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Re: Protests update
PRAYUTH TO ADD 30 ‘MOSTLY MILITARY’ TO RUBBER-STAMP PARLIAMENT
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 26, 2016
BANGKOK — The interim parliament on Friday voted unanimously to increase its membership from 220 to 250 in line with the military government’s request for more lawmakers to move a backlog of legislation before next year’s election.
All new members of the National Legislative Assembly will be handpicked by junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha, a move that led some in the opposition to accuse the regime of tightening its grip on power before a new civilian government takes charge.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...mp-parliament/
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Re: Protests update
Thai statesmen urge junta to enshrined coups in constitution
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 26/08/2016
The president of Thailand’s statesmen have urged the junta to amend the draft charter to open a channel for constitutional military intervention during political deadlocks. The statesmen reasoned that the amendment would prevent Thailand from future coups.
On Friday, 26 August 2016, Kriangsak Lekkla, the representative of Gen Saiyud Kerdphol, President of Thailand’s Statesmen, filed a petition to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), the junta-appointed charter drafter. The petition demands the drafters to enshrine coup d'etats into the draft charter although the draft was already passed the 7 August with a landslide, Matichon Online reported...(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6513
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Re: Protests update
Prayut offers to serve again after election
ANAPAT DEECHUAY
THE NATION August 27, 2016
Wants to stay in power via democratic means and 'democracy is only way to go'
PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha offered yesterday to continue serving as government leader after the next election, even though he will not be paid for doing so.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30293895.html
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Re: Protests update
Wolf Bride' and 'Da Torpedo' freed from prison
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 27/08/2016
Khaosod English
The patience of family, friends and supporters was rewarded Saturday when an activist performer and Redshirt firebrand were among 138 women to walk out prison Saturday morning.
Pornthip Munkong, a 28-year-old activist convicted over a 2013 student play; and Daranee Charncherngsilpakul, aka “Da Torpedo;” were released at about 6:45am on Saturday morning from the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok.
Both women were jailed for actions deemed insulting to the monarchy. Pornthip was arrested soon after the 2014 coup and later convicted for performing in “The Wolf Bride,” a 2013 play staged at Thammasat University.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6514
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Re: Protests update
APPEAL OF AUTHORITARIANISM UNDERSCORES THAILAND’S DEMOCRATIC DILEMMA
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 28, 2016
BANGKOK — As anti-politician sentiments continue to spread, some warn the nation is becoming addicted to the military junta’s unchecked powers. This, they say is a proof that the debate over preferred political system for Thailand is far from settled.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ratic-dilemma/
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Re: Protests update
Prayut told to contest election to become PM
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT,
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE
THE SUNDAY NATION August 28, 2016
THE COUNTRY’S two major political parties yesterday urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to form his own political party and contest the next election if he wanted to become the prime minister “in a democratic and graceful way” as he had said on Friday.
Politicians from the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties said the retired general should first set up his own party, offer a policy platform, and win the hearts of the people in order to gracefully assume the PM's office again.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30293943.html
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Re: Protests update
Popular Prayut in pole position
JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE NATION August 29, 2016
PM ideally placed to keep top job after poll in a coalition with other parties.
THAI political history since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 has seen military intervention from time to time. Army leaders often had reasons to stage a coup - be it government corruption, uncontrollable unrest, abuse of power, and even disrespect towards the monarchy.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30293994.html
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Re: Protests update
Restoring democracy is Thailand’s duty
Kotaro Kodama/The Yomiuri Shimbun
August 28, 2016
By Taro Nishijima / Yomiuri Shimbun Bangkok Bureau Chief
Thailand held a referendum on a draft constitution on Aug. 7, and it was approved after more than 60 percent of voters support it.
Since a military coup in May 2014, the Thai military has dominated the country. The draft includes provisions aimed at maintaining the military’s supremacy over a civilian government, which is supposed to be set up after the next general election expected to take place in the second half of next year..... (read more)...
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003166593
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Re: Protests update
Prayut says media misunderstood him, no plan to stay on as PM
THE NATION August 30, 2016
PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied having offered to head a post-election government, saying his remarks last Friday were misinterpreted by the media.
Prayut maintained that he had no plans to form a new political party or contest the next election, which is expected to take place late next year.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30294068.html
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Re: Protests update
Prachatai journalist charged by junta
NEW MANDALA - 29 AUG, 2016
More worrying signs for media freedom in Thailand.
Taweesak Kerdpoka, a journalist from Prachatai, has been falsely indicted by a Thai court on the offence of distributing materials campaigning against the junta-sponsored draft constitution.... (read more)... http://www.newmandala.org/prachatai-...-charge-junta/