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Re: Protests update
Political parties need reform to win over dictatorship: PT politician
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 15/08/2016
Although the August referendum was held under an oppressive atmosphere, a politician from the main opposition party said the political parties are to be blamed for the results, adding that parties need reform to sway voters from authoritarianism.
At a public panel hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Clubs of Thailand (FCCT) on Friday, 12 August 2016, Suranand Vejjajiva argued that, in the leadup to the referendum, political parties critiqued the junta-backed draft constitution but didn’t make clear what principles should actually underpin Thailand’s governance....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6474
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Re: Protests update
Bomb probe points South Govt admits insurgents involved
Published: 16/08/2016
The probe into last week's multiple attacks in seven provinces has linked them to a prominent politician...(read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...e-points-south.
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Re: Protests update
The real meaning of Thailand’s constitutional referendum
BY Patrick Jory
If history is a guide, Thailand’s latest constitution will be shortlived
Many observers of Thailand’s ongoing debilitating political crisis have been scratching their heads trying to understand how Thai voters approved a draft constitution in the referendum on 7 August 2016 which is so blatantly designed to entrench military rule.
The result of the referendum appeared to show an easy win to the ‘Yes’ camp. Sixty-one per cent of voters approved the draft constitution while 39 per cent voted ‘No’. Fifty-eight per cent also approved a second question, inserted by the regime at the last minute, on whether a non-elected prime minister could be appointed by a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives.... (read more)... http://asaa.asn.au/the-real-meaning-...al-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
Paiboon promises to resolve political deadlock with new ‘Smart’ party
Juthathip Lucksanawong
The Nation August 15, 2016
Former charter drafter Paiboon Nititawan recently made headlines after his decision to create the People's Reform Party, which would pave the way for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to become premier again.
Paiboon, also a former member of the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC), said the party would promote "a good guy" rather than "a dirty politician", and the best man in his judgement was Prayut....(read more)..http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30292950.html
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Re: Protests update
Thai Junta launches special TV show to explain views to foreigners
By Asian Correspondent Staff | 15th August 2016 | @ascorrespondent
THAILAND’S military government has launched a special television program that caters to foreign viewers seeking the junta’s views on national politics, but the public relations exercise to restore its human rights image appears to be off to a slow start.
The English-language program, which airs on state-owned television station National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and on YouTube, seeks to clarify the military’s moves and decisions via one-on-one interviews with top government leaders, and to provide insight into current developments in the kingdom.... (read more)...
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...ecial-tv-show/
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s August Referendum is result of fear, hope, belief: academic
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 17/08/2016
A Thai political expert has speculated that the junta’s charter draft will be enacted for only five years before being torn down again by another coup d’etat. Another expert said voters made their decision based on political purpose, instead of the draft’s content.
At a seminar on Thursday, 11 August 2016, lecturers from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science discussed the 7 August referendum results and the future direction of Thailand under the junta-backed constitution. All lecturers agreed that the landslide victory in favour of the draft and the additional question, which shocked people across the country, was expected... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6480
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Re: Protests update
Prayut mulls staying on as premier EC expects elections on Dec 10 next year Published: 18/08/2016
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said for the first time that he would agree to...(read more)....
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s Military Junta Rigs Constitutional Referendum, Cements Dictatorship
08/15/2016
Doug Bandow
Senior Fellow, the Cato Institute
The Thai people voted for the latest constitution pushed by the reigning military junta. Unfortunately, General/Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s dictatorship made a no vote as hard as possible. The Thai people may suffer for years more under this clownish yet brutal caudillo.... (read more).... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/doug-b..._11532754.html
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Re: Protests update
SEPARATISTS ‘CROSSED RUBICON’ WITH ATTACKS, MAY ESCALATE: EXPERT
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 18, 2016
BANGKOK — Southern insurgents were behind the recent attacks that killed four people and will escalate their campaign of terror if the military government continues to ignore their existence, an expert on national security and terrorism said.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ossed-rubicon/
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Re: Protests update
A vague vote and uncertain future
TAWAN MANAKUN & JITTIP MONGKOLNCHAIARUNYA - 17 AUG, 2016
The ambiguous meanings behind Thailand’s referendum result.
Thailand’s military government won a resounding and decisive victory in the country’s controversial referendum on 7 August.
While it is clear that the triumph of the Yes vote will now see the country governed by a military-backed constitution – one that sees the military and elite minority control the country’s politics well into the future.... (read more).... http://www.newmandala.org/vague-vote-uncertain-future/