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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s referendum and the lessons of Brexit
John Draper, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa
Special to The Nation July 8, 2016
Beware of the social consequences that follow the rhetoric of polarisation
One of the first social consequences of the UK vote to exit the EU has been an increase in race-based hate crimes perpetrated by Britain's far-right movements. The Leave campaign employed excellent arguments, such as corruption in states benefiting from transfers from wealthier countries. However, the social consequences of the vote reflect a discourse of polarisation and hatred of the "Other" which underpins extremist organisations, not just in Europe, but throughout the world, including Thailand....(read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opin...-30290044.html
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Re: Protests update
Those behind ‘fake’ booklet face jail: PM
THE NATION July 9, 2016
THE prime minister yesterday warned that "many people will be put in jail", as the authorities investigate the source of funding for the publication of a booklet on the draft constitution described by the drafters as containing false and distorted information.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290146.html
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Re: Protests update
#Thailand government needs to clear the path back to democracy, says #Bundestag
EU Reporter Correspondent | July 7, 2016
The German Bundestag raised the situation in Thailand as the first item on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday. Following their deliberations on the constitutional referendum to be held on 7 August in Thailand, the Chair, Deputy Chair and the Spokespersons of the Foreign Affairs Committee jointly noted:
“Two years after it took over power, the Thai military government under General Prayuth Chan-ocha needs to keep its promise to clear the path back to democracy. This entails guarantees for the freedom of opinion, and for freedom of the press, as well as recognising opposition parties and preparing for free parliamentary elections. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have been dissolved for over two years, and have been replaced by an assembly nominated by the Military Council.... (read more)...
https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/...ays-bundestag/
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Re: Protests update
Climate of fear must stop Published: 09/07/2016
Writer: Editorial
Are people allowed to campaign freely for or against the draft charter? The question is straightforward enough. If... (read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...fear-must-stop.
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Re: Protests update
THE BIZARRE ‘REFERENDUM’ PROCESS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 9, 2016
How much meat must a sausage contain in order for it to be labelled as a genuine meat sausage? How absurd can a referendum process get before it can no longer be called a genuine referendum?.... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinio...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
JUNTA SPOKESMAN SAYS NDM STUDENTS SHOULD STICK TO CLASSROOMS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 9, 2016
BANGKOK — Junta spokesman Col. Piyapong Klinphan said on Saturday that members of the New Democracy Movement (NDM) should return to school and cease political activities, adding that the group’s financial transactions will be scrutinized to check for any “irregularities.”.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ck-classrooms/
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Re: Protests update
New Democracy group to continue protest against draft charter
in Politics | July 10, 2016
Student activists of the New Democracy Movement have vowed to carry on with their campaign against the draft constitution in open defiance against the NCPO order banning political gathering of more than five people in public.... (read more)...
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new...draft-charter/
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Re: Protests update
The junta’s referendum and legitimacy
July 10, 2016
There has been almost no real discussion of the military’s long, complicated and fundamentally anti-democratic charter. That draft charter goes to a junta-managed and mangled referendum within a month.
The Bangkok Post has an editorial that is a call for discussion and debate that would grant a modicum of legitimacy to the referendum. It essentially pleads with the junta to allow some debate:... (read more)...
https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordp...nd-legitimacy/
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Re: Protests update
Over 77% plan to vote in charter referendum
THE SUNDAY NATION July 10, 2016
MORE THAN three-quarters of people polled in a new survey intend to vote in the August 7 referendum on the draft constitution, and more than 40 per cent will vote “yes”.
The poll found that 77.7 per cent of the 1,733 respondents in all four regions of the country plan to cast their ballots....(read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290190.html
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Re: Protests update
Prachatai journalist detained while reporting on referendum
Submitted by editor1 on Sun, 10/07/2016
A Prachatai journalist has been detained by police while he was reporting activities of New Democracy Movement (NDM) in central Ratchaburi Province. Three NDM activists are also detained.
The four were detained after the police searched a car of the activists and found copies of NDM’s booklet which provide counter information to the junta’s on the draft constitution....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6344