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Re: Protests update
POLICE DROP ROYAL DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST ACTIVIST’S MOTHER
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - July 15, 2016
BANGKOK — Two months and waves of outrage later, police Thursday announced they would not pursue a criminal case against a woman accused of insulting the monarchy by staying silent.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ivists-mother/
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Re: Protests update
THE CASE FOR ILLOGICAL LOGIC AND THE ABSURD IN JUNTALAND
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 16, 2016
Red bowls, balloons, leaflets attack the charter underwritten by the military. Toys with messages call for freedom and democracy, while people stand still in public, read George Orwell’s 1984 or even eat sandwiches.
These are the things deemed a threat to national security?
Some wonder, could things get even zanier?.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinio...ands-thailand/
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Re: Protests update
Regime never suppresses free speech, says Prawit
Published: 17/07/2016
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Saturday brushed off a call for an open dialogue on the referendum by... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...ch-says-prawit.
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Re: Protests update
AUGURING AUG. 8: REJECTING CHARTER COURTS UNCERTAIN SCENARIOS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 17, 2016
BANGKOK — Three Sundays from now, the polls will open for the public to vote on the controversial charter drafted under junta guidance, and one of the biggest guessing games is what will happen if it’s rejected.
The military government has kept its cards close to the vest, with the strongest signal coming June 29 from junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha, when he told reporters the drafting process would simply begin for a third time. A few days ago, he added that he would write it himself, only to then say he wasn’t serious.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ain-scenarios/
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Re: Protests update
Regime says Thai coup 'unique' Insists comparisons only mislead public
Published: 18/07/2016
The military regime has lashed out at its critics, particularly Pheu Thai politicians,... (read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...ai-coup-unique.
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Re: Protests update
TWO COUNTRIES TWO METHODS
JULY 17, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Both Thailand and Turkey have experiences of long periods of brutal military rule. In both countries the conservative elites have opposed democratically elected governments that have enjoyed the support of the poor. The judiciaries of both countries have tried to subvert the election process. In Turkey the Western-leaning middle-classes have usually allied themselves with the military, supporting “Kemalism” which is used in an attempt to suppress those who dare to criticise the old order.... (read more)...
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....s-two-methods/
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Re: Protests update
Review of human rights violations prior to the Constitutional Referendum in Thailand
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 18/07/2016
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights
Following the announcement of the NCPO that the Constitutional Referendum is to be held on August 7, various groups have expressed their views on Thailand’s draft constitution. Both pro- and anti-draft groups have been running campaigns and expressing their views in public. Unfortunately, however, the NCPO has not been welcoming of the views of both groups..... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6374
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Re: Protests update
Prominent voices weigh in on draft
JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
WASAMON AUDJARINT
The Nation July 18, 2016
As the supreme law, a constitution rules and links everyone and every organ of a nation together. The new charter, the country’s 20th, would be no different if it were accepted at the August 7 referendum. Amid a highly charged atmosphere and a transitional period for the nation, the new charter has been written at a particularly challenging time. And time will tell if it will set a new course for relationships and roles in a way most people accept. The Nation’s Juthathip Lucksanawong and Wasamon Audjarint asked 12 prominent voices whether they believed the charter would affect them.
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order.... (read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290840.html
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Re: Protests update
Mahidol’s rights institute under fire over draft charter infographics
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 18/07/2016
The Thai authorities threatened to sue a human rights institute of one of Thailand’s leading universities over infographics about the public referendum on the draft charter.
Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, Election Commissioner of Thailand (ECT), told media that a serie of infographics explaining about the upcoming referendum to pass the junta-sponsored draft constitution titled ‘Chapter 2: Main question and the Question Attached’ must be removed, the Independent News Network (INN) reported on Monday, 18 July 2016... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6375
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Re: Protests update
Penguin: high school student sparks campaign against junta’s draft charter
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 19/07/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
Under the junta’s climate of fear and intimidation where politicians, academics, and civil society are silenced, a high school student, Parit Chiwarak, withstands the pressure and actively protects the right to free education from the junta’s attempts to abolish it....(read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6376
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Re: Protests update
Thai military lambastes critics over Turkey coup comparison
by Asian Correspondent Staff | 18th July 2016 | @ascorrespondent
THAILAND’S junta government has rubbished critics’ comparisons to the recent foiled coup d’état in Turkey, saying those who criticized the Thai military have taken the two instances out of context... (read more)...
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...up-comparison/
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Re: Protests update
Critics set conditions to join TV charter debate
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
OLARN LERTRATTANADAMRONGKUL
THE NATION July 20, 2016
CRITICS of the draft constitution have conditionally agreed to take part in a televised debate to be organised by the Election Commission (EC).
The agreement is contingent on public participation in choosing the topics of debate and a fair allocation of time for both sides.
Some critics also want the debate to be aired during prime time..... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30290947.html
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Re: Protests update
Military orders 19 red shirts to steer clear from political activists
Submitted by editor2 on Wed, 20/07/2016
After being forced into the so-called ‘attitude adjustment session’ by the military, 19 red shirts accused of breaking the junta’s political gathering ban were forced to sign an agreement promising to steer clear from all political activities.
The police in Non Sa-at District of the northeastern province of Udon Thani on Monday, 18 July 2016, summoned 19 anti-establishment red shirts for accusation hearing and an the so-called ‘attitude adjustment session’, detention with lecture usually done by the military, at Non Sa-at Police Station, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) reported.... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/63...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s hidden republican tradition
PATRICK JORY - 19 JUL, 2016
Despite the intense royalist indoctrination of the Bhumibol era it would be naïve not to imagine that at least some Thais draw inspiration from the country’s long republican tradition.
Thailand is typically understood as a deeply royalist country ruled by a highly revered monarch.
The king’s image is everywhere. The capital, Bangkok, is strewn with monuments to past kings. Countless streets, bridges, dams, universities, schools, army bases, hospitals, etc. are named after royalty. The calendar is full of royal holidays. Thailand has one of the world’s strictest lèse majesté laws which forbids criticism of the king and royal family.... (read more)...
http://www.newmandala.org/thailands-...can-tradition/
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Re: Protests update
Calls mount for open talks on draft charter Umbrella group demands Plan B if 'no vote' wins day
Published: 21/07/2016
Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth
Leading members of political parties and civil society are intensifying calls for open talks on the draft constitution, strongly urging the regime to come up with alternatives if the charter is rejected...(read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...-draft-charter.
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Re: Protests update
CLODS AND CLOTS II
July 20, 2016
In our previous Clods and clots post, we mentioned a story the junta claiming dastardly plots by its political enemies. One plot was particularly nasty, claimed to be the “unprecedented” destruction of one list of voters for the charter referendum in one district in Kampaeng Phet Province. The junta order that the culprits be hunted down.
It turned out that a couple of 8-year-old girls were responsible.
One would imagine that the junta, its spokesperson and others involved would be suitably embarrassed. No such luck, with Khaosod reporting that the two little girls, who liked and wanted the pink-colored paper, have had to report to police and have signed “reports.”.... (read more)...
https://politicalprisonersofthailand...-and-clots-ii/
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Re: Protests update
SOLDIERS VISIT NORTHERN RESIDENTS OVER VOTE-NO TEES
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 21, 2016
PHRAE — A group of residents of the northern province of Phrae were ordered to appear Thursday morning and answer questions about a group photo showing them wearing T-shirts opposing the draft charter, saying they might be have broken the law after the photo surfaced on Facebook.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...-vote-no-tees/
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Re: Protests update
Youth democracy-activists challenge charter drafters for debate
Submitted by editor2 on Thu, 21/07/2016
After the Deputy junta head has promised to organise nationwide debates on the controversial draft charter, a well-known anti-junta activists group challenged the junta-appointed constitution drafters for a debate.
At 12:30 pm on Thursday, 21 July 2016, Chanoknan Ruamsap, key member of the New Democracy Movement (NDM), anti-junta activist group, and other NDM members submitted an invitation letter to Amorn Wanichwiwat, spokesperson of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)..... (read more)...
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6382
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Re: Protests update
Don’t force me, says Prayut
THE NATION July 22, 2016
THE PRIME minister yesterday refused to clarify if all stakeholders would be allowed to write a new constitution draft if the current one fails to pass the August 7 referendum.
General Prayut Chan-o-cha said people appeared to be pushing for what they want without contributing to positive changes to the country.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30291123.html
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Re: Protests update
POLICE RAID BANGKOK FAMILY HOME OF FOREIGN CRITIC OF MONARCHY
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 22, 2016
BANGKOK — Police raided the Bangkok home of a well-known British author and monarchy critic’s Thai family Friday morning, taking away his wife, 3-year-old son and father-in-law along with computers and other materials.
The raid took place about 7am at the home of the parents of Noppawan Bunluesilp, the wife of former Reuters reporter Andrew MacGregor Marshall, author of a banned book critical of the monarchy, one day after he shared stories from foreign media on Facebook that were unflattering to a member of the royal family.... (read more)..
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...monarchy-home/
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Re: Protests update
Thai authorities target critic’s wife
MISH KHAN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR - 22 JUL, 2016
Noppawan “Ploy” Bunluesilp, the wife of journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall, has been detained by over 20 Thai Policr in Thailand while visiting Bangkok with their three-year-old son.
Andrew, the author of A Kingdom in Crisis: Thailand’s Struggle for Democracy in the Twenty-First Century, is banned from Thailand for his vocal criticism of Thai political affairs and the monarchy, and has a large online following of activists and supporters.
In a statement released on social media, Andrew wrote: “My wife Noppawan “Ploy” Bunluesilp, 39, has worked as a journalist for Reuters and NBC.... (read more)...
http://www.newmandala.org/thai-autho...-critics-wife/
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Re: Protests update
OVERRULING POLICE, MILITARY INDICTS ACTIVIST’S MOTHER FOR INSULTING MONARCHY
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - July 22, 2016
BANGKOK — Military court prosecutors Friday indicted a 40-year-old woman on a charge of royal defamation, despite a recent recommendation by police the case be dropped.
The decision means Patnaree Chankij, the mother of a high-profile activist and junta critic, will be tried by a military tribunal for not admonishing another party who sent allegedly offensive remarks about the the Royal Family through private chat.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ting-monarchy/
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Re: Protests update
Next two weeks are crucial to legitimacy of charter draft
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION July 22, 2016
Yesterday marked the second time that the newly formed group of scholars and prominent political figures known as the Platform of Concerned Citizens (PCC) have spoken out about the country’s political future.
When the referendum law was promulgated a few months ago, the PCC expressed serious concerns about strict restrictions it placed on debate of the charter draft content. As the vote draws near, the concern has intensified over a lack of transparency in the whole referendum process, where tight control is apparently being applied by authorities in a bid to prevent the worst-case scenario of the charter draft being voted down.... (read more)....
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30291150.html
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Re: Protests update
NBTC shutters Peace TV after court delay
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION July 22, 2016
THE red-shirt satellite station Peace TV was scheduled to suspend operations last night after the Central Administrative Court failed to grant an injunction order against the broadcasting watchdog's decision to suspend its licence.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30291124.html
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Re: Protests update
Twilight of the king
After the ailing monarch goes, what next?
Jul 23rd 2016
TO THE casual observer the country is calm and orderly. And reverential: adorning a sweet-seller’s stall in a buzzing market in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, are a dozen laminated pictures of the 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej who, on the throne since 1946, is the world’s longest-reigning monarch, indeed the only king most Thais have ever known. During his reign Thailand has become one of the richest big countries in South-East Asia, a manufacturing hub and a magnet for tourists. Bhumibol’s picture is everywhere, including in millions of homes.... (read more)....
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/2...-twilight-king
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Re: Protests update
The generals who hide behind the throne
Thailand is ill-prepared for the death of its king
Jul 23rd 2016
TO THE tourists who still flock to its beaches and golden temples, Thailand seems calm. But this is an illusion. Thai politics are as ugly as the country is beautiful—and could soon get uglier. The country’s beloved king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose 70th year on the throne was celebrated on June 9th, is 88 years old and gravely ill. The country is scared of what might happen when he dies (see article).... (read more)...
http://www.economist.com/news/leader...ehindthethrone
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Re: Protests update
POLICE THROW BOOK AT 8-YEAR-OLDS FOR TEARING PINK ELECTION PAPER
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - July 22, 2016
KAMPHAENG PHET — Police said Friday they instructed local election officials to file charges against two 8-year-old schoolgirls who tore a voter registration list because they wanted its pink paper.
Vandalism charges were filed against the two girls on Thursday, a decision the provincial police chief said came after he told the local election commissioner to file a complaint because the children had destroyed commission property.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...lection-paper/
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Re: Protests update
Civil opposition to the constitution starts to grow
Published: 24/07/2016
Writer: Dumrongkiat Mala
>> Leading civil groups have urged a "no" vote on the new constitution next month,... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...starts-to-grow.
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Re: Protests update
THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGY AND TACTICS
JULY 24, 2016
Giles ji Ungpakorn
The mass uprising against the attempted military coup in Turkey has opened up a debate about the tactics of defeating military coups and military dictatorships in Thailand.
Chaturon Chaisang, one of the most principled Pua Thai politicians, has praised what he calls the “Turkish Model”.... (read more)...
https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....y-and-tactics/
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Re: Protests update
TWO GROUPS OPPOSED TO CHARTER UNDECIDED ON ACCEPTING REFERENDUM RESULTS
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - July 24, 2016
BANGKOK — With just two weeks to go before the charter referendum, some of its opponents say they’ve yet to decide whether to accept the outcome.
Despite calls by high-profile and ostensibly neutral parties for the public to unconditionally respect the results of the Aug. 7 vote, pro-democracy activists opposed to the charter said they’re worried about legitimizing the process or possible misconduct.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...endum-results/
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Re: Protests update
Climate of fear will boost turnout’
Juthathip Lucksanawong
The Nation July 25, 2016
80% tipped to vote in Isaan as ‘many want closure’; people afraid to discuss charter; lack of knowledge on draft common in N/east
Voter turnout in the Northeast could reach the 80-per-cent goal in the referendum in two weeks and favour approval of the draft charter despite a climate of fear and a lack of understanding about the draft, a source close to Election Commission (EC) offices in Isaan provinces has said..... (read more)...http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30291323.html
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Re: Protests update
Nitirat joins draft critics NCPO told to bow out if it fails poll test
Published: 25/07/2016
The regime must step down and let the people take part in a process to draw up a new constitution if the draft charter is shot down in the Aug 7 referendum, a seminar was told...(read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...-draft-critics.
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Re: Protests update
July 22nd 2016
Concerns raised over referendum aftermath
Event
On July 20th the Platform of Concerned Citizens (PCC), a civil society group consisting of 16 organisations and 117 individuals, released a five-point statement which included calls for open debate on the draft constitution and the disclosure of a contingency plan should the proposed charter not pass a referendum.
Analysis
The PCC's statement comes amid.... (read more).... http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?...eid=1394438523
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Re: Protests update
August referendum disturbed by monkeys, underages, coffee, rain
Submitted by editor4 on Mon, 25/07/2016
The junta’s draft charter referendum has faced an epic struggle in the past weekend as the voter lists across the country were spoiled by kid, monkeys, and rain. The state authorities also confiscated advertorial flags of a coffee product whose name could be translated as ‘vote no.’
Thai state authorities have been in trouble during the past weekend after the voter lists for the August draft charter referendum in various provinces were reportedly destroyed due to many absurd reasons....(read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6389
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Re: Protests update
JUNTA’S CHARTER DRAFTERS BACKTRACK ON DEBATE CHALLENGE
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - July 25, 2016
BANGKOK — The drafters of Thailand’s proposed constitution did an about-face on Sunday, reversing a pledge made by its spokesmen to engage in a public debate with their critics.
Saying such a debate could be seen as a “conflict of interest,” Chatchai na Chiang Mai of the Constitution Drafting Committee said officials would therefore have to decline the debate proposed by one another spokesman to members of the New Democracy Movement, a group opposed to the charter.... (read more)....
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ate-challenge/
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Re: Protests update
Thailand: Amnesty International Thailand’s Chair and other activists face jail for exposing torture
Submitted by editor1 on Tue, 26/07/2016
Amnesty International Thailand
The Thai authorities must immediately drop the criminal investigation against three of the country’s most prominent human rights activists, including the chair of Amnesty International Thailand, who could be charged tomorrow for documenting and publishing a report about torture by Thai security forces, the organization warned.
Somchai Homla-or, Anchana Heemmina, and Porpen Khongkaconkiet, who was appointed Chair of the Amnesty International Thailand board last month, face the prospect of five years behind bars and a fine of US $4,800 if found guilty on charges of “criminal defamation” and “computer crimes”. The three are due to report to Pattani police station on 26 July.... (read more)...
https://prachatai.org/english/node/6394
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Re: Protests update
Charter draft fails to share power, Abhisit says
THE NATION July 26, 2016
DEMOCRAT Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva revealed some of his personal thoughts on the charter draft yesterday, saying he believed it failed to support a distribution of power.
Abhisit said as the party leader, he would tomorrow officially give his stance about the charter (Wed) and it would not be the party's stance because it was not allowed to hold a meeting to discuss politics.... (read more)...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30291411.html
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Re: Protests update
UN Expert urges Thailand to ensure free debate ahead of the constitutional referendum
GENEVA (26 July 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, today condemned the alarmingly high number of arrests and charges over public and social media expression brought under military orders and the Constitutional Referendum Act in Thailand. The Act, adopted ahead of the constitutional referendum scheduled for 7 August, criminalises expression and access to information about the draft constitution.... (read more)...
- See more at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/P....aTuv5qZa.dpuf
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Re: Protests update
Junta head suspends officials allegedly involved with anti-draft charter letters
Submitted by editor2 on Tue, 26/07/2016
The Thai junta leader issued an order to suspend public officers suspected of involving in documents campaigning against the junta-sponsored draft constitution.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6399
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Re: Protests update
NIECE OF ARMY TORTURE VICTIM ARRESTED FOR INTERNET MESSAGES
By Associated Press - July 26, 2016
BANGKOK — The niece of an army conscript who was tortured to death by soldiers was arrested Tuesday on a complaint filed by the Thai military over her internet postings.
Naritsarawan Kaewnopparat last year had posted photos of her uncle’s body and information about the torture he endured. She was arrested at her workplace in Bangkok on charges of criminal defamation and violating the Computer Crime Act.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/c...rnet-postings/