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Re: Protests update
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
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Re: Protests update
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
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Re: Protests update
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
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Re: Protests update
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...sid=1461132163
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Re: Protests update
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
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Re: Protests update
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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Re: Protests update
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/...ows-procedure/
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Re: Protests update
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/brea...-30284376.html
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Re: Protests update
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/poli...-30284393.html
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Re: Protests update
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...sid=1461217681