Round Up
16 Oct 2017
A rock singer’s charity campaign has sparked debate over the ethics of donations, while a senior academic is facing a lèse majesté lawsuit for criticising King Naresuan, who ruled the kingdom of Ayutthaya 400 years ago.
Thailand’s lèse majesté law is notorious for its excessive punishments and broad interpretations.
15 Oct 2017
The proposal to collect water fees from rice farmers is the first step towards the commodification of water resources, which will accelerate the collapse of small-scale farmers who are already struggling to make ends meet.
9 Oct 2017
October has brought a mood of mourning to Thailand as the late King Bhumibol's cremation approaches. But October has long brought memories of loss for Thai society, ever since the bloody 6 October massacre 41 years ago.
In the early morning of 6 October 1976, right-wing groups massacred students at Thammasat University who had gathered to protest the return to Thailand of a former military dictator ousted after the October 1973 protests.
2 Oct 2017
After the Criminal Court handed a five year jail term against Yingluck, the junta issued an organic law that forces her to appeal the case in person. Meanwhile, the junta’s National Strategic Plan has faced the ‘strongest’ rejection.
Last week, the prosecution against Yingluck over the Rice Pledging Scheme (RPS) came to an end after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions read its verdict on 27 September.
The court gave Yingluck five years in prison without suspension.
25 Sep 2017
This year’s university initiation season has been inaugurated with the message that “touching someone else’s genitals can create love and unity.” Meanwhile, an anti-Islam monk has been disrobed for inciting violence against Muslims.
Too much love at a Thai university
The beginning of the university year in Thailand is marked by reports of physical, mental and sexual abuse against freshman students during initiation activities.
18 Sep 2017
The name Gen Anupong Paojinda turned up in various controversies last week.
8 Sep 2017
“Today, the struggle is not over yet. This mother will struggle until the end...I believe that the perpetrators will not get away,” said Payao Akhad, mother of Kamolkate Akhad, a medic who was killed during the 2010 crackdown on red-shirt protesters. She spoke while lighting incense for her late daughter at Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok on 31 August 2017.
4 Sep 2017
The judicialisation of politics, or judicial activism, refers to circumstances where the judicial branch becomes an active player in politics, interfering in the affairs of the executive or legislative branches.
30 Aug 2017
On top of rising numbers of prosecutions under Thailand’s notorious lèse majesté law, the sedition law has also been used by the military regime to shut down critics since the 2014 coup d’état.
28 Aug 2017
After a trial lasting more than two years, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ultimately decided to flee the country before her Rice Pledging Scheme’s judgement day.
Her destination remains unconfirmed though the media have made various guesses including Singapore, Dubai and the UK.
24 Aug 2017
On 25 August 2017, the Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the historic case of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who stands accused of causing billions of baht in losses through her administration’s controversial rice-pledging scheme (RPS). Prachatai has gathered 10 important facts about the historic case, which will set a standard for future public policy and almost certainly deepen political divisions regardless of the outcome.
21 Aug 2017
While the court last week ruled on the first royal defamation case under Rama X, the case began against the youngest lèse majesté suspect ever. Another three crucial verdicts will be read on 25 August.
Last week prosecutions
Two remarkable lèse majesté cases occurred during the past week.
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