтАЩs work to ensure that politics and the right to liberty remain on the right track..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/725224

[Up2U]

Army unit helps Isaan folk find 'correct political understanding'
JITTRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION October 10, 2015
"CORRECT" political understanding has been given to people in 20 provinces in the Northeast - with good feedback received, Lt-General Thawat Sookplang, the commander of the Second Army Area, said yesterday.
The Second Army Area undertook the mission through the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform, sending staff to talk with people of different political opinions.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 70591.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Army-unit-helps-Isaan-folk-find-correct-political--30270591.html)

[Up2U]

'Don't rely on democracy' for charter

Charter drafters have been told to avoid relying solely on the "principles of democracy", as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed hope that the new constitution would ensure there is no repeat of last year's coup.
Published: 11/10/2015

In a special тАЬMessage to the PeopleтАЭ on Saturday, Gen Prayut said the process of writing the new charter was closely linked with efforts to build national reconciliation.
But he said the new constitution must reflect the reality of problems which had forced the military to topple the Yingluck administration last year.
"DonтАЩt rely on the principles of democracy or 'unlimited liberties' as the basis [for drafting the charter] without consideration of where the real problems are,тАЭ Gen Prayut said in the statement, which was read out by government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd in a televised broadcast.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/725748?re ... PLvLmtq93K (http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/725748?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FPLvLmtq93K)

[Up2U]

October 12, 2015
Editorial Opinion
Charter chairman Meechai sizes up the graft threat
The former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee who drafted the 2007 constitution, Seri Suwanpanont, recently recalled the framers of the so-called "people's constitution", or the 1997 charter, who thought decentralisation of administration could help tackle the problem of vote-buying and corruption.... (read more)....http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/726448

[Up2U]

12 October 2015
Arrest Warrant Issued for ex-PM Thaksin for Failure to Appear
BANGKOK тАФ A Bangkok court today issued an arrest warrant for fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he failed to turn up for a defamation case filed against him by the army.
The ruling would appear to mean little as Thaksin lives abroad anyway to avoid a jail sentence handed down in 2008 for graft, but it is another setback for the former telecom tycoon with some seeing it as the latest attempt to ensure he never returns to power.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1444641808&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs Economy Driven Off a Cliff
Posted by: John Le Fevre October 12, 2015 in Economics, Featured, Headlines, Politics, Spotlight, Thailand
The opening of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 70) and attendance by Thailand Prime Minister and coup master General Prayut Chan-o-cha was a case of fortuitous timing тАУ enabling the junta propaganda machine to deflect domestic attention away from a raft of worsening economic data.
Once regarded as an Asian tiger cub economy, Thailand today more closely resembles the fading footprints of tigers that strode the earth aeons ago.
From once being the economic and industrial powerhouse of developing Southeast Asia, Thailand is rapidly regressing down the path that saw neighbouring Myanmar subject to years of international sanctions. Its one saving grace to date has been its geographical location and importance to the American pivot to Asia..... (read more).... http://www.establishmentpost.com/thaila ... off-cliff/ (http://www.establishmentpost.com/thailands-economy-driven-off-cliff/)

[Up2U]

Ultra-royalist steps up lese majeste purge against Facebook and Youtube
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 13/10/2015
The ultra-royalist group in Thailand has targeted Facebook and Youtube, saying that the webs allowed lese majeste contents to be distributed.
Maj Gen Rienthong Nan-na, the head of the so-called Rubbish Collection Organisation, an ultra-royalist Facebook group known for its witch-hunt against people allegedly defaming the monarchy, issued a statement on Tuesday, 13 October 2015, saying that he will file criminal defamation charges against Facebook and Youtube, including, many people allegedly defaming the monarchy, for defaming him.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5539

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Is the coup a symptom of deeper ills?
Forty-two years ago today, the kids did what their parents never dreamed of doing. Fired up by youthful courage and idealism, they led the popular uprising that finally overthrew the "tyrant trio", ending the country's three decades of military oppression.
Published: 14/10/2015
Writer: Sanitsuda Ekachai
I was a first-year student then. Like the rest of the country, I believed the reign of fear and terror was finally behind us. How wrong we were.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/728900 ... fUutGIJA88 (http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/728900?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FfUutGIJA88)

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai against outsider PM in charter
The Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday fumed over proposals to allow provision for a non-MP to become prime minister in the new constitution.
Published: 14/10/2015
Pheu Thai acting deputy secretary-general Chaowalit Witchayasut reiterated the party's strong objection to an outsider becoming prime minister and for non-elected senators.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/729840

[Up2U]

Thai junta plan to seize $30m from ousted PM Yingluck Shinawatra
October 13, 2015
Lindsay Murdoch
Bangkok: Thailand's military government has issued an order to seize US$16 million ($30 million) in assets from ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over a failed rice subsidy scheme for farmers.

A Thai court has also issued an arrest warrant for Ms Yingluck's exiled brother Thaksin Shinawatra, after he failed to turn up for a defamation case filed against him by the army.... (read more).... http://www.smh.com.au/world/thai-junta- ... k7wdl.html (http://www.smh.com.au/world/thai-junta-plan-to-seize-30m-from-ousted-pm-yingluck-shinawatra-20151013-gk7wdl.html)

[Up2U]

Thailand scraps unpopular Internet 'Great Firewall' plan
October 15, 2015
BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's military government has scrapped a plan to create a single Internet gateway, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday (Oct 15), putting paid to a system aimed at allowing authorities to monitor content.... (read more.... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... ewall-plan (http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-scraps-unpopular-internet-great-firewall-plan)

[Up2U]

Police attempt to prevent commemoration of 1973 student uprising
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 15/10/2015
Thai police officers have attempted to discourage people from commemorating the 14 October 1973 student uprising, citing the Public Assembly Act.
On Wednesday evening, 14 October 2015, at least 300 people gathered around the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in central Bangkok to participate in the 42nd anniversary of the 14 October 1973 student uprising, when 50,000 students took to the streets to call for an end to the dictatorial regime of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5543

[Up2U]

Political activist accusing junta leader of cronyism taken into military barrack
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 16/10/2015

Thai military officers detained a political activist who alleged the junta leader and Deputy Prime Minister of cronyism for an тАШattitude adjustmentтАЩ session.........

Earlier on Tuesday, Srisuwan submitted a petition to the Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand, asking for an investigation of the conduct of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, including, Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krue-ngam for appointing their close relatives and associates into the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)...... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5547

[Up2U]

Punishment in Thailand
Adjustment disorder
Generals try novel tactics to change the minds of dissenters
Oct 17th 2015 | BANGKOK |
THE generals who took over Thailand in mid-2014 have settled in for the long haul and watched the economy slump. They have stifled dissent and defended their grip on power by arguing that they are needed to restore тАЬpublic order and moralityтАЭ..... (read more).... http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2167 ... t-disorder (http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21674837-generals-try-novel-tactics-change-minds-dissenters-adjustment-disorder)

[Up2U]

Activists threaten full-scale 'cyber war' on government
Cyber activists last week announced a full-fledged "cyber war" against the government for its refusal to respond to their demands to formally scrap the controversial single gateway proposal.
18/10/2015
In preparation for subsequent attacks, a group calling itself тАЬThailand F5 Cyber ArmyтАЭ is recruiting netizens through online courses aimed at temporarily shutting down government websites тАФ this time for more than just a few hours.

тАЬWhat weтАЩve done so far is only symbolic. We want the government to realise the extent to which people are against the proposal,тАЭ said a team representative who asked not to be named. тАЬAs for serious attacks on the governmentтАЩs IT system тАФ we havenтАЩt even started them.тАЭ

The Information and Communication Technology Ministry last week announced it would abandon the single gateway plan. But the activists said they would continue their campaign until the proposal was formally scrapped by a cabinet order. The government has refused to comment on the planned тАЬcyber warтАЭ..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733396?re ... 76ckrB4eGN (http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733396?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F76ckrB4eGN)

[Up2U]

Fri Oct 16, 2015
Field marshalling - Thai military launches rural education plan
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Amy Sawitta Lefevre
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's junta will send soldiers to rural areas to educate villagers on topics from careers to farming, a junta spokesman said on Friday, but critics say the scheme is a thinly veiled attempt to re-educate dissenters.

The plan will see troops offering advice to villagers, said Colonel Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the junta, or National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), but it is mostly aimed at telling villagers "the truth" about military rule.

"The NCPO will send soldiers to every village to create understanding so that villagers are not listening to information that is different from the truth," Winthai told Reuters.... (read more)... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0SA0VV20151016

[Up2U]

NRSA sets 20-month reform goal
The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has unveiled a new "1-1-18" timeframe for its work on reform and is set to establish a committee to foster reconciliation.
19/10/2015
NRSA deputy chairman Alongkorn Ponlaboot said that starting today the NRSA will spend a month drawing up regulations governing its meetings, and will also set up 11 committees to pursue reform initiated by the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC).
The next month would be spent prioritising 37 reform proposals of the now-defunct NRC.
The last 18 months will be used to finalise action plans for reform, which will then be presented for cabinet consideration, Mr Alongkorn said.
The NRSA has replaced the NRC, which was dissolved after it voted to reject the previous draft charter on Sept 6..... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733988?re ... bahqqSb0ln (http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733988?refer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FbahqqSb0ln)

[Up2U]

Thai Police establish l├иse majest├й investigation team
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 19/10/2015
The Thai police have established a special investigation team to intensify a crackdown on l├иse majest├й cases amid speculation about l├иse majest├й charges against a well-known fortune-teller who helped organise an event initiated by the Crown Prince.
On Sunday, 18 October 2015, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, issued Order No. 578/2015 to appoint Pol Lt Gen Sriwara Ransibrahmanakul, Assistant Police Chief, as the head of a team to investigate l├иse majest├й cases involving people who allegedly make false claims about the monarchy for personal gain.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5550

[Up2U]

19 October 2015
Bangkok Bombing Suspects Won't be Tried for Terrorism
By Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ Thai police are not pursuing terrorism charges against two men accused of staging a deadly bomb attack in Bangkok two months ago, a police commander confirmed today.
Despite the scale of the attack, which killed 20 people of six nationalities and is considered the worst attack of its kind to strike Bangkok in living memory, the suspects will only be tried on charges of premeditated murder and explosives-related charges, said Sriwarah Siripramnakul, chief of Bangkok metro police.
тАЬWe are not charging the suspects in this case with terrorism,тАЭ police Lt. Gen. Sriwarah said..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1445258925 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1445258925)

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Toeing state line no way to ensure reform
When top-down control is holding the country back on all fronts, reform is only possible when state abuse can be contained by civil society, grassroots groups and the media.

Published: 21/10/2015
Writer: Sanitsuda Ekachai
Despite the current constitution and reform brouhaha, one thing is clear. No constitution can rescue the country when it perpetuates central control via an unaccountable bureaucracy and military rule. Nor can any reform assembly pave the way toward meaningful change when it does not question persistent state efforts to clip the wings of civil society, communities and the media.

If anyone still believes reform is possible under the military government's tight grip, its latest attack on the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) should bring them down to earth..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/737416