Protests update

[Up2U]

New charter is a big maze of puzzles of walls and paths: The Nation columnist
February 4, 2016
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation/Asia News Network
Officially, the draft of the 270-article new charter is supposed to help "clean up politics". Anyone with any trace of corrupt practice would be barred from entering the electoral race. The drafting commission members also would like the public to believe that it's a "constitution for reform" - so much so that one particular provision stipulates that education and police reform must be done in one year after the promulgation of the highest law of the land. How that is even remotely possible must be one of the great mysteries of modern-day politics. But very few people would take those clauses seriously. Most observers were waiting to read the "provisional clause", which will in fact determine how "democratic" this piece of document is. If you had been casting... (read more)...http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... -columnist (http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/new-charter-is-a-big-maze-of-puzzles-of-walls-and-paths-the-nation-columnist)

[Up2U]

Life under ThailandтАЩs 2016 constitution
BY KHEMTHONG TONSAKULRUNGRUANG тАУ 5 FEBRUARY 2016
POSTED IN: THAILAND
Rather than acting for the people, ThailandтАЩs latest constitution drafting committee are the juntaтАЩs loyal servants, writes Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang.

ThailandтАЩs 1997 and 2007 constitutions both contained elaborate protections for the rights and freedoms of the people. The 2016 draft constitution represents a major overhaul in the in this area, often for worse. Meechai Ruchupan, the President of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), has chosen a different path from his predecessors.

The most striking change is the general provision for the restriction of rights. Normally, rights can be restricted only if.... (read more)......http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandal ... stitution/ (http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/02/05/liberties-and-rights-lost-under-thailands-2016-constitution/)

[Up2U]

Because I'm happy: Thailand rated worldтАЩs тАШhappiest economyтАЩ in Misery Index
By Coconuts Bangkok February 5, 2016
PM Prayuth's "Return Happiness" song must be working wonders, because Thailand has been rated the тАЬhappiest economyтАЭ in the world after it came at the bottom of a тАЬmisery rankingтАЭ for global economies.
The Bloomberg Misery Index 2016 predicts that Thailand will retain its bottom place of the miserable economies this year because of continuing low unemployment and inflation..... (read more)....http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/05/b ... sery-index (http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/05/because-im-happy-thailand-rated-worlds-happiest-economy-misery-index)

[Up2U]

6 February 2016
The Artistic Side of Thai Politics
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK тАФ One of the most problematic aspects of the decade-long political feud in Thailand is that many people cling to their own perceived political truths with no room for differing views. The result is little dialogue, not to mention sympathy.

These people can best be understood using a few Western artistic schools as a guide. Ten years is a long period of time for any society to be trapped in a pithole of crisis, and the sooner people can recognize our perceptive shortcomings the better.

The Impressionists: These Thais heavily rely on their impression to interpret political situation. If their perception is that junta leader Gen..... (read more).....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1454744122&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

WHY DOES THAILAND NEED AN ARMY?
FEBRUARY 6, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

In a recent newspaper column Ajarn Niti Eauwsiwong posed the question: тАЬwhat is the purpose of having the military?тАЭ Naturally, this provoked a storm of abuse from the rather dim Generalissimo and his various underlings. Prayut lost it again (has he ever not lost it?) and shouted that the military were there so that тАЬdogsтАЭ like those in academia and the media could ask the question..... (read more).....https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... d-an-army/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/why-does-thailand-need-an-army/)

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
07 February 2016
Charter Gets Broadcast Boost, But Criticism Will Not be Televised
BANGKOK тАФ The launch of twice daily three-minute TV and radio spots by the junta providing positive, one-sided information has prompted its critics to call for equal airtime for its opponents.

Critics of the junta-sponsored draft charter say that by spoon-feeding the public with the 8am and 6pm[a] broadcasts, the the promised referendum will be less than free and fair if opponents are not free to air critical views in the months leading up to the promised plebiscite..... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1454830008 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1454830008)

[Up2U]

Judicial harassment of human rights defender Sirikan Charoensiri
Submitted by editor1 on Sat, 06/02/2016тАЛ
Front Line Defenders
On 2 February 2016, human rights defender Ms Sirikan Charoensiri received a summons ordering her to report to Chanasongkram Police Station in Bangkok on 9 February 2016. The human rights defender is accused of making a false police report and refusing to comply with an order of a competent official.

Sirikan Charoensiri is a human rights lawyer who works with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). She is one of the legal representatives of the 14 student activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM) who were arrested on 26 June 2015 after staging peaceful protests to mark the first anniversary of the military coup, which took place in May 2014..... (read more).....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5833

[Up2U]

Obama takes heat for inviting Thai coup leader to California summit
By Richard S. Ehrlich - Special to The Washington Times - - Wednesday, February 3, 2016
BANGKOK тАФ Human rights activists, opposition party leaders and scholars are sharply criticizing President ObamaтАЩs decision to include Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the junta that seized power two years ago, in next weekтАЩs summit for Southeast Asian leaders in California, warning that the former army general will display the invitation as WashingtonтАЩs endorsement of the military regime..... (read more)....http://linkis.com/washingtontimes.com/qb8N9

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DISMEMBERING THE CHARTER
February 8, 2016
Is the military dictatorship serious about its second draft charter or is it all an elaborate and expensive ruse to convince average people that a return to an elected government is possible?

A report at the Bangkok Post suggests the latter.

It says there is a тАЬfresh proposal for an appointed SenateтАжтАЭ. It can hardly be тАЬnewтАЭ because this proposal has been around since the 2006 coup. Since the 2014 coup it has been suggested and considered several times.... (read more).....
https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wo ... e-charter/ (https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/dismembering-the-charter/)

http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/854992

[Up2U]

Decoding latest constitutional draft
Submitted by editor1 on Tue, 09/02/2016
Taweesak Kerdpoka

Meechai Ruchuphan, a veteran Thai political figure, was appointed by the NCPO in October 2015 to chair the 21-member Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). MeechaiтАЩs latest draft constitution has a lot of issues for us to examine: an outsider PM, increasing the power of independent state organizations, unelected senators, a Constitution that canтАЩt be amended, extending the duration of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), a trick to dispose of PMs and Cabinet members, infinite amnesty for National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) members, and continued use of Article 44..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5838

[Up2U]

Drafters threaten legal action against critics of new charter
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 09/02/2016
The head of the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has threatened legal action to quell criticism of the new draft constitution.

Thai News Agency on Monday, 8 February 2016, reported that Meechai Ruchuphan, President of the CDC, said that the CDC will meet to discuss possible legal action against people who distort facts to criticise the 2016 charter draft.

He made particular mention of an anti-junta Facebook page тАШYut Datjarit Prathet ThaiтАЩ (Stop Fake Thailand), saying a certain political party is behind the page.....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5840? ... m=facebook (http://prachatai.org/english/node/5840?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook)

[Up2U]

09 February 2016
Torture in Deep South Systematic and Spreading Elsewhere, Report Alleges
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK тАФ Torture ranging from waterboarding and strangling to threats of violence and sexual assault are used systematically by the army and police to force confessions from suspected insurgents in the Deep South, a new report alleges.

The second such report to be issued this month based on interviews with former detainees, the report to be released Wednesday by the Cross Cultural Foundation,..... (read more)...... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455008927&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

The Staying Power of ThailandтАЩs Military
The ruling junta is likely to remain in power for the foreseeable future.
By Shawn W. Crispin
February 10, 2016
Thailand is currently under the strictest military regime the country has seen since the early 1970s, an era when China-backed communist guerrillas threatened to overthrow the established monarchy-military symbiotic order. Despite rising controversy surrounding the current National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) juntaтАЩs heavy-handed rule, itтАЩs a military regime that will likely remain in power for the foreseeable future.

To understand the present and project into the future, itтАЩs important to understand ThailandтАЩs recent past. The 2014 military coup marked the crescendo of anti-government street convulsions, staged initially against an amnesty bill that would have paved the way for the criminally convicted self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand a free man under his younger sister Yingluck ShinawatraтАЩs elected government... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/the-stay ... -military/ (http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/the-staying-power-of-thailands-military/)

[Up2U]

10 February 2016
Junta Threatens to Summon Critics of Charter Draft
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter
BANGKOK тАФ Anyone who criticizes the new constitution drafted recently by a junta-appointed body risks being summoned for a тАЬdiscussionтАЭ with the military junta, a spokesman warned yesterday.

The warning Tuesday from junta spokesman Piyapong Klinpan came at the same time military forces are being dispatched to local communities across the country to tout the new charter draft, which will go to a vote in July.....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455080816 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455080816)

[Up2U]

Arrest warrants up for youth anti-junta activists again
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 11/02/2016
The Military Court for the second time issued arrest warrants for youth anti-junta activist calling for an investigation into corruption allegations concerning a park constructed by the Royal Thai Army.

Anon Numpa, a human rights lawyer, at 4 pm on Thursday, 11 February 2016, posted a status on his facebook profile that the Military Court of Bangkok granted to the police arrest warrants for Sirawit Serithiwat, 23, Chonticha Jaeng-rew, 22, Chanoknan Ruamsap, 22, and Korakoch Saengyenpan, 23, and Abhisit Sapnaphapan.

The five activists are accused of violating the juntaтАЩs.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5847? ... m=facebook (http://prachatai.org/english/node/5847?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook)

[Up2U]

Thai pro-democracy 'Red Shirts' to reject army charter
By Afp
11 February 2016
Thailand's pro-democracy "Red Shirt" movement will vote against a new junta-scripted charter in a looming referendum, their leader said Thursday, a move that could deepen the country's political impasse.

The political play comes a day after the military, which seized power two years ago from a civilian government, said it will hold a plebiscite on their proposed charter in July.

The country's nearly century-long struggle with democracy has seen a dozen military takeovers since absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932, with constitutions torn-up and rewritten every time power changes hands.

The Red Shirts support toppled premiers Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother -- the self-exiled billionaire Thaksin..... (read more).... https://t.co/UuRRj9uslu

[Up2U]

Puea Thai still has support, says Yingluck
PUBLISHEDFEB 11, 2016, 5:00 AM SGT
Thailand's former premier, who is banned from politics, has raised her public profile recently
Tan Hui Yee Thailand Correspondent In Bangkok
Despite restrictions on political activities under Thailand's military government, the Puea Thai party - as well as the powerful Shinawatra clan that features prominently in it - looks set to remain on the country's political scene..... (read more)..... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... s-yingluck (http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/puea-thai-still-has-support-says-yingluck)

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
12 February 2016
Yingluck тАШConfusedтАЩ by Signals on Rice Subsidy
BANGKOK тАФ Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said sheтАЩs been left befuddled by the military governmentтАЩs announcement that her controversial subsidy for rice farmers benefited the nation but was still potentially fraudulent.....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455288279 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455288279)

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THAILAND: Rights defenders threatened for documenting army torture
Submitted by editor1 on Fri, 12/02/2016
Asian Human Rights Commission
On 11 February 2016 the Thai army threatened human rights defenders for documenting the militaryтАЩs continued use of torture on detainees in the countryтАЩs south. Major General Banpot Poonpien, the spokesperson for a specialist counterinsurgency agency, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), accused the human rights groups of fabricating accounts of torture to obtain funding from abroad. He also asked whether or not the groups had the mandate to investigate the work of state officers. He ended with the threat that they could be committing defamation by issuing a report referring to international law..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5853

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13 February 2016
Getting in Touch With the Inner Dictator
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
EVALUATION FILE
FILE NO. 220514
Subject: Full-time military dictator since late May 2014. At present, subject has held absolute power without the consent of the people for nearly two years.

Subject Title: The General, Dear Junta Leader, Mr. Prime Minister, The Dictator, Uncle.

Age: 60-something.

Future Occupation: Very uncertain.

SYMPTOMOLOGY

Mood Lability: Subject suffers from severe mood lability (mood swings) characterized by..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6&section= (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455356637&typecate=06&section=)

[Up2U]

ThailandтАЩs military regime continues to tighten its grip
February 11, 2016
BY James L. Taylor
It was on a normal workday on Tuesday 2 February at around 11 am at the studio of Peace TVтАФ..... (read more)....http://asaa.asn.au/thailands-military-r ... hten-grip/ (http://asaa.asn.au/thailands-military-regime-continues-tighten-grip/)

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Democratic Rhetoric
Submitted by prachatai on Sat, 13/02/2016
Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The presidential candidacy campaigns are heating up in the United States. While the world hears so much about different campaigns to tackle domestic issues, little has been said about the US position in the promotion of democracy on the international stage. In the context of Southeast Asia, the role of the United States in supporting democratization process is crucial; yet it continues to be obscured..... (read more)....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5856

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14 February 2016
Prayuth in California Doesn't Signal Sunnier U.S. Stance
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK тАФ When the leader of ThailandтАЩs junta arrives in California tomorrow for the first ASEAN summit held on U.S. soil, its critics agree that it signals no softening in WashingtonтАЩs approach to the regime, but warn that pro-democracy forces must rely on themselves rather than Western support.

International relations experts generally agree that Thais..... (read more).....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455426632 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455426632)

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UNIQUE тАЬTHAI-STYLEтАЭ GRAVITATIONAL WAVES CAN NOW BE MEASURED
FEBRUARY 14, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
The big news this week is that top Thai physicists have just discovered тАЬThai-styleтАЭ gravitational waves reverberating across the country.

Everyone knows, donтАЩt they, that things which happen in Thailand are unique and beyond the comprehension of Western thinkers.....(read more)..... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... -measured/ (https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/02/14/unique-thai-style-gravitational-waves-can-now-be-measured/)

[roguebear]

King of Thailand Makes Rare Public Appearance
By Reuters 12/14/2015
(Reuters) - Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare public appearance on Monday after failing to show up for nationwide celebrations marking his birthday earlier this month.

Local television showed footage of the monarch, who turned 88 on Dec. 5, swearing in dozens of judges at a reception room in a Bangkok hospital where he has been convalescing.... (read more)... http://www.newsweek.com/king-bhumibol-a ... kok-404884 (http://www.newsweek.com/king-bhumibol-adulyadej-thailand-bankok-404884) This news troubled me when I first read it and seems to have flown under the radar probably as it was intended. However, it did not get missed by our faithful Thailand Correspondent. The passing of Scalia after over 30 years on the bench highlights the potential impact of such appointments. Thanks for taking the time to aggregate the news for us. Your loyal reader.

[Up2U]

15 February 2016
Charter Vote Risks Being тАШLaughing StockтАЩ Poll Monitor Says
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK тАФ ThereтАЩs still time to ensure the public referendum on the junta-sponsored draft charter slated for July will be free and fair if the military regime opens the debate to both sides, said veteran elections observer Pongsak Chan-On.

Since it unveiled the proposed constitution Jan. 29, the junta has broadly promoted it while quashing criticism, a strategy that left unchanged would disqualify the upcoming vote as being considered тАЬfree and fair,тАЭ said Pongsak, who for 14 years has monitored elections not just in Thailand but 26 countries around Asia.....(read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455516962 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455516962)

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Thammasat activist тАШto deny all chargesтАЩ
JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG,
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION February 15, 2016
AFTER BEING freed temporarily from Thonburi railway police station on Saturday night, an accused Thammasat student activist said he would deny allegations regarding a violation of the juntaтАЩs prohibition against political gatherings at his appearance in Bangkok military court today.

Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat was arrested during the Thammasat-Chulalongkorn traditional football match on Saturday when he joined Thammasat's traditional political satire parade.....(read more)..... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 79306.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Thammasat-activist-to-deny-all-charges-30279306.html)

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Monday February 15, 2016
Soldiers tussle with Buddhist monks heading to Thai rally
The Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) тАФ Thai soldiers Monday tussled with monks seeking to support their candidate to lead the Buddhist hierarchy in Thailand, taking a politically-tinged religious power struggle to the streets.

The several dozen troops tried unsuccessfully to block a few hundred monks from a gathering outside Bangkok where the monks were rallying to demand that the government immediately appoint 90-year-old Somdet Phra..... (read more)..... http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/ ... 5Exrv.dpuf (http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/soldiers-tussle-with-buddhist-monks-heading-to-thai-rally&template=mobileart#sthash.x9M5Exrv.dpuf)

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Thai coup leaderтАЩs push for new constitution tests relations with U.S.
By Richard S. Ehrlich - Special to The Washington Times -
Sunday, February 14, 2016
BANGKOK тАФ As its prime minister prepares to meet with President Obama at a high-profile summit of Southeast Asian leaders, ThailandтАЩs coup-installed government is writing a new constitution that opposition parties and human rights groups fear will extend its domination backed by a new legislature stacked with pro-junta appointees.
Critics say the draft constitution will cement the power.... (read more)..... http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/ ... 0.facebook (http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/14/prayuth-chan-ochas-push-for-new-constitution-tests/#.VsLgoVKtQ_0.facebook)

[Up2U]

VIDEO
Close up - We Want Democracy! - Thailand after the Coup
We Want Democracy! - Thailand after the Coup
Date 15.02.16
http://www.dw.com/en/close-up-we-want-d ... 16990-9798 (http://www.dw.com/en/close-up-we-want-democracy-thailand-after-the-coup-2016-02-15/e-19016990-9798)

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Ex-Thai Leaders Raise Pressure on Ruling Junta
February 10, 2016, By Dow Jones
BANGKOKтАФSince Thailand's army ousted Yingluck Shinawatra's government from office, the former leader has largely kept a low profile, visiting temples and rarely talking about prosecutors' charge that she wasted billions of dollars subsidizing rice farmers.

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/exthai-le ... z40O5oYpAt (http://www.nasdaq.com/article/exthai-leaders-raise-pressure-on-ruling-junta-20160210-00106#ixzz40O5oYpAt)

[Up2U]

Charges against Abhisit, Suthep over 2010 military crackdown dismissed
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 17/02/2016
The Appeal Court has dismissed murder charges against Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister, and Suthep Thaugsuban, his former deputy, over ordering the violent military crackdown on the anti-establishment red-shirt protesters during the April-May 2010 political violence.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5869

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17 February 2016
Though None May Listen, Law Experts Go Through Democratic Motions on Charter
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK тАФ A dozen men and women stoically push on, deliberating what should be amended in nearly every article of law proposed for the kingdomтАЩs future. While they could almost be mistaken for members of the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee, they are not.

WhatтАЩs more, these shadow framers, whoтАЩve labored over proposals to improve the proposed constitution before it goes to voters in July, are all but resigned to the fact their recommendations will be ignored by the committeeтАЩs real framers. Yet they go on.... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455699100 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455699100)

[Up2U]

Thailand's Relapse: The Implications of the May 2014 coup
Claudio Sopranzetti

https://www.academia.edu/22063622/Thail ... _2014_coup (https://www.academia.edu/22063622/Thailands_Relapse_The_Implications_of_the_May_2014 _coup)

[Up2U]

An Open Letter to the President of the United States
Posted on February 14, 2016 By Prachuab Charoensuk
RE: ThailandтАЩs human rights abuses
My name is Prachuab Charoensuk. I am a naturalized US citizen, born in Thailand. I am one of the founding members and Executive Director in charge of International Affairs Department of RED-USA, a human rights organization advocating.... (read more)..... http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/op ... height=167 (http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/open-letter-president-barack-obama/#frameId=appnext_widget&height=167)

[Up2U]

18 February 2016
Court Dismisses Treason Case Against Junta
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK тАФ The Appeals Court this morning threw out a lawsuit filed by 15 people accusing those behind the May 2014 coup of treason.

Human rights lawyer Anond Nampa, one of the 15 plaintiffs, said that in dismissing the case, the court cited Article 48 of the juntaтАЩs provisional constitution granting itself and its members amnesty..... (read more)...... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455783764 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455783764)

[Up2U]

What the juntaтАЩs proposed constitution means for ThailandтАЩs future
by Alistair Denness | 19th February 2016
CHATURON CHAISAENG, ThailandтАЩs former education minister, summed up the feelings of both Thai citizens and international observers with his prediction that the latest constitution draft will тАЬlead the country to a dead endтАЭ. Obviously, as someone who was forced out from his position of power by the incumbent regime, such a sentiment is to be expected..... (read more)..... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/ ... ds-future/ (https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/what-the-juntas-proposed-constitution-means-for-thailands-future/)

[Up2U]

CNN Exclusive: Ex-Thai Prime Minister speaks out (VIDEO)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=you ... LuImor3kgQ (https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=DLuImor3kgQ))

[Up2U]

`3-5 yrs of special rule neededтАЩ
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION February 20, 2016
PRIME Minister's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana refuted claims yesterday that the government is trying to preserve its power via a mechanism to assist transition to a new administration - but insisted that the country should be under "extraordinary rule" for three to five years.

A Cabinet proposal on the new charter to the Constitution Drafting Commission unveiled on Thursday included a special set of rules for the transitional period in a bid to avoid political turmoil...... (read more)..... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 79740.html (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/3-5-yrs-of-special-rule-needed-30279740.html)

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
19 February 2016, Last update at 17:07:00 GMT
Citizens Should Resist Online Censorship, Advocates Say

BANGKOK тАФ Citizens have a duty to not buy into state propaganda, be critical of the powers that be and resist censorship, anti-coup activist Sombat Boonngamanong said at a symposium yesterday.

Sombat was among five speakers invited to speak Thursday on the topic of online censorship by the Thammasat Student Union at the Pridi Banomyong lawn on the Tha Prachan campus....... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455875733&section=11)

[Up2U]

Opinion: Epidemic of Top Thai Cop тАШSuicidesтАЩ Continues
Posted on February 17, 2016 By Charupong Ruangsuwan Headline, Opinion, ThailandOpinion: Epidemic of Top Thai Cop тАШSuicidesтАЩ Continues
On Feb. 12, a Thai police spokesman announced that a high-ranking official, Lt. Col. Chan Chaisawatra, had committed suicide.
We believe he didnтАЩt commit suicide. We believe he was murdered..... (read more).... /www.asiasentinel.com/opinion/another-suicide-in-top-thailand-police-ranks/

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
20 February 2016
Reject the Draft Charter to Break the Cycle of Coups
BANGKOK тАФ Has giving a middle finger to the juntaтАЩs draft charter become a crime in Thailand? When I posted such a photo recently тАУ along with another version in which I gave it a thumbs-up тАУ junta reps rang me up twice to express their displeasure before putting pressure on my employer Friday.

But none of thatтАЩs why I will reject its proposed constitution.

While many will reserve judgment until the final draft is issued by the end of March, I will not. I have already decided that I must reject it.

ItтАЩs not because..... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1455955163 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455955163)

[Up2U]

Wed Feb 24, 2016
Ousted Thai PM Thaksin's influence shows signs of waning
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Andrew R.C. Marshall

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Sitting in her busy Bangkok noodle shop, Bunruen Klinnak professes "love" for Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup and later fled abroad.

But Klinnak, 55, also fears Thaksin's return to politics could spell further unrest in a country rocked by coups and bloody street protests over the past decade.

"We need to save money and be frugal because we don't know what politics will be like in the future," she says.

This ambivalence among even his admirers suggests Thaksin's political influence in military-run Thailand could be flagging despite a new publicity blitz by the self-exiled billionaire.

From his base in Dubai, Thaksin has thrown money and clout behind street protests and election campaigns, helping to install his sister Yingluck as prime minister in 2011.

But the military overthrew her three years later - she is now on trial for corruption..... (read more)..... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0VX0PA

[Up2U]

February 23, 2016
Exiled Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin says he fears for his life (VIDEO)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VfMsXxj7zAA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfMsXxj7zAA&app=desktop

[Up2U]

February 19, 2016
The Guardian view on military rule in Thailand
Editorial
Thailand’s generals have failed: it is time that democracy, in spite of its problems, is restored
Thai political life after last year’s military takeover hovers somewhere between farce and tragedy. Farce, when the government had to hurriedly delete a scene showing a schoolboy painting a picture of Hitler in a film promoting prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s “12 core values”, a list of duties and responsibilities vaguely reminiscent of Vichy France’s “travail, famille, patrie”.

Incompetence, sabotage, or what: who knows? It was farcical.... (read more)...
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/19/guardian-view-military-rule-thailand

[Up2U]

Thai judicial system needs reform as well as the military: activists, academic
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 23/02/2016

Well-known pro-democracy activists and an academic have concluded that in addition to reforming its military, Thailand needs to reform its judicial institutions as well to get out of the endless cycle of coups d’état.

Resistant Citizen, an anti-junta activist group, on Monday, 22 February 2016, organised a well-attended public seminar on Judicial Institutions under Special Circumstances at Thammasat University, Tha Prachan Campus, Bangkok..... (read more).....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5879

[Up2U]

A good read, Thomas Fuller's last article from the Asia desk of the NYTimes. Reporting on Life, Death and Corruption in Southeast Asia. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/22/world/asia/reporting-on-life-death-and-corruption-in-southeast-asia.html

[Up2U]

Thai PM Prayuth snaps at Reuters reporter over Thaksin interview
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 24th February 2016
BANGKOK THAI Prime Minister and junta head Prayuth Chan-ocha lost his temper at a Reuters journalist at Government House today, apparently over the news agency’s recent interview with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra...... (read more)....
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/thai-pm-snaps-at-reuters-reporter-over-thaksin-interview/

[Up2U]

How Thailand’s Junta Abuses Its Critics
One junta critic on the treatment he and his family are receiving under the ruling junta.
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
February 25, 2016
On February 24, just a few hours before my lecture at Oxford University began, I received a message from my sister who lives in Bangkok requesting me to contact her urgently. Upon contacting her, she informed me in a distressed voice that the military had sent four officers to my house in Bangkok.

As someone who has been outspoken on the sensitive issue of the future..... (read more)..... http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/how-thailands-junta-abuses-its-critics/

[Up2U]

Chavalit tells NCPO to relinquish power, hold elections in 2016 Published: 25/02/2016
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Thursday told the National Council for Peace and Order that its time was over and it should hand power to a neutral body to hold elections this year and restore... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/876612?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangkokpost.com%2F

[Up2U]

25 February 2016
Amnesty’s Rights Report Lacks Balance, Context: Govt
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — The military government said today Amnesty International ignored Thailand’s political context in its harsh verdict on the human rights situation in the junta-ruled kingdom.

Responding to the NGO’s annual report on global rights situation, which called out junta’s continued suppression of critics..... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1456387678&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Thailand: Lèse-majesté detentions have reached alarming levels, new report says
26/02/2016
AFP
(Paris) Lèse-majesté detentions have reached alarming levels after the 22 May 2014 military coup in Thailand, FIDH and UCL said in a new report published today.

The report, titled “36 and counting - Lèse-majesté imprisonment under Thailand’s military junta”, raises serious concerns over the pattern of violations of the right to liberty, the right to a fair trial, and the right to freedom of opinion and expression stemming from prosecutions under Article 112 of the Criminal Code (lèse-majesté). These violations are in breach of Thailand’s obligations under key international human rights instruments..... (read more)... https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/thailand/thailand-lese-majeste-detentions-have-reached-alarming-levels-new

[Up2U]

Exiled academic Somsak may face more lèse majesté charges
Submitted by editor1 on Fri, 26/02/2016
The Thai police are considering a further lèse majesté charge against Somsak Jeamteerasakul, in self-imposed exile in France, and the Thai PBS channel over a talk programme on the lèse majesté law.....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5888

[Up2U]

February 25, 2016 10:30 am JST
Tim Johnston
Thai elite must bridge the political divide while it still can
As the twilight deepens on the almost 70-year reign of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej amid reports of his deteriorating health, the contradictions inherent in this modern, middle-class country ruled by a traditionalist elite are becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile..... (read more)..... http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Viewpoints/Thai-elite-must-bridge-the-political-divide-while-it-still-can?page=1

[Up2U]

Unfolding and unscrambling the Thai military junta’s policy advertorial
by Saksith Saiyasombut | 26th February 2016
THAILAND’S military government has gone on the media offensive to promote its “reform roadmap” by planting paid advertisement supplements in Thai newspapers. But the published product is, in its own words, one giant “confusion trap”..... (read more)..... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/unfolding-and-unscrambling-the-thai-military-juntas-policy-advertorial/

[Up2U]

27 February 2016
No More Heroes: Democracy Fails if We Watch From the Sidelines
By Pravit Rojanaphruk

A Thammasat University lecturer told me Wednesday that democracy activist leader Sombat Boonngam-anong has been too quiet since he was arrested in 2014 for calling for a failed effort to overthrow the coup makers.

But what more should we expect from an individual – Sombat or anyone – in carrying the flickering torch of democracy and human rights with a paranoid military... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1456552621&section=12

[Up2U]

Thailand's Thaksin Talks, But Will He Act?
The ex-premier’s decision to break his self-imposed silence raises some interesting questions.
By Shawn W. Crispin
February 27, 2016
In a flurry of foreign media interviews, former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra broke his self-imposed silence to criticize the ruling military junta’s draft constitution and democratic roadmap, claiming coup-maker and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha’s election timetable is a “charade” designed to prolong his stay in power power.

The media blitz also coincides with rising government pressure on the exiled former leader’s family’s interests, signaling the delicate rapprochement that has underpinned a near two year period of stability may be coming undone.

Thaksin’s critical comments were his most extensive....(read more)... http://thediplomat.com/2016/02/thailands-thaksin-talks-but-will-he-act/

[Up2U]

Young monks call for boycott of government functions
THE SUNDAY NATION February 28, 2016
A GROUP of young Buddhist monks upset with a delay in the appointment of a new Supreme Patriarch has threatened to boycott the government.

They said it was "highly likely" that monks would refuse to take part in functions hosted by the government.

Phra Palat Non Kittipanyo, head of monk students at Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University, a monastic institution of higher education, said that if the government continued to interfere in monastic affairs, monks would boycott the government..... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Young-monks-call-for-boycott-of-government-functio-30280359.html

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
26 February 2016
Police Dispute Photo of Alleged ‘Royal Impostors’ in New Zealand

BANGKOK — Senior police commanders insisted a viral photo of two fugitive lese majeste suspects living “a life of luxury”’ in New Zealand is false, though they decline to say where the pair is currently hiding.

Police on Thursday threatened legal action against those behind an anti-government Facebook page that spread the photo, which was the first indication of where the two fugitives, themselves army officers, might be since they apparently fled Thailand amid a high-profile purge in November.....(read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1456476893&section=11&typecate=06

[Up2U]

DEADLOCK FAVOURS CONTINUED DICTATORSHIP
FEBRUARY 28, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

No one with any democratic principles or half a brain believed that Prayut’s military coup in 2014, or the previous judicial and military coups since 2006, would somehow “solve” Thailand’s political crisis. They were all reactionary measures taken in order to decrease the democratic space and to prevent the return to power of Taksin-sponsored political parties through free and fair elections. But even in their own terms, the conservatives who backed this destruction of democracy, have failed to impose a settlement which serves their interests.

The latest deadlock is over the junta’s new draft constitution, written by veteran anti-democrat Meechai Ruchupan..... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/deadlock-favours-continued-dictatorship/

[Up2U]

Updated: Questions and “investigating” Corruption Park
27 02 2016
Just a few days ago, Deputy Defense Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr was reported as declaring himself as being in the clear on the Office of the Auditor-General’s “investigation” of Corruption Park. Udomdej stated that the Auditor-General “has found no corruption in the Rajabhakti Park project…”.

Yet, just a couple of days later, Channel NewsAsia reports that Justice Minister General Paiboon Khumchaya has “asked the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to further investigate alleged irregularities … in order to clear lingering public doubts about claims of corruption and kickbacks.”.... (read more).... https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/questions-and-investigating-corruption-park/

[Up2U]

Thaksin Shinawatra: Let Thailand return to democracy
The former Thai PM speaks about military rule, his self-imposed exile, and the challenges facing the country.
28 Feb 2016
VIDEO

Despite living in self-imposed exile for the best part of 10 years, Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, continues to shape and influence Thai politics.

Elected to power in 2001, he was the first democratically elected prime minister to serve a full term in office before being re-elected in a 2005 landslide victory.

A former telecommunications billionaire, the business tycoon-turned-politician drew his support from Thailand's rural poor, with his populist healthcare programmes and assistance for farmers schemes, winning him great levels of support.

However, loathed by the elite who saw him..... (read more).... http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2016/02/thaksin-shinawatra-thailand-return-democracy-160227132654355.html

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion Media visas battle 'unreal'
Published: 29/02/2016
The Foreign Ministry has begun a troubling campaign that focusses on the foreign media. Technically,...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/879624/media-visas-battle-unreal. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

[fountainhall]

The Foreign Ministry has begun a troubling campaign that focusses on the foreign media
I agree this is very troubling but I expect it is a campaign that will gradually peter out. The present government needs the foreign media far more than it presently realises. God forbid that this country ends up like Singapore whose government thinks nothing of taking the foreign media to its courts and winning large damages - regularly!

[Up2U]

Thaksin Rolls Dice in Bid to Check Thai Military
Posted on February 29, 2016 By Our Correspondent Headline, Politics, ThailandThaksin Rolls Dice in Bid to Check Thai Military
New constitution would ensure army runs the country for at least a decade

The sudden reemergence of Thai former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to take on the junta that took over the country in 2014 is an attempt to thwart its secret plan to stay in power for at least a decade or more, sources in Bangkok say.


“His plan is to raise the alarm against the draft constitution and generate opposition that would vote ‘no’ in the referendum that is planned at the end of July,” Asia Sentinel was told. “To do so, he’s prepared to risk threats against his family members still in Thailand, including his sister [former Premier Yingluck Shinawatra] and others.”

The draft constitution now under consideration by.... (read more).... http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thaksin-rolls-dice-bid-check-thailand-military/#

[Up2U]

February 29, 2016
Kasit Piromya
Thai conservatives risk chaos in pursuit of power

Thailand's National Reform Council members attend a session to consider the draft of a new Thai constitution in Bangkok on Sept. 6, 2015. © Reuters
Thailand's conservatives, the real power behind the country's military-backed government, have neutralized the political opposition and consolidated their authority behind a facade of constitutional reform. But they should beware. New proposals to entrench their position permanently risk conflict and perhaps chaos. The people cannot forever be denied a role.

For centuries, the Kingdom of Thailand was ruled by an aristocratic class with royal blood and by commoners with royal ranks and titles. That period..... (read more).... http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Viewpoints/Thai-conservatives-risk-chaos-in-pursuit-of-power

[Up2U]

March 1, 2016
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — A leader of the ruling junta said that soldiers have been dispatched to monitor Yingluck Shinawatra not to harass her as alleged by a colleague of the former prime minister, but to protect her.

Responding to a claim that uniformed soldiers trailed Yingluck and took photos of her without her permission, deputy junta chief Prawit Wongsuwan suggested that they probably did so because she is attractive..... (read more)...http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1456807176

[Up2U]

Red shirt leader gets six months imprisonment for defaming Abhisit
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 02/03/2016
The Supreme Court gave a key leader of the anti-establishment red shirt six months imprisonment for defaming Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister of the Democrat Party, at the 2010 red shirt rally.

BBC Thai, reported that on Wednesday, 2 March 2016, the Supreme Court confirmed the Appeal Court’s verdict, sentencing Jatuporn Prompan, President of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the main red shirt faction, to six months imprisonment with 50,000 baht fine.

Jatuporn was indicted on criminal defamation charge for saying that Abhisit deserted the military conscription and authorised an order to kill people during red shirt rally in central Bangkok in 2010..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5898

[Up2U]

Politician taken to army barrack after criticising deputy junta head
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 02/03/2016
Military officers have taken Phue Thai Party politician to an army base after he criticised Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Defence and deputy of the junta leader.

According to Matichon Online, at 10 am on Wednesday, 2 March 2016, 10 military officers visited the house of Watana Muangsook, former Minister of Social Development and Human Security of Pheu Thai Party, and took him to the 11th Military Circle on Rama V Rd., Bangkok.

Prior to his abduction, Watana posted a message on his facebook profile to criticise Gen Prawit after he on Monday clarified to media about soldiers who were dispatched to monitor Yingluck Shinnawatra, the ex-Prime Minister from Pheu Thai Party, at a recent funeral she attended.

Gen Prawit said then that the soldiers were dispatched to protect her and they probably took photos of her because she is ‘attractive’..... (read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5897

[Up2U]

After ‘sexist’ remarks about Yingluck, Thai Deputy PM threatens critics with 3-7 days detention
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 3 March 2016
Prawit Wongsuwon
THAILAND’S Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon vowed to haul up government critics who make comments that “damage the nation and cause conflicts” for “attitude adjustment” talks that may last up to a week.

Prawit, who is also the country’s Defense Minister and a general, warned, “If they speak so 100 times, they will be summoned 100 times.”.... (read more).... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/03/after-sexist-remarks-about-yingluck-thai-deputy-pm-threatens-critics-with-3-7-days-detention/

[Up2U]

Prayut backs idea of 5 years of fully appointed Senate
Published: 03/03/2016
PM Writer: Patsara Jikkham
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday endorsed a proposal to have the new Senate be fully appointed for five years to ensure stability once democracy is restored.....(read more)....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/884948/prayut-backs-idea-of-5-years-of-fully-appointed-senate

[Up2U]

March 3, 2016
Yingluck Allies Blast Threat of Lawsuit Over 2014 Election
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter
BANGKOK — Supporters of Yingluck Shinawatra have lashed out against the prospect she may be sued for organizing a 2014 election ultimately derailed by the anti-government protesters besieging her government.

While no member of the Election Commission has confirmed media reports that it intends to file such a suit over the 2014 election, a high-ranking member of Yingluck’s Pheu Thai Party, which led the pre-coup government, reacted with astonishment.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1456992936&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Foreign correspondents being denied media visas
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 04/03/2016
At least 10 foreign correspondents based in Thailand have been denied media visas during the past two months, said the former president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5903

[Up2U]

04 March 2016 Associated Press
'Popcorn Gunman' Gets 37-Year Prison Sentence
BANGKOK — A gunman who wounded four people, one fatally, when he opened fire in front of scores of witnesses during a n 2014 was sentenced Thursday to 37 years in prison.

Vivat Yodprasit attained iconic status as the "Popcorn Gunman" because he concealed his assault rifle inside a large bag with the logo of a popcorn company as he fired. He became a folk hero for the side he was supporting — a mob that sought to block an election called by the government of then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457064620&section=12

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
06 March 2016
Groups to Defy Ban on Debating Draft Charter

BANGKOK — Critical assessments of the draft charter will continue being made despite the crackdown on dissent, said the coordinator of a group seeking public deliberation on its merits.

Last Sunday on Feb. 28, Yingcheep Atchanont’s group Prachamati was denied access to use the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre after police and soldiers told the venue’s administrator that the group’s activities may constitute a political gathering of five or more peeople, which is banned by the military junta.

“We will continue to go ahead, even if it risks breaking the law,” said Yingcheep, who eventually held a discussion at an alternative venue but said such circumstances are undermining the credibility of the adoption process. “As a result, the next charter may not be regarded as legitimate. But we can’t stop, as we have to foster participation.”

Two days later on March 1, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam left no room for doubt by announcing the junta considers illegal any public.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457248788

[Up2U]

Thailand’s Deep State, royal power and the Constitutional Court (1997–2015)
Eugénie Mérieaua*
Published online: 29 Feb 2016

This article challenges the network monarchy approach and advocates for the use of the concept of Deep State. The Deep State also has the monarchy as its keystone, but is far more institutionalised than the network monarchy accounts for. The institutionalised character of the anti-democratic alliance is best demonstrated by the recent use of courts to hamper the rise of electoral politics in a process called judicialisation of politics. This article uses exclusive material from the minutes of the 1997 and 2007 constitution-drafting assemblies to substantiate the claim that the Deep State used royalists’ attempts to make the Constitutional Court a surrogate king for purposes of its own self-interested hegemonic preservation..... (read more)..... http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00472336.2016.1151917

[Up2U]

Red shirts detained after campaigning against draft charter
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 07/03/2016
The Thai police detained members of an anti-establishment red shirt group for campaigning against the controversial draft constitution.

Police officers in plainclothes and in uniform on Sunday, 6 March 2016, detained Anurak Jentawanit, a leader of a red shirt group called ‘Ford Red Path’ and two other members of the group, at Victory Monument in central Bangkok.

The red shirts were arrested and taken to Phayathai Police Station after they campaigned against the controversial draft constitution, written by the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), by putting up leaflets with the simple message “Vote No”..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5907

[Up2U]

07 March 2016
Constitution Debate To Be Televised
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK — Opponents of the junta-sponsored draft charter will be limited to pre-recorded studio debates which will be televised nationwide, an elections official said.

In order to ensure a free and fair referendum, the Election Commission will provide a TV platform for debates, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said Monday. No public gatherings or forums will be held as the commission fears they are “too risky” and could turn violent, however..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457343213&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Thailand’s new politics and a double wrecking ball
BY CHRISTINE E GRAY, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 7 MARCH 2016

Christine Gray looks at the role Thaksin Shinawatra and the Crown Prince have had in shaking up the country’s old politics and old elites..... (read more).... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/03/07/thailands-new-politics-and-a-double-wrecking-ball/

[Up2U]

08 March 2016
Rally in support of Vivat Yodprasit at Bangkwang Prison in Bangkok today.
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — A man convicted of opening fire on pro-election activists in 2014 got a prison visit and show of support from over 100 fans today.

Members of the People’s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King as Head of State, or PCAD, the ultra-conservative group that led protests opposing the February 2014 election, rallied Tuesday in front of Bangkwang Prison where Vivat Yodprasit recently began serving his 37-year jail term..... (read more)...http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457440390

[Up2U]

How Thailand is using a draconian law to silence critics, including me
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun March 9
Pavin Chachavalpongpun is an associate professor at Kyoto University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies. He is currently a visiting scholar at St John’s College, University of Cambridge.
Just as I was about to begin a lecture recently at Oxford University about the future of Thailand’s monarchy, I received an urgent message from my family in Bangkok to call home. When my sister answered the phone, her voice quivered with stress and worry: “The junta are demanding that you stop commenting on the monarchy immediately. Otherwise, your family will pay the price.”

My sister told me that four plainclothes police officers had visited our home in central Bangkok and ordered my family to.... (read more)....https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thailand-is-using-a-draconian-law-to-try-to-silence-critics-including-me/2016/03/09/da4d9d04-e325-11e5-846c-10191d1fc4ec_story.html?postshare=9471457573525970&tid=ss_fb

[Up2U]

Academics oppose idea of a selected Senate
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION March 10, 2016
Many see it as Junta's move to 'cling on to power'; Prawit denies claim.

ACADEMICS yesterday voiced opposition to the junta's perceived move to cling on to power via selected senators, even as Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he saw nothing wrong in members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) getting appointed as senators.

In a democratic system, senators have to get their mandate from the people if they are to have the checks-and-balances power, the academics pointed out..... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Academics-oppose-idea-of-a-selected-Senate-30281204.html

[Up2U]

Associated Press
10 March 2016
Thaksin Says Junta Seeks 'Backward Democracy'

NEW YORK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006, has accused the ruling junta of trying to push through a new constitution designed to limit democracy.

After dismissing Thaksin and seizing power, the military held elections in 2007, which Thaksin's party won easily. But after a series of political upheavels, during which Thaksin fled the country,.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457595652

[Up2U]

Former PM Thaksin fears Thailand's junta will cling on to power 'as long as possible'
Published March 10, 2016
NEW YORK (AFP) - The Thai military junta wants to cling onto power as long as possible, the country's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in an interview in New York, not ruling out a return to politics.

The telecoms tycoon, who was toppled in a 2006 coup and now lives in self-exile overseas, said he "wished" he could go home but would consider a return only if it would "benefit the country and the people".

In May 2014, Thailand's generals deposed the government of Thaksin's younger sister Yingluck and.... (read more).... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/former-pm-thaksin-fears-thailands-junta-will-cling-on-to-power-as-long-as-possible

[Up2U]

Appointed Senate 'could topple government' ANALYSIS: Fears are growing the Upper House may wield more power than first thought
Published: 11/03/2016
The controversial proposal for a fully appointed Senate during the transitional post-election period could weaken an elected government and make national reform an excuse to bring it down, according to... (read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/893432/appointed-senate-could-topple-government.

[Up2U]

Thaksin says he will ‘never’ give up on Thailand, but is prepared to ‘stay out’
by Sebastian Loh | 10th March 2016 |
THAILAND’S former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he would “never” give up on returning to his home country, but also indicated his readiness to “stay out, if the country is moving forward and [the authorities] respect the voice of the people.”

Speaking from the Metropolitan Club in New York City, Thaksin gave.... (read more).... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/03/thaksin-says-he-will-never-give-up-on-thailand-but-is-prepared-to-stay-out/

[Up2U]

Latest draft Thai constitution unlikely to restore democracy
11 March 2016
Author: Sarah Bishop, ANU

On 29 January, the latest draft of what may become Thailand’s 20th constitution was released. The draft was not the first since security forces seized power in May 2014 — an earlier draft, by a different body, was rejected in September 2015 amid speculation that the junta had orchestrated the rejection in order to avert tensions and gain more time in power.

The drafts have been composed under a questionable framework set by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) B.E. 2557 (2014), by drafting teams known for their conservative views, and in an environment in which freedom of speech and scope for public participation were severely curtailed. As such, they were never expected to be exemplary.

Yet, even with low expectations,.... (read more).... http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2016/03/11/latest-draft-thai-constitution-unlikely-to-restore-democracy/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

[Up2U]

WORRYING ABOUT MORE CRACKDOWNS
March 10, 2016
When it comes to crackdowns on “influential people,” there are several reasons to worry.

The first is that the people doing the crackdowns are usually acting in the service of “villains” at the top of the military and police. It is well known that the police and military brass are, almost to a person, “unusually wealthy.” Their wealth is unusual because it far exceeds.... (read more).... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/worrying-about-more-crackdowns/

[Up2U]

The bitter oppositions of Thai politics can seem strangely lacking in ideological substance. How might they be explained? In one of his last lectures, Benedict Anderson considers a crucial but overlooked factor: divisions within the country’s Sino-Thai communities.
An essay by Benedict Anderson - Riddles of the Yellow and Red - posted March 9, 2016

"Journalists and scholars, both foreign and local, have put forward a number of explanations for the hatred and the violence of Thai politics: it is a struggle between dictatorship and democracy, conservatives and populists, monarchists and republicans, honesty and corruption—or between one class and another. These explanations are partial at best, and none of them captures the whole truth.... "
https://newleftreview.org/II/97/benedict-anderson-riddles-of-yellow-and-red

[Khor tose]

Thanks Up2U, one of the most insightful articles on Thailand I have ever read. I truly did not see this division, nor do I think many others-even the critics of Thailand--are aware of it. It helps explain some things that seemed unclear to me.

[Up2U]

Thanks Up2U, one of the most insightful articles on Thailand I have ever read. I truly did not see this division, nor do I think many others-even the critics of Thailand--are aware of it. It helps explain some things that seemed unclear to me.

I learned things I never knew also.

[Up2U]

Deal offered to mafia who mend their ways
THE NATION March 12, 2016
DEPUTY PRIME Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has offered to conditionally let off mafia-style figures with "dark influence" in cases where evidence is weak, but warned that they will have to mend their ways.

Hundreds of police and military officers are on the lists of "dark", influential figures who are being |targeted in the government's ongoing crackdown....(read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Deal-offered-to-mafia-who-mend-their-ways-30281379.html

[Up2U]

12 March 2016
Always 'A Little More Time' for Public Held Hostage in House Junta
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

Notice anything missing? Unceremoniously dumped some weeks back was that least-requested song penned by junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, “Returning Happiness to Thailand.”

After being broadcast for over a year on television and radio, the song suddenly vanished. Although no official explanation was ever given, it had clearly overstayed its welcome, especially due to the part where the junta asks “for a little more time” from the people.

That “little more time” requested day and night since days after the May 2014 coup was obviously no longer “little,” as we close in on two years under military rule, and a shrinking number of people believe the latest roadmap to restoring democracy by early 2018 will happen as suggested by the junta.

Spending years “asking for a little more time” has become.... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1457763582

[Up2U]

Abhisit echoes Thaksin in junta critique
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
March 12, 2016
THE JUNTA is in “panic mode” over the economy and is failing to heal the country’s deep political rifts, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday in unusually strident criticism of the Kingdom’s generals.

His remarks come just two days after his arch-rival, self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also hit out at the junta's nearly two years in power, an indication of how Thailand's bitterly divided political camps increasingly see eye-to-eye on military rule.

Thailand's generals seized power in May 2014 saying they would end more than a decade of political instability that has dogged the nation and dragged down what was once one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant economies..... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Abhisit-echoes-Thaksin-in-junta-critique-30281375.html

[Up2U]

LUNCH WITH THE FT: Thaksin Shinawatra
March 10, 2016
Michael Peel
The exiled former PM talks about why he’s not trying to take back power in Thailand..... (read more)... http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/59d81f90-e5e7-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39.html

[Up2U]

Backing for selected Senate
THE SUNDAY NATION March 13, 2016
THE call for selected senators has gained momentum with National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President Pornpetch Vichitcholchai yesterday voicing support for the idea, which has been backed by key government figures..... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Backing-for-selected-Senate-30281431.html

[Up2U]

Thai education to get worse under new charter: youth education reformers
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 14/03/2016
Despite a promise for an education reform as the country fares among the bottom in the region for its academic success, a youth civil society group said that Thai education will only get worse under the new draft charter.

Education for Liberation of Siam (ELS), a civil society group comprises students and youth activists campaigning for education reforms, on 9 March 2016, posted a status on its facebook page to criticise the new draft constitution.

ELS pointed out that unlike the 1997 and 2007 Constitutions in which the youths are entitled to receive 12 years of free schooling, the new draft constitution, under the first paragraph of Article 50, reduces it to only nine years of compulsory education..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5933

[Up2U]

THAI NEO-LIBERALS CONSTANTLY TRY TO DESTROY UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
MARCH 13, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

The latest attack on the Taksin government’s universal health care policy has come from the junta’s health minister Beeyasakon Sakonsatyatorn. He is the latest in a string of free-market fanatics to propose reintroducing health care charges for the poor under the spurious excuse that the government cannot afford to keep it free. Naturally, Generalissimo Prayut, and the rest of the military dictatorship gang, agree with him..... (read more)... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/thai-neo-liberals-constantly-try-to-destroy-universal-health-care/

[Up2U]

'Crooks vs Crooks' under Thai military
March 15, 2016

As Thailand’s current coup interregnum drones on, with the country in the clutches of a rapacious and restrictive military dictatorship, tensions are rising between Prawit Wongsuwan, the 70-year-old deputy prime minister, and the Privy Council, the primary provider of advice to the monarchy, with the military arresting a top Privy Council aide earlier this month..... (read more)... http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/crooks-vs-crooks-under-thai-military/#frameId=appnext_widget&height=167

[Up2U]

School and Discipline
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 16/03/2016
John Draper
The fourth paragraph of Article 50 of the Draft Constitution states that the general purpose of Thai education is to create good and disciplined students who are proud of their nation, which has been criticised by the group Education for the Liberation of Siam over the definitions of ‘good’ and ‘disciplined’. In order to better understand the argument, the following column channels the spirit of Luang Wichitwathakan, Thailand’s greatest fascist-era propagandist, on the topic of school and discipline.[i]

It would be wrong to say that Thainess[ii] is an illusion, or an ideological effect. On the contrary,.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5943

[Up2U]

Thailand: The ‘police state’ behind the tourist paradise
By Matthew Tempest
Mar 15, 2016

The European Union is watching closely as the military junta currently in power in Thailand is accused of a multitude of human rights violations.

In November 2015, barely a year after the coup, the human rights situation had degenerated to the extent that the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on General Prayuth Chan-ocha to: “stop arbitrary arrests and detention, overturn convictions and sentences…release human rights defenders, media workers and individuals sentences or charges for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression or assembly.”

That was just one of a 14-point bullet list of demands.....(read more)... https://www.euractiv.com/section/trade-society/news/thailand-human-rights-the-police-state-behind-the-tourism-paradise/

[Up2U]

Foreign journos in Thailand say military gatecrashed movie screening, filmed guests
16th March 2016
FOREIGN journalists in Thailand have taken to Twitter this week to protest the presence of military officers at a film screening event held at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) Monday.

BBC News Southeast Asia correspondent and FCCT vice-president Jonathan Head said the soldiers gatecrashed the Contemporary World Film Series of 2016 screening to monitor the event, while filming attendees, including diplomats, with their cameras..... (read more)..
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/03/foreign-correspondents-thailand-military-gatecrash-filmscreening/

[Khor tose]

"It's easy to control someone you don't empower."

The Thai Junta and their new constitution.
12 years of education is no longer guaranteed to Thai kids.
Kids get 9 years guaranteed under the new Junta government.
At least the rich kids are still guaranteed a basic education.
I wonder where all the cut education budget money will go.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458044056&typecate=06&section

[Up2U]

Appointment of military chiefs to senate will prevent coup: deputy junta leader
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 17/03/2016
Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Defence Minister and deputy junta leader, defended the junta’s proposal to reserve seats for military chiefs in the Senate, saying that the plan will prevent coups d’état in the future....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5948?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Up2U]

Horror headlines, tourism and the Thai junta
BY PAUL SANDERSON, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 17 MARCH 2016
Thailand’s economy increasingly depends on tourism, but the junta’s reaction to crimes against tourists leaves a lot to be desired, writes Paul Sanderson.

The Thai junta has been putting the well-worn maxim that there is no such thing as bad publicity to the test. They have responded to a series of crimes against foreigners with almost uniformly callous and blunt statements, yet visitors are coming in greater numbers than ever: Thailand fell just short of 30 million tourist arrivals last year.

Yet, for all the negative headlines, tourism has been one of the few bright points in an otherwise faltering economy..... (read more).... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/03/17/horror-headlines-tourism-and-the-thai-junta/

[Up2U]

Good Children of a Country Without a Future – Literature meets politics at double event in Ubon Ratchathani
Posted on 03/18/2016 by The Isaan Record

UBON RATCHATHANI – Two literary events in Ubon Ratchathani last week opened space for academics, students, and writers from Isaan and other regions to publicly discuss the intersection of literature, gender, and politics in times of severely restricted freedom of expression.

Celebrating a budding genre of Thai literature in response to the political turmoil of the past ten years, the events..... (read more).... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/03/18/good-children-of-a-country-without-a-future-literature-meets-politics-at-double-event-in-ubon-ratchathani/

[Up2U]

Minority rights in Thailand’s draft constitution: the most uncivilised country in ASEAN
Posted on 03/04/2016 by The Isaan Record
GUEST OPINION by John Draper

Last year’s (2015) draft constitution offered nothing to Thailand’s 47+ million ethnic minorities, particularly the Thai Lao, as I wrote in a column here. In this year’s constitution, available in Thai here, there is actually a section on ethnic minorities, Section 67, which reads thus:

Section 67. The State shall promote and protect the Thai people of various ethnic groups so they have rights to carry out their lives in society voluntarily following their original cultures, customs, and ways of life to the utmost without undue interference as long as such is not contrary to public order or the good morals of the people or poses a danger to the security of the state or health.

In this section, the state apparently makes the commitment to promote and protect “the Thai people of various ethnic groups.” However, it does not define any of the groups. It cannot because... (read more)... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/03/04/minority-rights-in-thailands-draft-constitution-the-most-uncivilised-country-in-asean/

[Up2U]

Thai Government, Commission Clash Over Drafting New Constitution
March 17, 2016
Ron Corben
BANGKOK —
Thailand’s military government and constitutional drafting commission are in a stand-off after the Cabinet called for a new charter to include a non-elected senate and an appointed prime minister over transitional five year period. The government’s proposals have triggered sharp reactions from major political parties amid warnings of potential conflict if the proposals are included in the new constitution.

The commission’s draft allows for the election of a 500 member House of Representatives. A 200 member senate would be elected by interest groups and organizations.

But the government’s proposals call for a 250 member appointed Senate, including reserved seats for.... (read more).... http://m.voanews.com/a/thai-government-commission-clash-over-drafting-new-constitution/3241542.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
19 March 2016
The Real Influential Figure

The crackdown on the so-called ‘influential figures’ or mafia by the military junta over the past two weeks has proven popular. Suan Dusit Poll earlier this week claimed 74 per cent of respondents support the move although only 42 per cent believe the crackdown will be successful. As many as 81.59 per cent of respondents said they dare not report about mafia or influential figures for fear of being intimidated or harmed. Only 11.93 per cent are fully confident that the junta will manage to eradicate mafia and influential figures.

Influential figures and mafia are common in Thailand, especially in..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458375845&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

THAI MIDDLE CLASSES ARE VIOLENTLY OPPOSED TO DEMOCRACY
MARCH 20, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Over the last few decades, so much nonsense has been written about the so-called progressive power of the “middle classes”. Yet the Thai middle classes are usually selfish, grasping, backward-looking and cowardly.

Recently a bunch of middle class yellow shirts, supporters of thuggish Democrat Party politician Sutep Teuksuban, paid a solidarity visit to the “popcorn” gunman who is now serving a long prison sentence for firing an automatic rifle at people supporting the right to vote in the 2014 election. One person was killed and 3 more seriously injured as a result.

The “popcorn” gunman fired his rifle from inside a large green and yellow popcorn sack. He and a number of other gunmen collected their weapons from the back of a vehicle at Lak Si in Bangkok before going on a violent rampage..... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/03/20/thai-middle-classes-are-violently-opposed-to-democracy/

[Up2U]

Lawyer complains to EU about ‘intimidation’
JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE SUNDAY NATION March 20, 2016
THE lawyer for a man suspected of involvement in the “Khon Kaen model” plot to allegedly carry out attacks after the 2014 coup has sought help from the European Union (EU) over alleged intimidation by authorities.

Benjarat Meethien said that she had suffered intimidation.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Lawyer-complains-to-EU-about-intimidation-30282008.html

[Up2U]

Letters Show Prayuth Ordered Passports Pulled From Former Education Minister Jaturon
Pravit Rojanaphruk
21 March 2016
BANGKOK — A former education minister has again decried the revocation of his passport and right to travel freely as “unjust” after letters emerged showing it was expressly ordered in writing by junta leader cum Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458538279&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Environmentalists condemn junta for bypassing EIA process
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 21/03/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit

The anti-Thaksin civil society has condemned the junta government for issuing orders that intentionally benefit big construction projects which affect locals, and has urged people to use the upcoming referendum as a bargaining chip against the junta.

Academics and civil society state that NCPO Orders 3/2016, 4/2016 and 9/2016, which were issued using the power of Article 44 of 2014 interim charter, are turning Thailand into a capitalists’ paradise. These orders deprive people of their community rights and national resources on the ground and will destroy the local environment and businesses.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5953

[Up2U]

Abhisit reconciles with Suthep, at least for now
Niphawan Kaewrakmuk
March 21, 2016
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva appears to be mending fences with Suthep Thaugsuban, his estranged former party secretary general. And it seems the former prime minister is looking ahead to post-election politics.

Abhisit and Suthep, once close political allies who worked together through the political unrest of 2010, became "completely broken apart" early this year after a conflict over Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is Suthep's preferred candidate to become the next Democrat leader, according to a key party figure.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Abhisit-reconciles-with-Suthep-at-least-for-now-30282076.html

[Up2U]

Lawyers, rights groups condemn NCPO for halting Lawyers Council election
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 21/03/2016

Lawyers, academics, and civil society groups have condemned the Thai junta for intervening in an election of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, saying that the junta has no legitimacy to do so.

The Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA), Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF), ENLAWTHAI Foundation, Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) and 66 other lawyers and law academics on Monday, 21 March 2016, issued a joint statement to condemn the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for ordering a halt to the election of the Lawyers Council under the Royal Patronage..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5956?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Up2U]

Crisis caused the last coup, Meechai says
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION March 22, 2016
THE CHIEF constitution drafter said yesterday he thought the military should not have staged the 2014 coup if there had not been a political crisis.

Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and a member of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said: "Due to the crisis, the military was asked to get involved."... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Crisis-caused-the-last-coup-Meechai-says-30282161.html

[Up2U]

How America can put Thailand back on track
NYTimes Opinion
March 22, 2016

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/23/opinion/how-america-can-put-thailand-back-on-track.html?_r=0&login=facebook#_=_

[Up2U]

22 March 2016
Politically Incorrect Map 'Ugly But True,' Cartographer Says
By Pravit Rojanaphruk by

BANGKOK — Amateur cartographer Rackchart Wong-arthichart’s “Politically Incorrect” map of how the rest of Thailand and its neighbors are viewed by Bangkokians relegates most of the nation to the status of weekend getaways, dangerous places to be avoided or merely of no consequence.

The provocative map attracted more than 6,000 likes and nearly 800 shares since being posted Saturday to Facebook, as it seemed to touch a nerve with its intended Bangkok audience and was met with.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458636079&section=14

[Up2U]

Charter drafters guarantee seats for military chiefs in senate
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 23/03/2016
Taking in some of the junta’s suggestions to adjust the draft charter, the Constitution Drafting Committee has guaranteed seats for military chiefs in the senate.

Matichon Online reported that Norachit Sinhaseni, spokesperson of the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), announced at 4:10 pm on Tuesday, 22 March 2016, that the CDC has agreed with some of the recommendations from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on the 2016 draft constitution.

Meeting the junta’s suggestions halfway, the CDC said that 200 of the 250 senators will be selected from a committee of 8-10 individuals, but.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5961

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
23 March 2016
Junta Probe Clears Former Army Chief of Royal Monument Graft

BANGKOK — No trace of corruption or malfeasance was found in the construction of a royal monument overseen by former army chief Udomdej Sitabutr as widely alleged in media reports, a junta-appointed committee declared today.

Concluding a three-month investigation, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission said Wednesday there was no evidence to back up allegations Gen. Udomdej, himself a member of the junta, engaged in any corrupt practices in the Rajabhakti Park project completed last year in Prachuap Khiri Khan province....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458735202&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Making Buddhism state religion in draft charter helps passing it: Buddhist group
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 23/03/2016
A Buddhist network submitted a list of 100,000 alleged supporters of a campaign to enshrine Buddhism as a state religion to the charter drafters, saying it will help to pass the draft constitution through the public referendum.

According to Matichon Online, at the Government House, Bangkok, on Tuesday, 22 March 2016, Pol Maj Gen Rungroj Pekanant, president of the World Peace Organisation, members of a National Network to Protect Buddhism and representatives of Thai Sangha (Buddhist monks), submitted a list of 100,000 names to Supoj Kaimook, deputy chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).

The group claimed that the list was collected from people who supported the campaign.... (read more)...http://prachatai.org/english/node/5964

[Up2U]

Ubon Ratchathani Red Shirt Prisoners and the Holy Man Rebels: Some Notes on Inferences
Posted on 03/22/2016 by Saowanee T. Alexander

On December 15, 2015, the Thai Supreme Court sent eight Red Shirts activists to prison for charges related to the arson of the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Hall in 2010, which I wrote about here. The court reversed the Provincial and Appeals Court decisions which dismissed serious charges, including terrorism. The verdict increases the number of imprisoned Ubon Ratchathani Red Shirts to 12 in total, eight of whom were given at least 33 years behind bars.... (read more)... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/03/22/ubon-ratchathani-red-shirt-prisoners-and-the-holy-man-rebels-some-notes-on-inferences/

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
24 March 2016
Thai Coups Are Unique and Misunderstood, Former PM Says

BANGKOK — Former unelected Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun said people should not see coups and their makers in black or white, adding that those in Thailand are different from those in Africa or Latin America.

Anand’s comments came in a discussion following his keynote address on Thailand’s future, which made no mention of the junta, at an annual dinner organized by Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand Wednesday night at the InterContinental Bangkok hotel.

However during in the discussion following his address “In Search of Thailand’s New Normal,” Anand, 83, ended up defending what he perceived as the unique nature of its military coups..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458820137&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

UN says new charter should not provide impunity for NCPO
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 25/03/2016
UN’s human rights office stated that people must be able to participate in the drafting process of the new constitution and that new constitution should not provide impunity for the military government..... (read more)...http://prachatai.org/english/node/5971?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Up2U]

LIBERAL AUTHORITARIANISM
March 25 2016
An aged former prime minister who served twice but was never elected seems like an unlikely source for advice on democracy. That he served a military junta and then was put in place by the king in an arguably unconstitutional move should add to considerable doubt about his credentials.

But this is the Teflon-coated patrician Anand Panyarachun, sometimes seen as one of Thailand’s “liberal” royalists. So it is that the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand decides to... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/03/25/liberal-authoritarianism/

[Up2U]

26 March 2016
Danke, Merci, Thanks and More to Those who Haven’t Forsaken Thailand for Juntaland
By Pravit Rojanaphruk

One of pressing challenges facing some of the foreign diplomats who’ve refused to forsake Thailand for Juntaland is how to effectively pressure the military government to respect human rights and promptly return the kingdom to democracy.

Should they stick to discreet, back-door diplomatic channels or publicly express concerns that risk bilateral frictions? They also wonder how frequently to issue such statements as the message is diluted by repetition and risks tipping the junta from resistant to indifferent.

These concerned ambassadors and senior diplomats representing their states, as well as some senior officials at international organizations, have been trying... (read more).. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1458973473&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Military junta invites Worachai for “attitude adjustment”
March 26, 2016
The military junta has invited former member of parliament (MP) of the Pheu Thai party, Worachai Haema, for "attitude adjustment" today for his comment on the draft constitution.
Worachai who was former MP for Samut Prakarn told.... (read more)... http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/156992

[Up2U]

#Thailand: European Commission says reopening trade talks with Thailand depends on return to democracy
Martin Banks | March 17, 2016
By Martin Banks

Thailand has been branded a “failed state” in its failure to adhere to democratic norms.

The damning indictment came during a debate in Brussels on the EU’s trade policy with Asian countries, including Thailand.

Keynote speaker Hosuk Lee-Makiyamama, director of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE), said: “In terms of democracy, yes, Thailand is a failed state.

“The Thai population does not believe in democracy and there have been almost as many coups, 11 I think, as elections in recent years.” He added: “I know of no other country where one branch of the military has been in conflict with the other.”

His withering condemnation of Thai democracy was reinforced by comments from Jaran Ditapichai, a Thai political activist who has been in exile in Paris since the 2014 coup, who said that 70% of the middle class in Thailand “do not believe in democracy”..... (read more).... https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/2016/03/17/thailand-european-commission-says-reopening-trade-talks-with-thailand-depends-on-return-to-democracy/

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai calls for Worachai's release
Published: 27/03/2016

The Pheu Thai Party has called for the immediate release of former Samut Prakan MP Worachai Hema who was taken by the military for an "attitude adjustment" on Saturday, and demanded the government clarify... (read more)...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/911796/pheu-thai-calls-for-worachais-release. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

[Khor tose]

#Thailand: European Commission says reopening trade talks with Thailand depends on return to democracy
Martin Banks | March 17, 2016
By Martin Banks

Thailand has been branded a “failed state” in its failure to adhere to democratic norms.

It is a shame similar words and/or actions are not coming from the US. Working behind the scenes is just not cutting it.

[Up2U]

ON TO THE REFERENDUM
March 27, 2016
Now that the Constitution Drafting Committee has pretty much agreed to incorporate all of the military junta’s demands, the draft charter is almost complete. The Dictator has flicked through it and agreed that he won’t demand any more changes for the moment.

The Bangkok Post reports that the junta’s constitution writers “have wrapped up the final draft, with a promise a general election will be on track to take place in July 2017 as planned.” Apparently, the “only wildcard now is whether it will be endorsed in the referendum…”.VOTE NO

That’s quite a wildcard!.... (read more).... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/on-to-the-referendum/

[Up2U]

Stop the arbitrary detention of Mr. Worachai Hema and Mr. Wattana Muangsuk
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 28/03/2016
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights
On 26 March 2016, The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered the military officers to arrest Mr. Worachai Hema, a former MP, at his residence. The officers did not inform his family and relatives of the location where he was held in custody. Col. Winthai Suvaree, the spokesperson of the NCPO, told the media that the detention of Mr. Worachai was a result from Mr. Worachai’s comment that if the current Constitution draft failed to pass the referendum, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha should resign as prime minister to take responsibility, and that the detention was for Mr. Worachai to stop expressing political opinion.

Later on 27 March 2016, Mr. Wattana Muangsuk, the former Minister of Social Development and Human Security, has criticized the NCPO’s detention of Mr. Worachai Hema. After expressing his opinion, military officers visited Wattana’s residence and cited Article 44 of the interim Constitution to arrest him, but they did not meet Wattana. The military officers ordered him to go to the 11th Military Circle on 28 March 2016 and they would detain him since..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5979

[Oliver]

Will opponents be allowed to vote? Or will the Yellowshirts (under army protection) be allowed to control the voting stations again? I suspect that the UN won't be allowed in to supervise.

[fountainhall]

It is a shame similar words and/or actions are not coming from the US. Working behind the scenes is just not cutting it.
I often wonder what those who continuously call for a return to democracy in Thailand - and other countries for that matter - really mean and really want. Is it simply a return to the election of a government through one-man-one-vote? Odd, isn't it, that the leaders of one of the two parties in the US democratic system are working like slaves behind the scenes to prevent precisely that from happening in the the forthcoming nomination process! The more I learn of Donald Trump's ranting and total ill-preparedness to lead a party anywhere, the more average Americans seem to love him. And if he wins the most votes, do not democratic principles determine that he becomes the Republican candidate? It seems not because the party apparatus (I was tempted to say apparatchiks) will do their damnedest in Cleveland to deny the will of the majority of voters in their primaries. So much for the US values re one-man-one vote, it seems to me!

And what is democracy? The EU and the USA happily have dealings with Singapore and Malaysia. Do they seriously believe that either country is democratic in the sense of one-man-one-vote? Of course they aren't! They are in all but name dictatorships - albeit some form of benign dictatorship. These are certainly very different forms of so-called democracy. Is Japan a democracy? Hardly! And does the USA seriously believe it left its former colony The Philippines - the sick man of Asia - with a functioning democratic system? Let's recall that one President - Marcos - was propped up for years by the USA despite his being a murdering, thieving, vicious dictator. What of the human rights that US Presidents Carter, Ford and Reagan were espousing at that very same time? Sorry, but clearly and conveniently they just did not apply to that country because the Philippines was needed as an ally. The same as Indonesia was needed and so Ford and Kissinger turned a convenient blind eye to the deaths of over 100,000 arising from the illegal annexation of East Timor.

Another Philippine President, the actor Estrada, was jailed and could not finish his term. Then his successor Arroyo was mired in a myriad of controversies throughout her term including the pardoning of 11 Marcos' allies convicted of the 1983 murder of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, and is now facing a multitude of serious legal charges relating to her Presidency.

Democracy calls for democratic institutions. If these are not properly in place, how can democracy work? You end up with actors like Estrada with no political background whatever becoming President. You end up with loud-mouthed, billionaires like Donald Trump whose knowledge of foreign policy is fearfully and childishly farcical. You end up with corruption of the system and a continuation of the very corruption that is often endemic within a society.

[Oliver]

The junta consists of wealthy, conservative ignoramuses who are in power through the barrel of the gun. it has established a military dictatorship that has curtailed human rights, imprisoning thousands of dissidents. I'll take my chances with democracy, however flawed.

[fountainhall]

'll take my chances with democracy, however flawed.
I'm sure many others agree. I'm not American but I was brought up to believe in political rights, the right of free speech (within reason) and thinking for myself. I cannot imagine my own life without these rights. Yet, my government (the UK) has stripped me of a lot of my rights over the time I have been away. Despite being a UK citizen, I am not permitted to vote. Despite paying into the National Health Service scheme for a full 40 years, Tony Blair's government determined that I am no longer able to use the UK Health Service. And my pension is frozen from the moment I started to draw it down, whereas those starting a pension in 3 days time will get 36% more than my entitlement.

But those are my gripes. I note you merely make a statement with no attempt to counter any of the arguments I have put forward. As for taking your chances with democracy, I wonder what you would feel like to be based in Singapore. My friends there find the political atmosphere so stifling that they do not dare to speak out to criticise the government. You would presumably have been happy under the democracy of Ferdinand Marcos. Well, I was in Manila several times during and after martial law and before he was toppled. I was utterly sickened. That was a junta that did everything you write about - and it was fully supported by the USA. I doubt very much you would have felt at all comfortable in his kind of democracy.

And had you been one of the billion or so peasants in China, tens of millions of whom were murdered in Mao's various domestic policy shambles, not one in the country's millennia of history having the remotest clue as to what democracy was all about, I wonder what you would have felt being in a non-democratic country as your livelihood improved beyond your wildest dreams. 400 million or so lifted out of poverty, the most in the shortest period of time in history. Had China been a democracy, would that have happened? I'd lay all my savings on the line that it would not. China would have split like the Balkans and would not have progressed much in 40 years.

And human rights? Of course, the western nations love to talk about this a lot. Rightly so. But what do they achieve - precious little. And how often do they look at their own backyard? The number of black males incarcerated in the USA outnumbers the total prison populations of India, Argentina, England, Finland, Israel, Canada, Germany and Israel. Official US statistics have 45 million of the total population below the poverty line. The USA has some great universities. But in an OECD report last year, the UK ranked 20th, the USA 36th and Thailand 47th in its biggest ever global school rankings. Non-democratic Vietnam ranked 12th! According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the USA executed 28 prisoners last year, with the average having spent 16 years on death row. Since the first DNA exoneration in 1989, there have been 337 prisoners exonerated due to DNA testing. By the time of their release, the average had spent 14 years in captivity. Last year an African American man of 69 was released after 39 years in captivity for a murder he did not commit. Only a paperwork error had prevented his execution.

I know. There are abuses in every country. But the habit of many westerners to trot out as universal the notions that they were brought up to believe in often seems a tad more than hypocritical. The sad part is that many countries' proclaimed democratic views will turn on a dime the moment it suits their politicians. After what they did in invading the sovereignty of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Iraq, to name merely a few, western notions of democracy can sometimes sound pretty hollow. And now with all the shenanigans surrounding Donald Trump, the actual result of what is supposed to be a democratic process seems dependent on a handful of elite party bigwigs ("wealthy, conservative ignoramuses"?). Hypocrites all!

[Up2U]

Anti-referendum offences can lead to 10 years in jail.
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 28/03/2016

The draft referendum bill sets heavy sentences for denouncing the referendum or publishing polls predicting the result too close to voting day on August 7. The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) will regulate all campaigns, both supporting and opposing the draft charter.

The bill sets a heavy sentence for anyone who tries to oppose the referendum.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5981

[Tobi]

wealthy, conservative ignoramuses

Take heart, Fountainhall, the doors of Graff are still open! https://www.graffdiamonds.com/jewels/category/unique/

[Up2U]

PUBLISHED 08:36 MARCH 28, 2016
Thailand on the way to democracy?
By New Europe
The European political newspaper

Since Thailand’s democratically elected prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from power in May 2014, the military junta headed by General Prayuth has embarked on a process of dismantling Thailand’s democratic structures in order to further consolidate its own power.

Hundreds of human rights and civil rights activists, journalists and academics are driven from public life and are subject to restrictions. Press freedom is heavily curtailed and the harshest punishments are imposed on those accused of lèse-majesté for criticizing the King of Thailand, or even making fun of his dog. Fundamental human rights and political freedoms are restricted in an attempt to silence opposition. Freedom of assembly for instance is inexistent as the regime banned all public gatherings of more than five people.

Meanwhile, the process of drafting a new Thai constitution.... (read more).... http://neurope.eu/article/thailand-way-democracy/

[fountainhall]

Take heart, Fountainhall, the doors of Graff are still open! https://www.graffdiamonds.com/jewels/category/unique/
Ha! But I think your post should be directed at Oliver as "wealthy, conservative ignoramuses" is a direct quote from his earlier post!

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
29 March 2016
Woman Charged With Sedition For Posing With Red Bucket

CHIANG MAI — Posing with water buckets printed with messages from ousted premiers could now be a crime in Thailand.

A 57-year-old housewife faces a military tribunal and seven years in prison for posting a photo with a red plastic water scoop emblazoned with a message from siblings and former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, a human rights lawyer said Tuesday.

Police on Monday ordered Theerawan “Wan” Charoensuk, a resident of Mae Ping district in Chiang Mai province, to report to the military court this morning to hear a charge of inciting rebellion for the photo she posted to Facebook, according to human rights lawyer Anond Nampa.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459232843&section=11&typecate=06

[fountainhall]

I fully realise the headline came from the organ which published it. But it is a ridiculous and factually inaccurate summary. Agree with it or not, the lady was charged because of the messages printed thereon. There will be a gazillion of such buckets in various colours on view around the country during Songkran and the masses with plain red ones are just not going to be arrested!

[Up2U]

New charter ballot could be a historic game-changer
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
March 29, 2016
THE PLANNED referendum in August - on the question whether people approve of the latest draft constitution for the Kingdom - may well test the spirit of democracy in Thai society.

The result could not only yield the adoption of the controversial charter but also give justification to the junta that is backing the draft.

The new constitution draft is now complete and ready for public release before it is submitted to a referendum in early August... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/New-charter-ballot-could-be-a-historic-game-change-30282752.html

[Up2U]

Thailand's proposed new constitution unveiled to the public
By YING PANYAPON
Mar. 29, 2016

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's proposed new constitution was unveiled to the public on Tuesday, amid criticism that the charter is undemocratic and gives too much power to the military that staged a coup two years ago.

The military government, which had banned criticism of the proposed constitution prior to its release, will hold a public referendum on the charter in August. That will be followed by elections that junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised for 2017.... (read more)... http://bigstory.ap.org/article/631a007ec7eb4667a1d0996415aed4d5/thailands-new-draft-charter-makes-auspiciously-timed-debut

[Up2U]

Measures to protect Buddhism emerge as new charter draft unveils
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 29/03/2016
Pressured by Buddhist groups to enshrine Buddhism as a national religion, constitution drafters meeting the demand halfway by providing mechanisms to protect Buddhism in the new draft constitution.

On Tuesday afternoon, 29 March 2016, the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) headed by Meechai Ruchuphan unveiled the finalised draft constitution. Under the current policy, the fate draft will be decided by the upcoming public referendum in August.

One of the interesting features of the new draft constitution is its content on religion written under Article 67 in Chapter 6, a chapter on the directions of state policies, of the draft.

Article 67 of the new draft constitution reads “the state shall protect and patronise Buddhism and other religions. In protecting Buddhism which is the religion that the majority of Thai people adheres since time immemorial, the state shall encourage education to promote teachings of Theravada Buddhism for the development of the mind and wisdom and implement measures to prevent any forms of harms or threats against Buddhism together with encouraging Buddhists to take parts in enacting these measures.”... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5984

[Up2U]

I fully realise the headline came from the organ which published it. But it is a ridiculous and factually inaccurate summary. Agree with it or not, the lady was charged because of the messages printed thereon. There will be a gazillion of such buckets in various colours on view around the country during Songkran and the masses with plain red ones are just not going to be arrested!
Well, here is a different headline:

Thailand: Sedition Charge for Red Bowl Photo
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 30/03/2016
Human Rights Watch
(New York) – Sedition charges for a Facebook photo expressing symbolic support for Thailand’s political opposition shows the military junta’s utter disregard for peaceful dissent, Human Rights Watch said today. The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta should immediately end its abusive use of the draconian sedition law against peaceful critics and dissenters.

On March 29, 2016, authorities arrested 57-year-old Theerawan Charoensuk for posting her photo holding a red plastic bowl inscribed with Thai New Year greetings from former Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shonawatra. Chiang Mai military court released her on 100,000 baht (US$ 2800) bail pending a military trail. If found guilty, Theerawan could face up to seven years in prison..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5985

[fountainhall]

I'll take my chances with democracy, however flawed.
Perhaps Oliver would like to live in the democratic Philippines. For the forthcoming elections, a total of more than 542 candidates will run unopposed, including 14 governors, 14 vice governors and 220 mayors. "More than 500 across the country tells you something is plain rotten in the state of Philippine politics."

The reason? Despite the 1987 constitution prohibiting the political dynasties that have traditionally governed politics, these have actually grown by 47% in the last 10 years! So much for democracy in that country!

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Filipino-voters-set-for-Game-of-thrones-repeat-30282809.html

[fountainhall]

Well, here is a different headline
Actually it is no different at all! The headline still refers to the bowl when the issue is not the bowl but what is inscribed on it!

[Up2U]

Actually it is no different at all! The headline still refers to the bowl when the issue is not the bowl but what is inscribed on it!
Fair enough, if people are just browsing this thread the bowl in question is inscribed with Thai New Year greetings from former elected Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shonawatra. A seditious act. For those expats that get their news(or think they get all the news) from the Bangkok Post or the Nation they didn't carry the story. It's in the Guardian and Chiang Mai news BTW.

[Up2U]

Fair enough, if people are just browsing this thread the bowl in question is inscribed with Thai New Year greetings from former elected Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shonawatra. A seditious act. For those expats that get their news(or think they get all the news) from the Bangkok Post or the Nation they didn't carry the story. It's in the Guardian and Chiang Mai news BTW.

Edit, should read as follows: Fair enough, if people are just browsing this thread the bowl in question is inscribed with Thai New Year greetings from former elected Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shonawatra. A seditious act.

[Up2U]

Charter would ‘take public hostage, bring weak unstable government, frighten off investors’
The Nation March 30, 2016
The Pheu Thai Party Wednesday rejected the charter draft written by the Constitution Drafting Commission led by Meechai Ruchumpan.

It called on the electorate to vote against the charter draft in the public referendum.

The party's issued statement said the draft violated democratic principles and was a product of a coup-installed government. It had been written by the CDC appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order - and it catered to the desires of the NCPO more than the public interest.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Charter-would-take-public-hostage-bring-weak-unsta-30282866.html

[Up2U]

EC expects massive turnout at charter referendum
The Nation March 30, 2016
Supachai Somcharoen, the Election Commission chairman, said Wednesday that the EC expects an 80-per-cent voter turnout at the public referendum on the draft charter.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/EC-expects-massive-turnout-at-charter-referendum-30282870.html

[Up2U]

Govt critics risk 1 month 're-education' Army boss says recent detentions a 'warm up'
Published: 30/03/2016
Regime critics could be detained for one month under the government's new "training course" re-education programme, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said. "I initiated the idea myself. In the past, they... (read more)...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/914653/govt-critics-risk-1-month-re-education. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

[cdnmatt]

That last article is quite terrifying. I know when the coup initially started, they sent many to be "re-educated" on how to be happy. According to that article, the General himself even admitted it didn't work, so his solution is to do it again, but even more hard-lined this time. Hmmm...

[frequent]

That last article is quite terrifying. I know when the coup initially started, they sent many to be "re-educated" on how to be happy. According to that article, the General himself even admitted it didn't work, so his solution is to do it again, but even more hard-lined this time. Hmmm...
Not sure what the problem is. All loyal Thais were happy to see the end of the Thaksin clan, and it's a well-known fact that democracy and the Thais are unsuited to each other. It looks like the junta are jumping into bed with the Chinese and learning a lot from them.

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
31 March 2016
Charter Draft First Look: When Will the Junta be Really Gone? (Analysis)

BANGKOK — One of the most contentious aspects of the junta-sponsored draft charter released Tuesday is the question of how much longer it would enable the military to stay in power if voters choose to adopt it as the law of the land....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459402213

[Up2U]

New NCPO order 'abuse of power' Military's new policing role comes under fire
Published: 31/03/2016
Human rights advocates have slammed the regime's decision to give soldiers powers, on par with police, to deal with crime, which they say could lead to unrestrained actions and abuse of power...(read more)..

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/916089/new-ncpo-order-abuse-of-power. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

[Up2U]

Journalists summoned into military barrack over red bowl news
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 31/03/2016
Thai military summoned journalists in the northern province of Chiang Mai for a discussion over reporting news about a red bowl inscribed with Thai new year greetings from former Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thairath news on Wednesday, 30 March 2016, reported that police officers in Chiang Mai at 1:30 pm contacted an editorial team of Thairath in the province and ordered them to send Chaipat Kattiya, head of local Thairath news crew, and another Thairath personnel into Kawila Military Base for a discussion.... (read more)..
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/5989

[Up2U]

Deputy junta head intimidates Bangkok Post journalist
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 31/03/2016

The defence minister threatened to send a journalist from the Bangkok Post to an attitude adjustment session.

Voice TV on Thursday morning, 31 March 2016, reported that Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Defence Minister and deputy junta head, threatened to send Wassana Nanuam, a journalist from the Bangkok Post to the so-called attitude adjustment session, coercive discussions forced upon political dissidents by the military.... (read more)... http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/5991

[Oliver]

"Attitude adjustment"....no wonder that one of the first acts- or one the first acts to be widely reported- of this ridiculous group of soldiers after the coup was to arrest someone for reading Orwell's 1984.
Anyway, I thought that the two English Bangkok newspapers had been broadly supportive of the conservative -royalist thugs whose behaviour ushered in the military dictatorship?

[Up2U]

Junta threatens Pheu Thai for denouncing the draft charter
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 31/03/2016
In an attempt to censor voices against the draft constitution, the junta threatened Pheu Thai Party after the party issued a statement, denouncing that the draft is undemocratic.

On Wednesday, 30 March 2016, Pheu Thai Party has issued a statement condemning the final charter draft and persuading people to turn it down in the referendum, scheduled in August.

In response to Phue Thai’s move, Col Piyapong Klinphan, the junta’s spokesperson, said the junta thanks Pheu Thai for having a clear stance on the draft, but the junta will check if the statement misleads the public. If so, the junta might ‘invite’ Pheu Thai members for a talk, Thai News Agency reported.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5993?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai call to reject charter 'OK'
Published: 31/03/2016
Election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said Thursday Pheu Thai's statement urging people to reject the draft constitution does not violate the referendum bill since opinions were backed by reasons....(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/917157/pheu-thai-call-to-reject-charter-ok.

[Up2U]

Alice in Juntaland and autocracy in Thailand
BY JAMES L TAYLOR, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 1 APRIL 2016
POSTED IN: THAILAND
Readers may have heard about a woman arrested and charged with sedition for holding a red bowl with Thaksin’s message on it for 2016 Songkran Day.

It gets worse in Thailand by the minute as the country is now under full military dictatorship and a chilling sign of things to come.... (read more)... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/04/01/alice-in-juntaland-and-autocracy-in-thailand/

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
2016th April 01
Charter Draft Second Look: Full Education No Longer Guaranteed (Analysis).

Senior Staff Writer BANGKOK - Digging deeper Into the Draft Charter's recently Released finds 279 articles caveats Applied to Basic Civil rights, Education funding that Falls Three years short of completing Secondary school and obstacles to amending the Constitution... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459496361&section=11

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Affront to justice system
Published: 01/04/2016
The military regime's order giving soldiers the power to summon, arrest and detain people suspected of being involved in illegal activities without oversight from the court is an affront to the justice system that will inflict serious and long-term damage to the country....(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/917813/affront-to-justice-system.

[Up2U]

The politics of Thai Buddhism
Men-at-alms
A squabble in the clergy widens Thailand’s dangerous divides
Apr 2nd 2016 | PATHUM THANI |
JUST north of Bangkok, the Thai capital, stands an enormous golden stupa designed to last 1,000 years. Its gleaming exterior is made not from smooth tiles but from 300,000 tightly-packed statues of the Buddha; 700,000 more are hidden inside. Just as staggering is the vast apron surrounding the stupa, able to hold 1m worshippers. Worakate, a guide dressed in white, explains that followers of the Theravada school of Buddhism—dominant in Thailand and elsewhere in South-East Asia—have never had a gathering place as large as Mecca or the Vatican. She thinks the monument can be a meeting point for adherents from around the world.... (read more).... http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21695901-squabble-clergy-widens-thailands-dangerous-divides-men-alms

[cdnmatt]

Am I seeing this correctly? Thailand is basically China's new slave labor camp?

[Up2U]

02 April 2016
Junta’s ‘Polite’ Repression
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

When the phone rang shortly after 9am on Wednesday it was a junta rep on the other end. He was polite as usual.

“Brother, the commanders think your trip should be deferred,” the soft-spoken Lt. Col. Adisak Showichien informed me. It was about my scheduled trip to Helsinki to attend the World Press Freedom Day organized by UNESCO at the invitation of the Finnish foreign ministry.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459581002&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Too gentle on the junta?
April 2, 2016

We would imagine that every reader at PPT knows of the commentaries by Thitinan Pongsudhirak, an associate professor and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. He’s a prolific commentator and, unlike so many of his faculty colleagues, he’s actually published some reasonable papers in some acceptable academic journals.

His recent commentary on the Bangkok Post on the military’s draft charter and the junta’s referendum deserves some attention. There’s some good stuff in it, but considerable wishful thinking based on too little attention to history.... (read more)... https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/too-gentle-on-the-junta/

[Up2U]

Military confiscates red bowls from Pheu Thai offices
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 02/04/2016
Military and police officers searched the offices of Pheu Thai party politicians in northern Thailand and confiscated the red bowls inscribed with Thai new year greetings from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6001

[Up2U]

Democrats opposed to Senate vote on PM
THE SUNDAY NATION April 3, 2016

THE DEMOCRAT PARTY is against asking referendum voters whether to allow selected senators to join elected MPs in choosing a new prime minister after the next general election, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Abhisit said that such a move would tantamount to tampering with democratic principles and the government would have problems running the country.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Democrats-opposed-to-Senate-vote-on-PM-30283146.html

[Up2U]

Thailand: More restrictions on horizon as repressive “virtual” martial law prevails
Submitted by editor2 on Sun, 03/04/2016
Amnesty International
On the first anniversary of the lifting of martial law in Thailand, and as officials announced they will hold political re-education courses in army camps for government critics, Amnesty International calls on Thai authorities to lift the “virtual” martial law powers it has granted to the military in decrees that restrict human rights to the further detriment of the rule of law in the country.

The organization also urges authorities to end their increasingly pernicious repression of peaceful dissent that has been facilitated by the military’s expanded powers.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6003

[Up2U]

Uproar over education
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation April 4, 2016
HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND children would potentially lose their chance for senior secondary or vocational education if the current charter draft sails through the public referendum.

The draft seeks to arrange the 12-year period of free education to start at kindergarten, instead of at Prathom 1 of primary education as at present. The move in effect threatens to heighten a risk of Mathayom 3 graduates losing their opportunity to further their studies.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Uproar-over-education-30283200.html

[cdnmatt]

This is getting close to crossing the line of just a typical Thai coup, to one of those black marks in the history books that everyone wishes they could pretend didn't happen.

[Up2U]

Thai military's grand design in politics
Nirmal Ghosh
Indochina Bureau Chief
April 4, 2016

Thailand is abuzz over an impending August referendum on a new Constitution proposed by the military-led regime. Whatever its outcome, the military's grand design is clear: Weaken political parties in order to have easily disposable coalition governments.
BANGKOK • The shadow of the army in Myanmar is a long one, but, over the past five years, it has shrunk. Next door in Thailand, though, the shadow of the Royal Thai Army is lengthening.

Public attention is veering to a referendum on a new proposed Constitution, tentatively set for Aug 7....(read more)..... http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/thai-militarys-grand-design-in-politics

[Up2U]

The (exceptional) long struggle for justice in the (exceptional) military courts
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 04/04/2016
Thailand’s military courts have handled more than 1,400 cases involving more than 1,600 civilian defendants. The most pressing problem has been the overuse of pre-trial detention against those accused of lèse majesté or criminal possession of war weapons, which simply turned them into “forgotten prisoners.” If they decide to fight the charges, these civilians would face almost indefinite detention – both because of the seriousness of the charges against them and the Court’s own slow procedures.

Just before 2015 came to an end, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) published a report on the number of civilian cases that had been handled by military courts since the May 2014 coup. This report was based on data provided by the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG), which took almost two months to respond to the TLHR’s request for information....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6002

[Up2U]

04 April 2016
Thaksin Tells Junta to Mind the Drought, Not His New Year Gifts

BANGKOK — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Sunday the military government should focus on dealing with the country's problems after soldiers seized thousands of red plastic bowls he and his sister sent supporters as a New Year gift.

The junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who toppled Yingluck's government in a 2014 coup, has reacted skittishly as Thaksin has become more vocal in his opposition to the military government this year.... (read more).. http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459745399&section=11

[Up2U]

JUNTA’S LIES ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS
APRIL 3, 2016 UGLYTRUTHTHAILAND
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

The Thai economy is being hit by the global recession and the impact of the political crisis and military rule. Thailand’s main export areas: the United States, the European Union and Japan, are either in crisis or experiencing sluggish growth. The Chinese economy is now experiencing a significant downturn. Thai seafood products are being boycotted because of the scandal of slave labour which the junta has no real will to solve. Trade agreements are being delayed because of a lack of democracy and tourism from the West is down because of a number of unsolved crimes against tourists and because of the general political climate.....(read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/03/juntas-lies-about-unemployment-levels/

[Up2U]

CHUAN, CHARTER AND CORRUPTION
April 4, 2016
Social media posters are asking why the Democrat Party’s Chuan Leekpai is not being sent to re-education for his entirely negative comments on the junta’s draft charter.

The Bangkok Post explains why he misses out on re-education. Chuan spoke “at a seminar on the draft charter organised by the Constitutional Court…”.It was also attended by other anti-democrat big shots including junta charter minion Meechai Ruchupan.... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/chuan-charter-and-corruption/

[Up2U]

Op-ed: The true danger to ‘democracy’ in Thailand
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 4th April 2016
By Jasmine Chia and Thaya Uthayophas
WHAT does it mean, to be democratic? The Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) made public Thailand’s draft constitution last week, increasingly entrenching the military junta’s control. Critics of the junta have called for democracy – something now defined in Thailand as the absence of military rule. But this posits a false binary. There is so much more at stake when we wield the term “democracy” – it should be an ideal that does not just save us from oppressors, but empowers us as engaged citizens. This idea has been slipping away from Thais over the last decade, and it’s high time we revive it before we forget our full power.

The draft constitution seems to take a leaf out of Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy. By clothing authoritarianism in the language of lawfulness, the people hopefully.... (read more)... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/04/the-true-danger-to-democracy-in-thailand/

[fountainhall]

04 April 2016
Thaksin Tells Junta to Mind the Drought, Not His New Year Gifts

BANGKOK — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Sunday the military government should focus on dealing with the country's problems after soldiers seized thousands of red plastic bowls he and his sister sent supporters as a New Year gift.
The truth will out. In the previous media reports posted here the impression was given that these water jugs were a local initiative. Now we know. They were presented by crook Thaksin and his under-investigation sister to their supporters, similar to the New Year calendars with their photos given out at the end of last year.

Whether or not one is in favour of the present regime, Thaksin Shinawatra is a criminal who has always refused to return from his exile in the Middle East. To start with, despite his criminal status, he was permitted to address his supporters via some form of cctv. Now he continues his illegal political machinations with these stupid little gifts which are clearly political propaganda tools. The man is a megalomaniac crook used to getting his own way and has no intention of returning to face justice.

[Up2U]

Human rights groups condemn NCPO Order 13/2016 and urge for it to be revoked immediately
Submitted by editor1 on Tue, 05/04/2016

(Bangkok, 5 April 2016) - Thailand must immediately revoke National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Order 13/2016 which confers sweeping powers on the Royal Thai Armed Forces in contravention of human rights and the rule of law, said the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International (AI), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), and Fortify Rights (FR), today.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6008?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
05 April 2016
Red Bowls Distributors May Get Sent to Junta Re-Education 'Course'

BANGKOK — Three former MPs allied with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be the first taken in for seven-day, re-education sessions on military bases.

Their qualifications for what the junta euphemistically describes as a “class?” The trio was responsible for distributing red-colored water scoops to Thaksin supporters on behalf of the influential former premiere, junta spokesman Piyapong Klinpan said Monday.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459826788

[Up2U]

April 4th 2016
Shinawatras fight back
Thailand's most prominent political family are throwing themselves back into the public eye. The previous prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, and her brother, Thaksin, who is also a former premier, are making a series of high-profile media appearances designed to pressurise the junta over its plans for a repressive new constitution and the prosecution of Yingluck on contested corruption charges. With the economy weakening and the military government's crackdown on dissent becoming more authoritarian, the Shinawatras have picked an opportune moment to regain support.... (read more)... http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=224079606&Country=Thailand&topic=Politics

[Up2U]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
05 April 2016
Student Protesters Crash Speech of Head Charter Drafter

BANGKOK — A little chaos erupted this morning when three groups of activists separately interrupted a speech by the drafter-in-chief of the proposed constitution.

Three groups of student activists were led out of a conference room after they successively interrupted Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the junta appointed Constitution Drafting Committee, at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus on Tuesday.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459840013&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

CDC defends move to change free education
Chularat Saengpassa
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation April 5, 2016
THE Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has intensified its defence of the proposal to offer the 12 years of free education until Mathayom 3 level in a bid to prevent it from becoming an explosive issue.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/CDC-defends-move-to-change-free-education-30283293.html

[Oliver]

An interesting article in today's Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/05/thailand-juntaland-military

[fountainhall]

Interesting - but the comments below the article (at least those written in the last 2 or 3 hours) are in fact surprisingly more interesting, and for a change in the public media relatively accurate and with an absence of mud-slinging. There are always different sides to a story.

[cdnmatt]

But simply trotting out "democracy is the answer" every single time is a total waste of time - unless those so saying clarify what they mean by that. cdnmatt, since Oliver has not clarified his, what are yours on democracy?

What's well tested, tried, and true. A strong middle class which is well educated, informed, and willing to protest / revolt if and when the government gets out of hand. Problem lies in the massive gap between social classes in Thailand, and in my eyes, the only way to resolve that is through education.

I guess you could propose a two state solution, but that's not going to work. The wealthy in Bangkok may look down on the folks in Issan, but whether they like it or not, depend on them for their daily lives. Again, I think education is the best (and only) way forward, but we're looking at a generation or two to get there in Thailand. And with the junta currently in power, who are going to drop free high school from grade 10 - 12, probably even longer.

You can already see previous education and economic policies taking hold though, all around. Without question, middle class has expanded rapidly over the past couple decades, education is humming along nicely, etc. Heck, from the reports on this board, I guess you can even see the effects within your local Pattaya go-go bar, where most dancers are from other countries. Unfortunately, the current junta is taking the country in the reverse direction.

If history is anything to go by, get a large, well educated middle class, and they tend to keep the government in check.

[Up2U]

THAKSIN AS GHOST
April 6, 2016
It seems that The Dictator considers Thaksin Shinawatra an evil and ghostly spirit that haunts the current military dictatorship. The Bangkok Post has published a photo of General Prayuth Chan-ocha, using garlic to drive out Thaksin: “This is for driving out the ghost who has fled abroad.” It seems that the red bowl saga has again bent the general out of shape.

It is noticeable that everything the junta does is a “battle” with the “ghost,” not least the complete restructuring of the political system and the intent to maintain military political supremacy.... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/thaksin-as-ghost/

[Up2U]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
06 April 2016
NDM Launches Campaign to Reject Charter at Crowded Book Fair

BANGKOK — Student activist group New Democracy Movement chose a crowded public event on a national holiday today in the capital to open their campaign urging the public to reject the draft charter.... (read more)...http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1459936511&typecate=06&section=

[fountainhall]

If history is anything to go by, get a large, well educated middle class, and they tend to keep the government in check.
Thanks for responding. I appreciate it. And I agree entirely about education being vital. Sadly the quality of most education in Thailand is pretty poor. In the largest ever global school ranking in maths and science last year, the top five countries were Asian - Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Britain was 20th, the USA 28th and Thailand 47th. Yet Vietnam was 12th. You can go through reams of statistics and Thailand will similarly - or worse - be quite far down the table. And as you say, upgrading the education system will take years to pay dividends. A large and well-educated middle class will take a generation or so.

If education is one priority, reform of the justice system is surely a close second. You cannot have democracy without the rule of law applying equally to all citizens. Absolutely no-one can say that about Thailand, alas. There are examples galore. Of those hitting the headlines, most recently the case of the Red Bull founder's grandson has again been in the media. This spoiled brat mowed down a policeman in his Ferrari whilst speeding along Sukhumvit, dragged his body for 100 meters or so and then fled to his family compound. First another cop tried to cover up the crime. Then lawyers would not permit him to be interviewed for more than six hours at which time he was found to have alcohol and possibly other substances in his blood. This was explained away as his having had to have a drink to calm his nerves after parking his car!! He has so far escaped any criminal proceedings, despite the Bangkok Police Chief at the time vowing to have him prosecuted to the full extent of the law or he would resign. One indictment had to be dropped because the culprit was allegedly ill outside of Thailand when the statue of limitations for one offence expired. There can be little doubt that only extensive bribery has kept this killer from justice.

Another example is the former head of the Tourist Association of Thailand who, as was made public in a court case in the United States more than five years ago, took substantial bribes lodged in accounts in her name and that of her daughter in Singapore. Has she ever been in court? Of course not! And then there is the case of the 16 year old without a driving license who was driving a friend's car and drove into the back of a University van which tipped over the side of an expressway killing 9 people. She was sentenced to community service which she alleges has been done, but no proof can be found!

Or to end what could be an endless litany, what about Thaksin himself? Prior to being elected in 2001, he had to declare his assets. After he became Prime Minister it was "discovered" that his gardener and housekeeper had vast shareholdings in his companies. The Constitutional Court ruled 4 to 3 that this was an honest mistake. That bribery was involved to ensure this ruling has rarely been openly discussed. Suffice to say, it was no "honest mistake." One rule for the rich. One rule for the rest.

As for corruption, the Head of the toothless Corruption Commission estimated that the level of corruption in government contracts was between 10% and 15% in the 1990s. A couple of years ago it had risen to 30% to 50%! No wonder government ministers can be found with hundreds of millions of Baht in their basements.

In a discussion at Stanford University in 2004 relating to the establishment of democracy (in this case in newly "liberated" Iraq) and titled "What is Democracy?", another key issue is the freedom of people to criticise their leaders. Well, we know what happened when reports appeared about cracks appearing on the runways and taxiways at BKK before it opened. Thaksin exploded. Journalists were fired and one editor at the Bangkok Post met the same fate.

Two more issues from that Stanford discussion -

1. For elections to be free and fair, they have to be administered by a neutral, fair, and professional body that treats all political parties and candidates equally.
2. Independent observers must be able to observe the voting and the vote counting to ensure that the process is free of corruption, intimidation, and fraud.

Well, with endemic corruption and a large section of the voting public persuaded to vote for a particular candidate by village chiefs and a great deal of money changing hands, elections in Thailand are not free and fair. Nor is there a truly independent body overseeing them.

There's a whole lot more, but another key point is that in a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of all citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government. Will anyone put hand on heart and say that anything limits the power of government in Thailand? I cannot.

So I suggest that those who simply say "return to democracy" should give us their views on this country's system of education, effectiveness of the rule of law, the disease of endemic corruption, one rule for the rich - one for everyone else, rigged elections, crook politicians, lack of any effective checks and balances to limit the power of government. Where are they?

[Oliver]

No doubt some falangs feel perfectly safe in the junta's Thailand; many Thais don't. It's not just activists awaiting the Stalinesque midnight knock on the door and the "re-education" camps but journalists, teachers - indeed anyone who doesn't kow-tow to his/her social masters. But be aware of this; these right-wing dictatorships, of which we have had many examples in South America, have a nasty habit of turning their attention to social deviants once the political deviants have been re-educated.or disposed of .And that means people like us and, more importantly, our boyfriends.....we can stay (or return ) home.
You should know that Poujadism - the post-war French version- doesn't just demand political conformity but social obedience to conservative norms as well..
Wait and see. Freedom and justice are not divisible. Show me an authoritarian state - particularly one which claims religious authority- that is sympathetic to "alternative" life-styles.

[fountainhall]

Do you live in Thailand, Oliver? If not, have you ever lived here? I'm merely curious.

[cdnmatt]

Well, with endemic corruption and a large section of the voting public persuaded to vote for a particular candidate by village chiefs and a great deal of money changing hands, elections in Thailand are not free and fair. Nor is there a truly independent body overseeing them.

Yeah, no idea how to resolve the corruption issue. From my experience, most Thais would prefer just to turn a blind eye to an issue rather than confront it. If I remeber correctly, a survey was put out a few years back, and I think about 65% of Thais seen no problem with a little corruption here and there, as long as it benefitted them personally.

As for "corruption", I guess it depends how you define it. The rich & powerful will always have a free pass in society, regardless of country. How many investment bankers were jailed after the 2008 economic crisis? As for money changing hands during an election, during your standard US general election about $6 billion USD changes hands, so not sure if we're in a position to look down on some village chiefs throwing a few thousand baht around.

Again, I'll stick with the solution being a large, well educated middle class. For a prime and recent example of this, look at Iceland. The PM's name was in the "Panama Papers", protests erupted, and 48 hours later he resigned. Perfect example of a strong, educated middle class, and that's basically the only / main thing that can keep the government in check.

[Up2U]

Thank you gentlemen for your thoughts and I agree both education and judicial reform are essential. Another important piece is a truly free "watchdog" press where the "truth" is a defense in a court of law.

[Up2U]

Censorship of journalist: RSF promises unprecedented “Streisand effect”
Submitted by editor1 on Thu, 07/04/2016
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the Thai military junta’s censorship of Pravit Rojanaphruk, an outspoken journalist who has been denied permission to travel to Finland to attended a UNESCO event in Helsinki on 3 May marking World Press Freedom Day.
Pravit, who is very critical of the junta in his articles, has been detained twice in the past in a “behaviour adjustment camp,” where he was forced to sign a pledge to seek permission from the authorities whenever he wants to travel abroad.

His request to attend the Helsinki event was refused by the junta.... (read more)...http://prachatai.org/english/node/6015

[fountainhall]

As for "corruption", I guess it depends how you define it. The rich & powerful will always have a free pass in society, regardless of country. How many investment bankers were jailed after the 2008 economic crisis? As for money changing hands during an election, during your standard US general election about $6 billion USD changes hands, so not sure if we're in a position to look down on some village chiefs throwing a few thousand baht around.
Agree again – but only in part. Of course in most countries there is an element of corruption. But there is corruption and corruption! I believe the US election system is almost totally corrupt - and the Supreme Court connived to make the present system possible by approving the existence of corrupting superPACS! However, I absolutely cannot equate that to Thailand, The former is an attempt to promote a particular candidate – and we have seen this year that a host of superPACS will spend billions. In the case of Thailand, though, the corruption comes partly though millions of individuals being bribed with red bills, and partly through the country being swayed with the promise of huge infrastructure projects, many of which are near disasters. Only Thaksin’s Healthcare system has been a real success, but even here it’s now acknowledged that the amount everyone pays was set too low.

Yingluck’s rice-pledging scheme to pay farmers roughly twice the market rate was a humungous financial disaster. There had been successful rice pledging schemes before, but nothing on this scale. Every single expert in the international economics of rice trading said it would be. But fuck the experts! This was a popular vote-getting exercise. In the first year the government itself is on record as saying the losses were 136 billion Baht. Losses in Year 2 were even greater at 4% of GDP. For Year 3 the estimate is just under 100 Billion Baht . The one tablet per child programme was ill-thought out and mired in scandal and corruption. The rebate on new cars put 1.6 million new cars on the roads, the vast majority in Bangkok, without one kilometer of additional road being constructed!

But leave aside the political process for a moment. I just do not believe the degree of corruption on an individual level in the USA is anywhere near as bad as in Thailand. Yes the bankers who brought the world to the brink of disaster should be jailed and it is mind-boggling why they are still free. But endemic corruption accepted as part of life by 65% or more of the population of the USA? No way. In fact, I believe the rate in Thailand is higher but cannot find sources!

Hong Kong and Singapore eliminated 95%+ of the corruption in their societies through near draconian measures – with the adoption of Commissions Against Corruption with real enforcement, their own special police force and additional legal powers. At one time, I thought this might work in Thailand. I still believe it could in the case of the major corruption cases - provided it had teeth and none of the existing bodies have. The problem when you go lower down the chain is that throughout Thailand’s history what we might term as corruption is deeply rooted in the culture. It is only natural to provide sin nam jai (a gift of goodwill) to an official who has helped you out. Getting rid of that concept will take generations – and education.

So lots of agreement on how democracy can be made to work - but little on how it can be made to work here in Thailand at the present time! Let's also remember a very good point recently made by Arsenal in another thread -


One of the basic rules that allows genuinely democratic countries to function is that the losing side accepts the result. This was not the case in Thailand.

[Up2U]

APRIL 5, 2016
Thai politics sink into vicious circle
By Cindy Degreef

Even though a new constitution is on the way in Thailand, it doesn’t seem this process will bring more democracy. On the contrary, the country is further sinking into its political vicious circle of instability.

While taking power in 2014, through an umpteenth coup d’Etat, the military junta promised to give a new impulse to Thailand, and assure the democratic transition by drafting a new constitution, which would favour the return of a civil government.

However, a multitude of experts, such as Eugénie Mérieau, PhD candidate in political science at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, believe the military wants to hold a permanent state of crisis and definitively control power in Thailand.

Since the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand was marked by its political instability, experiencing 18 coups d’Etat or attempts of coups d’Etat and adopting no less than 19 constitutions.... (read more)... https://neurope.eu/article/thai-politics-sinks-vicious-circle/

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
07 April 2016
Student Leader: No One Paid Me to Oppose Draft Charter

BANGKOK — No one is manipulating or funding high school students who protest against the abolition of state funding for full high school education under the junta-sponsored draft charter, said Parit Chiwarak, a student leader who led a protest on Tuesday.

I didn’t take anyone’s money to protest,” insisted 17-year-old Parit Chiwarak, secretary general of a group made up of around 50 high school student activists who call themselves Education for the Liberation of Siam.
Parit, who is perhaps better known by his nickname “Penguin” told Khaosod English today that money for activities is raised through the selling of T-shirts, books and also by accepting small donations.... (read more)...http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460030312

[Up2U]

"Songkran Gathering"
Pheu Thai meets for Thaksin Skype address
April 7, 2016
BANGKOK - Ex-MPs from Thailand's toppled government met Thursday for the first time since a 2014 coup for a Skype address by Thaksin Shinawatra, the self-exiled former premier who sits at the crux of the country's political rupture.

Applause erupted among the party faithful as the 67-year-old cop-turned-telecoms magnate appeared on a sketchy Skype link from an undisclosed country.

Thaksin and his affiliated parties have won every election since 2001, even though he has lived overseas for eight years to avoid jail on a graft conviction.

He is accused of toxifying the country with corruption by the Bangkok-centric royalist elite who have skewered his governments with coups and legal cases, plunging the kingdom into a decade-long political crisis.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Pheu-Thai-meets-for-Thaksin-Skype-address-30283486.html

[Up2U]

Progressive law scholars denounce draft charter
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 07/04/2016
A group of progressive law scholars has denounced the latest draft constitution, saying the draft will only prolong the junta’s rule.

Nitirat group, an association of progressive law academics known for their advocacy against Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, on Thursday, 7 April 2016, issued a public statement against the complete draft constitution written by the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).... (read more)....http://prachatai.org/english/node/6019?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

6 scenarios for Thai politics: Predict the unpredictable ‘transitional period’
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 07/04/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
Election? Another coup? People’s uprising? Where is Thailand heading? Academics have said that if the military decides to prolong its regime, a people’s uprising is inevitable.

After almost ten years of political crisis in Thailand, demonstration after demonstration and coup after coup, the future of Thai politics is very difficult to predict. How long will the military regime last? When will elections take place? These are the questions many have tried to answer.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head, said last month that even after an election is held, the military will have to maintain power over the civilian government for the next five years because it is “necessary” for the “transitional period”.

It is unclear what the general meant by transitional period. This phrase however has often been used by politicians, academics, and media over the past few years. The meaning arguably varies. It could be a transition to democracy, a semi-democracy, a fully authoritarian regime, and last but not least, a transition in the monarchy. Frequent news of the suppression of critics and activists has led to a climate of fear which prevents Thais from freely and comprehensively discussing how the transition should work.

In an attempt to predict the unpredictable, Prachatai presents six scenarios for Thai politics: 1) hybrid-regime; 2) a failed referendum; 3) double coup; 4) prolonged military regime; 5) people’s uprising; and 6) a good ending....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6013

[Up2U]

08 April 2016
Khaosod English Speaks With Yingluck Shinawatra
BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was among the well-wishers who turned out to celebrate Khaosod newspaper’s 25th anniversary, during which she agreed to a brief chat with Khaosod English.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460103855

[Up2U]

Junta’s brand new 7 days attitude adjustment camp to make you healthy (and obedient)
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 08/04/2016
Tired from work and bad lifestyle? The junta’s brand new attitude adjustment camp, aimed at the nation’s leader, will take you to go for a health check up and adjust you to a healthy lifestyle, and above all, the attitude which suitable for the junta’s nation building strategy. The camp is available at your nearest military bases....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6025

[Steve1903]

Seriously, is there a country anywhere on the planet whose politicians aren't absolute w@nkers?

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
09 April 2016
Charter Vote a Time Bomb in the Making

If not handled fairly, the referendum on the junta-sponsored draft charter could light the fuse of a political time bomb rather than be the solution some hope it will prove.

In truth, the vote now planned for Aug. 7 looks increasingly to also be a de facto referendum on the junta, aka the National Council for Peace and Order, itself..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460124371

[Up2U]

Clowns and spokesmen
April 8 2016
The longer it stays in power, the more repressive the military dictatorship becomes. At the same time, as it faces quite mild opposition it becomes angry and more ridiculous. Red dipper bowls and garlic-inspired incantations are recent examples.

Of course, these two bizarre events are related by the junta’s view that everything they don’t like in the world is because of Thaksin Shinawatra, and they just wish they could be rid of him, because everything, including the drought, is his fault. They dream of a wonderful time when, without Thaksin, they think, Thailand would be harmonious, monarchy-loving and hierarchical as of yore. They think the people would love them and everyone would know their appropriate slot in their hierarchy.... (read more)... https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/clowns-and-spokesmen/

[fountainhall]

Since this thread is now so long and has morphed recently into a more general discussion on democracy and the conditions essential to make a democracy work, I went back to the beginning of this thread to recall how it all started. In the first few posts it was perfectly obvious where Oliver's sentiments lie. He has frequently stated he is pro-democracy - as I expect all posters here are - and considers the present situation appalling. In one of the first posts, he wrote this -


it becomes ever more obvious that the sort of democracy that we in the west usually support- one person/one vote- will have no place in the Brave New Thailand; the peasants/Redshirts/buffaloes/workers cannot be trusted to choose their national government; their votes will be restricted to the elections for village chiefs with no significant powers.
He expresses one extreme view - perfectly fair. Yet, when asked recently for his views on what democracy is other than one-man-one-vote, he has been conspicuously silent. Several posters and I have tried to open up the discussion with views on what is required for democracy to function effectively and I believe I am correct in saying almost all these posters agree that Thailand certainly does not at present have many of the essential prerequisites essential for a functioning and effective representative democracy. One-man-one-vote on its own is not democracy. It is merely one element of it. Without all the other democratic checks and balances Thailand has descended too often into red shirt/yellow shirt mob mentalities and the sort of demonstrations resulting in murders which most other cities in the western world would deem wholly unacceptable. Let's never forget the yellows actually and idiotically closing airport in 2008 and then the reds building Wild West-style stockades surrounded by sharpened stakes that cut off much of the city centre for weeks in 2010. And whilst those original demonstrations may have been legitimate, they quickly developed into something more sinister with paymasters on both sides. I even stood by a tent where protestors were queuing up to get their daily/weekly allowances - and these appeared greatly in excess of the minimum wage.

So I ask Oliver again: you continue to vent your spleen using over-the-top hyperbole about the present situation. What in your view makes up the sum total of a democratic society? And how does all that fit in with Thailand's history, culture and society. You may not like the make up of Thailand society, but it is what it is. You can't just throw it away in one fell swoop and start again!

I also received no reply in another recent thread to which Oliver contributed as to whether he actually lived in Thailand or was commenting from afar. From an early post in this thread it is clear he does not live in Thailand (or did not at that time) but his bf does.

[cdnmatt]

fountainhill, what's your alternative to one-person-one-vote then? If you make over 100,000 baht/month, your vote gets to count for 5 Issan farmer votes? Stick with the military junta, go with an appointed Senate instead of an elected one, propose a two state solution to keep the wealthy and poor separate, or?

Without question, the current policies coming out of Bangkok aren't going to work at all. If anything, they're going to cause complete chaos in the future. We all know how Thais can assemble and protest when they get pissed off enough, and it's only human nature that if you push the pendulum so far in one direction, it will eventually swing back just as far in the opposite direction.

This is somewhat my current fear. The junta's current hard lined approach will backfire on them in a few years time. The cat's already out of the bag, so people aren't going to accept things like basic education being stripped from them. I've always seen reports about the possibility of repealing universal health care, and that's not going to fly either.

As atrocious as this probably sounds, I would suggest following Thaksin's lead, and implementing populist / socialist polices within Thailand for the next 15 - 20 years. Help get everyone on a level playing field the best you can, and from there, consolidation & cooperation can happen.

[frequent]

Whether or not one is in favour of the present regime, Thaksin Shinawatra is a criminal Isn't that the point though. He's a criminal because the predecessors of the present regime decided to prosecute him in absentia? Is he more of a criminal than the army brass who control the drug trade? Or he's a criminal because he's been convicted of something and they haven't? And he's a bigger criminal in the same way that someone who steals $1000 is a bigger criminal than someone who steals $100?

[fountainhall]

Please understand - I am not against one-man-one-vote per se at all. And of course it's utterly impossible physically to separate rich and poor – e.g. where would you put the rising middle class? My concern is that without all the other essentials that make democracy effective - and I think we agree that Thailand lacks many if not most of these - then once the army steps down, Thailand will just return to yellows and reds with each side basically hating and doing their damnedest to undermine the other. Each side will use massively populist policies to try and get elected and then will be unable to implement them properly or cost-effectively and yet more money which could be used constructively for education and social reform flows down the drain. The defeated party will never really accept defeat. And where will all that leave the country? More demonstrations? With another coup? Almost certainly.

There is then the issue of Thaksin. Like him or loathe him, he has been arguably the greatest divider in Thailand's recent history. I agree that he gave a voice to those who had never had an effective one before. But leaders have to lead and leaders have to unify. Thaksin never tried to do anything other than look after his own interests and to hell with those against him. I realise there are examples of other thieving, murdering, lying autocrats leading countries, but in places like, say, the Philippines, you end up with a total farce of so-called democracy - poverty on an unbelievable scale (have you been there?), a few families who control most of the wealth and a populace who do not even think about policies - their interest is primarily in the glamour of popular actors and homophonic boxers for President! And talking of other countries, what has one-man-one-vote done for Singapore and Malaysia? Nothing but elect the same party for more than 50 years because the electoral systems are rigged!

I think it would be fascinating to see what would happen if the Thaksin clan were taken out of the mix. How is not the issue. But he is not only the charismatic leader who. I think. cannot be replaced; he is the great divider. There was also a lot of talk which most have heard about re his link to a certain family and various scenarios which might yet be played out. But then the army stepped in and who anywhere knows what will really happen next? (Incidentally, I consider Abhisit useless as a leader and hope he is ousted from his post fast.)

I may be in a minority for I happen to believe that Thaksin never had the great interest in the mass of the people as he has so often claimed. I believe he was out mostly for his own ends and those of his clan by using politics and the glaring hole he saw in the political structure of the country. To me, he is a second Berlusconi figure - another hugely popular crook, self-seeker and windbag who took another politically dysfunctional country and used it mostly for his own ends. But at least amongst Italians there is a fairly recent history (in historical terms) of fighting for independence as a country, a better understanding of the mechanics of democracy and a desire of the many to get rid of the huge Mafia infiltration. So it is a more cohesive society whatever it’s political differences.

I think you overstate the possibility of chaos. This country has survived through all manner of problems historically and has survived. I believe the Thais are more pragmatic as a people. As I think you said, urgently improving the quality of education should be an absolute priority. But even before that is – hopefully - put into effect, I believe forces within society will ensure that a sort of status quo will be maintained. Eventually perhaps will emerge a leader prepared to tackle endemic corruption, to reform the legal and education systems so as to ensure the emergence of a more enlightened and just society. (Well, I like to dream, sometimes!)

[fountainhall]

Isn't that the point though. He's a criminal because the predecessors of the present regime decided to prosecute him in absentia? Is he more of a criminal than the army brass who control the drug trade? Or he's a criminal because he's been convicted of something and they haven't? And he's a bigger criminal in the same way that someone who steals $1000 is a bigger criminal than someone who steals $100?
I don't believe it is the point, although it has some bearing on it. The army and the police who are in on the corruption rackets do not do it as individuals. So you can't point the finger at just one man or even a group of men. The issue here is a rotten system that is corrupt to the core and a judicial system that certainly has some of the powers to stop it but will not use them! Arguably the senior politicians will not let it, if only because they are all feathering their own nests through massive corruption on government contracts.

Thaksin is a criminal. Sure, someone who steals $100 is as bad as one who steals $5,000. But is there a line to be drawn? Does the leader of a country not have a responsibility to lead? Does he bear no responsibility for his thieving actions? Of course he/she does. Look what happened this week to the PM of Iceland – he resigned - and the mess that David Cameron is going through, even though in the Panama Papers there is as yet no concrete evidence that either fell foul of the law.

Thaksin murdered 2,500+ Thai citizens on the offchance they might have been involved in drugs! Extra-judicial killing is a crime. Others have also been allegedly involved in similar crimes here. But that does not absolve Thaksin. On his orders, 78 Thais in the south who happened to be Muslims were tied up, thrown like pigs one on top of the other into army trucks, left in the baking sun for hours and died. That was murder. That is a crime. Yet Thaksin said the military personnel had done "no wrong."

And what of the Shin Corp deal? Through his manipulation of the parliamentary process, he did not have to pay one satang of tax on a monster transaction that netted his clan Bt. 73.3 BILLION. I do not know how much tax should have been paid before his corruption of the system, but my guess is it was probably somewhere close to Bt. 22 BILLION. And why were huge chunks of those shares traded through Thaksin’s offshore vehicle Ample Rich Investment Co. so no other investors in Thailand could similarly sell their shares? Is that is what a non-criminal leader does? It is not. On becoming PM Thaksin took an oath to serve the Thai people. He broke that oath by enriching himself at the people's expense. His government could have done a lot of things with that cash to benefit the country.

[frequent]

I don't believe it is the point, although it has some bearing on it. The army and the police who are in on the corruption rackets do not do it as individuals. So you can't point the finger at just one man or even a group of men. The issue here is a rotten system that is corrupt to the core and a judicial system that certainly has some of the powers to stop it but will not use them! Arguably the senior politicians will not let it, if only because they are all feathering their own nests through massive corruption on government contracts.
You are judging Thailand by the standards of modern, democratic and relatively transparent norms. The only reason we know about Thaksin's kleptomania is because it hit the newspapers. Why did it hit the newspapers? For the same reason that most of what goes on in Thailand never reaches the mass media - reasons that are so obvious they don't even need stating. You can see it in the spin that's come from various Thai super-rich to their names being included in the release this week of the Panama Papers. Western politicians have been hurt, in one case so far fatally. That will never happen in Thailand.

[cdnmatt]

I guess we see things two different ways. I have no problem seeing Thaksin as some self-serving politician out for his own greedy interests. After all, he is a politician on the federal level, so what can you expect? Politicians are like that across the world.

Having said that, you'd be hard pressed to convince me he's been a detriment to this country. Whether or not you like it, and regardless of his reasons doing so, him and Yingluck have helped tens of millions of Thai people due to policies they've implemented. Education reform, universal health care, rice scheme, 33% raise in minimum wage, when Thaksin first got into power he spread money around to village chiefs who spread it around to their residents to buy bicycles, small home renovations, cell phones, clothes, and more.

You may not like Thaksin as an indiviual, or you may not like what you believe his reasonings for his actions were, but you can't say he didn't help loads of Thais in their daily lives. We can sit here and go back and forth about inaccuracies regarding his policies, or debate about whether or not he only implemented them to buy votes, or whatever... truth remains, his and Yingluck's policies did help a load of Thai people.

The current junta is taking the country in the complete opposite direction, and has publicly said they want to widen the gap between rich & poor, to help ensure the poor don't get a strong voice. This is bullshit. You call Thaksin the "great divider" whereas I would say he's the "great unifier", although he rubbed a lot of people who like the status quo the wrong way.

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Thailand being left behind by neighbours
Published: 08/04/2016
Writer: Thitinan Pongsudhirak
If Thailand were to revert and regress from a burgeoning democracy to an entrenching military-authoritarian rule of three or four decades ago, it would not look so out of place in Southeast Asia's mixed neighbourhood of absolutism, communism, and competitive authoritarianism. But Southeast Asia has changed dramatically, led by Myanmar's democratic renewal and consolidating democracies in Indonesia and...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/925529/thailand-being-left-behind-by-neighbours.

[fountainhall]

you'd be hard pressed to convince me he's been a detriment to this country. Whether or not you like it, and regardless of his reasons doing so, him and Yingluck have helped tens of millions of Thai people due to policies they've implemented. Education reform, universal health care, rice scheme, 33% raise in minimum wage, when Thaksin first got into power he spread money around to village chiefs who spread it around to their residents to buy bicycles, small home renovations, cell phones, clothes, and more.
Not much I can argue with about his dolling money out. But there have been plenty of reports that not much the Bt. 1 million he gave to the village chiefs actually found its way down the chain to those who needed it most. In a corrupt society, everyone takes his cut - and a lot was creamed off. Yes, as I have said, the healthcare provision was a definite plus - and he certainly deserves the credit - as was the rise in the minimum wage, although again there have been various reports that in some parts of the country not all of this gets to those who should be earning it. Still, that is only the Shinawatras' fault in that they failed to do anything about endemic corruption and the injustices in the judicial system.

And of course farmers were delighted with the rice-pledging scheme! But what was given out with one hand was taken away with the other, for hundreds of billions of the country's wealth was stripped from it thus affecting everyone - and that's a vast amount of money. Politicians everywhere can make all manner of promises and even put them into effect if they have no concern about the effect they will have on the nation's finances. In other words, with no checks and balances you can more or less do as you like. But to take such an outlandish bet on world prices staying high when the result predicted by EVERY expert - a crash in world prices - immediately happened is, in my view, what dictators do - not elected politicians whose job is to protect the nation from such economic disasters. That is precisely what the politicians did in the first half of 1997 as they spent the country's entire foreign exchange reserves in a hopeless attempt to maintain an unsustainable exchange rate - for they knew that their cronies would be amongst the most affected if the Baht collapsed. But what of the farmers who with inflated expectations of much higher incomes now face the inevitable result - lower incomes? That is only the fault of the Yingluck government.


You call Thaksin the "great divider" whereas I would say he's the "great unifier", although he rubbed a lot of people who like the status quo the wrong way.
"Unifier"? When many millions - I'd even suggest we're talking about at least ten+ million and more - were against him? That, cdnmatt, is not unity in any sense of the word! Remember few were against him at the start of his reign. Almost every Thai really wanted someone who was a businessman/technocrat to drag the country out of the disaster of the Asian Economic crisis and the politicians which had got the country into that mess (of whom Thaksin had been one, remember). And to begin with - despite his shenanigans with not declaring his true wealth which should as a result have disbarred him from office - everyone believed in him. Without an absolute majority he had to form a unity government which he did by assembling an impressive group of academics, former student leaders and others in addition to hardened politicians. This was when the economy was starting to grow again, he initiated the health scheme and the funding to village chiefs. Yes he initiated some educational reforms but their main elements were not devised by him. They came about as a result of the 1997 Constitution. So at that time he was indeed a unifier. He could have continued on that path despite the corruption he did nothing to stem. But as Lord Acton famously said and Arsenal puts at the bottom of his posts (slightly misquoted), "all power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." He helped create the red shirt/yellow shirt split that has now bitterly divided the country for almost a decade.

Bismarck first said that politics is the art of the possible. By that he meant you have to compromise, sometimes through making major concessions. Getting everything you want is impossible. Thaksin divided the country by trying to have his cake and eating not only it – but also those of others who suffered under his regimes.

[Up2U]

Nitirat on the junta’s constitution
April 9, 2016
Nitirat has been quiet for some time. Its website shows its last post was 20 May 2014, two days before the coup. The junta’s constitution seems to have changed this.

For those who read Thai, the group’s take on the draft charter is here. The criticisms made of the charter are detailed and lengthy.Nitirat

For those using English, The Nation reports that Nitirat “objects to multiple aspects of NCPO-driven draft [charter].”

The statement noted several flaws: (read more)....
https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2016/04/09/nitirat-on-the-juntas-constitution/

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Nitirat-rejects-charter-due-to-continued-junta-pow-30283523.html#

[frequent]

... Yellow Shirt propaganda ... blah blah blahThaivisa, the Bangkok Post and The Nation are great sources of objective information, aren't they. You should remember what Mark Twain said, “If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're mis-informed".

[frequent]

Dear Corporal Fountainhall

Your application to join the team in the Army Thought Reassignment Unit, crap, has been accepted, crap. The other generals and I have considered your other application, crap, to be an appointed Senator under the new Constitution and agree you would be excellent, crap. Unfortunately you're just a farang and all farangs really know nothing of Thailand, crap, so we will not be accepting your application for this role. Oh crap.

Yours sincerely

General Greatone Dopey-Cunt

[Up2U]

Major parties slam NLA
THE SUNDAY NATION April 10, 2016
Democrat and Pheu Thai politicians oppose senate having a role in selecting PM

POLITICIANS from the two major parties have slammed the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) move to approve an additional question in the referendum, which would open the way for the next Senate to help choose a prime minister. They say it implies that elected members of the House of Representatives would not be necessary.

"I think then we should not elect MPs, just let the appointed Senate take care of public administration," Nipit Intrasombat, the Democrat Party deputy leader, posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

The comment came after the NLA last week approved an additional referendum question asking whether Parliament, which is made up of Upper and the Lower Houses, should jointly approve a prime minister for the five-year transitional period after the election....(read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Major-parties-slam-NLA-30283650.html

[fountainhall]

Unfortunately you're just a farang and all farangs really know nothing of Thailand, crap, so we will not be accepting your application for this role.
There was I working so hard for that exam. I am devastated ;)

[Oliver]

We are all entitled to our views but, at the same time, white European and American men are more likely to empathise with wealthy right-wing politicians and businessmen than with poor farmers in Isaan whose lives are so different to ours. I've read articles in UK journals (not on this forum, I hasten to add) that, frankly, look upon Thailand as a pseudo-colonial entity whose benighted, brown-skinned people require paternalistic masters. Or generals. The assumption is that we, and those in Thailand who resemble us most closely, know best; the poor are like children, just as they were in South Africa.

[fountainhall]

white European and American men are more likely to empathise with wealthy right-wing politicians and businessmen than with poor farmers in Isaan whose lives are so different to ours.
I agree wholeheartedly that a big majority of those who know little of Thailand or may have moved here for a few years and then believe they know everything about the country share this view. When you live in Pattaya or even one of the larger cities and make only occasional - or even no - trips to the real countryside, it is all but impossible to understand how most Thais manage to live and survive. Western logic cuts two ways. It brings with it that feeling of "we know how it should be and therefore we know best." But it closes minds to other types of logic and logical thought that are in many senses very alien to the western mind. On the other hand, some westerners who have decades of experience of Thailand are very much aware of many of the problems - not only those in the countryside. The problem is: how you resolve them?

I have known and visited China very regularly for over 30 years. Despite a closed leadership, despite the lack of democracy, despite abuses of various kinds, I have seen how that country has developed massively and I have great admiration for that achievement. My brother had the very opposite view - anti-Communist rule, anti-this and anti-that. Until he actually went to China three years ago and saw for himself not only the massive developments of the major cities but also visiting countryside villages and with a colleague from his university days near fluent in putonghua, spoke to many people. He returned espousing far more pros than cons. He was genuinely amazed that the picture he had in his mind is not always the reality as lived by the Chinese themselves.

So inevitably the situation in Thailand elicits differing views, in and out of the country. I have no doubt the situation has to change. The problem, as has been discussed is this tread, is how do you take a country with so many problems and put that change into effect without at least a realistic hope that at least some of the major changes will be put into effect. Yes, the South African example is very valid - other than Thailand has no Nelson Mandela. But there are some who would say Rhodesia/Zimbabwe presents another example - one of how things can go very wrong indeed. But the Thais are a resourceful people. They have to make the changes they want. We westerners can only comment.

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
11 April 2016
Court Reinstates Anti-Junta Thammasat Historian Somsak
BANGKOK — The Central Administrative Court today ruled that the dismissal of exiled Thammasat University history professor Somsak Jeamteerasakul by his employer was unlawful, thus reinstating Somsak’s status as a lecturer at Thammasat.

The court ruled that Somsak, 57, had no intention to abandon his duties, therefore his dismissal was unlawful.

Somsak, known for his anti-junta and critical stance on the monarchy, fled to France in the aftermath of the May 2014 coup. He maintains a large following on Facebook. His lawyer, Pawinee Chumsri of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Group told Khaosod English that it’s unlikely he would return to Thailand anytime soon, however.

“Somsak has received asylum seeker status [in France... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460352470

[Up2U]

Obstacles to Democratisation in Thailand
Submitted by prachatai on Mon, 11/04/2016
Pavin Chachavalpongpun
My speech at a hearing on “Obstacles to Democratisation in Thailand” at the French Senate, Paris, 5 April 2016.

I would like to focus mainly on current politics of Thailand, particularly on obstacles to Thai democratisation in the aftermath of the 2014 coup.

Thailand’s political crisis began following the overthrowing of the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, and was further deepened by the 2014 coup, which removed his sister, Yingluck, from the premiership. In both coups, the main justification for the military’s intervention in politics was supposedly to rid corruption from politics. It is true that corruption has remained one of the main obstacles to democratisation in Thailand. But the real cause behind the long-drawn crisis is more complicated than many would admit.

At the root of the crisis lies in the denial of the traditional elites to come to terms with Thailand’s changing political, economic and societal landscape.... (read more)...http://prachatai.org/english/node/6028

[Up2U]

News Democrats deal double blow to CDC draft Extra question 'flouts the people's will'
Published: 11/04/2016
The Democrat party has declared its intention to oppose the draft charter as well as the additional question at the planned charter referendum this August...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/928785/democrats-deal-double-blow-to-cdc-draft.

[Up2U]

Politicians have no rights to disagree with me: Thai junta leader
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 11/04/2016
The Thai junta leader scolded politicians over disagreeing with a plan to add an additional question into the public referendum bill over the new draft constitution.

Matichon Online reported that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, on Monday, 11 April 2016, said that politicians have no rights to disagree with him over proposal to include another question into the public referendum bill to pass the new draft constitution.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6031?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Junta to remove Thaksin initiated universal healthcare
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 11/04/2016
The junta is attempting to remove the universal healthcare scheme, one of the most acclaimed policy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and replace it with co-payment system. Analyst says under the latest draft constitution, healthcare will be no longer a state obligation, but state assistance to the poor.

Amid news that the junta has planned to reduce the budget of universal healthcare scheme and abolish the universal healthcare scheme, formerly known as 30-baht universal healthcare, equal rights to healthcare has been removed from the draft constitution. This is despite the fact that the junta’s head proudly presented the current scheme as the prototype of other ASEAN nations’ healthcare in his speech at a UN conference last year.... (read more)... http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6033

[Up2U]

Human rights in northeastern Thailand: An assessment of the situation eighteen months after the coup
Posted on 04/08/2016 by The Isaan Record
By Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)

After seizing power from the democratically elected government in the name of the restoration of peace and order on 22 May 2014, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the military junta have used various means to restrict and control the people. The rule of the regime is in direct conflict with the exercise of rights and freedom, which had been present in Thailand under prior democratic governments. The negative impact of the rule on the people has been significant and wide-ranging..... (read more).... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/04/08/human-rights-in-northeastern-thailand-an-assessment-of-the-situation-eighteen-months-after-the-coup/

[Up2U]

News Prayut blasts parties for attacking CDC draft PM issues writ threat, Democrats urge him to keep cool
Published: 12/04/2016
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has blasted political parties over their opposition to the draft constitution and the extra question in the referendum, telling them to leave the issue to voters.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) also warned political parties to toe the line following the Democrat Party's press briefing on Sunday, or they would face a summons....(read more)....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/930057/prayut-blasts-parties-for-attacking-cdc-draft.

[fountainhall]

You call Thaksin the "great divider" whereas I would say he's the "great unifier", although he rubbed a lot of people who like the status quo the wrong way.
I was going to let this comment pass until Oliver brought up a point about South Africa. Under the apartheid government of South Africa most black Africans were treated worse than animals. The collapse of that regime was in large part due to international pressure but also a PM in de Klerk who understood that the status quo was unsustainable. What followed the release of Nelson Mandela could have been a bloodbath. Yet this man who had just spent 27 years in prison under the apartheid regime realised he had to unite the country, that he had somehow to bring whites and blacks together. Hence a multi-ethnic government and his patronage of the all-white Springboks Rugby team - a hugely controversial decision at the time. Hence the establishment of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. How could those watching on television not be horrified at the testimony of those who committed the crimes, or be moved to tears at that of many of the victims of the political violence? How could we not admire the emphasis on reconciliation?

Mandela brought his nation more or less together. He is the definition of a unifier. Thaksin started as a unifier of the nation following the disasters of the Economic Recession. He then divided the nation, partly a result of his own personal ambition, and I believe the effects will continue for a long time to come.

[cdnmatt]

What do you believe is unfolding before our eyes? This country is currently being split into two FAR moreso than any time in the recent past, including when Thaksin was in power. Yes, when Thaksin was in power he pissed off quite a few of the wealthy and elites. That tends to happen when you implement populist policies that favor the poor, especially when there's such a great social divide in the country. Like it or not though, his polices helped far more Thais than they hurt. And again, in my eyes, getting everyone on a level playing field with basic things like education, opportunity, healthcare and so on is the only way forward.

The country is being split directly down the socio-economic line again, so sure, the wealthy and elites probably think it's a great idea. How do you believe the folks up here are going to feel about the reforms, once they begin experiencing how they affect their daily lives? Additional political freedom / capital they've become accustomed to being stripped away, their vote doesn't count too much any more, no more free high school for their kids, no more universal health care, and so on.

Right now, nobody is doing anything because they're too scared of the junta. At some point the military is going to have to lessen their grip though, unless they plan to turn this country into another Burma / North Korea. And if these reforms are implemented, once they do so, what do you think is going to happen? Everyone up here is going to continue working 16 hours a day, while being treated like uneducated slaves again from those in Bangkok? Not likely, cat's already out of the bag. My guess is a protest in Bangkok that makes the previous protests / riots look like child's play.

You can't provide millions of people with what's now considered fundamental rights in the modern world, then just take them away, and consider to get away with it. It's not going to happen.

[fountainhall]

And why is it being split? You cannot get away from the fact that had Thaksin not let power get to his head, had Yingluck had an ounce of sense - trying to get her brother back without first attempting some form of give-and-take consensus and then the infamous amnesty for a raft of convicted criminals which led to the most recent major street protests was just plain stupid - and then calling an election but idiotically forgetting that in so doing she'd have to default on the money she had promised to the farmers? How many suicides of farmers did that lead to? Quite a number. Poor people who had taken out loans on the basis of the promised rice fees due on the October 2013 harvest which her government could not then pay!

Sure, the rice pledging scheme for a while helped farmers - who I agree need a great deal of help. But it has saddled the national government with a debt variously estimated at between US$8 and $20 billion so far. Of course governments in other countries have embarked on similar types of national projects at greater cost. But there is a limit to how much a national budget can grow without continuing major increases in productivity and overseas sales. The pledge scheme resulted in India and Vietnam quickly overtaking Thailand in terms of rice exports. Thailand has still not attained the top ranking it had when Yingluck was elected.

The occasional rhetoric about Burma and North Korea is, I'm sorry to say, utterly ridiculous. Whatever the many injustices in this country, the Thai people as a whole will solve them in their own way. And if there are demonstrations on the sort of scale you envisage - which I do not - then it will be the Shinawatra clan that caused them, whatever good some of their policies did.

[cdnmatt]

So you're just fine with the reforms the junta is currently putting out, think they will benefit Thailand and Thai society as a whole, and help unify the country?

[fountainhall]

So you're just fine with the reforms the junta is currently putting out, think they will benefit Thailand and Thai society as a whole, and help unify the country?
Sorry, but can you find a quote somewhere? The fact is I have never said that and I do not think that. You put words into my month! I have merely been trying to extend the argument in what has traditionally been a very one-sided thread. You cannot only predict what should be or even what might have been without looking into the causes of why the country is where it is - and that is more true when there is a widespread belief that that cause will soon become the salvation.

Further, in opening up the discussion to what makes a representative democracy work, virtually everyone who joined that discussion here agreed that Thailand does not have most of those requirements. So if you return the country to democracy without taking any actions to ensure that some reforms to the democratic system, more or less you end up with a continuation of reds/yellows, a corrupt judicial system etc.

After all, when I asked your views on how to make democracy work, you replied in post #1439 -


I think education is the best (and only) way forward, but we're looking at a generation or two to get there in Thailand . . .

You can already see previous education and economic policies taking hold though, all around. Without question, middle class has expanded rapidly over the past couple decades, education is humming along nicely, etc. Heck, from the reports on this board, I guess you can even see the effects within your local Pattaya go-go bar, where most dancers are from other countries. Unfortunately, the current junta is taking the country in the reverse direction.

If history is anything to go by, get a large, well educated middle class, and they tend to keep the government in check.
Your solution is first to do away with a military dictatorship. I agree! But until the education system is overhauled and reformed, the country then needs leadership which will unify the whole country, improve the lives of the poor, get more into the middle class, etc. A uniter and not a divider!

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
12 April 2016
Critics: Keeping Public in Dark About Draft Charter Rejection Unfair
BANGKOK — It’s unfair for the junta not to tell the public what Thailand will get if the draft charter gets voted down, say critics. Some add that this is a psychological tactic to persuade the public to opt for the known-quantity, which is the charter draft. Critics differ on whether this constitutes as a shrewd move by the junta or not.

The reactions come after junta-leader-cum-Prime-Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha declined on Monday to spell out what will happen if the charter is rejected in the Aug. 7 referendum. Prayuth said he has the power to decide what to do..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460458768&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Thai junta leader tells ministers to read Xi Jinping's book
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 12/04/2016
The Thai junta leader and prime minister suggested the cabinet members to read The Governance of China, a book authored by Chinese president, citing that Thailand is in reform period like China’s.

On Tuesday, 12 April 2016, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, told media at the Government House that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and PM, introduced “The Government of China”, a book authored by Xi Jinping, President of People’s Republic of China, to the cabinet members, reported Matichon Online.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6039

[Up2U]

Help! The paranoids are after me!
Submitted by prachatai on Wed, 13/04/2016
Harrison George
Who is doing this to our Dear Leader? General Prayut trots off to the US in search of more ‘oh look I’m in the same room as other world leaders so they must accept me’ photo ops and it is all promptly ruined by another burst of rampant paranoia.

He told VOA he ‘met representatives of many countries’ (see, they do talk to him so Thailand is not the international pariah that some critics claim).

And he ‘has answered many questions’ (a skill that hopefully he will one day use when dealing with the Thai media to replace his current practice of threatening them for their supposed lack of loyalty).

But all they asked about was ‘democracy, elections, and human rights’.

Silly them. Don’t they realize that universal human rights are a strictly internal matter in Thailand?.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6040?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

14 April 2016
US: Forced Labor Continues on Thai Fishing Vessels
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that forced labor on Thai fishing vessels has continued in the past year despite legal reforms and arrests following an Associated Press investigation into the country's seafood industry.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460605128

[Up2U]

Junta’s critic to be taken into military base for reeducation again
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 14/04/2016
The Thai junta contacted a Pheu Thai politician known for his criticisms against the regime, informing him that he will be taken into a military camp once again for reeducation.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6041

[Up2U]

NCPO blames politicians for divisions in country
THE NATION April 16, 2016
Govt brushes off Abhisit's suggestion that PM Prayut avoid resorting to Article 44.

GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday slammed the country's politicians, saying they should ask themselves what they had done for the country.

Sansern was reacting to recent criticism of the draft charter by politicians from the two major parties - the Democrats and Pheu Thai.

Sansern also blamed politicians for causing severe conflicts. "If elected politicians had done better in the past, Thailand would not have come to this point," he said..... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NCPO-blames-politicians-for-divisions-in-country-30284048.html

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
16 April 2016
Prayuth’s Brother Defends Granting His Own Son Officer’s Rank

BANGKOK — A brother of junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha admitted yesterday that he gave a job and army rank to his son, saying it’s common practice in the military.

The letter appointing Patipat Chan-ocha, 25, as a Second Lieutenant and officer in the army was leaked via social media Thursday. Patipat’s father, former army commander Preecha Chan-ocha, confirmed to Isra News on Friday that the memo was real and defended his actions..... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460782149

[Oliver]

It's good to see the anti-corruption drive at full throttle.

[fountainhall]

“Now that there’s a vacant position, I put him to work in it. Many people in the army do it. It’s not like only my son does it"
This surely is a prime example of one of the root causes of the problems this country faces. Outright nepotism allied to endemic corruption. Will we see one of the Anti-Corruption bodies take up this case and arrest Preecha Chan-ocha? Fat chance! So his brother's anti-corruption effort drive will be made to seem as hollow as all the previous ones. Don't these people ever learn?

[Up2U]

WATANA TARGETED BY JUNTA
April 16, 2016
While the military junta has been threatening all “politicians” with jail, fines and/or re-education for commenting negatively, inappropriately, or in any way that spooks the junta or its minions over the military’s charter, as has long been clear, double standards always apply. Those who speak supporting the charter are cheered. Friends of the junta, past and present get plenty of latitude. Those who are political opponents and who speak against the charter or the illegitimate referendum are punished.

Prachatai reports that it is once again Watana Muangsook, “a Pheu Thai politician known for his criticisms against the regime [who]… will be taken to a military camp once again for re-education.”... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/watana-targeted-by-junta/

[Up2U]

Watana has a point
Published: 16/04/2016
Writer: Editorial
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s summoning of former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook for criticising the draft charter does not augur well for the credibility of the charter referendum....(read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/935153?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangkokpost.com%2F

[Up2U]

WHY THE JUNTA’S DRAFT2 OF THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD STILL BE OPPOSED
APRIL 17, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

If we look at the various attempts by the junta and its acolytes to draw up constitutional drafts which give them power over elected governments, one cannot help feeling that these attempts are the pathetic work of people whose world view is so narrow and inferior that they have no ability or wish to actually draw up some basic democratic political rules which will be accepted by the majority of citizens. Their attempts have range from the extremely childish first draft which talked constantly of the need to elect “good people” to this latest version which is painfully transparent in its attempts to retain the power of the junta. [See http://bit.ly/1Jv5QDC and http://bit.ly/1ScVIR6 …]

This is not a draft constitution; it is a document outlining the prejudices of those who have seized power through the barrel of a gun.... (read more)... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/why-the-juntas-draft2-of-the-constitution-should-still-be-opposed/

[Up2U]

UPDATED: ACADEMICS SAY NO
April 17 2016
The Bangkok Post reports that a “group of academics has slammed the draft constitution, saying it weakens the parliamentary system and restrict people’s rights and liberties.”

This is not unexpected following Nitirat’s rejection of the military’s draft charter.

This group of academics considers itself “a network of academics for citizens’ rights” and spoke at Thammasat University. According to the Post they are:.... (read more).... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/academics-say-no/

[Up2U]

The Triumph of Thai Communism? (Radio Free Albemuth)
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 18/04/2016
John Draper
That General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the supreme military dictator of Thailand, has instructed his cabinet to read Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s book, The Governance of China, because its reforms apparently suit Thailand’s conditions, is a revelation, one recently reported by noted Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk. We can be thankful that General Prayuth is not recommending Das Kapital or Mein Kampf, but instead mandatory reading for the Chinese Communist Party. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile attempting to understand General Prayuth’s early ideological development, which was indeed framed by communism and the Thai response to it.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6043?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter