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Re: Protests update
REDSHIRT TV STATION EXPECTS TO BE ORDERED OFF AIR UNTIL AFTER REFERENDUM
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 4, 2016
BANGKOK — A Redshirt television station will be ordered to shut down for 30 days according to a source at the telecommunications regulator.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will suspend the license of Peace TV, a Redshirt satellite station, for allegedly violating a junta order not to incite social unrest or misinform the public, according to an commission staff member who asked not to be identified as a formal announcement was yet issued.
Weng Tojirakarn, a Redshirt leader and program host, denied the station has violated junta orders.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ir-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
Red and Yellow in Germany
REVIEWER: NICK NOSTITZ, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR 04 JUL, 2016
Nick Nostitz reports from a special symposium on Thailand’s rolling political crisis.
http://www.newmandala.org/red-and-yellow-in-germany/
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Re: Protests update
COURT FREES 7 ACTIVISTS
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - July 5, 2016
BANGKOK — Military judges Tuesday afternoon ordered all 13 activists be released without bail.
The military court ruled they should be freed to await trial without posting bail, as police investigators had already examined witnesses and evidence. Though they prevailed in winning release without posting bail, the activists played down the outcome.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...7-activists-2/
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Re: Protests update
Draft Referendum Act encourages social reconciliation: Constitutional Court
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 05/07/2016
The Constitutional Court has analysed that the controversial Draft Referendum Act is constitutional, citing national peace and order and unique context of the August referendum, adding that the law actually fostered the so-called ‘social reconciliation.’
On 29 June, the Constitutional Court made a unanimous decision to rule that the Article 61 of the Draft Referendum Act was constitutional despite various condemnations for its legal ambiguity, excessive punishment, and suppression of freedom of expression....(read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/63...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
PRISON CONDITIONS IN THAILAND ARE A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY
JULY 3, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
In mid-June 2016 Somyot Preuksakasemsuk wrote a letter exposing the shocking deterioration of conditions for prisoners in Thai jails.
Since March 2016 the Department of Prisons has issued a number of new regulations that have reduced the standards of life and well-being for prisoners. This amounts to a gross abuse of human rights.
Firstly, the prison authorities have removed all mattresses,.... (read more)....
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....inst-humanity/
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Re: Protests update
UN REFUTES ROSY THAI ACCOUNT OF MEETING OVER REFERENDUM, RIGHTS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 6, 2016
BANGKOK — The Office of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took the highly unusual step of refuting a Thai delegation’s account of a meeting held late last month on the referendum and freedom of expression.
In the statement released Tuesday, the U.N. said Thai officials mischaracterized to Thai media the meeting held 29 June between Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson and Virasakdi Futrakul, Foreign Affairs vice minister....(read more).....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...rendum-rights/
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Re: Protests update
ILAW SUES TO GET ‘ONE-SIDED’ REFERENDUM SHOW TAKEN OFF AIR
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - July 6, 2016
BANGKOK — Legal reform advocates sued elections officials today over a state-produced TV show they say has been entirely devoted to praising the proposed constitution that will soon be put to public referendum.
As the Election Commission’s referendum program has so far only featured proponents of the new charter, law reform activists said it’s guilty of violating its own draconian campaign law and overstepping its mandate as an impartial organizer of the Aug. 7 poll.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...taken-off-air/
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Re: Protests update
Surveillance increases in new computer crime bill: rights advocates
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 07/07/2016
Civil society groups have urged lawmakers not to pass the new Computer Crime bill, as it further violates the rights to freedom of expression and to privacy.
Representatives from the Thai Netizen Network (TNN), an internet freedom advocacy group, on Thursday, 6 July 2016, submitted a petition to Peerasak Porjit, Deputy president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), urging the authorities to halt the process to pass the the amended version of the Computer Crime Act.... (read more)....
http://www.prachatai.org/english/node/6337
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Re: Protests update
Thai PM doubles down, bans discussion of draft constitution ahead of referendum
By Richard S. Ehrlich - Special to The Washington Times - - Monday, July 4, 2016
BANGKOK — Thailand’s new constitution was supposed to bring at least the appearance of legitimacy and normalcy for the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.... (read more)....
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...thailand-draf/
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Re: Protests update
German lawmakers denounce Thailand’s draft constitution
By Nicole Sagener | EurActiv.de | Translated By Samuel Morgan Jul 7, 2016
Thailand's military junta has been told to ensure the draft constitution can be debated by Thai citizens without fear of reprisal. This seems unlikely to happen. The Thai government is increasingly cracking down on its critics, warned the German government’s foreign affairs committee ahead of the Southeast Asian country’s vote on its new constitution. EurActiv Germany reports.
A month ahead of Thailand’s constitutional referendum on 7 August, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag has criticised the content of the current draft, put together by the military government, headed by General Prayuth Chan-ocha.... (read more)... https://www.euractiv.com/section/glo...-constitution/
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s referendum and the lessons of Brexit
John Draper, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa
Special to The Nation July 8, 2016
Beware of the social consequences that follow the rhetoric of polarisation
One of the first social consequences of the UK vote to exit the EU has been an increase in race-based hate crimes perpetrated by Britain's far-right movements. The Leave campaign employed excellent arguments, such as corruption in states benefiting from transfers from wealthier countries. However, the social consequences of the vote reflect a discourse of polarisation and hatred of the "Other" which underpins extremist organisations, not just in Europe, but throughout the world, including Thailand....(read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opin...-30290044.html
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Those behind ‘fake’ booklet face jail: PM
THE NATION July 9, 2016
THE prime minister yesterday warned that "many people will be put in jail", as the authorities investigate the source of funding for the publication of a booklet on the draft constitution described by the drafters as containing false and distorted information.... (read more).... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290146.html
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#Thailand government needs to clear the path back to democracy, says #Bundestag
EU Reporter Correspondent | July 7, 2016
The German Bundestag raised the situation in Thailand as the first item on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday. Following their deliberations on the constitutional referendum to be held on 7 August in Thailand, the Chair, Deputy Chair and the Spokespersons of the Foreign Affairs Committee jointly noted:
“Two years after it took over power, the Thai military government under General Prayuth Chan-ocha needs to keep its promise to clear the path back to democracy. This entails guarantees for the freedom of opinion, and for freedom of the press, as well as recognising opposition parties and preparing for free parliamentary elections. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have been dissolved for over two years, and have been replaced by an assembly nominated by the Military Council.... (read more)...
https://www.eureporter.co/frontpage/...ays-bundestag/
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Re: Protests update
Climate of fear must stop Published: 09/07/2016
Writer: Editorial
Are people allowed to campaign freely for or against the draft charter? The question is straightforward enough. If... (read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...fear-must-stop.
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Re: Protests update
THE BIZARRE ‘REFERENDUM’ PROCESS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 9, 2016
How much meat must a sausage contain in order for it to be labelled as a genuine meat sausage? How absurd can a referendum process get before it can no longer be called a genuine referendum?.... (read more)..... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinio...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
JUNTA SPOKESMAN SAYS NDM STUDENTS SHOULD STICK TO CLASSROOMS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 9, 2016
BANGKOK — Junta spokesman Col. Piyapong Klinphan said on Saturday that members of the New Democracy Movement (NDM) should return to school and cease political activities, adding that the group’s financial transactions will be scrutinized to check for any “irregularities.”.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ck-classrooms/
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Re: Protests update
New Democracy group to continue protest against draft charter
in Politics | July 10, 2016
Student activists of the New Democracy Movement have vowed to carry on with their campaign against the draft constitution in open defiance against the NCPO order banning political gathering of more than five people in public.... (read more)...
http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new...draft-charter/
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Re: Protests update
The junta’s referendum and legitimacy
July 10, 2016
There has been almost no real discussion of the military’s long, complicated and fundamentally anti-democratic charter. That draft charter goes to a junta-managed and mangled referendum within a month.
The Bangkok Post has an editorial that is a call for discussion and debate that would grant a modicum of legitimacy to the referendum. It essentially pleads with the junta to allow some debate:... (read more)...
https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordp...nd-legitimacy/
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Re: Protests update
Over 77% plan to vote in charter referendum
THE SUNDAY NATION July 10, 2016
MORE THAN three-quarters of people polled in a new survey intend to vote in the August 7 referendum on the draft constitution, and more than 40 per cent will vote “yes”.
The poll found that 77.7 per cent of the 1,733 respondents in all four regions of the country plan to cast their ballots....(read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290190.html
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Re: Protests update
Prachatai journalist detained while reporting on referendum
Submitted by editor1 on Sun, 10/07/2016
A Prachatai journalist has been detained by police while he was reporting activities of New Democracy Movement (NDM) in central Ratchaburi Province. Three NDM activists are also detained.
The four were detained after the police searched a car of the activists and found copies of NDM’s booklet which provide counter information to the junta’s on the draft constitution....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6344
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Re: Protests update
NO SUCH THING AS THE “DEEP STATE” IN THAILAND
JULY 10, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
The theory of the “Deep State” often wrongly presupposes that there is such a thing as a “regular state” which is visible, accountable and serves the people. The Deep State is supposed to be a unique set up in some countries appearing as “a state within a state” which is unaccountable to democratically elected governments. This flies in the face of reality.... (read more)....
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....e-in-thailand/
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Re: Protests update
Thai youth activism rekindling hope
KRIANGSAK TEERAKOWITKAJORN - 11 JUL, 2016
Are new protest movements driven by young people enough to inspire citizens and save the country’s ever-decreasing democratic hopes?
Once upon a time, there was a land of smiles. Now, with the bleak economy, and the rising household debts of the working class, some are calling Thailand ‘the sick man of Southeast Asia.’
The political deadlock has reached the point where ordinary Thais have almost forgotten how it started in the first place. Everyday it seems, the junta introduces new, more worrisome, problems— take the Single Gateway for instance.... (read more)....
http://www.newmandala.org/thai-youth...e-inspiration/
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Re: Protests update
Editorial Opinion Debate, not hide the facts
Published: 11/07/2016
In three weeks and six days, the nation is to vote on whether to make permanent the fourth constitution... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...hide-the-facts
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Re: Protests update
If referendum fails, I will draft constitution myself: Thai junta head
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 11/07/2016
Despite his lack of legal knowledge, the junta leader has said that he will draft another constitution himself if the draft charter is rejected in the August referendum, adding that there is nothing he cannot do as he already passed parachute training in the military....(read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6351
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Re: Protests update
Honesly, I don't quite understand why there is even a vote. Theatrics, I guess. Obviously, the result will be "yes", because that's what the junta wants, and they seem pretty good at getting what they want.
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Re: Protests update
Plainclothes authorities search Prachatai office
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 12/07/2016
After releasing Prachatai journalist, authorities, both soldiers and police officers in plainclothes, came to the office with a search warrant, asking the director about Prachatai’s involvement with the anti-junta activist group. The authorities also searched journalists’ personal lockers.
On Tuesday, 12 July 2016, five plainclothes police officers from Suthisan Police station, along with a few soldiers, came to Prachatai with a search warrant. The authorities searched Prachatai office and the personal desk of Taweesak Kerdphoka, Prachatai journalist who was detained for reporting on referendum two days ago, as well as his friend desks.... (read more).....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6355
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Re: Protests update
Human Rights Watch
JULY 12, 2016
Thailand: Activists, Journalist Arrested for Vote-No Campaign
Junta Further Restricts Criticism of Draft Constitution
(New York) – Thai authorities arrested four activists campaigning against the military junta’s draft constitution and a journalist reporting on the campaign, Human Rights Watch said today. A referendum on the proposed constitution is scheduled for August 7, 2016..... (read more)....
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/12/...te-no-campaign
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Re: Protests update
No, I won't draft charter myself: junta head reclaims earlier statement
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 12/07/2016
The junta head has reclaimed his earlier statement that he will draft another constitution himself if the August referendum fails, saying that it was just a slip of the tongue. He also blamed media for highlighting his thoughtless words and making him out of temper.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6357
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Re: Protests update
NO MORE THAN 22 ELECTION OBSERVERS EXPECTED NATIONWIDE FOR REFERENDUM
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 12, 2016
BANGKOK — Up to 22 regional elections observers will observe the Aug. 7 referendum, the chairman of the Election Commission said Tuesday.
While all Thai observers have been denied credentials to monitor the vote, chairman Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said both the Asia Foundation and Asian Network... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...de-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
No talks on lèse majesté law, referendum, politics allowed: military in Isaan
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 13/07/2016
The Thai military prohibited discussants at a public forum in Isaan, Thailand’s northeast, to talk about politics, referendum, and the lèse majesté law. The authorities however ironically allow them to talk about human right issues only.
On Friday, 8 July 2016, about 15 soldiers and police in uniforms and plainclothes led by Lt Col Phitakphon Chusri, unit leader of the junta’s so-called peace-keeping force in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen, intervened at a public forum titled ‘Freedom of Expression in Isaan’, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported.
The forum featured discussions on environmental justice and freedom of expression in Isaan, and was organised by the Isaan Record, an independent news website in the region, at the Khon Kaen Hotel.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6360
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Re: Protests update
What you need to know about Thailand’s controversial constitution referendum
by Thitipol Panyalimpanun | 13th July 2016
JUST a few weeks from now, on August 7, Thailand will hold a referendum on the latest draft constitution for the coup-ridden nation – one that has scrapped 19 constitutions since 1932.... (read more)... https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...on-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
Another 2,000 anti-draft charter letters found in Chiang Mai
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 13/07/2016
Authorities have confiscated over 2,000 letters from anonymous senders containing information against the junta’s draft charter in the northern province of Chiang Mai while another 3,000 was found in Lampang a day earlier.
On Wednesday, 13 July 2016, Maj Gen Koson Prathumchat, the commander of 33rd Army Circle, along with police officers, confiscated 2,000 letters campaign against the junta’s draft charter from a post office in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The authorities suspected that the letters aim to persuade people to vote ‘No’ in the August draft charter referendum by distorting the draft’s content, Matichon Online reported... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6362
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Re: Protests update
JUNTA GRANTS AUTHORITIES LEGAL IMMUNITY TO REGULATE MEDIA
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - July 14, 2016
BANGKOK — Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha Thursday granted special powers for authorities to regulate any TV or radio stations considered to be a threat to national security.
In the order, which came into immediate effect Thursday by the use of the absolute power granted to the junta chief under Article 44 of the interim charter, authorities such as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will be shielded from any legal responsibilities when regulating any broadcast media reports deemed as threatening national security or instigating unrest..... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...egulate-media/
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Re: Protests update
DEMOCRAT PARTY LAUNCHES ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN? WAIT A MINUTE!
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 14, 2016
BANGKOK — The Democrat Party appeared to launch a slick online campaign Thursday featuring its top leaders criticizing and opposing the draft charter promoted by the junta, complete with the party’s logo and branding, except for one catch. Reached for comment, party leadership said he has no clue where it came from.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...n-wait-minute/
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Re: Protests update
[Thailand] Op-ed: Reason to worry about Article 61
BY SEAPA CATEGORY: CAMPAIGNS, PROGRAMS JULY 12, 2016
SEAPA Op-ed – Journalist Thaweesak Kerdpoka’s arrest on Sunday should be a cause for worry for members of the Thai covering the referendum.
Online news site Prachatai reporter Thaweesak was arrested, along with three others, on 10 July for violating Article 61 of the 2016 Referendum Act. Another person was also arrested for the same violation later that day.... (read more)...
https://www.seapa.org/op-ed-reason-t...ut-article-61/
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Re: Protests update
Junta tightens grip on media
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM,
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION July 15, 2016
NBTC given sweeping powers to shutter outlets, ordered to monitor broadcasts.
IN A BID TO tighten control over the media, the junta leader yesterday gave absolute power to the broadcast and telecom regulators to order outlets to shut down without the right to appeal.
The move drew an outcry from the media....(read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290638.html
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Re: Protests update
19 red shirts in Isaan summoned for joining referendum watch campaign
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 14/07/2016
Almost 20 people in northeastern Thailand have been summoned after they participated in a red-shirt referendum watch campaign a month earlier.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6366
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Re: Protests update
Leaflets criticising draft charter can’t be distributed: Election Commissioner
Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 15/07/2016
After a stand-off with anti-junta activists over leaflets criticising the junta-sponsored draft charter, the Thai authorities said that the leaflets cannot be distributed as they distort facts about the draft.
Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, the Election Commissioner of Thailand (ECT), on Thursday afternoon, 14 July 2016, told media after a meeting with the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) that leaflets criticising the draft constitution titled ‘7 Reasons Not to Accept the Draft Constitution’ are not allowed to be distributed.... (read more)....
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6368
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Re: Protests update
Thailand army tightens media control ahead of draft charter referendum
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 15th July 2016 | @ascorrespondent
THAILAND’S telecommunications authority has been given the green light to to shut down any radio or television station whose broadcasts are considered a threat to national security.
This is part of the military government’s move to tighten its control on electronic media ahead of the draft constitution referendum next month.... (read more)....
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...media-control/