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Re: Protests update
2 February 2016
CharterтАЩs Uncertain Fate Mirrors JuntaтАЩs Own Lack of Confidence
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
BANGKOK тАФ Uncertainty over what will happen if voters reject the draft charter this July, critics agree, reflects the junta's own lack of confidence in its success. They differ, however, on whether itтАЩs failure is intended as a means for the junta to stay in power longer than promised.
Political scientist Puangthong Pawakapan said the whole thing has never been about drafting a new, acceptable constitution but finding excuses for the National Council for Peace and Order, or NCPO, as it is formally known, to maintain its hold on power and allow the political old guard to re-establish its grip on politics and society..... (read more)...http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
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Re: Protests update
Military prosecutors dismiss l├иse majest├й charge against 3 suspects
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 02/02/2016
The military prosecutors for the first time since the 2014 coup dтАЩ├йtat have dismissed l├иse majest├й charges against three suspects alleged of defaming the Thai Monarchy via Facebook....(read more)....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5823
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Re: Protests update
They really are as stupid as this
February 2, 2016
We have several times pointed out that ThailandтАЩs military junta is made up of a bunch of dullards.
Accounting for how this collection of dunces comes to be running a once quite successful country must examine the ways in which these men have been promoted. The military is remarkably hierarchical and increasingly feudal in its organization. Promotion in the military in recent decades has been mainly based on notions of loyalty to the monarchy, overseen by palace political busybody General Prem Tinsulanonda. Getting to the top has depended on the capacity for slithering about before royals and privy councilors. Other capacities have not usually been rewarded.... (read more).....https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpres ... d-as-this/
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Re: Protests update
February 2nd, 2016 | Posted by Editor
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Questions MediaтАЩs Professional Ethics
BANGKOK тАУ Government spokesman Maj Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about the professtional ethics of some news media, which he feels lack proper discretion on news selection..... (read more)...http://www.chiangraitimes.com/prime-min ... thics.html
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Re: Protests update
best in six years тАУ survey
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 3rd February 2016 | @ascorrespondent
CORRUPTION is on the decline in Thailand. Or that is the conclusion you might draw from a survey done by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The UTCC survey measures the Corruption Situation Index (CSI) in Thailand, and last December, it hit the highest score in six years тАУ 55 compared to 49 the year before. A higher score indicates less perceived corruption in the country..... (read more)....https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/02/ ... rs-survey/
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Re: Protests update
February 2016
The Constitutional Court in the 2016 constitutional draft: A substitute King for Thailand in the post-Bhumibol era?
On 29 January 2016, the Constitution-drafting committee presided by Meechai Reechupan issued the official draft of a new constitution. This draft is the third since the 2014 coup took place on 22 May 2014. The most controversial issue in the first and second drafts was the creation of unelected organs given special powers allowing them to take over the administration or impose legislation under specific circumstances, such as in times of crisis. 1 The 2016 draft grants crisis powers to the Constitutional Court. 2 This is not surprising: since its creation, the Constitutional Court has increasingly intervened in the political sphere in times of crisis, thereby expanding its power gradually, a process referred to by many scholars and commentators alike as тАЬjudicialization of politicsтАЭ. 3
The latest constitution-drafting process results in a further expansion of the CourtтАЩs scope of jurisdiction. According to the 2016 draft, the Court has now the power.....(read more)......http://kyotoreview.org/yav/constitution ... -bhumibol/
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Re: Protests update
THE RISE OF THAILAND'S 'DICTATOR LAW'
BY REUTERS ON 2/3/16
REUTERS/CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is relying increasingly on a security measure dubbed "the dictator's law" to push through unpopular policies and kickstart stalled reforms, say critics, who warn it could spark further opposition to military rule..... (READ MORE)...http://www.newsweek.com/thailand-dictat ... ime-422857
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Re: Protests update
Can Thai Junta Convince Investors It Knows What It's Doing?
Chris Blake Tony Jordan
February 4, 2016
Thailand is waiting for a new constitution, waiting for the restoration of democracy, waiting for the succession in its monarchy, waiting for an economic recovery and waiting for rain.
While the junta says it is taking the time and steps needed to unify the Southeast Asian countryтАЩs polarized political factions, overseas investors have voted with their feet. Applications for foreign direct investment slumped 78 percent in the first 11 months of 2015. Exports have fallen for three straight years.
тАЬThe turnoff of the coup-appointed military junta just makes it easy to write off Thailand for direct investment..... (read more)...http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... s-for-love
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Re: Protests update
Constitution woes: Glasses fly as Prayuth hits podium out of frustration with media (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok February 3, 2016
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha clearly reached the end of his tether yesterday after being bombarded all day with questions from the press on the election, causing him to lose it in spectacular fashion during the afternoon press conference.
The junta chiefтАЩs bad mood had started in the morning when he visited exhibition stands outside Government House, where he wanted to discuss research on the тАЬstubbornтАЭ tuberculosis disease by the National Research Council of Thailand. But instead, he was hounded by the press with questions about the draft constitution, which was released on Friday.... (read more).....http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/03/c ... edia-video
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Re: Protests update
Seminar about new charter draft aborted at juntaтАЩs order
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 04/02/2016
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), formal name of the Thai junta, has ordered academics to abort a seminar about the new constitution draft..... (read more).....http://prachatai.org/english/node/5828? ... m=facebook