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Re: Protests update
No talks on lèse majesté law, referendum, politics allowed: military in Isaan
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 13/07/2016
The Thai military prohibited discussants at a public forum in Isaan, Thailand’s northeast, to talk about politics, referendum, and the lèse majesté law. The authorities however ironically allow them to talk about human right issues only.
On Friday, 8 July 2016, about 15 soldiers and police in uniforms and plainclothes led by Lt Col Phitakphon Chusri, unit leader of the junta’s so-called peace-keeping force in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen, intervened at a public forum titled ‘Freedom of Expression in Isaan’, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported.
The forum featured discussions on environmental justice and freedom of expression in Isaan, and was organised by the Isaan Record, an independent news website in the region, at the Khon Kaen Hotel.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6360
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Re: Protests update
What you need to know about Thailand’s controversial constitution referendum
by Thitipol Panyalimpanun | 13th July 2016
JUST a few weeks from now, on August 7, Thailand will hold a referendum on the latest draft constitution for the coup-ridden nation – one that has scrapped 19 constitutions since 1932.... (read more)... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...on-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
Another 2,000 anti-draft charter letters found in Chiang Mai
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 13/07/2016
Authorities have confiscated over 2,000 letters from anonymous senders containing information against the junta’s draft charter in the northern province of Chiang Mai while another 3,000 was found in Lampang a day earlier.
On Wednesday, 13 July 2016, Maj Gen Koson Prathumchat, the commander of 33rd Army Circle, along with police officers, confiscated 2,000 letters campaign against the junta’s draft charter from a post office in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The authorities suspected that the letters aim to persuade people to vote ‘No’ in the August draft charter referendum by distorting the draft’s content, Matichon Online reported... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6362
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Re: Protests update
JUNTA GRANTS AUTHORITIES LEGAL IMMUNITY TO REGULATE MEDIA
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - July 14, 2016
BANGKOK — Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha Thursday granted special powers for authorities to regulate any TV or radio stations considered to be a threat to national security.
In the order, which came into immediate effect Thursday by the use of the absolute power granted to the junta chief under Article 44 of the interim charter, authorities such as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will be shielded from any legal responsibilities when regulating any broadcast media reports deemed as threatening national security or instigating unrest..... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...egulate-media/
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Re: Protests update
DEMOCRAT PARTY LAUNCHES ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN? WAIT A MINUTE!
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 14, 2016
BANGKOK — The Democrat Party appeared to launch a slick online campaign Thursday featuring its top leaders criticizing and opposing the draft charter promoted by the junta, complete with the party’s logo and branding, except for one catch. Reached for comment, party leadership said he has no clue where it came from.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...n-wait-minute/
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Re: Protests update
[Thailand] Op-ed: Reason to worry about Article 61
BY SEAPA CATEGORY: CAMPAIGNS, PROGRAMS JULY 12, 2016
SEAPA Op-ed – Journalist Thaweesak Kerdpoka’s arrest on Sunday should be a cause for worry for members of the Thai covering the referendum.
Online news site Prachatai reporter Thaweesak was arrested, along with three others, on 10 July for violating Article 61 of the 2016 Referendum Act. Another person was also arrested for the same violation later that day.... (read more)...
https://www.seapa.org/op-ed-reason-t...ut-article-61/
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Re: Protests update
Junta tightens grip on media
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM,
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION July 15, 2016
NBTC given sweeping powers to shutter outlets, ordered to monitor broadcasts.
IN A BID TO tighten control over the media, the junta leader yesterday gave absolute power to the broadcast and telecom regulators to order outlets to shut down without the right to appeal.
The move drew an outcry from the media....(read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290638.html
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Re: Protests update
19 red shirts in Isaan summoned for joining referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 14/07/2016
Almost 20 people in northeastern Thailand have been summoned after they participated in a red-shirt referendum watch campaign a month earlier.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6366
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Re: Protests update
Leaflets criticising draft charter can’t be distributed: Election Commissioner
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 15/07/2016
After a stand-off with anti-junta activists over leaflets criticising the junta-sponsored draft charter, the Thai authorities said that the leaflets cannot be distributed as they distort facts about the draft.
Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, the Election Commissioner of Thailand (ECT), on Thursday afternoon, 14 July 2016, told media after a meeting with the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) that leaflets criticising the draft constitution titled ‘7 Reasons Not to Accept the Draft Constitution’ are not allowed to be distributed.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6368
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Re: Protests update
Thailand army tightens media control ahead of draft charter referendum
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 15th July 2016 | @ascorrespondent
THAILAND’S telecommunications authority has been given the green light to to shut down any radio or television station whose broadcasts are considered a threat to national security.
This is part of the military government’s move to tighten its control on electronic media ahead of the draft constitution referendum next month.... (read more)....
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...media-control/