Protests update

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
18 April 2016
Watana Defiant as He Turns Himself in at Army Base
BANGKOK — A former Pheu Thai MP turned himself in to the junta just before noon today for an “attitude adjustment” session but vowed to sue over illegal detention if he is not quickly released.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460958442&typecate=06&section=

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Teeranai Charuvastra
18 April 2016
Activists File Nepotism Complaint Over Prayuth’s Nephew
BANGKOK — A group of activists today petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the brother of junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha for appointing his son to an officer position in the army, an action they said amounts to nepotism.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460963116&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
19 April 2016
Activists Promise Protest if Watana Not Released by Military

BANGKOK — Former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook was held a second day today at an undisclosed military base, prompting activists to threaten a public protest if he is not soon released.

The Pheu Thai Party on Tuesday issued a statement demanding Watana’s unconditional release, while junta leaders justified detaining the veteran politician without charge on the grounds that his opposition to the junta’s draft constitution amounts to inciting unrest.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461041931&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Thai PM’s brother being probed for abuse of power
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 19th April 2016
LEVELED with allegations of malfeasance and nepotism, the brother of Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is being investigated over his son’s appointment into the army.... (read more)... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/04/thai-pms-brother-being-probed-for-abuse-of-power/

[Up2U]

No campaign on draft charter allowed: Deputy junta head
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 19/04/2016
The Deputy junta head has warned the public not to discuss about the content of the latest draft constitution, saying that it might lead to misunderstanding and conflict.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6047

[Up2U]

Deputy junta head forbids gathering for embattled Pheu Thai politician
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 19/04/2016
The Deputy junta head told media that a gathering for a detained Pheu Thai Party politician cannot be held, adding that the regime does not care about criticisms from human rights groups and other nations.

Matichon Online reported that Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy junta head and Defence Minister, on Tuesday, 19 April 2016, told media at the Government House that Watana Muangsook, a politician from Pheu Thai Party, is well taken care of at a detention center within an army base.

He told media that Watana violated the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which he had sign with the authorities. Therefore, it was necessary to detain him for the so-called attitude adjustment session, a coercive lecture forced upon political dissidents by the junta.

When asked by media about a gathering planned to be held at 6 pm today at the Victory Monument, Bangkok, by Resistant Citizen Group, an well known anti-junta activist group, to show support for Watana, he said that such gathering cannot be held.

Gen Prawit added that the regime does not care about the criticisms from international human rights groups and other countries about the detention of Watata because the regime does not violate human rights.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6050

[Up2U]

Detained Pheu Thai politician may face 2 years imprisonment
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 19/04/2016
The Thai junta announced that a well known politician from Pheu Thai party currently detained may face two years imprisonment for violating the regime’s announcement.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6051

[Up2U]

Normal and legal - Prayuth
April 19 2016

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Pravit Rojanaphruk
19 April 2016
Govt Hints ‘No’ Vote Could Restart Charter Process Third Time

BANGKOK — A deputy prime minister yesterday played down the possibility of recycling a previous constitution in part or full should the public reject the junta-backed charter.

Wissanu Kreangam said Monday it would not make sense to revive or cobble together old charters for adoption if the public rejects the current proposal championed by the junta. Instead, he said it would make more sense to begin the whole process anew for a third time.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461056883&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Todd Ruiz and Pravit Rojanaphruk
19 April 2016
Frustration Boils Over at Rare, Brief Protest
BANGKOK – Security forces surgically removed several activist leaders gathered at Victory Monument this evening, effectively nipping a planned protest in the bud.
Protesters, many wearing white T-shirts, had melded into the busy crowd of rush-hour commuters Tuesday but were apparently left without a clear plan of action after at least four organizers were whisked away by police.

Siriwith Seritiwat of the New Democracy Movement, Arnond Nampa of Resistant Citizens, Aramis Akahad and Wannakit Chusuwan were smiling and waving as they were taken away in a police truck.....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461070197&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Interview with activist challenging Thai junta on referendum
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 20/04/2016
Janjira Linthong

Since the release of the draft constitution, the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has formally and informally suppressed criticism of the draft as well as the referendum itself. The Public Referendum Bill, soon to be enacted, stipulates that anyone who campaigns against the referendum may be jailed for 10 years. On 19 April, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head and Minister of Defence, has recently said that people should not stage any campaign relating to the referendum on the draft constitution, which will be held on 7 August. It is obvious that Thais are not going to vote in the referendum in a free and fair manner...(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6056

[Up2U]

Media risked 10 years imprisonment for criticizing draft charter: junta leader
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 20/04/2016
The Thai junta leader told media that anyone campaigning about the draft constitution may face 10 years imprisonment once the Draft Referendum Bill is enacted.

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, at the Government House, Bangkok, on Tuesday, 19 April 2016, told media that people who participate in campaigns either to accept or not the accept the latest draft constitution may face up to 10 years imprisonment under the Draft Referendum Bill.

“When the Draft Referendum Bill is passed, it has 10 years imprisonment as penalty. If you are not afraid, it’s up to you. The media will get this as well, including their financiers,” said the Thai junta premier..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6055

[Up2U]

End military repression before August 7 referendum on constitution
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 20/04/2016
Human Rights Watch
Thailand: Ex-Minister Detained for Rejecting Draft Charter
End Military Repression Before August 7 Referendum on Constitution

(New York, April 20, 2016) – Thailand’s ruling junta should immediately release a former government minister in military custody for publicly opposing the draft constitution, Human Rights Watch said today. National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) authorities arrested Watana Muangsook, who was social development and human security minister from 2005 to 2006, on April 18, 2016. A referendum on the draft charter is scheduled for August 7.

“The Thai junta, by gagging a prominent critic, has heightened the climate of fear ahead of the constitutional referendum,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6053

[Up2U]

Associated Press, Khaosod English
20 April 2016
Watchdog: Thailand Sinks as Press Freedom Declines Globally
PARIS — Thailand fell to the bottom quarter of 180 nations as media freedom around the world suffered a "deep and disturbing decline" under pressure by governments and businesses, an international media watchdog said Wednesday.

The report describes Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as a “new predator of information,” citing verbal attacks and death threats made against journalists.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461132163

[Up2U]

Foreign Ministry lectures EU on Thai political history
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 20/04/2016
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) lectured the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Thailand on the country’s political history to justify the detention of a Pheu Thai Party politician.

Don Pramudwinai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, told media that the MFA on Tuesday afternoon, 19 April 2016, met Jesús Miguel Sanz, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Thailand, to discuss about the current political situation of Thailand, Thairath News reported.... (read more).. http://prachatai.org/english/node/6057

[Up2U]

Watana may face charge in military court if he refuses to shut up
in Politics | April 20, 2016
The National Council for Peace and Order may charge former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook in the military court in the next couple of days if he refuses to comply with the military regime’s demand to stop his political comments.... (read more)...http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/160315

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Thailand’s PM defends brother, says nephew’s appointment follows procedure
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 20th April 2016
THAILAND’S Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday brushed off allegations of nepotism leveled against his family on the recent appointment of his nephew into the army...(read his explanation)... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/04/thailands-pm-defends-brother-says-nephews-appointment-follows-procedure/

[Up2U]

Resistant Citizen protests against Watana's detention
The Nation April 20, 2016
Anti-junta activist group Resistant Citizen staged a symbolic event for the second consecutive day Wednesday, protesting against Pheu Thai Party leading member Watana Muangsook’s detention at a busy Skywalk adjacent to Chong Nonsi BTS station.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Resistant-Citizen-protests-against-Watanas-detenti-30284376.html

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Right groups urge junta to free ‘prisoner of conscience’
THE NATION April 21, 2016
INTERNATIONAL rights groups have put pressure on the government by calling for immediate release of Pheu Thai Party politician Watana Muangsook, who has been in military custody since Monday after publicly criticising the draft constitution.

Amnesty International, describing Watana as a "prisoner of conscience", said this was the third time he "has been held in military detention without charge or trial on the basis of his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression."... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Right-groups-urge-junta-to-free-prisoner-of-consci-30284393.html

[Up2U]

21 April 2016
Prayuth Names Thaksin as Plotter Behind Protests
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter
BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha today accused the de facto leader of the Redshirt movement of plotting the recent resumption of public protests against his military regime.

After a heated exchange with reporters at Government House who pressed Prayuth to name the person he thinks is behind the gatherings, the junta chief blurted out the name of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains immensely popular in parts of Thailand despite the coup that deposed him 10 years ago....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461217681

[Up2U]

April 2016
The Dilemma Confronting the U.S.-Thailand Relationship
Pavin Chachavalpongpun

Sarah Sewall, the U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, visited Thailand in late March. Her visit coincided with an ongoing debate on the country’s controversial military-drafted constitution. Thailand, a treaty ally of the United States, has been in the custody of the army since a coup in May 2014 overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The military junta promised to hold elections in 2017, but with a critical royal transition on the horizon, many Thais doubt that the military will step down before the royal succession takes place..... (read more).... http://www.nbr.org/publications/element.aspx?id=896

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
21 April 2016
Protests Called Off as Watana Released on Bail
BANGKOK — Activists today canceled daily protests demanding the release of Pheu Thai politico Watana Muangsook from military detention after a martial court released him on bail this afternoon.

After spending three days in army custody, Watana was brought to the military court in Bangkok on Thursday afternoon where he was charged with violating the junta’s ban on protests. The 59-year-old veteran politician was subsequently released on a bond of 80,000 baht.

Watana’s lawyer told the media the martial court barred him from “inciting unrest,” participating in political activities and leaving the country without its permission..... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461239364

[Oliver]

Interesting parallels with recent events in Brazil.....it seems that wealthy, conservative classes elsewhere have found a sure-fire way of getting rid of democratically-elected leaders who don't toe the line!

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/21/dilma-rousseff-enemies-impeached-brazil

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
22 April 2016
Rallying Public for Release of Watana Exposes Hierarchy of Rights

BANGKOK — They came for the reporters and political cartoonists, and hands were wrung.

Then they came for the academics, and a storm of statements were issued. They arrested an old man for giving flowers, went after student activists for eating sandwiches, detained environmental activists opposing their projects, and still, little happened.

It wasn't until they came for a wealthy, privileged and well-connected... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461308583

[Up2U]

For Thailand, a portrait is crucial to preparations for succession
Thailand prepares the groundwork for its first royal succession in nearly 70 years.
Published APR 21, 2016
BANGKOK, THAILAND (Reuters) - Look around anywhere in Thailand and chances are you will see a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej displayed in offices, schools, banks or on the front of government buildings.

Recently, though, portraits of the king's son, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, have increased as the kingdom of Thailand prepares the groundwork for its first royal succession in nearly 70 years.... (read more)... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/for-thailand-a-portrait-is-crucial-to-preparations-for-succession

[Up2U]

UN rights chief slams ‘crackdown’ on critics
THE NATION April 23, 2016
Thaksin hits back at Prayut, claims the government has been 'destroying itself'

THE United Nations' human rights chief expressed concern yesterday about the Thai government's clampdown on critics of the draft constitution and the tight curbs on dissent, adding to mounting pressure from the international community.

Meanwhile, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's claim he had hired foreign lobbyists to campaign against the Thai government.... (read more)...http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/UN-rights-chief-slams-crackdown-on-critics-30284532.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
23 April 2016
Junta’s Desperate Quest for Legitimacy

Dictatorial power can be crude and rude as student activist Rattaphol Supasopon found out recently.

Rattaphol, a member of Liberal Thammasat for Democracy, complained that some junta men paid an unannounced visit to his grandfather’s house, where his address is also registered. They just walked inside and started shooting photos of the home’s interior.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461397565&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Interview: Thaksin Shinawatra on Thailand
April 21, 2016

For one of the world’s most polarizing individuals, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand and a telecom billionaire, cuts an understated figure. The soft-spoken police officer left the force at the age of 38 and the company he founded to rent out computer equipment soon became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.... (read more).... http://www.worldpolicy.org/blog/2016/04/21/interview-thaksin-shinawatra-thailand

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
'No' drama being played out in real life
Published: 23/04/2016
Writer: Kong Rithdee
In October 1988 there was a national referendum. A military dictator, under pressure from the international community.... (read more)....


Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/944529/no-drama-being-played-out-in-real-life. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.

[Up2U]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
23 April 2016
500 Monks Gather to Sanction Buddha Isara

Nakhon Pathom — Hundreds of monks gathered in Nakhon Pathom Saturday morning to sanction the activist monk Buddha Isara.

Around 500 monks who said they were from Bangkok and the central region, gathered this morning at the giant stupa Phra Pathommachedi to complain about Buddha Isara. They consider Buddha Isara to be instigating division among monks.... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461405809&section=11

[Up2U]

WILL YOU COME AND JOIN THE DANCE? WILL YOU, WON’T YOU? WILL YOU, WON’T YOU?
APRIL 24, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Like the song of the “mock turtle”, the distorted machinations of Generalissimo Prayut in Thailand’s Alice in Wonderland story continue. The junta is clearly in a state of deep paranoia concerning the draft constitution and the so-called referendum to legitimise it..... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/will-you-come-and-join-the-dance-will-you-wont-you-will-you-wont-you/

[Up2U]

UDD calls for international observation of referendum
April 24, 2016
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship or the red-shirt movement has called for the United Nations, the European Union or an international organization to send teams to observe the national referendum on the draft charter in Thailand to ensure fairness, transparency and trust.... (read more)... http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/160805

[Up2U]

Suthep boldly supports draft charter
Published: 24/04/2016
Writer: Online Reporters
Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Foundation, has declared support for the draft constitution, saying it is suitable for the current situation in the country.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/945925?refer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F1oJDaNlVqp

[Up2U]

Regional MPs concerned by Thailand’s draft constitution and planned referendum
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 25/04/2016
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
JAKARTA, 25 April 2016 — Parliamentarians from across Southeast Asia have expressed deep concerns about Thailand’s new draft constitution, as well as a planned referendum on the charter, highlighting an apparent effort by the military government to strengthen and prolong its control over Thai politics and stifle open debate.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) criticized the decision by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to outlaw campaigns for or against the charter in advance of the referendum, slated for 7 August, and called on Thailand’s leaders to allow for a robust, public discussion of the draft..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6078

[Up2U]

Military prosecutors indict activists demanding Rajabhakti Park probe
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 25/04/2016
The military prosecutors have indicted six activists for demanding an investigation into the Rajabhakti Park’s corruption scandals....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6077

[Up2U]

PDRC, Red Shirts under probe for talking about draft charter
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 25/04/2016
The Deputy junta head ordered the authorities to launch investigation on the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the anti-establishment red shirts for announcing their stands on the draft constitution.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6079

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
25 April 2016
Junta Says it Has Proof Thaksin Behind Smear Campaign – But It’s Classified

BANGKOK — The junta said today it can prove, once and for all, that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has paid foreign lobbyists to sabotage Thailand’s reputation and destabilize the military government.

But that proof is classified, for now....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461581682

[Up2U]

Charter group defies regime Top figures demand right to air opinions Published: 26/04/2016
More than 100 academics, activists and politicians from two major rival camps have stepped up calls for the military regime to guarantee them the right to freely express their views on the draft charter...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/947569/charter-group-defies-regime.

[Up2U]

New army powers creating a police state
Published: 25/04/2016
Order 13/2559, issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which grants police powers to the military, to investigate certain crimes without due process, is tantamount to an admission of failure.... (read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/946433/new-army-powers-creating-a-police-state.

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2010 military operation against red-shirt is lawful: junta head
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 26/04/2016
The junta head said the military operation against the red-shirt protesters in 2010 was legally justified, denying allegations that he favored Democrat Party to Phue Thai Party.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6081?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
26 April 2016
Prof Denies Breaking ‘Vague’ Referendum Law, Junta Spokesman Says She Did
BANGKOK — A university lecturer nearly arrested yesterday for distributing pamphlets listing reasons to oppose the draft charter insists she did nothing illegal.

Benchalat Chua, 40, a Mahidol University lecturer, said today she did not violate the new article which forbids inciting people to oppose or endorse the proposed constitution as claimed by a junta spokesman one day after police told her to leave the campus of Chulalongkorn University and report to a police station.

Col. Winthai Suvaree on Tuesday said Benchalat, a 40-year-old peace studies instructor, violated Article 61 of the referendum law. She flatly denied the allegation, adding.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461669929&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

'Extra question' rings alarm bells Scholars warn it will entrench regime grip Published: 27/04/2016
Writer: Mongkol Bangprapa
An appointed Senate with the power to select a prime minister will set a dangerous precedent enabling "extra-constitutional elements" to seize power without staging coups, academics have warned.... (read more)...


Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/948913/extra-question-rings-alarm-bells.

[Up2U]

Prayut says “No” to foreign observers in August 7 referendum
April 27, 2016
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha made clear yesterday no international observers are to be allowed to observe the referendum scheduled on August 7.... (read more)... http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/161223

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
27 April 2016
Military Abducts at Least 4 Across Thailand
BANGKOK — At least four people were abducted by the military in the early hours of this morning, according to members of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Two men were taken from their homes in Bangkok while another two were seized in Khon Kaen, according to Sarawut Wongsaranon of the lawyer’s group..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461731802

[Up2U]

Wed Apr 27, 2016
Thai Facebook group charged for 'foul language' about draft constitution REUTERS/CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM
Thailand's election commission on Wednesday filed charges against a group for posting "foul and strong" comments online criticizing a military-backed draft constitution, the first case filed under a law that prohibits campaigning on the charter.

Groups on both sides of Thailand's political divide have denounced the draft constitution as undemocratic.

The U.N. human rights chief last week urged the junta to curtail "dangerously sweeping" powers enshrined in the draft charter and urged the government to "actively encourage, rather than discourage" dialogue on the draft.

Election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn filed the charges... (read more).... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0XO0AS?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuter s+World+News%29

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
27 April 2016
Some Abducted Activists Linked to Redshirt Movement

BANGKOK — At least two of eight people abducted from their homes by the military this morning managed the Redshirt movement’s Facebook pages, the movement’s leaders have confirmed.

Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said Noppakao Kongsuwan and Vararattana Mengtrakul, who along with six others were taken away by soldiers early Wednesday morning, are his close aides and admins of his official page.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461742080

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Storm clouds gather over charter vote
Published: 27/04/2016
Writer: Ploenpote Atthakor
Climate-wise, we are told that the almost-unbearable heat, with the mercury rising well over 40C, will soon be over. Monsoon rain is about to start and will drive away the sweltering weather. Yet the political climate is another matter....(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/949301/storm-clouds-gather-over-charter-vote.

[Up2U]

Update: about 14 protesters have been arrested at Victory Monument
Teeranai Charuvastra
27 April 2016
Protest Called for 10 Abducted by Military
BANGKOK — Activists have called upon the public to rally this evening in Bangkok to protest the military’s detention of 10 people from across Thailand without charge.

Resistant Citizen, one of the few organizations that has campaigned against the military regime, announced the protest on Facebook Wednesday afternoon, urging the public to gather en masse at 6pm at the Victory Monument.. (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461748982&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

New computer crime law to give govt more control over content
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION April 28, 2016
THE National Legislative Assembly will today consider a new computer crime legislation, which critics said would lead to more government powers to control the country’s online content, including those on popular social media.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/New-computer-crime-law-to-give-govt-more-control-o-30284860.html

[Up2U]

IS THE REFERENDUM RESULT ALREADY KNOWN?
April 28 2016
While the UN, ASEAN parliamentarians, academics and politicians have all made suggestions about allowing free speech on the constitutional referendum, the military junta has demonstrated in recent days that there is no chance of this.

More than this, the military regime, the dictatorship, is working to ensure a Yes vote through intimidation and repression.... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/is-the-referendum-result-already-known/

[Up2U]

Arbitrary arrest and detention must end: 6 Thai organizations for human rights
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 28/04/2016
Arbitrary arrest and detention must end

Since this morning (27 April 2016), military authorities have carried out the arrests of at least ten individuals in Bangkok and KhonKaen provinces. The raids have been conducted with the seizure of property without informing the arrestees of their charges and the reasons for the deprivation of their liberty. They were also not told where they would be taken to. It was later reported that the individuals have been taken to the 11th Military Circle. As a result of the arrest and detention of the individuals, in the afternoon of the same day, a group of activists and citizens have organized a symbolic action at the Victory Monument to demand the release of the individuals held in custody since morning. The protesters, more than 16 of them, were later nabbed by the officials and held in custody, too.....(read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6096

[Up2U]

Thailand’s containment constitution
BY ALLEN HICKEN, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 28 APRIL 2016

Allen Hicken looks at how the new charter attempts to fight vile and venal politicians, much like an infectious disease.

Thailand is once again considering a controversial new constitution.

The nation’s two largest political parties have each condemned the draft charter as an attempt by the military to extend its time in power. Meanwhile, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has all but banned criticism of the draft, even as it gears up for an aggressive nationwide pro-draft campaign ahead of an 7 August referendum.

The draft (available in Thai here) reflects a widely shared view among Thailand’s conservative elite regarding the problems at the root of recent political crises. This new charter can be read as a response to a two-fold diagnosis of what ails Thai democracy.... (read more).... http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/04/28/thailands-containment-constitution/

[Up2U]

Editorial Opinion
Government playing with fire
Published: 29/04/2016 at 04:20 AM Writer: Editorial
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and government must stop the arbitrary arrest and detention of its critics through the extraordinary powers of Section 44 of the provisional charter or see itself becoming the trigger of a new round of conflicts.....(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/952369/government-playing-with-fire.

[Up2U]

Amnesty slams govt for arrests after anti-charter FB posts
THE NATION April 29, 2016
AMNESTY International yesterday condemned the arrest of Facebook users, an act seen by Amnesty as a brazen attempt by the junta to shut down debate ahead of the referendum on the draft constitution.

In its press statement, Amnesty said at least a dozen Facebook commentators have been detained or charged since Wednesday under a draconian new order issued by the military government. The arrests come in response to comments on the controversial draft that Thailand's military government is seeking to impose, the statement said.

"If ordinary people cannot comment on a Facebook post without facing the threat of 10 years behind bars and a hefty fine, what hope is there for any open and honest debate on the military government's draft constitution?" said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International's director of campaigns for South East Asia.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Amnesty-slams-govt-for-arrests-after-anti-charter--30284936.html

[Up2U]

29 April 2016
‘Personal’ Campaigning Acceptable (If Charter Vote Isn’t Canceled)
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer
BANGKOK — Want to wear a T-shirt urging folks to vote the draft charter up or down? That’s fine, so long as you don’t wear them with a big group of friends in public. Want to hang your position from a flag or sign in your window? No problem, just don’t put it on a billboard.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461904077

[Up2U]

Junta violates their own rule book: Academics
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 29/04/2016
Academics said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), formal name of the Thai junta, has violated their own rule book in harassing critics of the junta-sponsored draft constitution.

Academics of the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP) of Mahidol University on Wednesday, 27 April 2016, held a briefing about the authorities’ measures to persecute and intimidate people for criticizing the draft constitution written by the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).

The academics pointed out that.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6101

[Up2U]

NCPO firm on holding August 7 referendum
THE NATION April 30, 2016
Prayut also open to allowing foreign observers for vote.

THE JUNTA chief will "do whatever is necessary" to ensure that the August 7 referendum on the draft constitution goes ahead as planned, despite all the moves by opponents of the charter, according to a highly placed source.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), will not invoke his power under Article 44 of the interim charter to cancel the referendum in case of unrest, said the NCPO source.... (read more)...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NCPO-firm-on-holding-August-7-referendum-30285005.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
30 April 2016
Press Freedom Isn’t Free

Press freedom isn’t free, and the price is especially high under a dictatorship. People must fight to maintain it, as they must freedom in general. We cannot maintain freedoms of press and expression if we are not willing to pay the price in the face of threats and tyrannies.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1461995748&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

30 April 2016
Campaign Guideline Bans Campaigning Before Charter Vote
Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK — Official guidelines of what is prohibited during the run-up to a referendum on the charter proposed as Thailand’s 20th constitution bars virtually all aspects of campaigning, such as persuading the public “to vote one way or another.”

The eight prohibitions issued by the Election Commission yesterday to clarify the scope of a separate law which outlaws any campaigning that uses “aggressive” or “rude” language – a vague definition that alarms many critics of the charter draft.

But the guidelines replaced the ambiguity by seemingly banning all campaigns in one swoop, particularly prohibition No. 8, which bars “campaigning to persuade people in the society to vote one way or another, to incite unrest, or to obstruct voting.”... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462000200&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
30 April 2016
Lese Majeste Filed Against Two Facebookers, Anti-Junta Activist

BANGKOK — Two Facebookers and an anti-junta activist detained by the military earlier this week have been charged with royal defamation, which carries maximum penalty of 15 years per offense.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462022494&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

01 May 2016
Watch Protest Leader Resist Arrest at BTS Chong Nonsi
BANGKOK — Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat, a student activist and protest leader, was taken into custody at BTS Chong Nonsi late Sunday afternoon in Bangkok.

Khaosod English streamed the protracted confrontation live online.

Sirawith distributed post-it notes and called upon people to write pro-democracy messages on them before being led away in a police vehicle from Sathorn Road. Police officers said they were taking Sirawith to Thung Mahamek Police Station.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462097641

[Up2U]

Yingluck warns PM against cracking down on junta critics
The Nation May 2, 2016

Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday warned her successor Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha against tough action on the junta’s critics and officials who did not respond to his policies.

In her rare direct comment to Prayut on Facebook, Yingluck said the general had told her that when the country is reeling under national division, by resorting to the law to dismiss officials because they do not respond to policies or forcing them to follow orders, the situation will get worse.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Yingluck-warns-PM-against-cracking-down-on-junta-c-30285085.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
01 May 2016
Analysis: Junta's Soft Power vs. Persistent Peaceful Protests
BANGKOK — “Cappuccino or espresso?” a police officer asked protest leader Sirawith Seritiwat minutes before leading him away from the scene of a public protest late Sunday afternoon.

That very sincere question, posed before a throng prickling with lenses and journalists, best captured the tactics at play by both the military regime and its opponents to win hearts and minds both in Thailand and abroad.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462109217&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Lessons from a dictatorial neighbour
By Nicholas Farrelly
Monday, 02 May 2016
"How quickly things change."
When I first lived in Thailand, almost two decades ago, the prevailing attitude toward Myanmar was predictably dismissive. Myanmar was considered backward, destitute and despotic..... (read more)... http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/opinion/20067-lessons-from-a-dictatorial-neighbour.html

[Up2U]

Disclosure: Several years ago Amsterdam represented Thaksin as his first lawyer.
An Open Letter to Thailand’s General Prayuth
By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 2, 2016
Dear General Prayuth Chan-Ocha,

It’s now almost two years since you and your associates staged your coup in May 2014. Since then I have been silent not for lack of payment but because you have taken so many people hostage – indeed, you’ve take the entire country hostage.... (read more)...

[Up2U]

03 May 2016
“Watch Yourself”, Prayuth Tells Reporter on World Press Freedom Day (Video)
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen

BANGKOK — When a veteran reporter said, “Freedom of the press is freedom of the people” Tuesday, the junta chief advised her to watch herself....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462253374&section=11

[Up2U]

Suppression of critics is a national disgrace
The Nation May 3, 2016
The legitimacy of the coming constitution is withering inside the protective cocoon woven around it

The ruling junta, the National Council for Peace and Order, continues to shoot itself in the foot by suppressing critics of its policies and especially of the draft constitution. Rather than tolerate citizens' expressions of disagreement, as is the norm in any developed or developing country that cherishes or at least aspires to democracy, it brooks no criticism at all and allows no leeway. The result, time and again, is international condemnation.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Suppression-of-critics-is-a-national-disgrace-30285132.html

[Up2U]

A roadmap with many twists, turns
Published: 03/05/2016
Writer: Atiya Achakulwisut
The military regime is a virtuoso, no? Some of its political moves are simply stunning, so incredible that people are left dumbstruck by the effect.

Take this example. Most people thought there was a coup on May 22 two years ago but coup leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha -- now prime minister and head of the coup's administrative body the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) -- said they were wrong. There was no coup.... (read more)..... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/957105?refer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F6a3ZltpXxR

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
03 May 2016
Junta Launches Diplomatic PR Campaign
BANGKOK — The Foreign Ministry has issued six pages of talking points for diplomats around the world to discuss Thailand’s charter referendum and military regime.

Written in English, “Thailand – Towards Reform and Sustainable Democracy: The Need for Public Order and Social Harmony,” outlines arguments to defend and justify recent authoritarian measures taken by the military regime by framing them as necessary to protect “public order and social harmony.”.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462256291&typecate=06

[Up2U]

Reuters
Tue May 3, 2016
Thailand bans 'rude' opinions ahead of crucial referendum
BANGKOK | BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND ANDREW R.C. MARSHALL
From the question of Britain's place in Europe to the choice of New Zealand's flag, referendums worldwide are usually preceded by unbridled debate. Not so under Thailand's junta.

Many Thais are chafing under strict new regulations governing discussion ahead of an Aug. 7 referendum on a military-backed constitution.

The junta that seized power in a May 2014 coup has already threatened to jail anyone campaigning for or against the constitution, which critics say entrenches the military's political influence.

The 14 rules, which were issued by the Election Commission and formally became law on Monday, make even well-meaning discussion risky, say academics and experts.

Under the regulations, Thais must express their opinions with "polite words ... without distorting the facts".

"Rude, aggressive, or intimidating" interviews with the media are banned. So is organizing a panel discussion "with intent to incite political unrest".... (read more)... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0XU0PG

[Khor tose]

Your link failed in 1565

[Up2U]

Thailand: The Limits of Absolute Power
General Prayut’s power may be unlimited on paper, but in reality he is curtailed on several fronts.
By James Buchanan
May 03, 2016
Since Thailand’s military displaced a democratically elected government in 2014, the country has been ruled arbitrarily by a junta fronted by old-time strongman General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The junta governed using martial law for a period of ten months before invoking a special clause in their interim constitution which was designed to keep Thai society under the jackboot. Article 44 of the constitution — often dubbed “the dictator’s law” by its critics — retained many of the prerogatives of martial law, giving the military sweeping powers which it has used to silence opposition and push through reforms..... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/thailand-the-limits-of-absolute-power/

[Up2U]

Your link failed in 1565

Thanks, here is the link.

http://robertamsterdam.com/an-open-letter-to-thailands-general-prayuth/

[Up2U]

NCPO brushes off Yingluck criticism
PM 'always ready to heed public opinions'
Published: 03/05/2016
Writer: Wassana Nanuam
The regime has hit back at former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who called on premier Prayut Chan-o-cha to be "open-minded about criticism"....(read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/956997/ncpo-brushes-off-yingluck-criticism.

[Up2U]

Thailand and its Civil-Military Relations: The Tragedy of Security Sector "Deform"
New PRIF (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt) and Report No. 138 "Civil-Military Relations in Thailand since the 2014 Coup. The Tragedy of Security Sector 'Deform'" investigates how Thailand has translated the global norms of security sector reform (SSR) into its own local setting.
Paul Chambers offers a detailed overview of Thailand's security sector and its actors, assesses the military influence and analyzes the SSR attempts until the last putsch in 2014 and the efforts made since then.... (download, read report and conclusion)....
http://www.hsfk.de/en/advisory-services/newsroom/news/thailand-and-its-civil-military-relations-the-tragedy-of-security-sector-deform/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=b08491664556bd11cbf3af3e8658e72a

[bkkguy]

Thanks, here is the link.

http://robertamsterdam.com/an-open-letter-to-thailands-general-prayuth/

wasn't there an earlier link in which Taksin denied that he used foreign lobbyists to tarnish the image of Thailand?

bkkguy

[Up2U]

wasn't there an earlier link in which Taksin denied that he used foreign lobbyists to tarnish the image of Thailand?

bkkguy

There was;not sure if he qualifies as a lobbyist though. Thaksin hired him as a lawyer and adviser to the "red shirts", the UDD, in the 2010 political protests. Amsterdam called Suthep the Thai Taliban responding to Suthep's critique of his "farang" meddling in 2014 after he spoke at a "red shirt" rally.

[Up2U]

NCPO Order No. 13/2016: junta’s attempt to establish full military regime
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 04/05/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
Thai human rights are in free fall; the ruling junta perceives human rights as a threat to national security. NCPO Order No. 13/2016 is the junta’s attempt to establish a full military regime, says Sunai Phasuk, advisor to Human Rights Watch Thailand.

In the few weeks since the junta issued NCPO Order No. 13/2016, giving the military a police-like power, the international community has condemned the junta and urged it to abolish the order as soon as possible.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6120

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
04 May 2016
Families of Detained Facebookers Speak Out

BANGKOK — The sun had yet to rise when armed soldiers surrounded their homes and took their sons and daughter into custody.

In a coordinated operation, soldiers arrested eight Facebookers in one swoop and took them to army bases for interrogation. Authorities only disclosed their alleged crimes a day later: running Facebook pages that insulted junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha and his military regime.

Today, a week after the raid, families of the suspects visited them behind glass panels at two Bangkok prisons, where they described the shock they felt....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462362784&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
04 May 2016
Prayuth Defends Abducting ‘Facebook Eight’

BANGKOK — Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha said security officers acted within the law in their abduction and prosecution of eight people accused of running anti-government Facebook pages.

The eight suspects, who were taken away from their homes last week by soldiers without warrants, are now being held in prison to await their trial under martial court. Gen. Prayuth said the treatment is in accordance with human rights principles....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462339548&section=11

[Up2U]

Academics urge UN to investigate rights violations under junta
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 05/05/2016
Thai academics have urged the UN to investigate human rights abuses as the Thai junta increases its crackdown on political dissidents ahead of the referendum on the draft constitution.

The BBC Thai reported that 12 academics from leading universities in Thailand on Thursday, 5 May 2016, submitted a letter to the UN, urging the UN human rights office to investigate the increasing violations and abuses of human rights done by the Thai authorities..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6124

[Up2U]

The unsettling truth behind the Thai junta’s media campaign
by Alistair Denness | 5th May 2016

HAVING failed to convince the international community of its benevolent intentions, junta leaders in Thailand last week issued a six page PR document to diplomatic staff around the globe in an attempt to reverse opinion and salvage the last vestiges of the country’s battered reputation. The document comes after the European Union froze talks over a planned Free Trade Agreement and threatened to slap the Thai fishing industry with sanctions over its use of slave labor.

Recently, in a rare show of European unity, the 28 EU Ambassadors expressed their concern over “alarming developments” in the regime’s increasingly aggressive attitude adjustment programs and its continuing stifling of basic freedoms.... (read more)....
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/05/unsettling-truth-behind-thai-juntas-media-campaign/

[Up2U]

UN agency ‘ready to facilitate talks’
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION May 6, 2016
THE Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has offered to facilitate talks between the government and its opponents, an academic who met with the agency said yesterday.

Anusorn Uwanno, a key member of the Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights (TANC), said that Laurent Meillan, acting regional representative of the UN Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia, made this offer during his meeting with delegates from the network....(read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/UN-agency-ready-to-facilitate-talks-30285382.html

[Up2U]

Junta to replace elected local councillors with appointed bureaucrats
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 06/05/2016
The latest order by the junta replaces elected local councillors with appointed government officials and gives the junta head the power to directly dismiss ‘corrupt’ councillors. This will allow the junta to take total control of local administrative organizations across the country within four years.

On Thursday, 5 May 2016, the Royal Gazette published NCPO Order No. 22/2016 on the selection of local administration councillor. The Order states that when any local council is dissolved, the Ministry of Interior shall have the authority to appoint government officials to local councils....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6126

[Up2U]

Fri May 6, 2016
Mother of Thai anti-junta activist charged with insulting monarchy
BANGKOK | BY PAIRAT TEMPHAIROJANA AND PANARAT THEPGUMPANAT
The mother of one of Thailand's highest-profile anti-junta activists has been charged with defaming the monarchy, police said on Friday, in what a rights group said was an escalation in government attempts to stifle dissent.

Political tension is building ahead of an Aug. 7 referendum on a military-backed constitution, which is the first vote under the junta and a test of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's popularity. His government has threatened to jail anybody campaigning against the charter.... (read more).... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0XX0VF

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
06 May 2016
Activist’s Mother Defamed Monarchy With Her Silence, Police Say
BANGKOK — Patnaree Chankij, the mother of a prominent student activist, never sent a single message insulting the monarchy, police said Friday evening as they denied her release.

However, it was the fact she received such messages but made no effort to reprimand their sender for which she will be tried on a royal defamation charge, Patnaree’s lawyer told reporters at police online crimes headquarters in the first known instance of someone charged under such reasoning.

According to Teerapan Pankeeree, a member of Thai Lawyer for Human Rights group, police told him Patnaree was contacted via Facebook chat by activist and lese majeste suspect Burin Intin, who sent her messages that were deemed insulting to the monarchy.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462541768&typecate=06&section=

[Khor tose]

The government's playbook from the start has echoed "1984". It is no wonder they banned this book.

[Up2U]

Editorial: Military repression halts progress: So much for paradise in Thailand
May 6, 2016
Thailand is an exotic destination for travelers and a big Southeast Asian economy, but it has an ugly side. Freedoms there are under siege from a heavy-handed military government that intends to rule indefinitely.

While Thailand has a shaky political history, the country ramped up its commitment to free markets and free elections in the 1990s, a development that was good for the country and the rise of democracy in Asia.... (read more)....
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-thailand-constitution-military-korea-taiwan-indonesia-edit-0509-md-20160506-story.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
07 May 2016
Fear is Junta’s Best Weapon Against Our Online Public Sphere

Warning: Facebooking may be detrimental to your freedom if you use it to oppose or lampoon dictator Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The sedition charges filed against the so-called “Facebook 8” last week, plus lese majeste charges for two of the eight, and the claims by some detainees the regime independently accessed their message boxes on the social network have spread a deep chill through those opposing the regime in virtual reality.

While the junta has so far succeeded in maintaining the appearance there is little to no opposition to its rule in the streets, it has utterly failed to extinguish angry resistance and condemnation on the internet, particularly on Facebook and Twitter.....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462604727&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Facebook pressured following arrests
Published: 07/05/2016
Writer: Online Reporters

Facebook has come under fire after police charged and arrested two people over the last two weeks using as evidence their private messages in the social network's chat rooms....(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/962913/facebook-pressured-following-arrests.

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
07 May 2016
Thailand Morphing into Orwell’s ‘1984’ Under Junta, Warns Former Senator
BANGKOK — A dystopian nightmare where Big Brother monitors your private conversations is becoming reality under the military regime, former senator Jon Ungphakorn warned Friday.

The warning came as pro-democracy netizens became outraged and complained of injustice over the move to slap the mother of a prominent student protest leader with a charge of defaming the monarchy in unpublished messages sent privately through Facebook.

“Under the NCPO we’re creeping towards 1984,” Jon wrote Friday, referring to George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel..... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462633207&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
08 May 2016
Anti-Junta Facebookers’ Conundrum

BANGKOK— Unsure that using Facebook affords users adequate privacy, an increasing number of anti-junta netizens are setting up new accounts on a different social media platform.

Some have doubts about whether the new platform is actually any safer or if it’s a good idea to leave Facebook which has around 35 million users in Thailand.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462706821&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
08 May 2016
Anti-Junta Activist’s Mother to be Released on Bail

BANGKOK — The Military Court granted temporary bail today to Patnaree Charnkij, mother of a prominent anti-junta activist. Patnaree is charged with defaming the monarchy.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462690194&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Journal of Comtempary Asia:
Introduction: Understanding Thai Politics

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00472336.2016.1173305

[Up2U]

THE DEBATE
Is Thailand's UN Security Council Bid Dead on Arrival?
A worrying domestic political situation may dash Bangkok’s hopes for a UN Security Council seat.
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
May 07, 2016

Thailand has its eye on becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2017-2018 term. The election of the new set of the non-permanent members will be held on June 28, and Bangkok believes its bid will be successful despite the fact that it continues to be led by generals who overthrew the government in a coup in May 2014.... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/is-thailands-un-security-council-bid-dead-on-arrival/

[Up2U]

There is a new article by Nicholas Farrelly in the New Mandala of interest but since the title might be no-no I only include the link. The full article was first published in the Mekong Review. That link is within the New Mandala article.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/05/09/the-king-still-never-smiles/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Police to activists: take Ja New’s mom as example
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 09/05/2016
A Thai police commander intimidated anti-junta activists by telling them to take the case of the arrested activist’s mother as an example of those who oppose the junta.

On Saturday, 7 May 2016, Jakthip Chaijinda, the Thai Royal Police Commander, warned anti-junta activists that their family members can be prosecuted, just like the case of Patnaree Charnkij, the activist’s mother who has been recently charged with lèse majesté law....(read more)... http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6129

[fountainhall]

THE DEBATE
Is Thailand's UN Security Council Bid Dead on Arrival?
A worrying domestic political situation may dash Bangkok’s hopes for a UN Security Council seat.
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/is-thailands-un-security-council-bid-dead-on-arrival/
What a stupid piece of writing! I suppose the political situation in Angola, Egypt, Venezuela and even the never-democratic Malaysia would then be a problem for membership of the UN Security Council. Problem is - they are all presently members of that body!

[Up2U]

What a stupid piece of writing! I suppose the political situation in Angola, Egypt, Venezuela and even the never-democratic Malaysia would then be a problem for membership of the UN Security Council. Problem is - they are all presently members of that body!

The first and only time Thailand was a member of the Security Council was in 1985-6 when the military under General Prem were in control.

[Up2U]

Heal the rift, don't widen it
Published: 10/05/2016
Writer: Editorial
A panel of the military-appointed National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has made yet another attempt to restore national unity through forgiveness. Once again, the proposal is bound to fail. Worse,...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/966089/heal-the-rift-dont-widen-it.

[Up2U]

Thailand: 8 charged for mocking junta leader on Facebook
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 10/05/2016
Human Rights Watch
Thailand’s military junta should drop sedition and other criminal charges against eight people for mocking the prime minister on Facebook, Human Rights Watch said today. The Facebook page shows memes and doctored photos, with satirical quotes, of Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha, who chairs the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta.

The charges against the Facebook users are part of the junta’s systematic repression of peaceful dissent and criticism since the military coup in May 2014, Human Rights Watch said.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6133

[Up2U]

Life under the rule-breakers’ rules
The Nation May 10, 2016
Having violated the Constitution to seize power, the junta now dictates its own laws to crush discontent

Foremost in the espoused rationale for the 2014 coup was the need for law and order, and the reasoning was widely accepted after a decade of unruly street protests, shocking bursts of violence and chronic political instability that had the economy reeling. Anyone who worried about the return to military rule, though, was acutely aware that those seizing power by coup were, in doing so, committing one of the severest crimes on the books.

It is thus galling in the extreme that the junta, the National Council for Peace and Order, is making laws of its own that are further damaging the country's international standing and its aspirations for democracy. The law-breakers are now dictating how the public referendum on the next constitution is to proceed and is persecuting everyone who dares challenge its decisions..... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Life-under-the-rule-breakers-rules-30285589.html

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
10 May 2016
Facebook Denies Giving User Data to Thai Junta
BANGKOK — Facebook today denied providing Thailand's military government with its users' private communications, as the social media giant seeks to reassure Thai users their data is safe.

Following a week of panicked speculation by some netizens, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday that the social media giant has not given away any account details to the military regime, according to Sunai Phasuk, a researcher for the group in Thailand. It also published a Thai-language security bulletin Monday urging users to use its security features..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462856025

[Up2U]

NOT THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE
MAY 8, 2016 UGLYTRUTHTHAILAND
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

There are a number of Thais who watch political developments in Burma and despair when comparing things with Thailand. The above cartoon about the tortoise and the hare sums up such feelings. Some academics have been warning that Thailand is moving backwards while Burma is moving forwards.

This is just not true.....(read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/not-the-tortoise-and-the-hare/

[Up2U]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
10 May 2016
Facebookers Freed on 200,000 Baht Bonds
BANGKOK — The eight Facebook page admins charged with sedition for insulting the leader of Thailand’s junta were released on bail Tuesday nearly two weeks after they were taken from their homes in dawn raids.

The so-called “Facebook 8” were expected to be released this evening after a military court Tuesday afternoon granted them bail on bonds of 200,000 baht each....(read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462875769&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

10 May 2016
All Donations Welcome for Political Prisoners (Even From Thaksin), Says Lawyer
By Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK — Arnon Nampa doesn’t know where all the donations came from to help pay secure the freedom of dissidents on bail, but he's pretty sure none of the many small donations came from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Not that he’d mind.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462882291&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Interview with Prajak Kongkirati on what military is trying to do during ‘the transition’
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 10/05/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
Weakening elected government officials, enhancing bureaucracy, and increasing relations with influential capitalists is what the military is trying to do to secure its legitimacy after “the transition”, says Prajak Kongkirati, a political scientist from Thammasat University.

Many political academics and analysts are estimating how far the junta would draw Thailand back to. Some say it is 10 years ago to the pre-Thaksin era, while others say it is more than 30 years ago to the hybrid semi-democracy era.

Prajak Kongkirati, a political scientist from Thammasat University, for one, expects to see setbacks of more than 50 years to the full authoritarian era....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6137

[Up2U]

Rights in UN focus
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION May 11, 2016

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday defended its position on its human rights practices as representatives led by the Justice Ministry's permanent secretary Chanchao Chaiyanukij prepared to be grilled today at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

"I have instructed the permanent secretary to explain martial law, the provisional charter's Article 44,and other related cases and how people have violated these laws," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told reporters yesterday, "I'm not worried [because] what I do, I do for Thailand. You [the media] should help me explain this for a better understanding and for the happiness of our people.".... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Rights-in-UN-focus-30285695.html

[fountainhall]

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

Don't Compare Trump and Détente - the Philippines Leader is Far Worse
The Guardian
10 May 2016

So The Philippine's downtrodden, poverty-riven and short-sighted electorate has spoken. And once again, succeeding a line of ineffective, often downright crooks and once a murdering, kleptomaniac dictator, its American drawn up constitution has produced a President, this time the Mayor of Davao City, a man described by The Guardian as a "foul-mouthed, womanising 'strongman'." This is a man who a month ago when asked to comment on the brutal gang rape and murder of a young Australian girl said "I am angry because she was raped, that's one thing. But she was so beautiful, the Mayor should have been first. What a waste!" And when asked to retract such a disgusting statement, he refused to do so.

As The Guardian writer adds -


this unpredictable new leader, and the timing of his rise, should worry the world much more than Trump ever could.
Democracy without reliable, effective and trusted democratic checks-and-balances has a nasty habit of throwing up such oddballs.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/10/donald-trump-rodrigo-duterte-philippines

[Up2U]

The Phillipines election reminded me of the Republican primaries and stopping Trump. Too many candidates chasing the same voters, nobody making the sacrifices to get out early, consequently Trump and Duterte could not be stopped.

[fountainhall]

But unlike Trump, Duterte was actually the last into the race, submitting his papers on the last possible day. Sadly, it is largely the horrendous poverty in much of the country that leads to ignorance of - and a lack of desire even to comprehend - the main issues and the concentration on men (other than Cory Aquino) with the ability to control the news cycle - whatever nonsense they say.

[Up2U]

Wed May 11, 2016
Thailand faces 'moment of shame' at U.N. rights council review
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

Thailand faces a "moment of shame" when the U.N. Human Rights Council reviews its rights record on Wednesday, a rights group said, amid fresh arrests of online critics accused of criticizing the junta.

The crackdown comes as Thailand's military government prepares to put a widely criticized military-written constitution to the public in August..... (read more)... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-un-rights-idUSKCN0Y2095

[Up2U]

MAY 11, 2016
Thailand: UN Review Highlights Junta’s Hypocrisy
End Downward Rights Spiral, Restore Civilian Rule
(Geneva) – The Thai government’s pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to respect human rights and restore democratic rule have been mostly meaningless, Human Rights Watch said today. Thailand appeared before the council for its second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva on May 11, 2016. The UPR is a UN examination of the human rights situation in each country.

On February 12, the Thai government submitted a report to the Human Rights Council, saying that it “attaches utmost importance to the promotion and protection of human rights of all groups of people.”.... (read more)....
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/05/11/thailand-un-review-highlights-juntas-hypocrisy

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
11 May 2016
Detained Facebookers Allege Chat Evidence Obtained Illegally

BANGKOK — The lawyer for two Facebookers held in prison for allegedly insulting the monarchy in private messages said today the evidence against them was obtained illegally.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1462969074

[Up2U]

JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE NATION May 11, 2016
Group seeks to nullify new referendum act
Says it goes against interim charter's provisions for freedom of expression.

A GROUP of high-profile human rights advocates and former senators yesterday lodged a petition with the Ombudsman's Office, seeking the nullification of the newly enacted referendum act, claiming it violates the interim constitution. while carrying a maximum penalty as harsh as that of the killing by negligence

Under the 2007 charter as well as the 2014 interim charter, the Ombudsman can forward the petition for hearing by the Constitutional Court.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Group-seeks-to-nullify-new-referendum-act-30285691.html

[Up2U]

UN, HRW take aim at military's rights record
Published: 12/05/2016
Thai government pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council Wednesday were "meaningless," Human Rights Watch said. Thailand appeared before the council for the second Universal Periodic Review... (read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/968741/un-hrw-take-aim-at-militarys-rights-record

[Up2U]

Military detains 8 villagers, politicians after revealing military corruption
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 11/05/2016
The embattled Phue Thai politician Watana Muangsuk said nine people have been summoned and eight of them have been detained after they inspected a state’s alleged corrupted project in Thailand’s Northcentral.

On Wednesday, 11 May 2016, Watana Muangsook, Phue Thai politician, posted on his Facebook that nine villagers and local politicians were summoned into a military camp after they... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6146

[Up2U]

Other countries don’t have lèse majesté law since they’re not civilized: Justice Minister
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 12/05/2016
Amid international concerns on the abuse of Thailand’s lèse majesté law, the Thai Justice Minister said other countries did not understand that the law is necessary for Thailand since they did not have civilization, sensitivity, and gentleness.

Gen Paiboon Koomchaya, the Minister of Justice, said in having the King, Thailand was unique and civilized. That makes Article 112, or the lèse majesté law, necessary, Bluesky Channel reported.... (read more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6149

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
12 May 2016
Analysis: A Day of Reckoning for Junta’s Thailand on UN Rights Stage

BANGKOK — When more than 100 U.N. member states convened Wednesday in Geneva for a semiannual review of human rights conditions in Thailand, it wasn’t intended to be a “name and shame” session.

But coming at a time the nation is under military rule, that’s pretty much how it ended up.

Thais who oppose the militarization of the kingdom since the May 2014 coup delighted in hearing many democratic countries take turns telling representatives of the military regime what they see wrong with Thailand..... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463053891

[Up2U]

May 12, 2016
Thailand's opposition muted ahead of referendum
KHON KAEN, THAILAND | BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE
In northeast Thailand, once a hotbed of opposition to Thailand's junta, troops patrol university campuses in Humvees and hold "attitude adjustment sessions" at military camps for those who don't toe the line.

Two years after a military coup, the constrained opposition is struggling to mount a campaign against an Aug. 7 referendum on a junta-backed draft constitution, its first test of popularity since the May 2014 coup.... (read more)... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0Y332H

[Up2U]

Poll shows Thais want to limit military’s power
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 13/05/2016
A recent survey has shown that the majority of Thai people want the size and tasks of Thai military to be curtailed, and it should not have any other tasks, apart from protecting national sovereignty.

People Poll Thailand has published a result of the survey on ‘Public Opinion on Thai Military Reforms,’ revealing that more that 79 percent of the respondents think that Thai military size should be reduced, only 11.9 percent think that the size is already proper.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6158?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Junta’s representatives to UPR lie about military court: Human rights lawyers
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 13/05/2016
After the Thai representatives to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) told other nations that the Thai military court only handles serious crimes, Thai human rights lawyers have come up with some facts to counter the lies about the military court.

The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) on Thursday, 12 May 2016, published a list of some of the facts about the Military Court which are contradictory to the Thai junta’s representative's statement to the inquiries from other UN member states about the issue at UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session held in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday.

Some of the facts about the Military Court from the TLHR are listed below: (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6157?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Thailand's Constitutional Referendum: A Hobson's Choice
A climate of fear all but ensures the upcoming vote will be far from an expression of popular will.
By Shawn W. Crispin
May 13, 2016
When Thailand votes on August 7 to pass or reject a new constitution, voters will head to the polls knowing that the country’s two dominant political parties are opposed to the military-sponsored draft’s content and spirit. While the ruling junta is actively promoting the draft charter’s hybrid vision of a military-guided democracy, punitive bans imposed on organized opposition, public debate, and free expression before the vote have engendered a climate of fear and raised doubts that the referendum will be a credible expression of the popular will.... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2016/05/thailands-constitutional-referendum-a-hobsons-choice/

[Up2U]

Police press charges against human rights lawyer for defying their orders
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 13/05/2016
Police officers have decided to press charges against a human rights lawyer representing anti-junta youth activists, accusing her of defying police orders.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), on Thursday, 12 May 2016, the prosecutor of Dusit District Court, Bangkok, informed Sirikan Charoensiri, TLHR lawyer, that police investigators have agreed to press charges against her under Articles 142 and 368 of the Criminal Code for propagating false accusations against investigating officers and disobeying police orders.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6160?utm_source=dlvr.it

[Up2U]

Diplomatic scene between Thai FM, US Amb over human rights statement
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 13/05/2016
Thai Foreign Minister has been shamed when the US Ambassador has publicly confirmed that the statement expressing Washington’s “concerns” on Thailand’s human rights situation is real after the minister has recently claimed that the statement was not issued by the US Department of State....(read more)..
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6162

[Up2U]

Thailand's democracy in military custody
Thitinan Pongsudhirak
Director Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University
May 14, 2016
After an authoritarian lull of nearly two years following its 13th military coup in May 2014, Thailand's political ground is moving. But it is going in the wrong direction yet again, heading towards confrontation and turmoil between the military authorities and civilian forces rather than adjustment and compromise between established and emerging sources of power.... (read more)...
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/thailands-democracy-in-military-custody#main-content

[Up2U]

(read more)

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Prayut-vows-15-years-of-free-education-despite-cha-30285924.html

[Up2U]

“This UPR of Thailand has once again exposed to the world the ruthless repression of human rights by the ruling junta”, says Evelyn Balais-Serrano, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. “The large number of recommendations made to Thailand, especially asking it to ensure the rights to the freedoms of expression and assembly and to protect human rights defenders, is a damning indictment by the international community of the dire human rights situation in the country.”
Thailand: Accept and Implement UPR Recommendations to End the Rapid Deterioration of Human Rights
(Geneva, 14 May 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) calls on the Government of Thailand to take heed of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations to end the rapid deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and return to democratic civilian rule.
The UPR is a unique peer review process created by the UN Human Rights Council to periodically review the human rights records of all United Nations (UN) Member States. All 193 Member States of the UN are reviewed once every four and a half years on the basis of international human rights standards, and their human rights obligations and commitments.

This is the second time Thailand underwent its UPR. Its first review took place in October 2011 when it received a total of 183 recommendations, of which the Government accepted 134 and noted 49.... (read more)... http://www.forum-asia.org/?p=20699

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
14 May 2016
The Junta’s Attempted Monopoly on Patriotism
Failing rationally to defend the continued imposition of military rule and repression over Thailand, the junta and its supporters resort to character assassination to deal with opponents.

Those engaging foreign states and international bodies in trying to roll back repression at home are branded traitors.

Recently Maj. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a military government spokesperson, said the 11 academics that petitioned the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on May 6 about deteriorating human rights conditions, urging the UN to intervene, are doing something akin to “opening the gate to a dangerous enemy”.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463213614&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Thailand: Making Merit While Escaping the Law
Posted on May 13, 2016 By Our Correspondent Headline, Politics
In October of 1973, amid a storm of nationwide protest, Thanom Kittachikorn, the Thai field marshal who appointed himself the commander in chief of the army and ran a deeply repressive government from 1963, was forced to flee a student uprising.

For three years, he remained in exile in the United States, finally returning in 1976 in the robes of a novice monk,.... (read more)...
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-monkhood-escaping-law

[Up2U]

WHO WILL END THE LONG TRADITION OF IMPUNITY?
MAY 15, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn

Six years ago, 4 Thai state criminals: General Prayut Chan-ocha, General Anupong Paojinda, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Sutep Tuaksuban, organised a bloodbath on the streets of Bangkok. They ordered snipers to gun down unarmed pro-democracy red shirt protesters. Streets were declared “free fire zones”. Nearly a hundred people were shot down in cold blood. Troops stationed on the sky train railway line picked off civilians sheltering in a nearby temple. Among the dead was a volunteer nurse.... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/who-will-end-the-long-tradition-of-impunity/

[Up2U]

Regime fails to hit unity goal
Use of special powers 'worsens splits'
Published: 16/05/2016
Writer: Nattaya Chetchotiros
Having set itself a goal to restore national unity since seizing power almost two years ago, the military regime appears to have fallen short and its persistent use of "special powers" will only perpetuate... (read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/974133/regime-fails-to-hit-unity-goal.

[Up2U]

Govt reluctant to embrace UN advice on civil and political rights pending study
The Nation May 16, 2016
THAILAND got many recommendations in Geneva last week from the United Nations’ universal periodic review of its current human rights situation, but the government is reluctant to make any commitment on civil and political rights, the Justice Ministry said yesterday.

Some of the suggestions needed further study before they could be accepted, permanent secretary Chanchao Chaiyanukij told a press conference.

Out of 249 recommendations, 181 were admissible, said Chanchao, who led the delegation to defend the Kingdom's human rights record before the UN's Human Rights Council.

But, the remaining 68 suggestions had not yet been accepted because they involved the lese majeste law, human rights limitations, trials of civilians in military courts, computer crime laws and abolishment of the death penalty.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Govt-reluctant-to-embrace-UN-advice-on-civil-and-p-30286020.html

[Up2U]

Get out of our country: Thai right wings to US Ambassador
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 16/05/2016
Thai Right-wing political elites have raged at the US Ambassador after he publicly shamed Thai Foreign Minister last Thursday. The right wings also used nationalist discourse to gain public support to oust the Ambassador, saying that the lèse majesté law made Thailand more civilized than the US....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6167

[Up2U]

Looming Vote on Basic Law Worries Thai Economists
May 16, 2016
Ron Corben
BANGKOK —
Thailand’s economic outlook, long a victim of political turbulence, faces fresh uncertainties ahead of a national referendum on a military-backed draft constitution in August.

Economists say local and foreign investors remain on the sidelines waiting on the outcome amid fears of rising political tensions in the months ahead.... (read more)... http://m.voanews.com/a/basic-law-thailand/3331970.html

[Up2U]

US envoy erred, says Prayut
Published: 17/05/2016
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha brushed aside US ambassador to Thailand Glyn T Davies' remarks criticising the country's human rights situation, but government reaction was decidedly mixed.

The prime minister said the ambassador's negative attitude will backfire.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/975465?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangkokpost.com%2F

[Up2U]

Stability at the cost of freedom Troops dot landscape to maintain order Published: 17/05/2016
Writer: Wassana Nanuam
After almost two years in power, the military regime can claim to have restored order and maintained peace. Yet, this has come at the cost of deploying troops across the entire country. It is no secret... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/975517/stability-at-the-cost-of-freedom.

[cdnmatt]

I'm curious as to how far down the rabbit hole goes.

Time to begin preparing an exit strategy for myself and the dogs, or I'm ok?

[Khor tose]

You are okay. Just be sure to get the dog to safety.

[Up2U]

Thailand: PM, right-wingers slam U.S. envoy’s comments on human rights
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 17th May 2016
PRIME Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and right-wing politicians in Thailand have launched blistering attacks at U.S. ambassador Glen T. Davies’ comments on the country’s human rights record..... (read more)....
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/05/thailand-us-anger-human-rights/

[Up2U]

Thai junta internet control has netizens concerned and afraid
Submitted by editor1 on Tue, 17/05/2016
Austin Silvan
In light of recent concerns of online security, and after talks with an IT security specialist, it appears that Thai netizens should be more concerned with personal data breaches of their own cause, rather than security breaches of the social media platforms they use.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6170

[Up2U]

Prawit: Election may be delayed if draft charter rejected Published: 17/05/2016
PM Writer: Wassana Nanuam
If the draft constitution is voted down in the referendum a new committee would be set up to draft another new one, meaning the general election may have to be delayed beyond 2017, Deputy Prime Minister...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/976737/prawit-election-may-be-delayed-if-draft-charter-rejected.

[Up2U]

Shocking News: People no longer love Prayuth’s TV show
By Coconuts Bangkok May 17, 2016
(read more).... http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/05/17/shocking-news-people-no-longer-love-prayuths-tv-show

[Up2U]

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights
May 17, 2016
Inconsistent with the Truth: The Thai Representative’s UPR Statement on Military Courts
The second cycle of the Universal Periodical Review (UPR) of Thailand was held on 11 May 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland. Many UN member states raised concerns and questions about the use of military courts to try civilians. To respond to the queries from other member states, a team of representatives from the Government of Thailand attended the session, including Lt. Col. Seni Bhromvivat, the Head of the Military Legislation Section of the Judge Advocate General’s Department from the Ministry of Defense.... (read more)... https://tlhr2014.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/upr-military-courts/

[Up2U]

EC plans to televise forums and debates on charter referendum
The Nation
May 17, 2016
THE Election Commission (EC) has resolved to have public forums on air nationwide via digital TV channels from June 27 until August 6, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said after an EC meeting Tuesday.

The forums would be held 13 times - every Monday and Wednesday from the first designated date to the last day - with 30 minutes per episode.

The forums would be given to the Constitution Drafting Commission to explain the charter draft content, the National Legislative Assembly to explain its additional question, the EC itself to explain referendum procedures, and invited guests to debates without censorship.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/EC-plans-to-televise-forums-and-debates-on-charter-30286156.html

[Up2U]

DISINGENUOUS, DAFT OR BOTH?
May 17, 2016
Like many others, we often find that the news emanating from the military dictatorship is confused and confusing. We tend to think this is because the members of the junta are confused by the complexities of turning a modern state into a feudal backwater.

When it comes to human rights, the junta is clearly flummoxed and out of its depth. So isolated are the junta’s members that they have no idea – none at all – about how to deal with this international issue.... (read more)... https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/disingenuous-daft-or-both/

[Up2U]

Prawit says election may be scrapped
Published: 18/05/2016
The military regime has indicated the general election scheduled for next year may have to be scrapped if the draft constitution is shot down in the Aug 7 referendum... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/977053/prawit-says-election-may-be-scrapped.

[Up2U]

Defaming Prayut isn't sedition: military court
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 18/05/2016
The Thai Military Court has dismissed the sedition charge of a red shirt who posted a rumor about the junta head, ruling that the post merely constitutes as defamation, not instigating violence....(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6172

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
18 May 2016
American Envoy’s Straight-Talk Sent Nationalists Seething. Was it Worth BANGKOK — When U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies read some concise yet pointed concerns about the human rights situation in Thailand this past Thursday during a joint news conference, it was much the same as American diplomats regularly do around the world.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463548741&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

May 18, 2016
Thitinan Pongsudhirak -- Thai military's lack of exit strategy spells trouble
When General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order seized power in May 2014, it came as a relief to many. Law and order returned to Bangkok's streets after six months of demonstrations against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai Party-led government.... (read more)....
http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Viewpoints/Thitinan-Pongsudhirak-Thai-military-s-lack-of-exit-strategy-spells-trouble?page=1

[Up2U]

Charter drafters seek extra protection on tour Fears of 'dirty tricks' when CDC hits road
Published: 15/04/2016
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) will ask the government to provide protection during a campaign to educate the public about the draft constitution amid concerns about the potential risk of disruptions... (read more)....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/933649/charter-drafters-seek-extra-protection-on-tour.

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
19 May 2016
EU Dangles Free Trade Talks 'If' Thailand Takes Democratic Steps
BANGKOK — The European Union is likely to resume Free Trade Agreement discussions with Thailand should the kingdom take steps toward democracy, the head of the EU Parliament’s delegation said Wednesday.

Two years after the Europeans shelved the prospect of a trade agreement in response to the coup d’etat,.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463630249&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

UDD provides new evidence over 2010 crackdown
The Nation May 20, 2016
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship adviser Thida Thavornseth and people who lost their family members in the red-shirt rallies during the 2010 political protests submit additional evidence with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, urging
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship adviser Thida Thavornseth and people who lost their family members in the red-shirt rallies during the 2010 political protests submit additional evidence with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, urging
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) yesterday called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to review its decision to drop the case against those responsible for the bloody crackdown on red-shirt protesters in 2010.

The NACC last year dismissed charges of malfeasance against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, his then-deputy Suthep Thaugsuban and ex-Army chief General Anupong Paochinda in connection with the crackdown.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/UDD-provides-new-evidence-over-2010-crackdown-30286340.html

[Up2U]

Govt will borrow from previous charters if current draft is rejected
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG,
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE
THE NATION May 20, 2016
Seventy-seven political parties and groups were invited to listen to explanations about the charter draft summaries and the referendum process at the meeting held by the Election Commission....(read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Govt-will-borrow-from-previous-charters-if-current-30286343.html

[Up2U]

Military court denies bail for two junta critics
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 19/05/2016
MIlitary court has denied bail for the two junta critics who has been charged with lèse-majesté law, citing severity of the charge.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6177

[Up2U]

Voices from Thailand: Reflections on 2-year coup anniversary
By JOCELYN GECKER and NATNICHA CHUWIRUCH
May. 20, 2016
BANGKOK (AP) — In the early evening of May 22, 2014, all TV screens in Thailand turned blue and up flashed an army emblem. That was the first sign of change. Suddenly, the country's army commander appeared to say he was now in charge.... (read more)...
http://bigstory.ap.org/urn:publicid:ap.org:801856b2c3c14a848c687a5379268e 65

[Up2U]

The Thai cleaning lady facing prison for 'I see'
By Jonathan Head
South East Asia correspondent
Patnaree Chankij: "I've always been careful about this law."
A cleaning lady in Thailand is being charged by the government for posting the words "I see" on Facebook. She is accused of insulting the monarchy - a charge that can lead to jail sentences of up to 15 years. However, she says she is being punished because her son is an activist, as the BBC's Jonathan Head reports.... (read more)....
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36328865

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
21 May 2016
2 Years On, Has the Junta Kept These 8 Promises?
BANGKOK — The latest coup in Thailand began with a stern statement that it wasn’t a coup.

That is what army officials rushed to tell reporters and diplomats hours after then-army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha surprised the nation by declaring martial law at 4am on May 20, 2014. Later that day, when a reporter asked the general whether martial law presaged a coup, his answer was more ominous: “It’s a question I cannot answer.”.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463806980

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
21 May 2016
Lives Changed by Coup, Supporters and Opponents Now Share Uncertainty
BANGKOK — It was late afternoon in Bangkok, and Suriyan Tonghnu-eid was on a stage calling for the government’s ouster.

Little did he know, as he gathered outside Government House with about 1,000 demonstrators on the stage of a group called Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, the government had already been deposed by the military. It was May 22, 2014.

“The news about the coup was brought to me. It was just for those with arms to intervene,” said Suriyan, now 48. “We.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463813527

[Up2U]

Red-shirt leaders aim higher on referendum day
Published: 21/05/2016
PM Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth
Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) promised on Saturday to help deliver a high turnout of voters on charter referendum day....(read more)....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/982441/red-shirts-vow-to-get-out-the-vote.

[Up2U]

Lessons learned by PDRC supporters 2 years after the coup
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 21/05/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
To commemorate the second anniversary of the 2014 coup d’état, Prachatai presents interviews with some of those who had protested against the government and against elections, aka the PDRC, whose lives and political ideas have been changed under the junta. Branded as the ones who paved the way for the coup two years ago, they have now learned that it is better to have an elected government, even a ‘bad’ one, than a dictatorship.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6178

[Up2U]

Yingluck asks NCPO to return power to the people
Published: 22/05/2016 at 11:41 AM
Writer: Online Reporters
As the National Council for Peace and Order marks the second anniversary of its seizure of power on May 22, 2014, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called for the junta to return power, rights, independence and freedom to the people.

Ms Yingluck posted her call on her Facebook page on Sunday.... (read more)...
http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/983437?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangkokpost.com%2F

[Up2U]

Pravit Rojanaphruk
22 May 2016
What Has Thailand Learned 2 Years After Coup? Not to Believe Junta's Promises
BANGKOK — Today marks two years since the 2014 military coup. Some will gather in illegal protest while others will let it pass as just another Sunday. For those cerebrally inclined, it’s worthwhile to reflect upon the lessons of the past two years. Here are some of mine.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463901751&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

EU Warns Thailand: ‘Free And Fair Elections’ Or Face Consequences
MAY 22, 2016
By Matthew Tempest

(EurActiv) — Chair of the European Parliament ASEAN delegation, Dr Werner Langen warned, “I don’t believe that the right way forward is to have a military regime in place on a long-term basis.”

Senior MEPs have warned the military junta ruling Thailand that the country must return to “free and fair elections” or risk the future of all EU-Thailand relations..... (read more)....
http://www.eurasiareview.com/22052016-eu-warns-thailand-free-and-fair-elections-or-face-consequences/

[Up2U]

Sasiwan Mokkhasen
22 May 2016
Protesters Reject Junta in Mock Referendum on 2nd Anniversary of Coup (Photos, Video)
BANGKOK — Several hundred people marched from Thammasat University to Bangkok's Democracy Monument on Sunday on the second anniversary of the 2014 coup d'etat.

Leading the march was the activist group New Democracy Movement, many of whom were arbitrarily detained and charged last year for arranging an event on the first anniversary outside the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1463919585&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Pro-junta group rallies in front of US Embassy
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 23/05/2016
A pro-junta women group gathered in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok at 11:30 am on Monday, 23 May 2016, calling for an ouster of the US Ambassador to Thailand.

The group of about 40 women who called themselves ‘Satree Sri Siam’ (Siamese Ladies) submitted a letter addressing to Barack Obama, the US president, urging the US to remove Glyn T. Davies, the US Ambassador to Thailand, from his post.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6180?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Voices from Isaan: two years under military rule
Posted on 05/23/2016 by The Isaan Record
KHON KAEN- This week marks the second anniversary of the coup d’état that ousted the elected Pheu Thai Party government on May 22, 2014, and put Thailand under the rule of the military-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Under the slogan “Return Happiness to the People,” Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has been promising political reform, a return to democracy, and reconciliation to the deeply divided country.... (read more)...
http://isaanrecord.com/2016/05/23/voices-from-isaan-two-years-under-military-rule-2/

[Up2U]

Elderly teacher gets 3 months jail for giving flower to anti-junta activist
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 23/05/2016
The Military Court handed out three months jail term to an elderly teacher accused of sedition for giving flower to an anti-junta activist.

Matichon Online reported that the Military Court of Bangkok at 11:40 am on Monday, 23 May 2016, sentenced Preecha Kaewbanpaew, a 77-year-old retired teacher, to six months imprisonment and fined him for 8,000 baht....(read more)... http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6180

[Up2U]

Interview with ANFREL, on charter referendum observation
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 23/05/2016
Austin Silvan and Kornkritch Somjittranukit

Fair access to information for voters, free access to a voting, fair ‘umpiring’ by the elections commission, and equal values of votes are among some of the most important things that Damaso G. Magbual and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) will be looking at in the upcoming Thai Referendum vote on 7 August 2016.

Damaso is a professor of Philosophy and Political Science at St. Louis University in the Philippines. He also sits as a chairperson for ANFREL, and has been an elections monitoring consultant for elections in more than 12 countries since 1987....(read more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6181

[Up2U]

‘What’s The Point of Having a Military?’ Revisited: Security Sector Deform in Thailand - Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 23/05/2016 - John Draper
Renowned Thai academic and social commentator Nidhi Eoseewong’s column titled What’s the point of having a military?, originally in Thai on Matichon Online, stirred up a veritable hornet’s nest of interest in both the Thai mainstream and English alternative media. The role of the Thai military was also recently analysed by veteran academic Paul Chambers in a Peace Research Institute Frankfurt report, Civil-Military Relations in Thailand since the 2014 coup: The Tragedy of Security Sector “Deform”, ‘deform’ being a technical term for the opposite of reform. This column attempts to briefly summarize the first two sections of Chamber’s 45-page report, with some additional remarks.... (more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6183

[Up2U]

Junta leader threatens to sue people criticising govt for mishandling economy
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 24/05/2016
The Thai junta leader said that people blaming the government for the economic slump will be sued while his Deputy said that the people will not be happy without the junta premier....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6184

[cdnmatt]

When the EU threatens to cut off trade relations with you, it might be time to look in the mirror.

[Up2U]

Human rights lawyer charged for showing support to junta critics
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 24/05/2016
A human rights lawyers has been charged for hosting ‘Standing Still’ activities demanding junta to free detained junta critics.

On Tuesday, 24 May 2016, BBC Thai reported that a prosecutor filed charges under Public Assembly Act against Anon Nampa, a human rights lawyer and a core leader of Resistant Citizen, an anti-junta activist group, for hosting “Standing Still” activities, an activity to show support and solidarity to those who were detained by the junta.t to junta critics... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6186

[Up2U]

Thailand: Press junta to end torture, ‘disappearances’
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 25/05/2016
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
The Thai government should promptly act on pledges to make torture and enforced disappearance criminal offenses, Human Rights Watch said today.

On May 24, 2016, Thailand’s government announced it would submit a bill to criminalize torture and enforced disappearances to the military-appointed... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6187

[Up2U]

Saving Thailand’s UN Security Council seat
John Draper, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa
Special to The Nation May 25, 2016
Junta’s stance on lese-majeste is greatest threat to Kingdom’s international standing

Thailand's poor performance at its United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) has strengthened speculation that its pathway to a Security Council seat has been jeopardised. For several years, the country has been lobbying for one of the 10 non-permanent member seats. If elected, it would replace Malaysia as one of the three Asia-Pacific members. However, the chances of Thailand's application being vetoed by one or more of the permanent members are increasing, and the country desperately needs a diplomatic coup if its seat is to be assured.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Saving-Thailands-UN-Security-Council-seat-30286619.html

[Up2U]

22 May commemorative march analysis: Junta listening, or saving face
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 25/05/2016
Austin Silvan
Considering the climate of fear and repression, the success of a protest march commemorating the 2014 coup has raised questions about the government crackdown on political discussion. Although answers differ, it can be agreed that the presence of the event is a good sign.

On Sunday, 22 May 2016, in the late afternoon, hundreds of people gathered at Thammasat University to peacefully march to the Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue, in commemoration of the coup d’etat happening exactly two years earlier. Authorities were notified in advance, and permission was granted.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6192

[Up2U]

World | Wed May 25, 2016
Thailand canvasses support for controversial charter ahead of August vote
BANGKOK, THAILAND | BY AUKKARAPON NIYOMYAT
Thailand's military government on Wednesday kicked off a drive to convince citizens to vote in an August referendum for a draft constitution that the junta has said will pave the way for an election next year.Opponents say the constitution will instead enshrine a political role for the military, which seized power two years ago in a coup, besides heralding weak governments and worsening a decade of bitter political division.

On Wednesday, lawmakers and members of a constitution-drafting panel tasked with explaining the document to government officials received the first 100,000 copies of the draft, from a total of a million earmarked for the public.... (read more)...
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0YG1FM

[Up2U]

Govt gets greater power to arrest netizens under new Computer Crime Act: rights orgs
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 26/05/2016
International rights organisations have pointed out that certain articles in the amended version of the Computer Crime Act are against freedom of expressions and rights to privacy.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6158

[fountainhall]

22 May commemorative march analysis: Junta listening, or saving face
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 25/05/2016
Austin Silvan
Considering the climate of fear and repression, the success of a protest march commemorating the 2014 coup has raised questions about the government crackdown on political discussion.

I noted this comment in that article -


Sunai . . . is concerned that the abundance of photos and footage of the event also serves as a wealth of evidence, should the government seek reprisal of participants in the future.
If Thais are worried about Big Brother watching over them, they should perhaps be glad they do not live in the west! We know from the various leaks that the USA is as bad as most, but I reckon few are aware that the most spied on citizens in the world - yes, in the world - are the British! The UK has between 4 million and 5.9 CCTV surveillance cameras watching what its citizens do in their daily lives!

[Oliver]

That is correct....car drivers, pedestrians, passengers, shoppers... wherever I go, I'm watched. Oddly enough, this degree of spying which our benighted government claims is for our own protection was unable to see my wallet, passport and tickets being stolen from me at the check- in desk at Heathrow Airport on my way to Bangkok- one of the most sensitive areas in the world, I'd have thought.
I deduct from this that the thief wasn't Black or Arab or he'd have been noticed.

[Up2U]

School uses military uniforms to discipline kindergarteners
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 27/05/2016
For four years, children in a kindergarten in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen have been ordered to wear military uniforms once a week. A teacher claims that the uniforms help disciplining the students.

On Friday, 27 May 2016, Workpoint TV reported that the kindergarten students of Dun Sat Community School, Kranuan District, Khon Kaen Province, wear soldiers’ uniforms every Thursday.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6201

[Khor tose]

Actually Oliver, I am sure you and Fountainhall are correct about the UK's Surveillance program. I am sure they watch everyone as you say, but I wonder if they do not watch some people more then others. Are you sure that your loss was just a run of the mill theft? ;>)

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
27 May 2016
Junta Promises Election in 2017, For Real This Time
BANGKOK — There will definitely be an election next year, according to a renewed promise by the military regime, which has already postponed the poll several times since it came to power in May 2014.

The renewed pledge comes... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464340857&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

ARMY VS. RED SHIRTS
May 28, 2016
Prachatai reports on two related cases in the Provincial Court of Udon Thani.

On Wednesday, the court issued an arrest warrant for... (read more)....
https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/05/28/army-vs-red-shirts/

[Up2U]

28 May 2016
No, Thailand is Not a Colony of the US. Nor the Junta, For That Matter.
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — America’s handling of its relations with Thailand’s military regime is Exhibit A on how it adheres to the principles of human rights and democracy over short-term gains, a mid-rank American diplomat told me last week at a reception.

The remark prompted me to refer to Exhibit B – U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam earlier this week.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464420431

[Up2U]

Teeranai Charuvastra
28 May 2016
Politicos Welcome Lifting of Overseas Travel Ban
BANGKOK — Politicians from both the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties said the junta’s decision yesterday to lift ban on overseas travel currently imposed on more than 100 people is a positive step toward reconciliation....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464428816&typecate=06&section=

[fountainhall]

School uses military uniforms to discipline kindergarteners
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 27/05/2016
For four years, children in a kindergarten in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen have been ordered to wear military uniforms once a week. A teacher claims that the uniforms help disciplining the students.
So? Slightly older boys at Japanese schools all wear military-style uniforms and no one comments on it!

[fountainhall]

The vast majority of posts in this thread are largely anti-coup propaganda items highlighting the denial of basic democratic rights etc. etc.. That's all perfectly fair, but as I have occasionally tried to point out, they necessarily do not paint all sides of a situation. I have been thinking about this whilst on vacation and reading a fascinating history about the Inquisition - "God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World" by Cullen Murphy. A few excerpts - merely to try and broaden the discussion somewhat -



Bureaucracy is a human artifact, and for all its negative reputation, it provides the management and inertia that keep modern societies operating. Armies and airports, highways and schools, all run on bureaucracy. Every payment by any government is the product of a bureaucracy. Spain’s vast colonial empire was relatively weak because its bureaucratic structures were modest; the strong bureaucratic traditions of China, in contrast, go back 5,000 years. One rule of thumb about bureaucracies, however, is that they tend to expand: their mission becomes broader, their personnel become more numerous, and their reason for existence becomes the fact that they already exist. Over time, bureaucratic procedures affect more and more areas of life, from the conduct of a classroom to the boarding of an airplane to the final moments in intensive care. And over time, more and more people find themselves invested in particular bureaucracies, because their livelihoods depend on them. The growth has been especially pronounced in the area of domestic and national security. A 2010 Washington Post report found that in the United States, some 1,271 government organizations and 1,931 private companies now exist to deal with national-security concerns—amounting to an “alternative geography” of America that is “hidden from public view and lacking in thorough oversight.” Bureaucracies become closed systems. They tend to restrict access to the information they control to those with official clearance. They are intent on autonomy . . .


In primitive states, procedures rarely have much longevity. In more advanced states, the organs of government grind on, often impervious to attempts at control . . . In the end, bureaucracies take on lives of their own . . . Observing the gradual transformation of “government into administration, of republics into bureaucracies,” Hannah Arendt commented, “Bureaucracy is the form of government in which everybody is deprived of political freedom, of the power to act; for the rule by Nobody is not no-rule, and where all are equally powerless we have a tyranny without a tyrant.”


Advances in surveillance are rarely walked back. They become institutionalized, and then normalized, creating a new status quo and a platform for whatever the next steps might be . . . Censorship today occurs in many new ways, but the old ways are still very much alive. The expurgation of a work of history by Philipp Camerarius in the sixteenth century has an analogue in the revision of school textbooks by the Texas State Board of Education in the twenty-first. Under the new Texas guidelines, approved in 2010, textbooks must emphasize that the Founding Fathers were people of religious faith; must deemphasize the doctrine of separation of church and state; must assert that the Civil War was fought mainly over states’ rights, not slavery; must give ample consideration to the views of Confederate President Jefferson Davis; must downplay criticism of Senator Joseph McCarthy; and must include positive references to the Moral Majority, the Heritage Foundation, and the National Rifle Association . . .


In the short term, do changes like these threaten the freedom of any university historian in Cambridge or Berkeley (or Austin)? Of course not. In our lifetime, no scholar will feel constrained to alter so much as a comma. No professor will be purged. But in the long term? The changes in Texas affect 5 million students a year in the state’s grammar schools and high schools. Additional changes will be implemented every decade, when the textbooks come up for review. Meanwhile, the Texas requirements will ripple outward: the Texas market is so large that publishers often turn local demands into national standards. Fifty years will pass, a century. The intellectual elite may remain free to say what it wishes. But what will have happened to popular opinion in the meantime? And what will that future elite have grown up knowing?

No doubt there is some parallel in Thailand. As to textbooks, surely it's interesting that in much of the world there are howls of protest every time Japan alters its history textbooks to justify everything from its invasion of Manchuria to what it suggests were the faults of the USA which forced it into World War II!! Now, as its states effectively alter history, the US insists on Thailand improving its civil rights! They are surely all a bunch of bureaucratic hypocrites!

[Up2U]

MANAGED STABILITY OR DEMOCRACY?
MAY 29, 2016
Giles Ungpakorn
Recently I had a conversation with a researcher associated with the British Foreign Ministry and I was surprised and shocked to hear him say: “Burma is the most democratic country in South-east Asia”. He went on to say that the worrying thing about Burma was that Aung San Suu Kyi might be too inflexible to work with the military.... (read more)...
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/2016/05/29/managed-stability-or-democracy/

[Yraen]

All of which may be true in some sense. I guess it depends on one's definition of democracy. Yet, "managed democracies" do work to the benefit of their electors (mostly). Eg: Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many of the European countries.

In that context I would clump together the USA, Thailand, Malaysia, Burma as not-yet-quite-functional managed democracies. It all depends on one's perception of the level of management that is necessary to achieve a stable social environment and/or government.

[Up2U]

Most people still undecided over draft charter - Poll
Published: 29/05/2016
Writer: Online Reporters
Most people are still undecided whether to vote for or against the draft constitution in the Aug 7 referendum, according to the result of a third survey by National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll, on the charter referendum.

The poll was conducted on on 1,500 people aged 18 and over of all levels of education and various occupations throughout the country.

Asked whether they will vote to.... (read more)...
http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/993361?refer=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FOd4rDXv238

[Up2U]

University warns lecturers not to criticise junta-sponsored draft charter
Submitted by ll on Mon, 30/05/2016
A public university has notified its lecturers not to criticise the junta-sponsored draft constitution, saying public institutions have to support the government.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6202

[Up2U]

Internet laws a time-bomb
Published: 30/05/2016
Writer: Editorial
The military regime continues to create deeper digital confusion. It refuses to jettison its campaign for a single internet gateway that would out-firewall the "great firewall of China". Now it seeks official... (read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/993937/internet-laws-a-time-bomb.

[Up2U]

Meechai says it is alright for CDC to talk about the merits of draft charter to public
May 30, 2016
Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan has defended the role of his colleagues in educating members of the public about the merits of the draft.... (read more)...
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/165365

[Up2U]

Pheu Thai politicians in Isan caught up in junta’s mafia crackdown
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 31/05/2016
The Thai military summoned former members of the parliament (MP) from Pheu Thai Party in Isan, Thailand’s northeast, for a discussion as their names appeared on the junta’s list of ‘influential figures’.

Matichon Online and Thairath News reported that Kriang Kalthinan and Vorasith Kalthinan, former MPs of Pheu Thai Party from the Isan province of Ubon Ratchathani, together with Pistaya Chaisongkram, Vorasith’s wife, on Monday morning, 30 May 2016, reported to the 22th Military Circle in Warin Chamrap District of the province.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6206

[Up2U]

Note: Some of the cases were prior to the coup.
The voice of the voiceless
BY MISH KHAN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR – 31 MAY 2016

We have been asked to share information about the “voice of the voiceless” campaign with New Mandala readers.... (read more)...
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/05/31/the-voice-of-the-voiceless/

[Up2U]

Red shirts launch referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 31/05/2016
A fraction of red shirts have launched a referendum watch campaign, aiming to prevent electoral fraud in the August referendum and to educate people about the content of the charter draft. Meanwhile, Deep South civil society also started a similar campaign.

On Monday, 30 May 2016, Thanawuth Wichaidit and Somwang Asrasi, key members of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), a main fraction of red shirts which is affiliated with Thaksin,... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6210

[Up2U]

Yingluck Shinawatra steps back into Thailand's political arena
By Jonathan Head
South East Asia correspondent
When she was stripped of her job as prime minister in a controversial Constitutional Court verdict two years ago, and then, two weeks later, her government was deposed by a military coup, Yingluck Shinawatra's brief political career appeared to be over.
It seemed a certainty after a military-appointed assembly banned her from political office for five years, and then a criminal charge was filed against her.... (read more)...
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36422838

[Up2U]

People Poll predicts landslide votes against charter draft in the referendum
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 01/06/2016
An independent survey has shown that in the August referendum, most of the respondents will not approve the charter draft and the junta’s proposal to allow the junta-appointed senators to jointly vote for PM.

People Poll Thailand has published a result of the survey on people’s opinions toward the August referendum. The data was collected online between 15 and 31 May 2016 from 2,095 Thais across the country. The survey simulates the same questions which will be used in the referendum in August....(read more)....
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6218

[Up2U]

Prayut vows to hold power until 'peace' restored
Published: 01/06/2016

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha threatened his critics on Wednesday that he would hold on to power “despite how much you hate me” until peace has been fully returned to the country. "Frankly speaking,...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/997757/prayut-vows-to-hold-power-until-peace-restored.

[Up2U]

Attitude adjustment session held outside military barracks for first time
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 01/06/2016
For the first time, the junta has summoned people for the so-called attitude adjustment session outside military barracks. The summoned activist said this change would help improving junta’s image.

Recently, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head, has said that the so-called attitude adjustment sessions, the coercive discussions forced upon political dissidents by the military, will no longer be held in military barracks in order to make things seem softer and less intimidating.... (read more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6221

[Up2U]

Draft Referendum Act violates rights: Ombudsman office
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 01/06/2016
Thailand’s Ombudsman Office has concluded that the Draft Referendum Act might be unconstitutional as its ambiguity allows the authorities to clamp down on the draft charter critics.... (read more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6220

[Up2U]

Associated Press
02 June 2016
Banned From Politics, Yingluck Goes on Tour (Photos)
BUENG KAN — As ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra made her way through a line of fans, some cried, others screamed and a few embraced her...(read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1464842187&typecate=06&section=

[Up2U]

Embattled ex-education minister refuses to be cowed by junta
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 02/06/2016
An embattled former Education Minister from the Pheu Thai Party has denied sedition charges, vowing to continue to fight the charges against him through civil disobedience... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6223

[Up2U]

Anti-junta academics remain defiant despite risk of imprisonment
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 02/06/2016
One step closer to being tried by the Military Court, two embattled anti-junta academics stand firm on their ground, saying they only exercised the rights they are entitled to.

The Thai police on Thursday morning, 2 June 2016, has submitted a case file on the accusations against Attachak Sattayanurak and Somchai Preechasinlapakun, history and law lecturers from Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand, to the staff of the of the Military Judge Advocate General's Office, the BBC Thai reported.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6224

[Up2U]

Referendum might be postponed: junta head
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 02/06/2016
The junta head has said that if the Constitutional Court rules that the controversial Referendum Act was unconstitutional, the August referendum might be postponed. The junta-appointed lawmakers said that with Article 44 of the Interim Charter, the junta had a power to postpone the referendum.

Thailand’s Ombudsman has recently submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court to rule whether the 2016 Referendum Act is unconstitutional or not. This is after a group of human rights advocates asked the Ombudsman to urgently review the Act, saying that Article 61 of the Referendum Act, which allows authorities to suppress critics of the junta’s charter draft, contradicts the 2014 Interim Charter.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6225

[Up2U]

Former EC members lose final appeal, sent to prison
Published: 03/06/2016
The Supreme Court has upheld the two-year jail sentence and a 10-year political ban given to former election commissioners Wasana Permlarp and Prinya Nakchudtree for delaying an inquiry into poll fraud...(read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1000849/former-ec-members-lose-final-appeal-sent-to-prison.

[Up2U]

Trends in Southeast Asia
Thailand’s Hyper-royalism: Its Past Success and Present Predicament
Thongchai Winichakul

https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/trends-in-southeast-asia

[Up2U]

Thai junta leader defends crackdown on social media
By VIJAY JOSHI and ANNABELLE LIANG
Jun. 3, 2016

SINGAPORE (AP) — Thailand's junta leader on Friday defended his government's increasing crackdown on social media dissidents, while promising to restore democracy which he suspended in a coup two years ago.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thailand is in a transition toward "a strong and sustainable democracy."... (read more)... http://bigstory.ap.org/article/1e98415d545343b188bda69436a41704/thai-junta-leader-defends-crackdown-social-media

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Sasiwan Mokkhasen
04 June 2016
Thailand to Welcome New Digital Ministry

BANGKOK — Thailand will soon welcome its first new ministry in a decade as the National Legislative Assembly Friday approved the formation of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.

The junta-appointed assembly unanimously approved the draft to establish a 21st century ministry to develop the digital economy, something the military government has promoted heavily since seizing power in May 2014. Digital freedom and rights activists worry it is really a government power grab to increase their control online.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1465015721&typecate=06&section=

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Pravit Rojanaphruk
04 June 2016
Be Not Grateful to Junta Lifting of Travel Ban
On the surface, the lifting of the travel ban previously placed on activists and politicians by the military junta should be welcome news. However, deeper beneath the surface, the way the process was conducted, revealed a disturbing normalization of the use of arbitrary and autocratic powers.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1465029149&typecate=06&section=

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Military intimidates red shirts at briefing on referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 06/06/2016
A police and military officer attempted to bar the anti-establishment red shirts from holding a press briefing to open a center to monitor the draft charter referendum despite the junta leader’s promise that opening such center is allowed.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6229

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Imprisoned Poet Testifies: “Summoned again, I would again refuse”
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 06/06/2016
Metta Wongwat
Anti-coup poet Sirapop, pen-name Rungsira, is a tall, 53 year old, long-haired man with a rough demeanor but of polite and reasoned speech.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6230

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UDD fraud watchdog under fire NCPO examines possible breach of law
Published: 07/06/2016

The military regime is seeking to take legal action against the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for possible breach of the regime's orders following the group's launch of a centre...(read more)...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1003473/udd-fraud-watchdog-under-fire.

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June 7, 2016
No
Thais Can Monitor Vote Because Law Didn't Say They Can, Commission Reasons

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/online/photos/2016/06/14652726941465272961l.jpg
Redshirt leaders, wearing black to protest the political climate in the run-up to a planned referendum, opened a center Sunday at the Imperial World Lat Phrao mall in Bangkok to monitor possible voting fraud. Photo: Matichon
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer

BANGKOK — A veteran election observer and Redshirt leader were disappointed yesterday by the Election Commission’s insistence that no Thais could be granted election observer accreditation because the recent referendum law did not expressly permit it.... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1465272694&typecate=06&section=

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Self-described nationalists urge police to probe anti-junta activists
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 07/06/2016
A self-described patriot group has urged the police to probe a well-known anti-junta activist group who accused the Thai junta of overthrowing the constitution, saying the junta came to power lawfully.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6234

[justaguy]

There is nothing lawful about the coup and the persons executing it. The only reason they cannot be held accountable is because of the amnesty written into the interim constitution of 2014.

The same bunch of clowns were crying foul at the proposed but rejected amnesty bill proposed by a government who did operate under a clear and undisputed mandate. Yet all of a sudden they remain silent about this particular amnesty bill, that does not have any electoral mandate and that is much more far reaching and at the same time benefits precious few.

Or to summarize: Love the Nation are a bunch of hypocrites.

[cdnmatt]

Let's just hope this is one massive psychological ploy to unite the two sides (red & yellow) under a common purpose.

[Up2U]

Thailand playing a risky game with China, Russia
BY PAVIN CHACHAVALPONGPUN
JUN 6, 2016
KYOTO – Thailand’s pro-junta diplomacy has brought severe damage to the country’s standing in the international community. On May 22, Thailand commemorated the second anniversary of the coup that overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Two years have passed, and the unresolved political stalemate accompanied by a worsening human rights situation tells Western nations that their punitive measures against the junta have been largely impotent.

Since the coup, Western nations have... read more)....
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2016/06/06/commentary/world-commentary/thailand-playing-risky-game-china-russia/#.V1bGimgxWf3

[justaguy]

Let's just hope this is one massive psychological ploy to unite the two sides (red & yellow) under a common purpose.

That might actually work :) At the very least, both the Democrats and PT disagree with the draft charter. Both have mentioned it's undemocratic nature, with a wholly appointed senate that has far reaching powers.

The trouble is, they both are sidelined and the Junta will do anything to get the draft passed, as it will ensure their powerbase for decades to come. They don't even need to stage a coup anymore, unless of course a loophole is found that would enable the elected government to change aspects of the constitution without the 200 appointed senators.

Democracy is not what Thailand is getting if the draft receives a yes vote, that much is perfectly clear.

[Up2U]

Court confirms military court jurisdiction over anti-coup activists
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 08/06/2016
A District Court has confirmed that the Military Court has jurisdiction over trials of anti-junta activists charged with violating the junta’s political gathering ban, saying the junta has successfully gained control of the country since the coup d’état.... (read more)...
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6240

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New propaganda song reflects ECT’s regional prejudice
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 08/06/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
The Election Commission has released a new song campaigning for the August referendum, which has content that has triggered public outrage on social media since it allegedly reflects the commission’s prejudice against the northerners and northeasterners, which are allegedly the main supporters of the red shirt movement.

The Election Commision of Thailand (ECT) has released a song called ‘7 August’, Together in Referendum for Democratic Consolidation.’ The song mainly aims to persuade people to go to vote in the charter draft referendum. The song was composed of four different local accents and music styles: the Central, Isaan (Northeastern), Northern, and Southern of Thailand.

Although it does not suggest people to vote in any certain way, people in social media have widely condemned the song for the regional prejudice content against those who live in Isaan and the Northern Thailand.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6241?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Up2U]

Playing cat and mouse with Thailand’s junta
BY NICK NOSTITZ, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR – 9 JUNE 2016
On June 5, 2016 the UDD brought itself back to the political map with their opening ceremony of their referendum monitoring center, which took place in their headquarters at the 5th floor of the Imperial Lad Prao Department Store. In addition to the press conference with most UDD leaders in attendance, hundreds of their supporters in red shirts mingled there, among a strong presence of security forces, both in uniform and in plainclothes.... (read more)...
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2016/06/09/playing-cat-and-mouse-with-thailands-junta/

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Thailand: Drop case against rights defenders
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 09/06/2016
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
The Thai military should immediately withdraw its criminal complaints against three human rights defenders for reporting alleged torture by government security forces in southern Thailand, Human Rights Watch said today.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6243

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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT AGREES TO REVIEW REPRESSIVE REFERENDUM LAW
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - June 9, 2016
BANGKOK — The Constitutional Court agreed Wednesday to review the law which effectively banned any kind of campaigning for the upcoming vote on the new constitution.

The decision by the court means the fate of the Aug. 7 referendum is now uncertain, as...(read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2016/06/09/court-review-repressive-referendum-law/

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EC supports 'fair' debate on charter
Academic bemoans 'frightening silence'
Published: 10/06/2016
Writer: Mongkol Bangprapa

The Election Commission has promised to give both critics and supporters a chance to air their views of the draft charter in the lead-up to the Aug 7 referendum, but they must express their opinions in...(read more)....

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1006165/ec-supports-fair-debate-on-charter.

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Declaration of the Khana Nitirat: The Draft Constitution and the Referendum
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 10/06/2016
Khana Nitirat: Law for the People
On 29 March 2016, the Constitution Drafting Committee released the new Draft Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E..... for the people to examine before voting in the referendum on whether or not to accept it.

The Khana Nitirat: Law for the People has studied the Draft Constitution in detail and has formed initial views about it. These views cover the content of the Draft Constitution, criticism about the merits of the Draft Constitution as advertised, the rules for the referendum itself and the idea of approving the Draft Constitution with the intention to go swiftly to elections and rule by a civilian government.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6251?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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Thailand’s Post-Coup Foreign Policy: Omnidirectional or Directionless?
While the junta calls strategic diversification may actually be a rather rudderless foreign policy vision.
By Shawn W. Crispin
June 10, 2016
When U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies met with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on May 17, the U.S. envoy pressed behind closed doors... (read more)..
http://thediplomat.com/2016/06/thailands-post-coup-foreign-policy-omnidirectional-or-directionless/

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UDD to invite UN, embassies to monitoring centres
Published: 12/06/2016
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will next week send a letter to the United Nations, all foreign embassies and all ministries inviting them to send representatives to observe its centres monitoring fraud in the Aug 7 charter referendum.

UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan said... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/1008237?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bangkokpost.com%2F

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ELECTION COMMISSION THUGGERY
June 11, 2016
A couple of days ago we posted on anti-democrat and anti-election Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn and his self-contradictory claims about constitution and referendum songs.

The clownish Somchai said the the EC’s ditty, that denigrated northerners and northeasterners in terms that echo of the infamous “uneducate” and “red buffalo” taunts of the military-backed and supported... (read more)...
https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/election-commission-thuggery/

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Thailand: Majority of Thais still ‘undecided’ or ‘uninformed’ over draft charter
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 12th June 2016

A WORRYING majority of Thais have admitted that they do not know how the draft charter will affect their lives if it is passed in the upcoming referendum, revealed a recent survey.

The survey, carried out between June 6 to 11... (read more)...
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/06/thais-undecided-uninformed-over-draft-charter/

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Thai Buddhism serves the state, teaches people to be complacent: academic
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 13/06/2016
Kritsada Subpawanthanakun
Analysing the predominant faith of the majority of Thais, an academic has pointed out that the version of Buddhism patronised by the Thai state promotes Thai nationalism and teaches people to be docile and accept their socio-economic status....(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6249

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Junta bars red shirt from running referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 13/06/2016
The deputy junta head said the red shirt’s referendum watch campaign was not allowed since it was under the responsibility of existing government agencies. He also demanded that red shirt stop inviting international organization to participate in the August referendum watch....(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6253

[Up2U]

Red shirt TV to face shutdown for breaching junta announcement
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 13/06/2016
A TV station, run by a prominent red shirt co-leader, might be shut down for breaching the junta’s announcement. A national broadcast commissioner pointed that authorities failed to shut down the station under regular laws so they used an alternative by claiming the junta announcement.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6254?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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June 14, 2016
Commentary
Pavida Pananond -- Thai military government ill-equipped for new growth imperatives
While much of Southeast Asia enjoys robust growth prospects against a backdrop of global adversity, Thailand has tried and failed to shake off its status as the region's economic laggard. Its economy is expected to expand at half, or even less, of the 6% average annual growth rate for the developing Asia-Pacific region, at least until 2018, according to recent estimates by the World Bank.... (read more)...
http://sawatdeenetwork.com/v4/showthread.php?16358-Protests-update/page174

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UN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES THAILAND TO ALLOW DEBATE OF DRAFT CHARTER
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - June 14, 2016
BANGKOK — The U.N. rights chief Monday called on Thailand’s military government to respect the electorate’s right to freely deliberate the proposed constitution before voting whether to adopt it as the law of the land.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2016/06/14/un-rights-chief-urges-thailand-allow-debate-draft-charter/

[Up2U]

Military bans shopkeeper to hang charter referendum banner
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 14/06/2016
Soldiers and police officers forced a shopkeeper in northern Thailand to remove a banner campaigning on the charter referendum, claiming that they are doing it to maintain peace...(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6258?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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TORTURE AND “HONOR”
June 14, 2016
The Royal Thai Army sometimes claims to defend the country’s reputation. As all readers of PPT would know, the Royal Thai Army is the prime reason for Thailand being seen as backward-looking, erratic, corrupt and repressive. After all, it is the Royal Thai Army that regularly murders its citizens, acts as a gang of thugs for the plutoctratic elite, and repeatedly throws out elected governments. We may have lost track, but the last time we looked, Thailand was the only military dictatorship in the world.

It is this same.... (read more)...
https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/torture-and-honor/

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Yellow shirts accuse junta pack of risking national territory under charter draft
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 14/06/2016
A group of people dressed in yellow shirts have filed an accusation with the Administrative Court against the junta pack -- the PM, cabinet, charter drafters, lawmakers, and election commission -- for risking Thailand’s territory under the constitution draft, adding that the referendum should be postponed until the problematic articles were fixed....(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6259

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Northern red shirts called into army barrack over referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 15/06/2016
The military summoned key leaders of the anti-establishment red shirt group in northern Thailand into the military base over a draft constitution referendum watch campaign.

Siriwat Jupamattha, key leader a red shirt group in the northern province of Phayao, told media that soldiers from the 34th Military Circle on Tuesday, 14 June 2016, summoned him and another red shirt leader for a discussion at the military base, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6260

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Draft event at military base for security: PM
THE NATION June 14, 2016
THE ELECTION COMMISSION (EC) held an event to explain the referendum and constitution draft at a military camp for security reasons, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

He said the EC chose the venue, adding that the agency could find somewhere else to hold sessions if people found military bases inappropriate.

Prayut's reaction came after politicians labelled the venue as inappropriate, saying it generated an undemocratic and uncomfortable atmosphere and calling for alternative venues such as academic institutions... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Draft-event-at-military-base-for-security-PM-30288080.html

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June 15, 2016
Former Thai PM Yingluck wows fans but remains divisive figure
PHRAE/BANGKOK, THAILAND | BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND ANDREW R.C. MARSHALL
When former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrived in this sleepy corner of northern Thailand and flashed her familiar smile, waiting supporters gasped and spoke of a political revival.

But as she cradled babies, hugged grannies and posed for selfies in Phrae province, Yingluck was also thinking of political survival, say aides.

In the two years since the military overthrew her government, Yingluck has been on trial for corruption over a multi-million-dollar rice subsidy scheme. She denies wrongdoing and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.... (read more)...
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-yingluck-idUSKCN0Z10BO

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Pheu Thai politicians denounce charter draft
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 15/06/2016
More than 10 Pheu Thai politicians have simultaneously denounced the junta’s charter draft for its undemocratic origin and content, adding that they will turn it down in the August referendum. One politician argues that the charter draft is actually an amnesty bill for the junta.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6263

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Regime vague on Pheu Thai anti-charter posts
Published: 16/06/2016
The government refused on Wednesday to clarify the referendum law and say whether 17 Pheu Thai politicians violated the law by posting on Facebook reasons why they intend to reject the draft charter....(read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1011185/regime-vague-on-pheu-thai-anti-charter-posts.

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Thai Junta’s Charter Referendum in Doubt
Posted on June 16, 2016
Despite draconian efforts to quell opposition, it still may lose

Despite the Thai junta’s extraordinary efforts to quell opposition to its Aug. 7 referendum on a new constitution – more likely to be a referendum on the junta itself – it may not pass or the military might be forced to withdraw it, according to sources in Bangkok.

The document has been in the making for more than a year. And although the junta is seeking to leave nothing to chance, including commissioning a song extolling its virtues, passage is not a sure thing for a document that is universally regarded as only designed to perpetuate the military in power and which is generating underground opposition that could derail it.... (read more)...
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-junta-charter-referendum-in-doubt/

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Deputy junta head defends using army cadets for promoting charter referendum
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 16/06/2016
After prohibiting anti-establishment red shirts from opening the charter referendum watch centers, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy junta head and Defence Minister, defends using army cadets to promote about the referendum, maintaining that the authorities are not biased....(read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6267

[Up2U]

JUNTA CHIEF RESTORES FREE EDUCATION REMOVED BY DRAFT CHARTER
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - June 16, 2016
BANGKOK — The leader of the ruling junta exercised his absolute power Wednesday to reestablish government support for 15 years of public education that was written out of the draft charter prepared by his appointees.... (read more).....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2016/06/16/junta-chief-restores-free-education-removed-draft-charter/

[Up2U]

ON THE MILITARY’S CHARTER AND ITS REFERENDUM
June 16, 2016
Interesting developments are being reported as the junta’s referendum on the military’s draft charter approaches. As everyone knows, the junta has tried desperately to prevent critical discussion of the undemocratic charter.... (read more)...
https://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/2016/06/16/on-the-militarys-charter-and-its-referendum/

[Up2U]

June 16, 2016
Llewellyn McCann explores what the royal succession will mean for Thai elite politics.

http://www.newmandala.org/the-king-is-nearly-dead-will-it-be-long-live-the-king/

[Smiles]

June 16, 2016 ... Llewellyn McCann explores what the royal succession will mean for Thai elite politics.
To be somewhat of a nit picker, your headline should in fact read more like this: "Llewellyn McCann explores what the royal succession might perhaps mean for Thai elite politics."
I have not read the article yet (though I shall) but the author is not Thai, which almost always means he will undoubtedly get some things wrong to one extent or another.
'Inscrutable' knows few bounds in Thai politics, much less royal politics.