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Re: Protests update
Nidhi Eoseewong: Implications of draft charter referendum, its results
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 13/08/2016
In an interview with Prachatai following the constitutional referendum, Nidhi Eoseewong maintained that the results were due to the lack of free and open debate and criticism. Many people consequently made what seemed the easy choice giving the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) a sort of split legitimacy: While Thais may accept the results, it will be difficult to claim legitimacy with the international community where the process has been seen as unjust from the start. Despite the referendum result, he holds out hope for democracy future.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6469
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Re: Protests update
REDSHIRTS REJECT LINK TO BOMBINGS, HIT BACK AT PRAYUTH
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 13, 2016
BANGKOK — Leaders of the anti-regime Redshirt movement Saturday flatly denied having anything to do with a series of bombs that killed four people and injured 35 in the west and south of Thailand and lashed out at the junta leader for making a “cheap” bid to frame them.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...-back-prayuth/
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Re: Protests update
Andrew MacGregor Marshall
Journalist and author. Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University.
Coupmakers’ haunted dreams
Can the striking parallels between the 2016 Mothers’ Day attacks in Thailand and the 2007 New Year bombings help us figure out who was responsible?.... (read more)....
https://medium.com/@zenjournalist
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Re: Protests update
MOTHER’S DAY BOMBINGS: ARREST ON OIL RIG, UNKNOWN NUMBER DETAINED BY JUNTA
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 14, 2016
BANGKOK — Police announced Sunday morning they have made an arrest in connection with a wave of bombing and arson attacks in seven provinces that left four dead.
On Saturday, officers went to an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Thailand where they arrested Sakarin Karuehat with a court-approved warrant in connection with the a fire at a Tesco-Lotus in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/c...etained-junta/
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Re: Protests update
Thai blasts a wake up call for peace?
RUNGRAWEE CHALERMSRIPINYORAT, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR - 14 AUG, 2016
Coordinated bombings, Thailand’s southern conflict and a stalled peace process.
If the recent coordinated attacks in Thailand’s Upper South, which claimed four lives and injured 36, were carried out by southern militants, the next important question is to what extent it would affect the Thai state’s policies towards the ongoing violent resistance in Thailand’s Malay Muslim-majority southernmost region.... (read more).... http://www.newmandala.org/thai-blasts-wake-call-peace/
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Re: Protests update
OBSERVATIONS ON THE RECENT BOMBINGS
AUGUST 14, 2016
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
A recent article in New Mandala by Anders Engvall outlines a well-argued case for the Muslim Malay militants being behind the spate of bombing on the 11th and 12th August, giving a detailed account of other bombing incidents and also explaining why the Thai authorities would wish to play down the strength and ability of the insurgents. [ http://bit.ly/2bqoOk4 ]
This view is backed up by Anthony Davis, a writer for Jane’s Defence Weekly, who was interviewed by the BBC Thai service..... (read more).. https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....cent-bombings/
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Re: Protests update
Sun Aug 14, 2016
Thai police find more unexploded bombs following coordinated blasts
By Wirat Buranakanokthanasan and Pairat Temphairojana | BANGKOK
Thai police over the weekend found and defused five explosive devices that had failed to detonate when an as yet unidentified group carried out a series of deadly bomb attacks on popular tourist spots late last week.
Police said they had arrested one suspect following the bomb and arson attacks on Thursday and Friday that killed four people and wounded dozens more in some of Thailand's best-known southern resorts and islands.... (read more)... http://www.reuters.com/article/us-th...-idUSKCN10P078
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Re: Protests update
South insurgency linked to blasts Forensic work points to similar bombs
Published: 15/08/2016
Reporters Forensic evidence suggests the explosive devices used in multiple... (read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...nked-to-blasts.
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Re: Protests update
August 15, 2016
Thai military and insurgents change tack in southern provinces
DON PATHAN, Contributing writer
SI SAKHON, NARATHIWAT, Thailand -- Even as fingers are pointed at southern separatists as among possible suspects behind a string of bombing and arson attacks on Aug. 11 and 12 in southern Thailand, the Thai military is shifting strategy on countering the 12-year old insurgency. By October, the Thai army will reduce its presence in the historically contested southernmost provinces, in favor of outsourcing security responsibilities to volunteers and officials at the village level.... (read more)... http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Econ...n_cid=NARAN012
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Re: Protests update
Mother’s Day attackers likely to be junta’s political opponents: Junta security expert
Submitted by editor2 on Mon, 15/08/2016
A security expert for the Thai junta pointed out that the Mother’s Day attack was likely to be connected to the junta’s political opponents.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, advisor on security affairs to Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, told BBC Thai on Sunday, 14 August 2016, that the series of arson and bomb attacks in southern provinces of Thailand on 11-12 August 2016 were likely to be connected people who are negatively affected by the policies of the PM and political development.
He said that it was quite clear that the attack was politically motivated by certain groups of people especially “the old powerful groups,... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6471
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Re: Protests update
Political parties need reform to win over dictatorship: PT politician
Submitted by editor1 on Mon, 15/08/2016
Although the August referendum was held under an oppressive atmosphere, a politician from the main opposition party said the political parties are to be blamed for the results, adding that parties need reform to sway voters from authoritarianism.
At a public panel hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Clubs of Thailand (FCCT) on Friday, 12 August 2016, Suranand Vejjajiva argued that, in the leadup to the referendum, political parties critiqued the junta-backed draft constitution but didn’t make clear what principles should actually underpin Thailand’s governance....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6474
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Re: Protests update
Bomb probe points South Govt admits insurgents involved
Published: 16/08/2016
The probe into last week's multiple attacks in seven provinces has linked them to a prominent politician...(read more)...
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...e-points-south.
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Re: Protests update
The real meaning of Thailand’s constitutional referendum
BY Patrick Jory
If history is a guide, Thailand’s latest constitution will be shortlived
Many observers of Thailand’s ongoing debilitating political crisis have been scratching their heads trying to understand how Thai voters approved a draft constitution in the referendum on 7 August 2016 which is so blatantly designed to entrench military rule.
The result of the referendum appeared to show an easy win to the ‘Yes’ camp. Sixty-one per cent of voters approved the draft constitution while 39 per cent voted ‘No’. Fifty-eight per cent also approved a second question, inserted by the regime at the last minute, on whether a non-elected prime minister could be appointed by a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives.... (read more)... http://asaa.asn.au/the-real-meaning-...al-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
Paiboon promises to resolve political deadlock with new ‘Smart’ party
Juthathip Lucksanawong
The Nation August 15, 2016
Former charter drafter Paiboon Nititawan recently made headlines after his decision to create the People's Reform Party, which would pave the way for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to become premier again.
Paiboon, also a former member of the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC), said the party would promote "a good guy" rather than "a dirty politician", and the best man in his judgement was Prayut....(read more)..http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30292950.html
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Re: Protests update
Thai Junta launches special TV show to explain views to foreigners
By Asian Correspondent Staff | 15th August 2016 | @ascorrespondent
THAILAND’S military government has launched a special television program that caters to foreign viewers seeking the junta’s views on national politics, but the public relations exercise to restore its human rights image appears to be off to a slow start.
The English-language program, which airs on state-owned television station National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and on YouTube, seeks to clarify the military’s moves and decisions via one-on-one interviews with top government leaders, and to provide insight into current developments in the kingdom.... (read more)...
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/...ecial-tv-show/
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s August Referendum is result of fear, hope, belief: academic
Submitted by editor4 on Wed, 17/08/2016
A Thai political expert has speculated that the junta’s charter draft will be enacted for only five years before being torn down again by another coup d’etat. Another expert said voters made their decision based on political purpose, instead of the draft’s content.
At a seminar on Thursday, 11 August 2016, lecturers from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science discussed the 7 August referendum results and the future direction of Thailand under the junta-backed constitution. All lecturers agreed that the landslide victory in favour of the draft and the additional question, which shocked people across the country, was expected... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6480
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Re: Protests update
Prayut mulls staying on as premier EC expects elections on Dec 10 next year Published: 18/08/2016
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said for the first time that he would agree to...(read more)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...-on-as-premier.
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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s Military Junta Rigs Constitutional Referendum, Cements Dictatorship
08/15/2016
Doug Bandow
Senior Fellow, the Cato Institute
The Thai people voted for the latest constitution pushed by the reigning military junta. Unfortunately, General/Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s dictatorship made a no vote as hard as possible. The Thai people may suffer for years more under this clownish yet brutal caudillo.... (read more).... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/doug-b..._11532754.html
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Re: Protests update
SEPARATISTS ‘CROSSED RUBICON’ WITH ATTACKS, MAY ESCALATE: EXPERT
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 18, 2016
BANGKOK — Southern insurgents were behind the recent attacks that killed four people and will escalate their campaign of terror if the military government continues to ignore their existence, an expert on national security and terrorism said.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ossed-rubicon/
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Re: Protests update
A vague vote and uncertain future
TAWAN MANAKUN & JITTIP MONGKOLNCHAIARUNYA - 17 AUG, 2016
The ambiguous meanings behind Thailand’s referendum result.
Thailand’s military government won a resounding and decisive victory in the country’s controversial referendum on 7 August.
While it is clear that the triumph of the Yes vote will now see the country governed by a military-backed constitution – one that sees the military and elite minority control the country’s politics well into the future.... (read more).... http://www.newmandala.org/vague-vote-uncertain-future/
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Re: Protests update
Human rights defenders summoned after observing anti-draft charter activity
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 18/08/2016
Human rights defenders and students activists have been summoned for allegedly conspiring with an anti-junta activist, who is currently on a hunger strike, in hosting a seminar criticising junta-sponsored draft constitution. The human rights defenders insist they merely monitored the seminar.
On Thursday, 18 August, Thai Lawyer for Human Rights (TLHR) revealed that the police in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen have issued a summons of six people to hear accusation for violating the order of the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order. The six include two TLHR staff and Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa aka ‘Phai’, a pro-democracy activist who has staged a hunger strike in jail since 6 August....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6487
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Re: Protests update
Hunger striking activist released on bail
Submitted by editor4 on Fri, 19/08/2016
An anti-junta activist has been released on bail after nearly two weeks of a hunger strike.
On Friday, 19 August 2016, Phu Khiao Provincial Court released Jatuphat Boonpattaraksa, an anti-junta activist from the New Democracy Movement, from the prison of Phu Khiao District, in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, reported Matichon Online....(read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6491
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Re: Protests update
ALLEGED ANTI-JUNTA ELDERLY MILITANTS DENIED BAIL
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 19, 2016
BANGKOK — All of the 15 suspects arrested for allegedly plotting anti-government violence were denied bail release by the military court Friday.
The defendants, who are mostly Redshirt supporters in their 60s, stand accused of belonging to a clandestine network and conspiring in armed struggle against the state, an allegation denied by leaders of the Redshirt movement.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...s-denied-bail/
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Re: Protests update
A new breed of terror in Thailand
PAUL SANDERSON - 18 AUG, 2016
The recent terrorist attacks in Thailand are playing havoc with the country’s domestic politics. Paul Sanderson looks at the implications for the military junta’s grip on government, especially in the wake of the constitutional referendum earlier this month.
As Thais dressed in blue and prepared to take their mothers to dinner at the start of a long weekend, chaotic news of explosions filtered through.... (read more)... http://www.newmandala.org/new-breed-terror-thailand
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Re: Protests update
15 charged over ‘secret society’
Kampanart Laong,
Angsuma Sridokkham,
Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation August 20, 2016
PM says suspects wanted to set up ‘state within a state’; lawyer says they were just part of chat group that had never met
SOME 17 suspects have been charged with setting up a secret society - an act Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha described as a bid to set up "a state within" the military-ruled state.... (read more)... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nati...-30293361.html
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Re: Protests update
MEDIA’S SELF-INFLICTED PUNISHMENT IS THE NEW CENSORSHIP
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 20, 2016
Public and foreign diplomats are routinely told by the military regime that Thai media enjoys freedom to criticize. That’s only half true at best. The reality is that, two years after the 2014 coup, the selective pressures being applied on some media critical of the junta have just become more subtle and sophisticated, thus rather invisible.
Apparently, the junta doesn’t need to muzzle the media, as at least one outlet has shown it’s willing to strap it on for them.
Take what happened at Voice TV earlier this week....(read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/opinio...ew-censorship/
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Re: Protests update
How long will the Thai junta remain in power
Submitted by editor2 on Sat, 20/08/2016 Thanks in part to the prospect of a return to elections, the junta-sponsored draft constitution has been approved by a majority vote via the controversial referendum. The attached question of whether an unelected-senate should be allowed to join the house of representatives in selecting the Prime Minister was also approved.
The junta’s role over Thai politics now looks as firm as ever.... (read more)..... http://prachatai.org/english/node/64...medium=twitter
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Re: Protests update
WESTERN GOVERNMENTS’ RESPONSES TO THAI REFERENDUM: PREDICTABLY WEAK
AUGUST 21, 2016 UGLYTRUTHTHAILAND
Giles Ji Ungpakorn
In this blog I have long argued that while any “international bad press” about the Thai junta, generated by the comments from Western governments is welcome, especially when they demand the release of political prisoners, none of these governments can be relied upon or trusted to maintain a principled stand against the military dictatorship. Democratic change can only come about by building mass movements of ordinary people within the country to overthrow military rule.
After the referendum results it was interesting to read the official responses of the United States and the European Union.... (read more).... https://uglytruththailand.wordpress....dictably-weak/
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Re: Protests update
Concerned by curbs on free expression in Thailand, UN rights office calls for ‘prompt return to civilian rule’
19 August 2016 – The United Nations human rights arm today expressed concern about the mounting constraints on the democratic space in Thailand – calling for a prompt return to civilian rule.... (read more)... http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.as...2#.V7pa8ugxWf1
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Re: Protests update
MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE CARRIED OUT SOUTHERN BOMB ATTACKS, POLICE SAY
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter - August 22, 2016
BANGKOK — Police believe more than 20 people were involved in the wave of explosions and firebombs that struck seven provinces during Mother’s Day holidays, but only one arrest warrant has been issued so far.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...ks-police-say/
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Re: Protests update
Thailand Bombings Expose Guerrillas in the Midst
Attacks raise profile of long-running southern insurgency seeking independent state
By JAMES HOOKWAY
Aug. 21, 2016
BANGKOK—A series of deadly bombings has brought to the fore a long-simmering conflict not far from some of Thailand’s most popular beaches.
For a dozen years, guerrillas in southern Thailand’s three Muslim-majority provinces have waged a brutal campaign to break away from the rest of the mostly Buddhist country and... (read more)... http://www.wsj.com/articles/thai-bom...ict-1471813202
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Re: Protests update
‘REVOLUTIONARY GROUP’ ALL TALK BUT NO SOLID PLAN, ACTIVISTS SAY
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 22, 2016
BANGKOK — A Redshirt group accused of plotting armed insurrection against the military junta has no capability of doing such a thing, two people familiar with the movement said.... (read more).... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...activists-say/
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Re: Protests update
NEWS ANALYSIS: Isaan, yet again, rejects an undemocratic constitution charter
Posted on 08/23/2016 by The Isaan Record
Since the coup d’état in 2006, Thailand’s Northeast has been the stronghold of opposition to the military....(read more).... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/08/23/is...dum-2007-2016/
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Re: Protests update
Free speech will pave way for tidy NCPO exit
Published: 23/08/2016
Writer: Suranand Vejjajiva
... (read)....
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...tidy-ncpo-exit.
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Re: Protests update
Orchestrated efforts to secure 'outsider' PM seat for Gen Prayut
Submitted by editor4 on Tue, 23/08/2016
Kornkritch Somjittranukit
In the aftermath of the 7 August referendum, junta supporters have strategically initiated efforts to ensure that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the current junta head, will be Thailand’s next ‘outsider’ Prime Minister.
While the victory in favour of the junta-sponsored draft constitution in the 7 August referendum seemingly confirmed mass support for the junta regime, the legitimacy of the referendum process has been widely disputed. Gen Prayut himself has nevertheless affirmed he would welcome the role of ‘outsider’ Prime Minister in the absence of other ‘good guys’.... (read more).... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6499
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Re: Protests update
8 Facebook users indicted for mocking Thailand's PM
Aug 23, 2016.
BANGKOK (AFP) - A Thai military tribunal on Tuesday (Aug 23) indicted eight people with sedition for running a Facebook page that mocked the kingdom's prime minister and junta chief, making them the latest victims of the regime's crackdown on dissent.
The eight Facebook users were arrested in April by military raids in Bangkok and northeast Khon Kaen province, according to Human Rights Watch.... (read more)... http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-...g-thailands-pm
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Re: Protests update
AFTER HISTORIC DEFEAT, FRACTURED OPPOSITION UNLIKELY TO CHALLENGE JUNTA
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 23, 2016
BANGKOK — Things are looking bleak for opponents of the military regime which has been in power since May 2014.
The first 12 months of the junta’s reign saw several failed attempts to dislodge it. And then, the following year saw a failed campaign to reject the constitution it wanted the public to approve in a referendum.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...allenge-junta/
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Re: Protests update
SENATE WILL ONLY NOMINATE A PM IN EVENT OF DEADLOCK, LAWMAKERS SAY
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer - August 24, 2016
BANGKOK — The Senate under the new constitution will have the authority to nominate its own candidates for prime minister only if the upper and lower houses fail to choose one, leading members of the current parliament said.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...lawmakers-say/
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Re: Protests update
Updated Statistics of Civilians Being Tried in Military Courts Since The 2014 Coup
August 24, 2016
By admin no.5
Extension of military court jurisdiction over civilians
After the coup d’état on 22 May 2014, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued NCPO Announcement No. 37/2014 about offences under the jurisdiction of military courts, NCPO Announcement No. 38/2014 about offences consisting of several connected acts under the jurisdiction of military courts, and NCPO Announcement No. 50/2014 about weapons of war crimes under the jurisdiction of military courts. These Announcements resulted in the extension of the jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians in certain offences including:... (read more)... http://www.tlhr2014.com/th/?p=1777
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Re: Protests update
POLITICAL PRISONERS AMONG 476 INMATES TO BE FREED SATURDAY
By Kaewta Ketbungkan, Staff Reporter - August 26, 2016
BANGKOK — An elderly man jailed for bathroom graffiti and Redshirt guards from 2010 are among 476 convicts expected to be freed Saturday, according to information reportedly released by corrections officials.
Two weeks after the first batch of pardoned prisoners walked out of the Bangkok Remand Prison, an activist working with prisoners of conscience said Friday that prison officials have posted a list of prisoners to be released at 9am tomorrow as part of a second wave of royal pardons.... (read more)... http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2...reed-saturday/