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Re: Protests update
Human rights defenders summoned after observing anti-draft charter activity
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 18/08/2016
Human rights defenders and students activists have been summoned for allegedly conspiring with an anti-junta activist, who is currently on a hunger strike, in hosting a seminar criticising junta-sponsored draft constitution. The human rights defenders insist they merely monitored the seminar.
On Thursday, 18 August, Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR) revealed that the police in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen have issued a summons of six people to hear accusation for violating the order of the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order. The six include two TLHR staff and Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa aka ‘Phai’, a pro-democracy activist who has staged a hunger strike in jail since 6 August....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6487
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Re: Protests update
Hunger striking activist released on bail
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 19/08/2016
An anti-junta activist has been released on bail after nearly two weeks of a hunger strike.
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Phu Khiao Provincial Court released Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, an anti-junta activist from the New Democracy Movement, from the prison of Phu Khiao District, in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, reported Matichon Online....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6491
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Re: Protests update
ALLEGED ANTI-JUNTA ELDERLY MILITANTS DENIED BAIL
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 19, 2016
BANGKOK — All of the 15 suspects arrested for allegedly plotting anti-government violence were denied bail release by the military court Friday.
The defendants, who are mostly Redshirt supporters in their 60s, stand accused of belonging to a clandestine network and conspiring in armed struggle against the state, an allegation denied by leaders of the Redshirt movement.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...s-denied-bail/
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Re: Protests update
A new breed of terror in Thailand
PAUL SANDERSON - 18 AUG, 2016
The recent terrorist attacks in Thailand are playing havoc with the country’s domestic politics. Paul Sanderson looks at the implications for the military junta’s grip on government, especially in the wake of the constitutional referendum earlier this month.
As Thais dressed in blue and prepared to take their mothers to dinner at the start of a long weekend, chaotic news of explosions filtered through.... (read more)... http://www.newmandala.org/new-breed-terror-thailand
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Re: Protests update
15 charged over ‘secret society’
Kampanart Laong,
Angsuma Sridokkham,
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation August 20, 2016
PM says suspects wanted to set up ‘state within a state’; lawyer says they were just part of chat group that had never met
SOME 17 suspects have been charged with setting up a secret society - an act Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha described as a bid to set up "a state within" the military-ruled state.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nati...-30293361.html
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Re: Protests update
MEDIA’S SELF-INFLICTED PUNISHMENT IS THE NEW CENSORSHIP
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 20, 2016
Public and foreign diplomats are routinely told by the military regime that Thai media enjoys freedom to criticize. That’s only half true at best. The reality is that, two years after the 2014 coup, the selective pressures being applied on some media critical of the junta have just become more subtle and sophisticated, thus rather invisible.
Apparently, the junta doesn’t need to muzzle the media, as at least one outlet has shown it’s willing to strap it on for them.
Take what happened at Voice TV earlier this week....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinio...ew-censorship/
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Re: Protests update
How long will the Thai junta remain in power
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 20/08/2016 Thanks in part to the prospect of a return to elections, the junta-sponsored draft constitution has been approved by a majority vote via the controversial referendum. The attached question of whether an unelected-senate should be allowed to join the house of representatives in selecting the Prime Minister was also approved.
The junta’s role over Thai politics now looks as firm as ever.... (read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/64...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
WESTERN GOVERNMENTS’ RESPONSES TO THAI REFERENDUM: PREDICTABLY WEAK
AUGUST 21, 2016 UGLYTRUTHTHAILAND
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
In this blog I have long argued that while any “international bad press” about the Thai junta, generated by the comments from Western governments is welcome, especially when they demand the release of political prisoners, none of these governments can be relied upon or trusted to maintain a principled stand against the military dictatorship. Democratic change can only come about by building mass movements of ordinary people within the country to overthrow military rule.
After the referendum results it was interesting to read the official responses of the United States and the European Union.... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....dictably-weak/
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Re: Protests update
Concerned by curbs on free expression in Thailand, UN rights office calls for ‘prompt return to civilian rule’
19 August 2016 – The United Nations human rights arm today expressed concern about the mounting constraints on the democratic space in Thailand – calling for a prompt return to civilian rule.... (read more)... http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.as...2#.V7pa8ugxWf1
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Re: Protests update
MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE CARRIED OUT SOUTHERN BOMB ATTACKS, POLICE SAY
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - August 22, 2016
BANGKOK — Police believe more than 20 people were involved in the wave of explosions and firebombs that struck seven provinces during Mother’s Day holidays, but only one arrest warrant has been issued so far.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ks-police-say/