-
Re: Protests update
Opinion
The big issue: Foxes drafted for henhouse duty
Alan Dawson
4 Oct 2015
The discovery of the previously secret plans to pipe the entire internet through one government-monitored tube was made by frequent tweeter @sikachu, whose online name is Prem Sichanugrist.
Three days after a presumably careless clerk posted it at the prime ministerтАЩs officeтАЩs Public Relations Department website... (read more)... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... house-duty
-
Re: Protests update
Note: The Heritage Foundation is a Washington right-wing think tank with funding ties to the Koch brothers.
"Washington needs to think much more broadly and long-term about the value of the U.S.-Thai alliance."
Walter Lohman
October 2, 2015
The King of Thailand is (deleted) . The bluntness of this statement will win no friends in ThailandтАФas the New York Times was reminded last week when its printer there refused to publish an edition speculating on the KingтАЩs health. Yet, today, the KingтАЩs mortality is the central factor in Thai politics. It must be acknowledged directly and more fully accounted for in development of U.S. policy..... (read more).... http://nationalinterest.org/feature/whe ... dies-13993 (the deletions were by Up2u)
-
Re: Protests update
Twists and turns in ThailandтАЩs bombing case.
Thai authorities claim progress, but many observers are dubious.
October 4, 2015
.... http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/twists-a ... bing-case/
-
Re: Protests update
Thai authorities block website used by anti-single gateway netizens
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 05/10/2015
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has blocked a website used by anti-single internet gateway netizens to carry out attacks on government websites.
On Sunday, 4 October 2015, the MICT blocked тАШrefreshthis.comтАЩ, a website used to carry out cyber-attacks on government websites by many people opposing the juntaтАЩs plan to reduce internet gateways to one.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5517
-
Re: Protests update
EDITORIAL
Blame people, not the 1997 charter
Despite what Meechai says, there is much of value in the previous constitution that should be retained
Having risen controversially to the helm of the National Legislative Assembly, Meechai Ruchuphan could not have chosen a worse occasion to express his highly questionable ideas for democracy. The 1997 Constitution, he said, was like a Rolls-Royce that can't be used in farm work. In other words, the "People's Charter", revoked by the coup-makers who overthrew the Thaksin government, installed the NLA and virtually backed Meechai for its presidency, was inapplicable in many aspects concerning Thailand's majority poor.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10 ... 017404.php
-
Re: Protests update
05 October 2015
Junta Picks Panel to Write Next Draft Constitution
BANGKOK тАФ Thailand's military government, which took power in May last year, today appointed a committee to draft the country's 20th constitution after a previous draft was rejected, delaying promised elections until at least 2017..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
Opinion
Gateway plan erodes trust
6 Oct 2015
The reason why the government has such a huge credibility problem over its plans to establish a one-gateway internet system is its refusal to come clean. From the moment the new internet plan became public, authorities have tried to spin the plan instead of portray it honestly. This is despite the fact that cabinet directives have made it clear it is a security proposal.... (read more).... http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... odes-trust
-
Re: Protests update
AFP award recognises Thai journalist for recording lese-majeste cases
Oct 6, 2015
Hong Kong (AFP) - Thai journalist Mutita Chuachang has won the 2015 Agence France-Presse Kate Webb Prize for her powerful and persistent reporting of royal defamation cases that have multiplied under the country's military rulers.... (read more).... https://news.yahoo.com/afp-award-recogn ... 03179.html
-
Re: Protests update
06 October 2015
Activists Issue Ultimatum to Junta over тАШSingle GatewayтАЩ
By Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ Online activists have given the military government eight days to cancel its plan to route all internet traffic through a single point of control тАУ or else see an escalation of their cyberattacks.
After calling Friday for the plan to be abandoned by 14 Oct., the activists united online as тАЬCitizens Against Single Gateway: Thailand Internet FirewallтАЭ repeated their ultimatum yesterday, promising to cripple government websites should the government not cancel four Cabinet Resolutions authorizing the project.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1444112718
-
Re: Protests update
CDC targets to finish first draft by January
Public to get say on 'compilation' charter
7 Oct 2015
Good elements from past constitutions will be collected to include in the new constitution and a first draft is expected in January which would then be presented to the public for feedback.... (read more)....http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... by-january
-
Re: Protests update
Activists protest against new charter drafters appointed by junta
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 06/10/2015
Pro-democracy activists rallied in front of the parliament to protest against the new batch of constitutional drafters hand-picked by the junta.
At around 1:30 pm on Tuesday, 6 October 2015, political activists from New Democracy Movement (NDM), an anti-junta activist group, held a symbolic political activity to protest against the 21 new members of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) recently appointed by the junta yesterday.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5522
-
Re: Protests update
07 October 2015
Court Tosses Out Yingluck Suit Against Prosecutor
BANGKOK тАФ A court on Tuesday threw out a case against the attorney general filed by deposed prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, saying it found no evidence of any abuse by prosecutors.
Thailand's first female prime minister filed the lawsuit last month alleging unfair handling of negligence charges against her, relating to a multi-billion dollar rice-buying scheme that incurred big losses.... (read more)....http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
07 October 2015
Gamers, Geeks on Epic Quest for Internet Freedom
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
BANGKOK тАФ Drawn in a form familiar to internet otaku everywhere, Nong Kalaland is a busty, geek villain holding the power to control the internet in her fist.
What looks like a helm from some fantasy game is her namesake headpiece, a coconut shell (kala), meant to represent ThailandтАЩs self-obsession and willful ignorance of the larger world; the frog who only knows the coconut shell it calls home.
With the government beating a hasty retreat from its plan to build a single gateway for all internet traffic, the character has become a symbol to netizens who, whatever their politics, have been roused from apathy by what they see as an unwelcome coup dтАЩetat in their virtual world.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1444191449
-
Re: Protests update
Yingluck to appeal rejection of countersuit in rice trial
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra will appeal against the Criminal Court's rejection of her lawsuit against attorney-general Trakul Winitnaiyapak and three prosecutors for alleged malfeasance in their handling of the rice-pledging case against her.
Published: 07/10/2015
Norawich Lalaeng, her lawyer, said Ms Yingluck would petition the Appeals Court to reverse the decision.
The Criminal Court on Tuesday rejected Ms Yingluck's lawsuit, ruling that the prosecution's actions were lawful and in accord with criminal investigation procedures.
http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/721672?re ... MDHvXTqUC1
-
Re: Protests update
To be or not to be: The great firewall of Thailand
As one nation hatches a government plan to control the Internet, advocacy groups in Bangkok voice opposition
October 7, 2015
by Adam Ramsey
BANGKOK, Thailand тАФ Tucked away in a coffee shop near Central Bangkok, Phannee Naksuk rushed behind her counter, sprinkling cinnamon on the foam of an iced latte that was beginning to wilt. All around, her dozen customers were stuck on smartphones or laptops, their faces illuminated in faint blue light inside the shady shop.
тАЬThis is normal,тАЭ she said, noting the near silence of her customers. тАЬSome people come in, order one drink and then just sit and work for hours. When I opened up 11 months ago, I knew I had to have Wi-Fi. Customers just expect it now.тАЭ
PhanneeтАЩs business reliance on a decent Internet connection is part of the reason why she is so troubled by a recent government proposal to alter the very framework of the countryтАЩs Internet..... (read more)..... http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2 ... ernet.html
-
Re: Protests update
requires vpn/proxy in Thailand
PrayutтАЩs little toy soldiers in Thai universities
October 4, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Every year, with each intake of new students to Thai universities, the тАЬSOTUSтАЭ system rears its ugly head. SOTUS stands for тАЬSeniority, Order, Tradition, Unity, SpiritтАЭ, qualities which would warm the cockles of Generalissimo PrayutтАЩs heart. It is a system of тАЬhazingтАЭ based on cruelty, torture, de-humanisation and abuse of power by senior students against first years. It originates in the worst institutions of the U.S.A. and may have come to Thailand via the Philippines... (read more)...
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... versities/
-
Re: Protests update
Military summon students commemorating 1976 student massacre
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 08/10/2015
Military officers summoned university students in northern Thailand for a discussion after they commemorated the 1976 student massacre, saying that the event was political incitement.
According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), military officers from the 37th Army Division in the northern province of Chiang Rai on Tuesday, 6 October 2015, contacted Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, requesting to have words with all the students who commemorated the 1976 student massacre.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5527
-
Re: Protests update
'Great Firewall' risks internet competition
A proposal by the junta for a single internet gateway to allow authorities to monitor content would destroy competition, while being reminiscent of the most authoritarian measures to stifle free speech, a former information minister said on Thursday.
Published: 08/10/2015
Writer: Reuters
The plan to create a single gateway for all internet traffic was approved by the military government in August but details remain unclear.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/723408?re ... EMu8XSIvMl
-
Re: Protests update
Human rights: Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Thailand
Plenary Session Press release - Development and cooperation / External relations тИТ 08-10-2015
MEPs passed four resolutions on Thursday: urging Saudi Arabia to halt the execution of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr and calling for a moratorium on the death penalty; demanding measures to starve Boko Haram in Nigeria of its sources of illegal income; expressing fears of civil war in Central African Republic; and deploring human rights abuses in Thailand following the coup of May 2014.... (read more).... http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/n ... d-Thailand
-
Re: Protests update
October 8, 2015
Cyberactivists, Govt DonтАЩt Blink on тАШSingle GatewayтАЩ
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
BANGKOK тАФ Six days before online dissidents threaten escalated attacks on government web servers, ThailandтАЩs military government insists it is impossible to meet their demands.
A government spokesman today repeated that the project to route all internet traffic through a single point of control cannot be rescinded тАУ as online activists demand тАУ because it was never authorized in the first place.
тАЬI insist the prime minister has never ordered the single gateway to be implemented,тАЭ Maj. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. тАЬIt was only mentioned as an interesting example for discussion. There were also other topics that were talked about but never put on the record.тАЭ
Since Oct. 2, those organized online against the project have insisted the government capitulate by issuing a cabinet resolution canceling plans for the project to funnel all IP traffic through a single gateway. They point to a series of legally binding resolutions issued since June 30 which authorized the project and urged responsible agencies to тАЬspeed upтАЭ its implementation..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
Regime irked over Europe rights rebuke
Thailand has expressed disappointment with a recent European Parliament resolution that urges Thai authorities to address what it says is a deteriorating human rights situation in the country.
Published: 10/10/2015
Writer: Prangthong Jitcharoenkul
The European ParliamentтАЩs press release says the resolution, which was supported by 581 to 35 votes during its Thursday session in the Belgian capital of Brussels, is non-binding.
However, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its website yesterday the resolution shows EuropeтАЩs тАЬmisunderstandingтАЭ of the governmentтАЩs work to ensure that politics and the right to liberty remain on the right track..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/725224
-
Re: Protests update
Army unit helps Isaan folk find 'correct political understanding'
JITTRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION October 10, 2015
"CORRECT" political understanding has been given to people in 20 provinces in the Northeast - with good feedback received, Lt-General Thawat Sookplang, the commander of the Second Army Area, said yesterday.
The Second Army Area undertook the mission through the Centre for Reconciliation and Reform, sending staff to talk with people of different political opinions.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 70591.html
-
Re: Protests update
'Don't rely on democracy' for charter
Charter drafters have been told to avoid relying solely on the "principles of democracy", as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed hope that the new constitution would ensure there is no repeat of last year's coup.
Published: 11/10/2015
In a special тАЬMessage to the PeopleтАЭ on Saturday, Gen Prayut said the process of writing the new charter was closely linked with efforts to build national reconciliation.
But he said the new constitution must reflect the reality of problems which had forced the military to topple the Yingluck administration last year.
"DonтАЩt rely on the principles of democracy or 'unlimited liberties' as the basis [for drafting the charter] without consideration of where the real problems are,тАЭ Gen Prayut said in the statement, which was read out by government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd in a televised broadcast.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/725748?re ... PLvLmtq93K
-
Re: Protests update
October 12, 2015
Editorial Opinion
Charter chairman Meechai sizes up the graft threat
The former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee who drafted the 2007 constitution, Seri Suwanpanont, recently recalled the framers of the so-called "people's constitution", or the 1997 charter, who thought decentralisation of administration could help tackle the problem of vote-buying and corruption.... (read more)....http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/726448
-
Re: Protests update
12 October 2015
Arrest Warrant Issued for ex-PM Thaksin for Failure to Appear
BANGKOK тАФ A Bangkok court today issued an arrest warrant for fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he failed to turn up for a defamation case filed against him by the army.
The ruling would appear to mean little as Thaksin lives abroad anyway to avoid a jail sentence handed down in 2008 for graft, but it is another setback for the former telecom tycoon with some seeing it as the latest attempt to ensure he never returns to power.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
ThailandтАЩs Economy Driven Off a Cliff
Posted by: John Le Fevre October 12, 2015 in Economics, Featured, Headlines, Politics, Spotlight, Thailand
The opening of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 70) and attendance by Thailand Prime Minister and coup master General Prayut Chan-o-cha was a case of fortuitous timing тАУ enabling the junta propaganda machine to deflect domestic attention away from a raft of worsening economic data.
Once regarded as an Asian tiger cub economy, Thailand today more closely resembles the fading footprints of tigers that strode the earth aeons ago.
From once being the economic and industrial powerhouse of developing Southeast Asia, Thailand is rapidly regressing down the path that saw neighbouring Myanmar subject to years of international sanctions. Its one saving grace to date has been its geographical location and importance to the American pivot to Asia..... (read more).... http://www.establishmentpost.com/thaila ... off-cliff/
-
Re: Protests update
Ultra-royalist steps up lese majeste purge against Facebook and Youtube
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 13/10/2015
The ultra-royalist group in Thailand has targeted Facebook and Youtube, saying that the webs allowed lese majeste contents to be distributed.
Maj Gen Rienthong Nan-na, the head of the so-called Rubbish Collection Organisation, an ultra-royalist Facebook group known for its witch-hunt against people allegedly defaming the monarchy, issued a statement on Tuesday, 13 October 2015, saying that he will file criminal defamation charges against Facebook and Youtube, including, many people allegedly defaming the monarchy, for defaming him.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5539
-
Re: Protests update
Editorial Opinion
Is the coup a symptom of deeper ills?
Forty-two years ago today, the kids did what their parents never dreamed of doing. Fired up by youthful courage and idealism, they led the popular uprising that finally overthrew the "tyrant trio", ending the country's three decades of military oppression.
Published: 14/10/2015
Writer: Sanitsuda Ekachai
I was a first-year student then. Like the rest of the country, I believed the reign of fear and terror was finally behind us. How wrong we were.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/728900 ... fUutGIJA88
-
Re: Protests update
Pheu Thai against outsider PM in charter
The Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday fumed over proposals to allow provision for a non-MP to become prime minister in the new constitution.
Published: 14/10/2015
Pheu Thai acting deputy secretary-general Chaowalit Witchayasut reiterated the party's strong objection to an outsider becoming prime minister and for non-elected senators.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/729840
-
Re: Protests update
Thai junta plan to seize $30m from ousted PM Yingluck Shinawatra
October 13, 2015
Lindsay Murdoch
Bangkok: Thailand's military government has issued an order to seize US$16 million ($30 million) in assets from ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over a failed rice subsidy scheme for farmers.
A Thai court has also issued an arrest warrant for Ms Yingluck's exiled brother Thaksin Shinawatra, after he failed to turn up for a defamation case filed against him by the army.... (read more).... http://www.smh.com.au/world/thai-junta- ... k7wdl.html
-
Re: Protests update
Thailand scraps unpopular Internet 'Great Firewall' plan
October 15, 2015
BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's military government has scrapped a plan to create a single Internet gateway, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday (Oct 15), putting paid to a system aimed at allowing authorities to monitor content.... (read more.... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... ewall-plan
-
Re: Protests update
Police attempt to prevent commemoration of 1973 student uprising
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 15/10/2015
Thai police officers have attempted to discourage people from commemorating the 14 October 1973 student uprising, citing the Public Assembly Act.
On Wednesday evening, 14 October 2015, at least 300 people gathered around the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in central Bangkok to participate in the 42nd anniversary of the 14 October 1973 student uprising, when 50,000 students took to the streets to call for an end to the dictatorial regime of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5543
-
Re: Protests update
Political activist accusing junta leader of cronyism taken into military barrack
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 16/10/2015
Thai military officers detained a political activist who alleged the junta leader and Deputy Prime Minister of cronyism for an тАШattitude adjustmentтАЩ session.........
Earlier on Tuesday, Srisuwan submitted a petition to the Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand, asking for an investigation of the conduct of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, including, Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krue-ngam for appointing their close relatives and associates into the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)...... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5547
-
Re: Protests update
Punishment in Thailand
Adjustment disorder
Generals try novel tactics to change the minds of dissenters
Oct 17th 2015 | BANGKOK |
THE generals who took over Thailand in mid-2014 have settled in for the long haul and watched the economy slump. They have stifled dissent and defended their grip on power by arguing that they are needed to restore тАЬpublic order and moralityтАЭ..... (read more).... http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2167 ... t-disorder
-
Re: Protests update
Activists threaten full-scale 'cyber war' on government
Cyber activists last week announced a full-fledged "cyber war" against the government for its refusal to respond to their demands to formally scrap the controversial single gateway proposal.
18/10/2015
In preparation for subsequent attacks, a group calling itself тАЬThailand F5 Cyber ArmyтАЭ is recruiting netizens through online courses aimed at temporarily shutting down government websites тАФ this time for more than just a few hours.
тАЬWhat weтАЩve done so far is only symbolic. We want the government to realise the extent to which people are against the proposal,тАЭ said a team representative who asked not to be named. тАЬAs for serious attacks on the governmentтАЩs IT system тАФ we havenтАЩt even started them.тАЭ
The Information and Communication Technology Ministry last week announced it would abandon the single gateway plan. But the activists said they would continue their campaign until the proposal was formally scrapped by a cabinet order. The government has refused to comment on the planned тАЬcyber warтАЭ..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733396?re ... 76ckrB4eGN
-
Re: Protests update
Fri Oct 16, 2015
Field marshalling - Thai military launches rural education plan
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Amy Sawitta Lefevre
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's junta will send soldiers to rural areas to educate villagers on topics from careers to farming, a junta spokesman said on Friday, but critics say the scheme is a thinly veiled attempt to re-educate dissenters.
The plan will see troops offering advice to villagers, said Colonel Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the junta, or National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), but it is mostly aimed at telling villagers "the truth" about military rule.
"The NCPO will send soldiers to every village to create understanding so that villagers are not listening to information that is different from the truth," Winthai told Reuters.... (read more)... http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0SA0VV20151016
-
Re: Protests update
NRSA sets 20-month reform goal
The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has unveiled a new "1-1-18" timeframe for its work on reform and is set to establish a committee to foster reconciliation.
19/10/2015
NRSA deputy chairman Alongkorn Ponlaboot said that starting today the NRSA will spend a month drawing up regulations governing its meetings, and will also set up 11 committees to pursue reform initiated by the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC).
The next month would be spent prioritising 37 reform proposals of the now-defunct NRC.
The last 18 months will be used to finalise action plans for reform, which will then be presented for cabinet consideration, Mr Alongkorn said.
The NRSA has replaced the NRC, which was dissolved after it voted to reject the previous draft charter on Sept 6..... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/733988?re ... bahqqSb0ln
-
Re: Protests update
Thai Police establish l├иse majest├й investigation team
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 19/10/2015
The Thai police have established a special investigation team to intensify a crackdown on l├иse majest├й cases amid speculation about l├иse majest├й charges against a well-known fortune-teller who helped organise an event initiated by the Crown Prince.
On Sunday, 18 October 2015, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Chief of the Royal Thai Police, issued Order No. 578/2015 to appoint Pol Lt Gen Sriwara Ransibrahmanakul, Assistant Police Chief, as the head of a team to investigate l├иse majest├й cases involving people who allegedly make false claims about the monarchy for personal gain.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5550
-
Re: Protests update
19 October 2015
Bangkok Bombing Suspects Won't be Tried for Terrorism
By Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ Thai police are not pursuing terrorism charges against two men accused of staging a deadly bomb attack in Bangkok two months ago, a police commander confirmed today.
Despite the scale of the attack, which killed 20 people of six nationalities and is considered the worst attack of its kind to strike Bangkok in living memory, the suspects will only be tried on charges of premeditated murder and explosives-related charges, said Sriwarah Siripramnakul, chief of Bangkok metro police.
тАЬWe are not charging the suspects in this case with terrorism,тАЭ police Lt. Gen. Sriwarah said..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1445258925
-
Re: Protests update
Editorial Opinion
Toeing state line no way to ensure reform
When top-down control is holding the country back on all fronts, reform is only possible when state abuse can be contained by civil society, grassroots groups and the media.
Published: 21/10/2015
Writer: Sanitsuda Ekachai
Despite the current constitution and reform brouhaha, one thing is clear. No constitution can rescue the country when it perpetuates central control via an unaccountable bureaucracy and military rule. Nor can any reform assembly pave the way toward meaningful change when it does not question persistent state efforts to clip the wings of civil society, communities and the media.
If anyone still believes reform is possible under the military government's tight grip, its latest attack on the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) should bring them down to earth..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/opinion/737416