-
Re: Protests update
27 December 2015
New Discontent Brewing In The Northeast
BANGKOK тАФ тАЬWe aim high, to rise up and fight politically,тАЭ said Khornchanok Saenprasert, the New Isaan MovementтАЩs coordinator and a trained human rights lawyer from Khon Kaen province. тАЬThis is not something that has been cooked up by four or five people; this is the result of wide-ranging consultations.тАЭ ..... (read more )....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
The Nation December 28, 2015
тАЬLikingтАЭ defamatory content on Facebook sparks debate on whether acknowledging such posts should be considered a crime. On the one hand, authorities say the action is deemed as supporting dissent, but on the other, cyber-liberty advocates say Facebook тАЬlikesтАЭ only constitute support of the online record of a pre-existing act.
Pol Colonel Olarn Sukkasem, superintendent of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, Central Investigation Bureau, who is in charge of enforcing the Computer Crime Act 2007 highlights need to control social media conspirators:
"Liking" a controversial or defamatory message on Facebook is certainly a crime as it shows support for the content.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 75797.html
-
Re: Protests update
NACC says Suthep, Abhisit not guilty of April-May 2010 political violence
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 30/12/2015
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has concluded that Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Democrat Party Prime Minister, and Suthep Thaugsuban, his former Deputy, are not guilty for ordering the violent military crackdown on the anti-establishment red-shirt protesters during the April-May 2010 political violence.
Sansern Poljieak, the Secretary-General of the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), on Tuesday, 29 December 2015, announced that the NACC has reached a resolution to withdraw corruption and malfeasance allegations against Abhisit, Suthep, Gen Anupong Paochinda, the former Army Chief, and other military officers under his command..... (read more).....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5737
-
Re: Protests update
No irregularities found in fund spending on Rajabhakti Park
| December 30, 2015
No irregularities have been found in the spending of funds for the implementation of the controversial Rajabhakti Park project featuring the statues of seven great Thai kings in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, the Defence Ministry's investigation committee announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
The committee, set up by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, is chaired by Gen Chaichan Changmongkol, deputy permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry..... (read more).....http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/no-irr ... hakti-park
-
Re: Protests update
what's it going to be, irregularities or not?
Wed Dec 30, 2015
Thai inquiry finds 'irregularities' in controversial military park
By Andrew R.C. Marshall and Patpicha Tanakasempipat
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai defense ministry team looking into allegations of corruption at a military-built park said on Wednesday it had found financial "irregularities" in the project but had no authority to investigate any wrongdoing..... (read more).....http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0UD0T920151230
-
Re: Protests update
Prem lauds тАШsacrificeтАЩ by Prayut, team
THE NATION December 31, 2015
For the New Year, privy council chief urges top officials to be sure spending is for the good of the people.
PRIVY COUNCIL President Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday urged the Cabinet and military and police brass to ensure the state budget is spent for the true good of the country and the people.
"I understand that you are tired, but it's worth it if Thais are happy," the statesman said.
"I'm overjoyed to see the prime minister and you others sacrifice your own happiness to make the people in our country happy."
He also gave his blessings to the group led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, which had called on him at his Si Sao Tewes residence to offer him the traditional New Year's greetings.
General Prem also gave General Prayut words of encouragement.
"The prime minister is a strong person. He never gives up, so he sets a good example," he said.
"I don't think you seek to gain power for yourself. You really work for the country and the people. I may not be of much help to you because I'm getting on in years now...... (read more)...http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 75948.html
-
Re: Protests update
Good vs. evil
January 1, 2016
One of the dominant discourses of recent years has been the royalist notion that the political world is populated by good and evil people. Promoted by aging princes and then by the current king, this discourse drew on a particular reading of Buddhism. It became a part of an ideological justification of a return of royalism that was to undo the ideals of the 1932 revolution.
When political contestation has been at its highest, as in recent years, тАЬgood peopleтАЭ are those who are loyal to king and monarchy. This also means that they are тАЬmoral people.тАЭ
It is in this sense that what might be considered evil in a normal world is magically made тАЬgoodтАЭ and тАЬmoral.тАЭ Hence, mass murder conducted in the name of the king or of protecting the monarchy is made тАЬgoodтАЭ because it is done for the тАЬbestтАЭ of reasons тАУ loyalty to the crown.
Among the most notorious statements of this view was by Kittivudho Bhikkhu in an interview in late June 1976, who argued that while all killing involved some demerit for Buddhists, killing communists in protecting nation, religion and monarchy was killing bestial types rather than humans and he stated that тАЬBuddhists must do it [kill communists].тАЭ
This notion also means that loyal royalists who murder students or political opponents deemed threats to nation, religion and monarchy can be excused or even lionized. This is why the loyal royalist but immensely corrupt General Sarit Thanarat, also responsible for the deaths of numerous opponents, can be a royalist hero.
In recent years, the royalist definition of those who are evil and immoral has included elected politicians who support Thaksin Shinawatra, red shirts and electoralism, for all are seen as threats to the monarchy. Military commanders and pliable royalist politicians who engage in corruption and the murder of politicians, however, are тАЬgoodтАЭ and тАЬmoralтАЭ because they oppose these threats and kill and jail persons considered threats.
This is a long-winded way of getting to a Khaosod report that observes:.....(read more)...https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com
-
Re: Protests update
Thai Universities Feel Pressure of Junta's Rule
December 31, 2015
Ron Corben
BANGKOK тАФ
Thailand's military government has stifled public dissent since seizing power last year, and now the country's universities say the junta's impact is being felt on campus.
According to a recent report by New York-based Human Rights Watch, since 2014 more than 750 people have been summoned to report to the military for "reconciliationтАЩ talks" in which high profile politicians, activists and journalists have faced accusations of criticizing or opposing military rule..... (read more)....http://m.voanews.com/a/thai-universitie ... 25737.html
-
Re: Protests update
`Distortions key risk to charter voteтАЩ
THE SUNDAY NATION January 3, 2016
CDC chief Meechai says drafters doing their best, should pass referendum
THE chief constitution drafter says people who try to distort the charter draft should be held responsible if it fails to pass the referendum.
Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC), said the drafters were working to the best of their ability and not concerned whether the draft passes a national referendum.
He said if the draft failed to pass the vote it would be the result of people causing a misunderstanding among voters through distorted claims.
"That's the answer you will get from the drafters. The drafters are writing the new constitution as best as our intelligence permits," he said.┬ж.... (read more)....http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 76024.html
-
Re: Protests update
03 January 2016
Civilians Facing тАЬCamouflaged JusticeтАЭ, Say Rights Lawyers
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
BANGKOK тАФ Over 1,400 civilians were tried in military court last year, in what Thai Lawyers for Human Rights group (TLHR) called a тАЬcamouflaged justice processтАЭ, in a newly-released report highlighting 10 legal cases from 2015.
Alleged torture and severe sentences under the lese majeste law, as well as liberal use of sedition charge were mentioned in the report...... (read more).....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=