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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
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What is MR?
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https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tu...1&pub_date=20200810190000&seq_num=16&si=44594
Thai youth step up protests amid political tensions and economic woes
Speeches target pro-military government, impunity and role of the monarchy
Protest leader Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon at a flash demonstration in Bangkok after two unusually outspoken activists were arrested on Aug. 8. They were released on bail over the weekend, but bigger protests are expected this week. © Reuters
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writerAugust 10, 2020 05:10 JST
BANGKOK -- Thailand's politics are churning again with a new generation openly venting on a raft of grievances ranging from constant military meddling in politics and a backward-looking constitution to economic mismanagement and flagrant legal impunity for the rich and powerful.
Further evidence of political discontent surfaced with a Harry Potter-themed protest under the Free Youth banner at Bangkok's Democracy Monument on July 18. It attracted about a thousand students, and was among the largest political gatherings since the military staged a coup in 2014.
The young demonstrators announced plans for two bigger protests later in the capital with up to 10,000 expected to join. The first will be at Thammasat University on Monday.
The Democracy Monument speakers included Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer, and political activist Panupong Jadnok, both of whom were arrested on Friday on a variety of charges, including alleged sedition. Over 200 students gathered outside the police station where the two dissidents were being detained, and they were subsequently released on bail.
At the July 18 protest, Arnon had with rare boldness called for a public debate on the role of the monarchy, but was careful to say he was not advocating its overthrow. Police are believed to have another 31 activists marked down for possible arrest.
Hundreds of other students have staged sporadic anti-government rallies in 45 of the country's 76 provinces. The protesters called for parliament to be dissolved and the constitution to be amended, particularly Article 256 that gives 250 military-appointed senators a large say in choosing the prime minister and an effective veto on constitutional change.
"We should not underestimate the protesters," Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat University, told the Nikkei Asian Review. "They have pointed out that the charter is not very democratic and should be amended."
Anti-government sentiments have spread quickly on social media, particularly among university and high school students. When they gather for peaceful flash protests, the youngsters light up mobile phones for visual impact. Many observers expect the protests to gather momentum, and for people from other walks of life to join.
Boonyakiat Karavekphan, a political science lecturer at the Ramkamhaeng University, told Nikkei that Thailand's dismal economic outlook is fueling the political unrest, particularly among the young. "The government can do nothing to support the economy at this time," he said. "If young people feel they can't count on the government or the judicial system, then the protests will get bigger and more middle-class people will join."
The common ground of discontent is expanding. A widespread grievance has been the perceived failings of the justice system in the case of Vorayuth Yoovidhya, a grandson in the billionaire Krating Daeng (Red Bull) family. Vorayuth -- who is widely known as Boss -- was accused of killing a police officer in 2012 while driving his Ferrari intoxicated through Bangkok at 177 kph early one morning.
Vorayuth ignored numerous police summonses and fled the country in a private aircraft two days ahead of his belated arrest. After nearly eight years, with some of the lesser charges against him already expired, the attorney general's office decided on Jan. 20 to quietly drop all charges, opening the way for Vorayuth to reenter the country without fear of arrest. When news reports about his legal absolution finally surfaced on July 23, there was widespread outrage over the brazen impunity the rich and powerful evidently continue to enjoy in Thailand.
The controversy has been seized upon by the Free Youth network. Lawyers, parliamentarians and activist organizations have also called for an open investigation. Embattled Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha finally ordered one on July 29, and has revealed his personal unhappiness over the way in which the case has been handled.
Testing the public's patience, two new witnesses had testified that Vorayuth's car was traveling much less fast than previously calculated, that the dead policeman had suddenly pulled out into its path, and that the cocaine detected in Vorayuth's blood tests was residue from dental treatment.
A key witness to the alleged slower speed of the vehicle meanwhile died in a motorcycle accident in Chiangmai on July 30.
"Prison is for the poor, but the rich go free," said Somporn Sudthai, a 27-year-old taxi driver told Nikkei, saying he was infuriated by the case.
"Justice is a fundamental right that everyone should have, but this case widens inequality in the country," Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator and a prominent political critic, told Nikkei. "The rich and poor get different standards of justice."
A survey conducted by Super Poll on July 28, when the Red Bull row was escalating again, found that 91% of respondents felt the Thai judicial system was undependable, and 86% said they have lost faith in it. Over 90% of teenagers polled said they would disobey the government because of its failure to protect people.
"We were intimidated although we only staged peaceful protests," said Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, a 23-year-old political science student and protest leader from Chulalongkorn University. "But for this hit-and-run case, there was no justice -- this is not fair."
Tattep said Free Youth has already morphed into the Free People movement, with many others coming on board to protest. Another major protest is scheduled for the afternoon of Aug 16 at Democracy Monument, and Tattep told Nikkei he expects over 10,000 to show up.
Prayuth has vaguely indicated some willingness to revisit some contentious parts of the constitution, Thailand's 20th since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was overturned. Although he has been ruling by emergency decree during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister has recently been preoccupied with reshuffling his weak coalition cabinet and shoring up its fractious dominant party, Palang Pracharat.
Somkid Jatusripitak, the deputy prime minister who oversaw economic strategy and a former finance minister, was among four key people who stepped down last month.
On Wednesday, King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the royal assent for the new cabinet. Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the former head of PTT Global Chemical, a state enterprise, will become a deputy prime minister and energy minister. Predee Daochai, a former co-president of Kasikornbank, is the new finance minister.
There is considerable skepticism about the cabinet reshuffle's likely impact on an economy already severely battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, with no clear path out of the crisis yet apparent.
"It's not a sincere reshuffle to find the right people to tackle our economic problems," said Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, a 21-year-old student at Thammasat University. She argued that the well-being of the dominant coalition party is being put ahead of the national interest. Panusuya has seen friends forced to drop out of classes because of economic hardship, while her own family's car repair business has suffered a 70% drop in earnings.
Although Thailand has earned considerable international kudos for its handling of the pandemic, it must now foot the bill for the economic damage. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has forecast that Thailand's gross domestic product this year will fall by 9.4%, but many regard that as conservative given the decimation of exports, the collapse of tourism, and severely weakened consumer confidence.
In April, the Ministry of Labor reported that unemployment was already up by 45%. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development predicted in June that unemployment would climb to up to 4% of the workforce, but that figure is expected to be revised substantially upwards. Unemployment usually runs at about 1% -- about 400,000 workers -- but as many as 8.4 million people could be losing their jobs, with those in small and medium size businesses affected particularly badly.
Thai youth step up protests amid political tensions and economic woes
Speeches target pro-military government, impunity and role of the monarchy
Protest leader Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon at a flash demonstration in Bangkok after two unusually outspoken activists were arrested on Aug. 8. They were released on bail over the weekend, but bigger protests are expected this week. © Reuters
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT, Nikkei staff writerAugust 10, 2020 05:10 JST
BANGKOK -- Thailand's politics are churning again with a new generation openly venting on a raft of grievances ranging from constant military meddling in politics and a backward-looking constitution to economic mismanagement and flagrant legal impunity for the rich and powerful.
Further evidence of political discontent surfaced with a Harry Potter-themed protest under the Free Youth banner at Bangkok's Democracy Monument on July 18. It attracted about a thousand students, and was among the largest political gatherings since the military staged a coup in 2014.
The young demonstrators announced plans for two bigger protests later in the capital with up to 10,000 expected to join. The first will be at Thammasat University on Monday.
The Democracy Monument speakers included Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer, and political activist Panupong Jadnok, both of whom were arrested on Friday on a variety of charges, including alleged sedition. Over 200 students gathered outside the police station where the two dissidents were being detained, and they were subsequently released on bail.
At the July 18 protest, Arnon had with rare boldness called for a public debate on the role of the monarchy, but was careful to say he was not advocating its overthrow. Police are believed to have another 31 activists marked down for possible arrest.
Hundreds of other students have staged sporadic anti-government rallies in 45 of the country's 76 provinces. The protesters called for parliament to be dissolved and the constitution to be amended, particularly Article 256 that gives 250 military-appointed senators a large say in choosing the prime minister and an effective veto on constitutional change.
"We should not underestimate the protesters," Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat University, told the Nikkei Asian Review. "They have pointed out that the charter is not very democratic and should be amended."
Anti-government sentiments have spread quickly on social media, particularly among university and high school students. When they gather for peaceful flash protests, the youngsters light up mobile phones for visual impact. Many observers expect the protests to gather momentum, and for people from other walks of life to join.
Boonyakiat Karavekphan, a political science lecturer at the Ramkamhaeng University, told Nikkei that Thailand's dismal economic outlook is fueling the political unrest, particularly among the young. "The government can do nothing to support the economy at this time," he said. "If young people feel they can't count on the government or the judicial system, then the protests will get bigger and more middle-class people will join."
The common ground of discontent is expanding. A widespread grievance has been the perceived failings of the justice system in the case of Vorayuth Yoovidhya, a grandson in the billionaire Krating Daeng (Red Bull) family. Vorayuth -- who is widely known as Boss -- was accused of killing a police officer in 2012 while driving his Ferrari intoxicated through Bangkok at 177 kph early one morning.
Vorayuth ignored numerous police summonses and fled the country in a private aircraft two days ahead of his belated arrest. After nearly eight years, with some of the lesser charges against him already expired, the attorney general's office decided on Jan. 20 to quietly drop all charges, opening the way for Vorayuth to reenter the country without fear of arrest. When news reports about his legal absolution finally surfaced on July 23, there was widespread outrage over the brazen impunity the rich and powerful evidently continue to enjoy in Thailand.
The controversy has been seized upon by the Free Youth network. Lawyers, parliamentarians and activist organizations have also called for an open investigation. Embattled Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha finally ordered one on July 29, and has revealed his personal unhappiness over the way in which the case has been handled.
Testing the public's patience, two new witnesses had testified that Vorayuth's car was traveling much less fast than previously calculated, that the dead policeman had suddenly pulled out into its path, and that the cocaine detected in Vorayuth's blood tests was residue from dental treatment.
A key witness to the alleged slower speed of the vehicle meanwhile died in a motorcycle accident in Chiangmai on July 30.
"Prison is for the poor, but the rich go free," said Somporn Sudthai, a 27-year-old taxi driver told Nikkei, saying he was infuriated by the case.
"Justice is a fundamental right that everyone should have, but this case widens inequality in the country," Rosana Tositrakul, a former senator and a prominent political critic, told Nikkei. "The rich and poor get different standards of justice."
A survey conducted by Super Poll on July 28, when the Red Bull row was escalating again, found that 91% of respondents felt the Thai judicial system was undependable, and 86% said they have lost faith in it. Over 90% of teenagers polled said they would disobey the government because of its failure to protect people.
"We were intimidated although we only staged peaceful protests," said Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree, a 23-year-old political science student and protest leader from Chulalongkorn University. "But for this hit-and-run case, there was no justice -- this is not fair."
Tattep said Free Youth has already morphed into the Free People movement, with many others coming on board to protest. Another major protest is scheduled for the afternoon of Aug 16 at Democracy Monument, and Tattep told Nikkei he expects over 10,000 to show up.
Prayuth has vaguely indicated some willingness to revisit some contentious parts of the constitution, Thailand's 20th since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was overturned. Although he has been ruling by emergency decree during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister has recently been preoccupied with reshuffling his weak coalition cabinet and shoring up its fractious dominant party, Palang Pracharat.
Somkid Jatusripitak, the deputy prime minister who oversaw economic strategy and a former finance minister, was among four key people who stepped down last month.
On Wednesday, King Maha Vajiralongkorn signed the royal assent for the new cabinet. Supattanapong Punmeechaow, the former head of PTT Global Chemical, a state enterprise, will become a deputy prime minister and energy minister. Predee Daochai, a former co-president of Kasikornbank, is the new finance minister.
There is considerable skepticism about the cabinet reshuffle's likely impact on an economy already severely battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, with no clear path out of the crisis yet apparent.
"It's not a sincere reshuffle to find the right people to tackle our economic problems," said Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, a 21-year-old student at Thammasat University. She argued that the well-being of the dominant coalition party is being put ahead of the national interest. Panusuya has seen friends forced to drop out of classes because of economic hardship, while her own family's car repair business has suffered a 70% drop in earnings.
Although Thailand has earned considerable international kudos for its handling of the pandemic, it must now foot the bill for the economic damage. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has forecast that Thailand's gross domestic product this year will fall by 9.4%, but many regard that as conservative given the decimation of exports, the collapse of tourism, and severely weakened consumer confidence.
In April, the Ministry of Labor reported that unemployment was already up by 45%. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development predicted in June that unemployment would climb to up to 4% of the workforce, but that figure is expected to be revised substantially upwards. Unemployment usually runs at about 1% -- about 400,000 workers -- but as many as 8.4 million people could be losing their jobs, with those in small and medium size businesses affected particularly badly.
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Zero new Covid cases in Thailand for second day
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 11 AUG 2020 AT 11:51
A security guard pretends to take the temperature of a traditional Thai Hanuman puppet with a face shield held by its puppeteers
at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok on July 13, 2020. (AFP)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1966411/zero-new-covid-cases-in-thailand-for-second-day
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 11 AUG 2020 AT 11:51
A security guard pretends to take the temperature of a traditional Thai Hanuman puppet with a face shield held by its puppeteers
at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok on July 13, 2020. (AFP)
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1966411/zero-new-covid-cases-in-thailand-for-second-day
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Over Bt1-million jewellery robbed at gunpoint from shop in less than a minute
National
Aug 11. 2020
By THE NATION
Police have launched a hunt for an armed man who robbed gold ornaments worth over Bt1 million from a shop in Big C Department Store in Nakhon Sawan province.
Thatako Police Station was alerted to the crime on Monday (August 10) evening at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold Shop located within Big C in Thatako district.
A shop clerk reportedly told police that a man wearing a black face mask, a black long-sleeve shirt and black pants walked into the shop at around 4pm holding what appeared to be a rifle wrapped in a white plastic bag.
“He pointed the gun at me and ordered me to take the gold ornaments in the display case out and put them in a fabric bag that he had brought along, and walked out of the department store,” she said.
The gold shop reported that the robbed gold ornaments included 24 necklaces weighing 38 baht (about 576 grams) and were worth Bt1,136,200.
Police reviewed CCTV footage and found that the whole crime, which lasted less than one minute, matched the shop clerk’s statement. They also found that the suspect had got into a white pickup truck with its licence plate covered by a piece of paper that was parked right at the mall’s entrance before driving away on Thatako-Nong Bua Road that connects to Phetchabun and Sing Buri provinces.
Police believed that the robbery was well-planned as the suspect was very fast and seemed to know the layout of the shop and the department store. They also speculated that the suspect might be working with a partner who could be driving the pickup truck.
Officials have set up roadblocks on all possible escape routes but have found no clues about the suspect.
Tags:
National
Aug 11. 2020
By THE NATION
Police have launched a hunt for an armed man who robbed gold ornaments worth over Bt1 million from a shop in Big C Department Store in Nakhon Sawan province.
Thatako Police Station was alerted to the crime on Monday (August 10) evening at Yaowarat Bangkok Gold Shop located within Big C in Thatako district.
A shop clerk reportedly told police that a man wearing a black face mask, a black long-sleeve shirt and black pants walked into the shop at around 4pm holding what appeared to be a rifle wrapped in a white plastic bag.
“He pointed the gun at me and ordered me to take the gold ornaments in the display case out and put them in a fabric bag that he had brought along, and walked out of the department store,” she said.
The gold shop reported that the robbed gold ornaments included 24 necklaces weighing 38 baht (about 576 grams) and were worth Bt1,136,200.
Police reviewed CCTV footage and found that the whole crime, which lasted less than one minute, matched the shop clerk’s statement. They also found that the suspect had got into a white pickup truck with its licence plate covered by a piece of paper that was parked right at the mall’s entrance before driving away on Thatako-Nong Bua Road that connects to Phetchabun and Sing Buri provinces.
Police believed that the robbery was well-planned as the suspect was very fast and seemed to know the layout of the shop and the department store. They also speculated that the suspect might be working with a partner who could be driving the pickup truck.
Officials have set up roadblocks on all possible escape routes but have found no clues about the suspect.
Tags:
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https://prachatai.com/english/node/8709
By Prachatai
[Full statement] The demonstration at Thammasat proposes monarchy reform
Submitted on Tue, 11 Aug 2020 - 11:17 AM
The organizer of the demonstration at Thammasat University read their first declaration. It proposes that the monarchy should be reformed in line with democratic principles. The perception toward the monarchy should not be exaggerated.
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, the Student Union of Thailand spokesperson read the first declaration at the Thammasat demonstration on 10 August.
The demonstration was held on 10 August. The proposal toward the monarchy reform has been made even more objectively after the first speech about the monarchy role and deep-rooted Thai political problems by Anon Nampa, a human rights lawyer in a demonstration on 3 August.
Beside the monarchy issue, other demonstrators also gave speeches about other problem such as labor rights, gender equality and political crisis.
United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration
Declaration No. 1
To the people:
Since the People’s Party fomented a revolutionary transformation, the people have hoped that our country would be a democracy with the king as head of state who is truly above politics. But it has not been as such as the king has exercised power to intervene in politics from above. For example, whenever a coup topples a government that has arisen from a real democratic process, the king has signed to appoint the head of the junta. This constitutes the endorsement of each and every coup as legal.
Moreover, the king has moved troops and also transferred a significant amount of the national budget to belong to the himself personally. He has exercised extralegal royal authority to amend the constitution, which had already passed a referendum, to allow him to reside outside the kingdom without having to appoint a regent.
This could be done because the dictatorship government bowed down under the shadow of the king and continues to claim the monarchy for its own benefit. It can be seen that they mutually benefit. Such a situation constitutes an enemy to the principles of a democracy with the king as head of state. There is no democratic country in which such actions take place.
The people ought to know that the king of our country is not above politics. This has consistently been the root of political problems. He has neglected his duties of being the head of state that binds him to the hearts of the people and uses the people’s taxes to seek pleasure and reside outside the country. This takes place while the people are experiencing hardship from economic downturn. He also has close relationships with the rebels who foment coups to topple democratic rule.
It is therefore evident that if there are no adjustments made for the monarchy to co-exist with the institutions of the people, the people will necessarily lose faith in the monarchy.
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration therefore makes the following demands in order to resolve the problems with the monarchy:
1. Revoke Article 6 of the 2017 Constitution that does not allow anyone to make any accusation against the king. And add an article to allow parliament to examine the wrongdoing of the king, as had been stipulated in the constitution promulgated by the People’s Party.
2. Revoke Article 112 of the Criminal Code, as well as allowing the people to exercise freedom of expression about the monarchy and giving an amnesty to all those prosecuted for criticizing the monarchy.
3. Revoke the Crown Property Act of 2018 and make a clear division between the assets of the king under the control of the Ministry of Finance and his personal assets.
4. Reduce the amount of the national budget allocated to the king to be in line with the economic conditions of the country.
5. Abolish the Royal Offices. Units with a clear duty, for example, the Royal Security Command, should be transferred and placed under other agencies. Unnecessary units, such as the Privy Council, should be disbanded.
6. Cease all giving and receiving of donations by royal charity funds in order for the all of the assets of the the monarchy to be auditable.
7. Cease the exercise of royal prerogative over expression of political opinions in public.
8. Cease all public relations and education that excessively and one-sidedly glorify the monarchy.
9. Search for the facts about the murder of those who criticized or had some kind of relation with the monarchy.
10. The king must not endorse any further coups.
These demands are not a proposal to topple the monarchy. They are a good-faith proposal made for the monarchy to be able to continue to be esteemed by the people within a democracy.
Therefore, for the monarchy to be secure in the present-day world, it must not hold power related to politics. It should be able to to be controlled, audited, and criticized and it should not be a burden on the people. Then it will be able to be held as the monarchy that is dignified in line with a universal meaning of democracy.
By Prachatai
[Full statement] The demonstration at Thammasat proposes monarchy reform
Submitted on Tue, 11 Aug 2020 - 11:17 AM
The organizer of the demonstration at Thammasat University read their first declaration. It proposes that the monarchy should be reformed in line with democratic principles. The perception toward the monarchy should not be exaggerated.
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, the Student Union of Thailand spokesperson read the first declaration at the Thammasat demonstration on 10 August.
The demonstration was held on 10 August. The proposal toward the monarchy reform has been made even more objectively after the first speech about the monarchy role and deep-rooted Thai political problems by Anon Nampa, a human rights lawyer in a demonstration on 3 August.
Beside the monarchy issue, other demonstrators also gave speeches about other problem such as labor rights, gender equality and political crisis.
United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration
Declaration No. 1
To the people:
Since the People’s Party fomented a revolutionary transformation, the people have hoped that our country would be a democracy with the king as head of state who is truly above politics. But it has not been as such as the king has exercised power to intervene in politics from above. For example, whenever a coup topples a government that has arisen from a real democratic process, the king has signed to appoint the head of the junta. This constitutes the endorsement of each and every coup as legal.
Moreover, the king has moved troops and also transferred a significant amount of the national budget to belong to the himself personally. He has exercised extralegal royal authority to amend the constitution, which had already passed a referendum, to allow him to reside outside the kingdom without having to appoint a regent.
This could be done because the dictatorship government bowed down under the shadow of the king and continues to claim the monarchy for its own benefit. It can be seen that they mutually benefit. Such a situation constitutes an enemy to the principles of a democracy with the king as head of state. There is no democratic country in which such actions take place.
The people ought to know that the king of our country is not above politics. This has consistently been the root of political problems. He has neglected his duties of being the head of state that binds him to the hearts of the people and uses the people’s taxes to seek pleasure and reside outside the country. This takes place while the people are experiencing hardship from economic downturn. He also has close relationships with the rebels who foment coups to topple democratic rule.
It is therefore evident that if there are no adjustments made for the monarchy to co-exist with the institutions of the people, the people will necessarily lose faith in the monarchy.
The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration therefore makes the following demands in order to resolve the problems with the monarchy:
1. Revoke Article 6 of the 2017 Constitution that does not allow anyone to make any accusation against the king. And add an article to allow parliament to examine the wrongdoing of the king, as had been stipulated in the constitution promulgated by the People’s Party.
2. Revoke Article 112 of the Criminal Code, as well as allowing the people to exercise freedom of expression about the monarchy and giving an amnesty to all those prosecuted for criticizing the monarchy.
3. Revoke the Crown Property Act of 2018 and make a clear division between the assets of the king under the control of the Ministry of Finance and his personal assets.
4. Reduce the amount of the national budget allocated to the king to be in line with the economic conditions of the country.
5. Abolish the Royal Offices. Units with a clear duty, for example, the Royal Security Command, should be transferred and placed under other agencies. Unnecessary units, such as the Privy Council, should be disbanded.
6. Cease all giving and receiving of donations by royal charity funds in order for the all of the assets of the the monarchy to be auditable.
7. Cease the exercise of royal prerogative over expression of political opinions in public.
8. Cease all public relations and education that excessively and one-sidedly glorify the monarchy.
9. Search for the facts about the murder of those who criticized or had some kind of relation with the monarchy.
10. The king must not endorse any further coups.
These demands are not a proposal to topple the monarchy. They are a good-faith proposal made for the monarchy to be able to continue to be esteemed by the people within a democracy.
Therefore, for the monarchy to be secure in the present-day world, it must not hold power related to politics. It should be able to to be controlled, audited, and criticized and it should not be a burden on the people. Then it will be able to be held as the monarchy that is dignified in line with a universal meaning of democracy.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 20,480
- Points
- 113
New status sought for Thai soup
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 13 AUG 2020 AT 10:02
Tom Yum Gung
The Ministry of Culture is applying to have Thailand's world-famous hot and sour prawn soup, Tom Yum Gung, registered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said officials at the ministry were preparing documents and gathering information from around the country before submitting the proposal.
Mr Itthiphol pointed out the cultural similarities of each country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with friendships endured since the founding of the regional bloc 53 years ago. He said that the government and ministry intended to create a role for Thailand in Asean by promoting its cultural uniqueness in the furtherance of international relations.
Recent Asean Day celebrations presented iconic food from each member country to highlight the variety of its regional food.
These included Nom Banh Chok from Cambodia, a rice noodle dish with curry similar to Thailand's Kanom Chin, and Indonesia's Lumpia Semarang, which are spring rolls akin to the kingdom's Po Piah.
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 13 AUG 2020 AT 10:02
The Ministry of Culture is applying to have Thailand's world-famous hot and sour prawn soup, Tom Yum Gung, registered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Minister Itthiphol Kunplome said officials at the ministry were preparing documents and gathering information from around the country before submitting the proposal.
Mr Itthiphol pointed out the cultural similarities of each country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with friendships endured since the founding of the regional bloc 53 years ago. He said that the government and ministry intended to create a role for Thailand in Asean by promoting its cultural uniqueness in the furtherance of international relations.
Recent Asean Day celebrations presented iconic food from each member country to highlight the variety of its regional food.
These included Nom Banh Chok from Cambodia, a rice noodle dish with curry similar to Thailand's Kanom Chin, and Indonesia's Lumpia Semarang, which are spring rolls akin to the kingdom's Po Piah.
- Joined
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https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Tu...1&pub_date=20200812190000&seq_num=16&si=44594
Thailand's peaceful student protests press for bold reforms
Demo on Queen Mother's birthday called off, but monarchy under scrutiny
Student demonstrators flashing trademark three-finger salutes called for major political reforms during a peaceful demonstration at Thammasat University on Monday. Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerAugust 12, 2020 11:03 JST
BANGKOK -- Student protests have been growing in Bangkok with demonstrators openly calling for a change of government, a proper debate on the role of the monarchy and constitutional reforms. There have also recently been smaller protests in over 45 of the kingdom's 76 provinces.
Following a demonstration on Monday at Thammasat University, students had planned to stage an afternoon protest in Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok on Wednesday -- a public holiday marking Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday that is celebrated nationally as Mother's Day.
The event was called off the night before, organizers implied to deny suspected fifth-columnists an opportunity to cause disruption.
An even bigger protest is, however, planned for Sunday at Democracy Monument near the administrative heart of the capital.
Thousands of university students and others turned out on Monday, making it one of the largest political gatherings since the military staged a coup in 2014. Protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his cabinet, and for constitutional amendments.
The constitution, Thailand's 20th since 1932, was drafted at the military's behest, and adopted after a national referendum in 2016. It gives 250 military-appointed senators a large say in choosing the prime minister, and an effective veto on constitutional reform.
Monday's protest leaders drew applause when 10 reforms to the monarchy were read out by Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, spokesperson for the Student Union of Thailand. These included revocation of the law of lese-majeste, a reduction in public spending on the royal family, a clearer distinction between royal and public assets, and abolition of the privy council along with other "unnecessary units."
In past protests, demonstrators have avoided open criticism of the monarchy. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa broke the taboo when he called for a public debate on the role of the monarchy at a protest held at Democracy Monument on July 18. Arnon was arrested on Friday on a variety of charges, including alleged sedition. He and a colleague were released on bail after some 200 students gathered outside the police station where he was being detained.
The political discontent comes at a time of increasing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Southeast Asia's second largest economy is expected to contract by 8.1% this year, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Students have tapped into public resentment by protesting against a justice system that many feel affords impunity to the rich and powerful. Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of billionaire Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, was accused of killing a police officer while intoxicated in a hit-and-run incident in 2012, but fled abroad before his arrest. The case was quietly dropped by the attorney general's office in January and his legal absolution only surfaced in July.
Warnings were issued after Monday's protests. "Whatever they want to rally, let them. But if it is against the law, then it is," said Prayuth in a doorstep interview on Tuesday.
"Differing opinions are normal in a democratic system," said Buddhipongse Punnakanta, the digital economy and society minister. "But we have to be careful not to infringe others' rights or offend the country's highest institution," he said in a reference to the monarchy. "Nobody will accept it."
Official attempts to contain the situation have included obstructing communications. The students have used YouTube, Facebook and other social media to spread their messages. Invoking the Computer Crimes Act, Buddhipongse called on IT companies to cooperate in taking down "illegal pages."
Some royalists and government supporters have also been active, with dozens rallying outside Government House on Monday.
"With at least one battalion in each province, we will have the army of people who serve to protect the monarchy," Rianthong Nanna, an ultraroyalist with almost 100,000 Facebook followers, posted on Tuesday, hinting at moves that may be afoot to thwart so far overwhelmingly peaceful protests.
Thailand's peaceful student protests press for bold reforms
Demo on Queen Mother's birthday called off, but monarchy under scrutiny
Student demonstrators flashing trademark three-finger salutes called for major political reforms during a peaceful demonstration at Thammasat University on Monday. Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerAugust 12, 2020 11:03 JST
BANGKOK -- Student protests have been growing in Bangkok with demonstrators openly calling for a change of government, a proper debate on the role of the monarchy and constitutional reforms. There have also recently been smaller protests in over 45 of the kingdom's 76 provinces.
Following a demonstration on Monday at Thammasat University, students had planned to stage an afternoon protest in Lumpini Park in the heart of Bangkok on Wednesday -- a public holiday marking Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday that is celebrated nationally as Mother's Day.
The event was called off the night before, organizers implied to deny suspected fifth-columnists an opportunity to cause disruption.
An even bigger protest is, however, planned for Sunday at Democracy Monument near the administrative heart of the capital.
Thousands of university students and others turned out on Monday, making it one of the largest political gatherings since the military staged a coup in 2014. Protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his cabinet, and for constitutional amendments.
The constitution, Thailand's 20th since 1932, was drafted at the military's behest, and adopted after a national referendum in 2016. It gives 250 military-appointed senators a large say in choosing the prime minister, and an effective veto on constitutional reform.
Monday's protest leaders drew applause when 10 reforms to the monarchy were read out by Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, spokesperson for the Student Union of Thailand. These included revocation of the law of lese-majeste, a reduction in public spending on the royal family, a clearer distinction between royal and public assets, and abolition of the privy council along with other "unnecessary units."
In past protests, demonstrators have avoided open criticism of the monarchy. Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa broke the taboo when he called for a public debate on the role of the monarchy at a protest held at Democracy Monument on July 18. Arnon was arrested on Friday on a variety of charges, including alleged sedition. He and a colleague were released on bail after some 200 students gathered outside the police station where he was being detained.
The political discontent comes at a time of increasing economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Southeast Asia's second largest economy is expected to contract by 8.1% this year, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Students have tapped into public resentment by protesting against a justice system that many feel affords impunity to the rich and powerful. Vorayuth Yoovidhya, grandson of billionaire Red Bull co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, was accused of killing a police officer while intoxicated in a hit-and-run incident in 2012, but fled abroad before his arrest. The case was quietly dropped by the attorney general's office in January and his legal absolution only surfaced in July.
Warnings were issued after Monday's protests. "Whatever they want to rally, let them. But if it is against the law, then it is," said Prayuth in a doorstep interview on Tuesday.
"Differing opinions are normal in a democratic system," said Buddhipongse Punnakanta, the digital economy and society minister. "But we have to be careful not to infringe others' rights or offend the country's highest institution," he said in a reference to the monarchy. "Nobody will accept it."
Official attempts to contain the situation have included obstructing communications. The students have used YouTube, Facebook and other social media to spread their messages. Invoking the Computer Crimes Act, Buddhipongse called on IT companies to cooperate in taking down "illegal pages."
Some royalists and government supporters have also been active, with dozens rallying outside Government House on Monday.
"With at least one battalion in each province, we will have the army of people who serve to protect the monarchy," Rianthong Nanna, an ultraroyalist with almost 100,000 Facebook followers, posted on Tuesday, hinting at moves that may be afoot to thwart so far overwhelmingly peaceful protests.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2008
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- 28,843
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https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tr...10&pub_date=20200814140000&seq_num=6&si=44594
Thai Airways' record $900m loss wipes out shareholder equity
Troubled flag carrier off to rocky start in rehabilitation under bankruptcy court
Liabilities at Thai Airways ballooned to 332.1 billion baht as of June, up nearly 37% from the end of 2019. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerAugust 14, 2020 13:52 JST
BANGKOK -- Thai Airways International has revealed the damage to its financial status inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, which gave it a final push to give up the idea of self-resuscitation.
The cash-strapped national flag carrier's net loss for the first half of this year was 28 billion baht ($900 million), according to its financial results released on Friday. The loss ballooned 4.4-fold compared to the same period the previous year, marking the largest retreat for the first half of a fiscal year since comparable data became available in 2007.
Its total revenue decreased by 56.9% to 40 billion baht, reflecting the strengthening impact of the coronavirus despite social-distancing measures. In pre-coronavirus times, the first half, especially the first quarter, of each year provided Thai Airways with most of its profit, as Thailand attracts many Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year.
The results were posted ahead of the first hearing scheduled on Monday with the Bankruptcy Court to discuss the rehabilitation of the troubled carrier. Thai Airways filed corporate reorganization proceedings at the court in May, as COVID-19 travel restrictions eroded its cash management.
The announcement of results on Friday was the first time the financial damage of COVID-19 to the national flag carrier had seen the light of the day. Thai Airways was granted an extension on submitting its March results by the Stock Exchange of Thailand until Friday. The March results were posted along with the June results.
It recorded a net loss of 5.3 billion baht for the quarter ending June, following another net loss of 22.6 billion baht in the first quarter.
The result announcements posed the airline an urgent need for a swift recovery to maintain its listed company status. Its total shareholders' equity turned negative at minus 18.1 billion baht. At the Stock Exchange of Thailand, shareholders' equity lower than zero leads to consideration of delisting. The airline is given three years to raise itself from negative shareholders' equity, before facing removal from the bourse.
The national flag carrier's total liabilities ballooned to 332.1 billion baht as of June, up 36.7% from the end of 2019.
The petition for rehabilitation accepted by the Central Bankruptcy Court gave Thai Airways an automatic stay on debt repayments. At the hearing on Monday, the court will decide whether to allow Thai Airways to advance in the rehabilitation process and to appoint a committee to draw up an actual restructuring plan.
The restructuring plan is expected to be submitted to creditors and the court for approval next year. Rehabilitation administrators will be able to begin restructuring in May or June 2021, if the process goes smoothly, according to a legal adviser of Thai Airways.
But the outlook for a swift rehabilitation is looking grim. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said revenue from international visitors in 2021 under its base-case scenario could shrink to 618 billion baht, or about 32% of the 1.9 trillion earned in 2019. The revenue will even fall to 298 billion baht in its worst-case scenario.
Slimmer earnings opportunities limit Thai Airways' ability to rehabilitate just through revenue growth and cost cuts, raising the need for capital injection. The last time it raised capital was in 2010.
Thai Airways' record $900m loss wipes out shareholder equity
Troubled flag carrier off to rocky start in rehabilitation under bankruptcy court
Liabilities at Thai Airways ballooned to 332.1 billion baht as of June, up nearly 37% from the end of 2019. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerAugust 14, 2020 13:52 JST
BANGKOK -- Thai Airways International has revealed the damage to its financial status inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, which gave it a final push to give up the idea of self-resuscitation.
The cash-strapped national flag carrier's net loss for the first half of this year was 28 billion baht ($900 million), according to its financial results released on Friday. The loss ballooned 4.4-fold compared to the same period the previous year, marking the largest retreat for the first half of a fiscal year since comparable data became available in 2007.
Its total revenue decreased by 56.9% to 40 billion baht, reflecting the strengthening impact of the coronavirus despite social-distancing measures. In pre-coronavirus times, the first half, especially the first quarter, of each year provided Thai Airways with most of its profit, as Thailand attracts many Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year.
The results were posted ahead of the first hearing scheduled on Monday with the Bankruptcy Court to discuss the rehabilitation of the troubled carrier. Thai Airways filed corporate reorganization proceedings at the court in May, as COVID-19 travel restrictions eroded its cash management.
The announcement of results on Friday was the first time the financial damage of COVID-19 to the national flag carrier had seen the light of the day. Thai Airways was granted an extension on submitting its March results by the Stock Exchange of Thailand until Friday. The March results were posted along with the June results.
It recorded a net loss of 5.3 billion baht for the quarter ending June, following another net loss of 22.6 billion baht in the first quarter.
The result announcements posed the airline an urgent need for a swift recovery to maintain its listed company status. Its total shareholders' equity turned negative at minus 18.1 billion baht. At the Stock Exchange of Thailand, shareholders' equity lower than zero leads to consideration of delisting. The airline is given three years to raise itself from negative shareholders' equity, before facing removal from the bourse.
The national flag carrier's total liabilities ballooned to 332.1 billion baht as of June, up 36.7% from the end of 2019.
The petition for rehabilitation accepted by the Central Bankruptcy Court gave Thai Airways an automatic stay on debt repayments. At the hearing on Monday, the court will decide whether to allow Thai Airways to advance in the rehabilitation process and to appoint a committee to draw up an actual restructuring plan.
The restructuring plan is expected to be submitted to creditors and the court for approval next year. Rehabilitation administrators will be able to begin restructuring in May or June 2021, if the process goes smoothly, according to a legal adviser of Thai Airways.
But the outlook for a swift rehabilitation is looking grim. The Tourism Authority of Thailand said revenue from international visitors in 2021 under its base-case scenario could shrink to 618 billion baht, or about 32% of the 1.9 trillion earned in 2019. The revenue will even fall to 298 billion baht in its worst-case scenario.
Slimmer earnings opportunities limit Thai Airways' ability to rehabilitate just through revenue growth and cost cuts, raising the need for capital injection. The last time it raised capital was in 2010.
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anybody knows this martial artist's name?
watch from 6 min onwards.
very underrated martial artist
who is he?
with the right opportunity, funding, director, choreographer and professional team, he could turn in to the next tony jaa.
watch from 6 min onwards.
very underrated martial artist
who is he?
with the right opportunity, funding, director, choreographer and professional team, he could turn in to the next tony jaa.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 20,480
- Points
- 113
10,000-strong student protest calls on govt to quit
Student-led protesters are closing the roads around Democracy Monument in Bangkok
Nation National
Aug 16. 2020
Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Tanachai Pramarnpanich and Supakit Khumkun, Nation Thailand by Kunanon Kanjanatecha
By The Nation
Free People student-led protesters have gathered to hold the rally against the government at Democracy Monument in Bangkok's Rajdamnoen Road on Sunday (August 16).
Clip 1
The demonstration starts at 3pm until 9pm on Sunday. Those who had arrived earlier showed the three-finger sign, symbolically showing their opposition to coup d'etat and clapped their hands to welcome those who arrived later.
At 3.25pm, the Free People group set up a stage with an electricity generator in the centre of the Democracy Monument.
At 3.40pm, the Coordination Centre for Vocational Students and People Protecting the Institution group, who had rallied earlier, were dismissed from the scene after police officers asked them to avoid any confrontation.
At 4.30pm, roads around Democracy Monument were closed by a huge crowd of student-led protesters.
Ten minutes later, the rally organised by students began with stinging criticism of the government. The speakers accused the government of controlling children's mindset by drilling in them the 12 core Thai values, as a result the country's education had failed to develop.
The students demanded that the government repeal Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, or lèse majesté law, which says: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years."
At 6pm, a farmer in Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao province told the gathering that they were forced to leave their land by a group of capitalists supported by Palang Pracharat Party to work on the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Meanwhile, the students accused the government of using real bullets in dealing with the demonstrations so far.
At 7pm, a women's rights activist told the gathering that the right to abortion had been ignored for a long time because lawmakers only listened to the voices of certain scholars, showing that the government was indirectly threatening the people.
Meanwhile, the pro-democracy students urged the media to report the protest news boldly, emphasising that the media must stand on the people's side.
During the rally, a student band played music for political refugees and students holding protests nationwide, while the gathering turned on their mobile phone flashlights and waved to the beat.
Student-led protesters are closing the roads around Democracy Monument in Bangkok
Nation National
Aug 16. 2020
Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Tanachai Pramarnpanich and Supakit Khumkun, Nation Thailand by Kunanon Kanjanatecha
By The Nation
Free People student-led protesters have gathered to hold the rally against the government at Democracy Monument in Bangkok's Rajdamnoen Road on Sunday (August 16).
Clip 1
The demonstration starts at 3pm until 9pm on Sunday. Those who had arrived earlier showed the three-finger sign, symbolically showing their opposition to coup d'etat and clapped their hands to welcome those who arrived later.
At 3.25pm, the Free People group set up a stage with an electricity generator in the centre of the Democracy Monument.
At 3.40pm, the Coordination Centre for Vocational Students and People Protecting the Institution group, who had rallied earlier, were dismissed from the scene after police officers asked them to avoid any confrontation.
At 4.30pm, roads around Democracy Monument were closed by a huge crowd of student-led protesters.
Ten minutes later, the rally organised by students began with stinging criticism of the government. The speakers accused the government of controlling children's mindset by drilling in them the 12 core Thai values, as a result the country's education had failed to develop.
The students demanded that the government repeal Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, or lèse majesté law, which says: "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years."
At 6pm, a farmer in Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao province told the gathering that they were forced to leave their land by a group of capitalists supported by Palang Pracharat Party to work on the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Meanwhile, the students accused the government of using real bullets in dealing with the demonstrations so far.
At 7pm, a women's rights activist told the gathering that the right to abortion had been ignored for a long time because lawmakers only listened to the voices of certain scholars, showing that the government was indirectly threatening the people.
Meanwhile, the pro-democracy students urged the media to report the protest news boldly, emphasising that the media must stand on the people's side.
During the rally, a student band played music for political refugees and students holding protests nationwide, while the gathering turned on their mobile phone flashlights and waved to the beat.
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