-
Re: Protests update
26 November 2015
Assassination Plot Foiled, Police Say; Conspirators Arrested
Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ Police say they have disrupted a plot to assassinate top government officials and arrested three men, two said to be from the northeastern of Thailand.
Police chief Chakthip Chaijinda announced yesterday that three suspects, a former police officer and two civilians, were detained after police foiled their plan to assassinate тАЬimportant figures in the governmentтАЭ and stage terror attacks in Bangkok, though he gave no concrete details.
Rumors of a plot to assassinate junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha began circulating on Monday..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11
-
Re: Protests update
in Breaking News | November 27, 2015
The Pheu Thai Party today issued a statement calling on the deputy defence minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr to step down to show his responsibility after two of his aides were involved in the Rajabhakti museum park scandal and also become lese majeste charge suspects.
Gen Udomdej was former Army commander-in-chief. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/139930-2
-
Re: Protests update
Friendly words sought from new US ambassador
Published: 27/11/2015
Dozens of demonstrators gathered at the United States embassy in Bangkok on Friday to protest against new American ambassador Glyn Davies' criticism of Thailand's lese majeste law.
Led by activist abbot Buddha Isara, they urged Mr Davies, who took up his post just nine weeks ago, to better understand Thai culture and not to intervene in the debates related to politics and the royal institution.
They called on the ambassador to consider the longstanding good ties between both countries. Demonstrators raised banners in Thai and English expressing their disapproval of his comments.
A few dozen police officers stood in front of the embassy as protesters held placards saying "This is Thailand, not the USA" and "Go, Go Home" accusing the envoy of meddling in the country's domestic affairs.
"You have no right and no power. ... We are not slaves of the US. The monarchy is a sacred symbol that all Thais are ready to defend with their lives," Abbot Buddha Isara said.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/778653?re ... ost.com%2F
-
Re: Protests update
Pheu Thai demands Udomdej resign over Rajabhakti
Published: 27/11/2015
The Pheu Thai Party demanded Friday that Gen Udomdej Sitabutr resign as the deputy defence minister over alleged corruption in the Rajabhakti Park project.
In a statement released today, the party kicked out of power in last year's military coup asserted that Gen Udomdej, the former army chief who headed the Rajabhakti Foundation during the Hua Hin park's scandal-plagued construction, should take responsibility by quitting because construction costs were unusually high, there were reports of irregularities, and his close military aides are wanted on arrest warrants for corruption in the project.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/778501?re ... ost.com%2F
-
Re: Protests update
Sasiwan Mokkhasen
28 November 2015
Ultra Royalists Call for Removal of U.S. Ambassador
BANGKOK тАФ For the second time in two months, ultraroyalist monk Buddha Isara led protesters to the U.S. Embassy on Friday, this time to demand the removal of newly appointed Ambassador Glyn Davies for criticizing ThailandтАЩs royal defamation law..... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11
-
Re: Protests update
Impeachment process begins for ousted Thai PM Yingluck
Fri, Nov 28 13:35 PM IST
By Amy Sawitta Lefevre
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's military-appointed legislature on Friday started impeachment proceedings against ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over a loss-making rice subsidy programme, seen as a further step to try to end the political influence of her powerful family.
Yingluck was removed from office in May, after a court found her guilty of abuse of power, days before the army staged a coup after months of sometimes violent street demonstrations in Bangkok aimed at ousting her government.
A day after she was removed, Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission found her guilty of mishandling the rice scheme.
Friday's decision sees the ruling junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), edging a step closer to rooting out the influence of Yingluck and her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thailand has been convulsed by bouts of political turbulence ever since Thaksin was removed in a previous putsch in 2006. The kingdom is bitterly divided between his supporters and detractors..... (read more)... http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/id ... 8?irpc=932
-
Re: Protests update
Europe Must Follow Through on Rights in Thailand
Brussels must enforce its newfound approach to trade with Thailand.
By Anthony Kleven
November 29, 2015
The European Commission is to be applauded, having recently announced a commendable new values-driven global trade and investment strategy. This fresh approach will fuse jobs and growth with human rights and sustainability. It should leave the world in no doubt that a share of EuropeтАЩs riches comes at an ethical price тАУ respect for human dignity, liberty and democracy. The message must be clear: no freedom, no profits..... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2015/11/europe-m ... -thailand/
-
Re: Protests update
Countersuit against officers
The Nation November 29, 2015
The lawyer of Thanakrit Thongngernpherm, one of suspects in a lese majeste case, today filed a countersuit, insisting that her client could not commit the crime while serving time in jail.
The charge was filed against Pol Gen Srivara Rangsipramanakul, the deputy national police chief, and other officers involved with the arrest warrants issued for Thanakrit and eight others. They were charged of exaggerating and causing damage to individuals.
Thanakrit, 49, was one of the red-shirt suspects in the "Khon Kaen Model" case. He was released on bail but has remained in prison since May 2014 on a forgery case..... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... 73933.html
-
Re: Protests update
NYTimes
Thai Economy and Spirits Are Sagging
By THOMAS FULLERNOV. 29, 2015
тАФ Do not be fooled by the throngs of Chinese tourists clogging the entrance to the gilded Grand Palace, the roads buzzing with traffic or the plastic smiles of hostesses greeting the business lunch crowd at luxury hotels.
Thailand is in a rut.
The economy is moribund and Thai households are among the most indebted in Asia.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the epoxy of a fractured nation who commands divine-like reverence and turns 88 next month, is ailing and has not been seen in public since September.
A military government that seized power last year is showing no haste in handing back power to politicians who have spent the past decade in often violent conflict...... (read more).... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/world ... share&_r=0
-
Re: Protests update
Pravit Rojanaphruk
30 November 2015
Redshirt Leaders Detained En Route to Rajabhakti Park
SAMUT SAKHON тАФ Soldiers whisked away Redshirt leaders this morning while they were en route to the Rajabhakti Historical Park in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Nattawut Saikua and Jatuphon Prompan, two leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, or UDD, were speaking to reporters this morning at about 10am in the Mahachai area of Samut Sakhon province, southwest of Bangkok, when soldiers appeared and took them away.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1448857835
-
Re: Protests update
Prawit advises US ambassador to 'think before speaking'
Published: 30/11/2015
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Monday advised United States ambassador Glyn Davies to think carefully before speaking after his remark on the Thai military rule.
He claimed the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which seized power last year, provided more freedom than other juntas and was developing sustainable democracy in the country.
Gen Prawit was responding to Mr Davies' comments at a Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand speech Nov 25 where he hit out at "the lengthy and unprecedented prison sentences handed down by Thai military courts against civilians" for breaching Section 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste law..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/780725
-
Re: Protests update
01 December 2015
Rajabhakti Scandal: Redshirt Leaders Released
By Teeranai Charuvastra
BANGKOK тАФ The two Redshirt leaders said last night they were released from military custody hours after being detained while en route to a тАЬcorruption inspection tour.тАЭ
Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikua were released hours after soldiers detained them in southwest of Bangkok on Monday morning as they spoke with reporters about their plan to travel to the Rajabhakti Historical Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, which has become mired in allegations of graft..... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... section=11
-
Re: Protests update
Yingluck barred from talking politics at EU parliament
Submitted by editor2 on Wednesday Dec 2, 2015
The Supreme Court has prohibited Yingluck Shinawatra, a former elected Prime Minister from Pheu Thai Party, to fly to Europe.
According to Khaosod News Agency, Supreme CourtтАЩs Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Wednesday, 2 December 2015, denied a request of Yingluck Shinawatra to travel to Europe to share her views on Thai politics..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5660
-
Re: Protests update
vpn or proxy needed in Thailand
Thai politics
The stench of military corruption
November 29, 2015
Giles ji Ungpakorn
The stench of junta corruption in the case of the gross and distasteful тАЬRachapakтАЭ monument park simply will not go away. General Prawit, deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, along with Generalissimo Prayut, have repeatedly tried to pass the buck and claim that it is тАЬan internal army matterтАЭ or that it is тАЬnothing to do with the governmentтАЭ because it is about the affairs of a private foundation. General Teerachai, the commander of the army has tried to brush off the affair and General Udomdet, chairman of the Rachapat Foundation and deputy Minister of Defence has equally tried to deny any wrong-doing..... (read more).... http://free-proxyserver.com/browse.php? ... zlIdc&b=29
-
Re: Protests update
vpn or proxy needed in Thailand
Thai Junta Shuts PublicтАЩs Ears to Bad News
Posted on December 1, 2015 By Our Correspondent Economics/Business, Headline, Thailand
Prayuth says things are fine
But while censorship is rife, the economy continues to flag
When the international edition of the New York Times was delivered in Thailand on Nov. 30, the front page of the paper featured a large white blank space. In other editions, the paper featured a detailed story by staff correspondent Thomas Fuller on the growing paralysis in the Thai economy.
That white space is emblematic of both the inability of the generals to run what had been Southeast AsiaтАЩs most vibrant economy, and their desire to keep it from a country that unfortunately knows pretty well what the state of the economy is. The junta has sought to shut down any and all critical reporting and internet blogs. Asia Sentinel is regularly blocked in Thailand.... (read more).... http://free-proxyserver.com/browse.php? ... FjJpc&b=29
-
Re: Protests update
Thaksin's New Year message greeted with warning
Published: 02/12/2015
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sent an early New Year message, wishing for the return of democracy in Thailand -- a move quickly countered with a warning from a key cabinet minister.
With 2016 still four weeks away, Thaksin surprisingly sent his New Year greetings to his supporters on YouTube on Tuesday, advising them to be patient in the year to come as democracy will eventually be restored to the country.
"Please be a bit patient, because no one can defy democracy," he said from an unknown location. Rights and freedoms of citizens were being curbed, but these restrictions would eventually end, he said, without mentioning the government or National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) by name.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/782925?re ... put%3Dhtml
-
Re: Protests update
A Law unto Themselves
Submitted by prachatai on Thu, 03/12/2015
Sorry, but are we living under a military dictatorship or not?
This morningтАЩs paper has a lead that says the military are about to throw Deputy Defence Minister, former Army Commander-in-Chief and chairman of the Rajabhakti Park Foundation General Udomdej Sitabutr to the anti-corruption wolves (or at least those of them who are less selective in their outrage).
And right below that is a report of former тАШgraft-bustingтАЩ Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka getting busted for, er, graft. The Unlucky Ducky with the son as personal secretary on a government salary was always suspiciously aggressive against any corruption with a Shinawatra name attached to it, but otherwise not interested. But being only half-good at fighting corruption is a mite different from indulging yourself..... (read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5661
-
Re: Protests update
This article is not available for print in Thailand, removed from International NYTimes
The Opinion Pages | Op-Ed Contributor
The Thai Monarchy and Its Money
By TOM FELIX JOEHNK
DEC. 3, 2015 BANGKOK тАФ The Crown Property Bureau, which manages the Thai royal familyтАЩs properties and investments, controls assets that may amount to as much as 1.9 trillion baht, about $53 billion. It is the biggest corporate group in the country and one of the biggest landholders in the capital. It is also one of the more mysterious arms of the Thai government..... (read more)... http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/04/opini ... share&_r=0
-
Re: Protests update
Prawit puts brakes on Democrat meeting proposal
Published: 04/12/2015
A Democrat Party plan for a meeting hit a dead end on Friday after Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon remained firm on the ban on gatherings of political parties.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva sent a letter to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Friday asking the junta to reconsider the ban and citing the party's need to call a meeting.
The junta slapped a ban on all political parties in Order No. 57 announced on June 7 last year, two weeks after it seized power from the Yingluck Shinawatra government in a coup.... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/785289
-
Re: Protests update
ThailandтАЩs Generals Shoot Economy in the Foot
Military junta lacks the vision to fix an economy in disarray, while ChinaтАЩs slowdown slams AsiaтАЩs weak links.
By William Pesek
December 4, 2015
MondayтАЩs edition was a bizarre one for New York Times readers in Thailand: the middle of the front page featured a large blank space. For readers elsewhere, it contained a strongly critical story about the economy. Namely, how the generals who grabbed power in May 2014 are shooting one of AsiaтАЩs most promising nations in the foot.
The juntaтАЩs amateurish shot at censorship is a timely metaphor for ThailandтАЩs own disappearing act on the world stage. General Prayuth Chan-ocha justified his power grab in ways coup leaders often do: weтАЩll restore order, stability and competence to a government thatтАЩs lost its way. Yet 561 days on, Southeast AsiaтАЩs No. 2 economy is in disarray, investors are fleeing and PrayuthтАЩs regime looks increasingly desperate..... (read more)..... http://www.barrons.com/articles/thailan ... ighlight_1
-
Re: Protests update
Nonthaburi protesters blast Davies
Anti-US sentiment grows over speech
Published: 05/12/2015
Anti-American sentiment continues to mount as protesters in Nonthaburi were the latest to denounce US ambassador Glyn Davies' criticism of Thailand's lese majeste law.
The protest comes as another blow to the recently appointed ambassador who has been dragged into hot water after his contentious speech on Nov 25 which has drawn anger, and a series of protests in many provinces across the country.
Gathering in front of the Nonthaburi Provincial Hall on Friday, a group of about 30 rally-goers, named "Seri Non Khon Rak Nai Luang", demonstrated their dissatisfaction with Mr Davies through placards and a special one-page statement, which strongly criticised the ambassador for his "highly unacceptable" words..... (read more).... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/785393
Junta encourages anti-American protests for dad
Dec 5 2015
The military dictatorship hates political demonstrations. Except when it is the junta that is encouraging and facilitating them.
Since US Ambassador Glyn Davies made some reasonably innocuous comments about the draconian lese majeste law, mad monarchists have been demonstrating. At the same time, the regime has organized and facilitated demonstrations in several provinces..... (read more).... https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpres ... s-for-dad/
-
Re: Protests update
Life for a Thai in exile: Jakrapob Penkair - Part 2
Submitted by editor1 on Wed, 02/12/2015
Although Jakrapob Penkair may have disappeared from the Thai political scene many years ago, his name still resounds. This confirms his status as a 'political man' whose latest achievement is to co-found 'Seri Thai'--an organisation whose mandate is to fight the juntaтАЩs National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) from outside the country. It is the task which has prompted another round of surveillance on him by the authorities.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5656
-
Re: Protests update
End political prosecutions: Thai Academics for Civil Rights
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 03/12/2015
Thai academics have kicked off an online campaign, demanding that the junta тАШunconditionallyтАЩ end the persecution of political dissidents.
A group of academics calling themselves Thai Academics for Civil Rights (TACR) has started an online campaign on Change.org titled тАШUniversities are Not Military Barracks, the Country is Not a Concentration CampтАЩ to collect names calling for an end to human rights violations by the juntaтАЩs National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and university heads... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5662
-
Re: Protests update
New US Envoy to Thailand Walks Tightrope Amid Alliance Strain
US-Thai relations have entered a new tumultuous phase.
By Shawn W. Crispin
December 04, 2015
Thailand-United States relations have entered a new tumultuous phase, just two months after WashingtonтАЩs appointment to Bangkok of a veteran diplomat with a remit to repair damaged ties. U.S. ambassador to Thailand Glyn DaviesтАЩ innocuous remark on the ruling military juntaтАЩs unprecedented use of lese majeste charges to stifle free speech and imprison critics of the monarchy has sparked a firestorm of high-level rebukes and anti-U.S. protests calling for the senior envoyтАЩs expulsion and an end to perceived American interference in domestic affairs..... (read more).... http://thediplomat.com/2015/12/new-us-e ... ce-strain/
-
Re: Protests update
06 December 2015
An Open Letter to Ultra-Royalists
Pravit Rojanaphruk
Dear Ultra-Royalists,
How surprisingly delighted I was to read that hundreds of you gathered at the U.S. Embassy and throughout the provinces during the past week to oppose the criticism of the lese majeste law by new U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies and call for his ouster. ItтАЩs good and yet ironically surreal to see all you folks exercising your freedom of political assembly тАУ despite the supposed junta ban on any political gathering of five or more people тАУ to exercise your freedom of expression to further curb othersтАЩ freedom of expression.
While I respect your ideological and political views with regards to the monarchy, I was disappointed that the venerable monk Buddha Issara, who led protesters Nov. 27 to the U.S. Embassy, claimed to be speaking on behalf of all Thais.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1449378769
-
Re: Protests update
vpn or proxy if in Thailand
The role of Thai social movements in democratisation
December 6, 2015
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
In recent Thai political history we have seen a number of social movements which claimed to be campaigning for democracy. The PeopleтАЩs Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or the тАЬYellow ShirtsтАЭ, Sutep TeuksubanтАЩs PeopleтАЩs Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the тАЬRed ShirtsтАЭ, are the most important examples..... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com ... atisation/
-
Re: Protests update
Security officers detain democracy-activists en route Rajabhakti Park
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 07/12/2015
Update: According to Matichon Online, the military on Monday morning has closed off Rajabhakti Park for тАШreparationтАЩ until further notice. Many military officers are deployed at the park gate.
Military and police officers detained anti-junta activists on their way to Rakabhakti Park, a royal theme park plagued with corruption scandal, and cut off a train bogie to prevent them from travelling further.
According to Resistant Citizen, an anti-junta political group, military and police officers around 10 am on Monday, 7 December 2015, at Ban Pong Train Station in Ratchaburi Province detained at least four anti-junta activists who were on an excursion to Rajabhakti Park.
Some of those detained are Anon Nampa, a well known anti-junta lawyer, who has been charged for defying the juntaтАЩs political gathering ban earlier this year, and Sirawit Serithiwat who is also facing similar charge.
The excursion was organised by Resistant Citizen and several well known pro-democracy activists to investigate on the corruption scandal surrounding the park which was constructed by the Thai military..... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5672
-
Re: Protests update
07 December 2015
Rajabhakti Scandal: Military Closes Park 'For Maintenance,' Detains Dozens of Activists
BANGKOK тАФ For the second time in a week, the military has intercepted a group of activists who attempted to travel to the armyтАЩs historical park said to be rife with corruption.
Sirawith Serithiwat, co-founder of the pro-democracy group Resistant Citizens, and dozens of his supporters were arrested aboard a train en route to Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan province Monday morning.
The authorities employed several drastic measures to intercept the group, including cutting off the train car that Sirawith was riding, closing down the historical park тАЬfor maintenanceтАЭ and threatening SirawithтАЩs mother on Sunday to convince her son to call off the trip.
iLaw, an NGO group that tracks legal prosecution of anti-junta activists, said on Twitter that they were told 33 people have been arrested so far.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 6§ion=
-
Re: Protests update
NACC asked to investigate General Udomdej and General Sirichai
in Politics | December 8, 2015
Self-made political activist Veera Somkwamkid today (Tuesday) asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission to launch an investigation into alleged malfeasance in office in connection with the construction of the Rajabhakti Park by former army chief General Udomdej Seetabutr and former defence permanent secretary General Sirichai Ditthakul.... (read more).... http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nacc-a ... l-sirichai
-
Re: Protests update
The тАЬmoderateтАЭ military
Dec 8, 2015
As readers will know, new French Ambassador, keen on expanding trade with the worldтАЩs only military dictatorship, has stated that the junta is тАЬmoderate.тАЭ
Gilles Garachon might say that the Thai military regime did not murder the students going to look at military corruption park, but they did employ extreme measures to prevent a few students, several old women and various others from visiting Rajabhakti Park.
This included the mobilization of rightists and royalists in Hua Hin to oppose the students and supporters.... (read more).... https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpres ... -military/
-
Re: Protests update
Thailand: Detention of anti-corruption protesters shows increasing repression by military junta
7 December 2015
The arrest of a group of 37 activists in Thailand ahead of a planned anti-corruption protest is the latest evidence that the countryтАЩs military government is using arbitrary powers of detention to silence peaceful activism, Amnesty International said today.
The group of 36 students and a lawyer were detained on Monday morning while travelling by train to Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin, central Thailand, to attend a demonstration against alleged military corruption.... (read more).... https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/ ... ary-junta/
-
Re: Protests update
The ambassador might be summoned
Government takes aim at UK envoy comments
Werachon says Kent backs 'law-breakers'
Published: 09/12/2015
The government has slammed the British ambassador's comments "supporting law-breakers" and is considering whether to summon him for talks.
By "law-breakers", the government was referring to a group of anti-coup activists who call themselves Prachathipatai Sueksa (Democracy Studies). They were stopped at a railway station in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi province while they were on a train bound for Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The activists were taken to an army base in Nakhon Pathom where they were detained. All the students were later released from military custody. The majority of the students -- 30 -- signed an agreement promising not to engage in such activities again. Six refused to sign and two more withdrew their signatures.
The British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, wrote in a Twitter post on Monday that, "I had hoped the fact 200 people [were] allowed to demonstrate at the US embassy might be relaxation of freedom of assembly," referring to a rally that took place in late November in front of the US embassy on Wireless Road against US ambassador Glyn Davies.... (read more)... http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/788833
-
Re: Protests update
US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies under probe for lese majeste
Dec 9, 2015
Tan Hui Yee
Thailand Correspondent
BANGKOK - The new United States ambassador to Thailand is under probe for alleged lese majeste over comments that he made at an event in Bangkok last month.
Mr Glyn Davies, who took up his post in September, triggered protests by royalists in the kingdom after he raised concern about Thailand's lese majeste law during a talk at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT).
Thai police on Wednesday (Dec 9) confirmed that an official investigation was taking place..... (read more)..... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asi ... se-majeste
-
Re: Protests update
Revealed: Thailand's most senior human trafficking investigator to seek political asylum in Australia
Major General Paween Pongsirin says his investigations into human trafficking implicated senior figures in police and military and he now fears life
Alcorn, Keryn Reynolds and Margaret Simons
Thursday 10 December 2015
ThailandтАЩs most senior police investigator into human trafficking is seeking political asylum in Australia, saying he fears for his life because influential figures in the Thai government, military and police are implicated in trafficking and want him killed.
Major General Paween Pongsirin arrived in Melbourne a few days ago on a tourist visa and has now told the Australian Broadcasting CorporationтАЩs 7.30 program and Guardian Australia he plans to seek asylum..... (read more).... http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/d ... SApp_Other
-
Re: Protests update
EU, Yingluck and the junta
Dec 10, 2015
New Europe comments on the invitation to Yingluck Shinawatra and the juntaтАЩs judiciary banning her from travel.
The European Parliament has expressed concern about the new military junta constitution and the delayed return to electoral democracy. In response, Yingluck was invited тАЬto address the European Parliament on the political situation in the country.тАЭ The invitation was delivered in October, тАЬco-signed by Elmar Brok, chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Werner Langen, chair of the panel for relations with Southeast Asia and Asean.тАЭ.... (read more)....https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpres ... the-junta/
-
Re: Protests update
10 December 2015
More Charges Against Facebooker for 'Liking' Photos
BANGKOK тАФ A 27-year-old factory worker detained for posting infographics about Rajabhakti Park corruption scandal received additional lese majeste and sedition charges for liking "inappropriate" Facebook pictures.
Maj. Gen. Wicharn Jodtaeng, the head of the junta's law office, and Col. Burin Thongprapai of the military Judge Advocate GeneralтАЩs Department, filed additional charges Wednesday under Article 112 of the criminal code, which criminalizes lese majeste (defaming the monarchy), as well as Article 116, which pertains to sedition, against the suspect identified as Thanakorn Siripaiboon..... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.ph ... 1449725252
-
Re: Protests update
Thai police consider defamation suit against human trafficking investigator
Fri, Dec 11
By Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Amy Sawitta Lefevre
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police on Friday said they were considering suing a former officer investigating human trafficking for defamation over comments he made implicating senior officials in the trade.
Police Major General Paween Pongsirin arrived in Melbourne a few days ago and told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) on Thursday that he feared for his life because influential figures in the Thai government, military and police implicated in the illicit trade want him dead.
"There are some bad police and bad military who do these kind of things," Paween told the broadcaster. "Unfortunately, those bad police and military are the ones that have power."
Royal Thai Police chief Jakthip Chaijinda told reporters that he did not know why Paween fled but said a legal team was checking whether his comments were defamatory..... (read more)... http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/id ... 1?irpc=932
-
Re: Protests update
Junta to charge hundreds more with l├иse majest├й for pressing тАШlikeтАЩ on Facebook
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 11/12/2015
After the Thai juntaтАЩs legal office filed l├иse majest├й and sedition charges against a factory worker for pressing тАШlikeтАЩ on Facebook, the police have announced that hundreds more will be charged with l├иse majest├й for similar actions.
According to Matichon Online, police investigators are now gathering information and evidence to press charges against 20 administrators of an anti-establishment red-shirt Facebook group called тАШthe National Red Shirts AssociationтАЩ.
Hundreds of members of the Facebook page will also be charged with Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the l├иse majest├й law, for pressing тАШlikeтАЩ on pictures and content allegedly defaming the Thai monarchy, Matichon reported..... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/5686
-
Re: Protests update
Thailand's Royal Defamation Law Under New Scrutiny
December 10, 2015
Thailand's controversial laws that impose harsh penalties for defaming the country's royal family are under increased scrutiny this week, as are their critics. Rights groups are again calling for the country to reform the Lese Majeste laws, and the U.S. ambassador to Bangkok is under investigation for recent comments criticizing the lengthy jail terms handed down under the law.
A published statement by the international rights group Amnesty International says Thailand should stop applying the royal defamation law to criminalize freedom of expression, with the law leaving dozens of individuals in jail or facing military trials without access to appeal.
Amnesty says the law raises concerns over тАЬabsurd extremes of ThailandтАЩs restrictions on freedom of expression.тАЭ... (read more).... http://m.voanews.com/a/thailand-lese-ma ... 97018.html
-
Re: Protests update
Is that ever absurd. Pressing "like" on Facebook can get you thrown in a Thai prison cell for years?
That's beyond common sense.