Protests
US senators introduce resolution in support of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement
The US Senate has called on the Thai government to end violence against political activists, as it introduced a resolution in support of the pro-democracy movement. 9 members of Congress introduced the resolution, including Thai-American senator Tammy Duckworth, who has previously served in the US military.
“As a Thai-American who fought to protect the right to peacefully protest here at home, I know that both the longstanding, strong relationship between the US and Thailand as well as every individual’s inalienable democratic rights are critically important to uphold and defend. Thailand is a strong partner with the US, both in terms of our shared national security priorities and economic relations, and the Thai people have a proud history of democratic reform. I urge Thai leadership to listen to the people and respect the democratic principles at the heart of the government they’ve worked so hard to form.”
A press release from the Senate says the resolution, “underscores the United States’ commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Thailand. The senators’ resolution follows recent demonstrations by Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, which have been met with violence and repression by the country’s monarchy and government.”
The resolution says the military-drafted 2017 Constitution is at the root of the problem, accusing it of eroding democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights in the Kingdom. It points out that in the 2019 election, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha managed to maintain his grip on power through the support of an unelected Senate appointed by the military. The election is seen by many independent monitoring groups as having been deeply flawed and skewed in favour of the PM and his administration.
The resolution also criticises the dissolution of the opposition party, Future Forward, saying that process too was flawed and based on spurious accusations. It also claims the Thai government has not done enough to investigate the enforced disappearances and killings of Thai political activists elsewhere in Asia.
The government’s response to the ongoing political protests has also come in for criticism, with the resolution saying it consists of, “intimidation tactics, surveillance, harassment, arrests, violence and imprisonment”, prompting UNICEF to voice concern over the risks to children attending political rallies.
Meanwhile, Senator Bob Menendez says pro-democracy activists in Thailand are only seeking what’s fair.
“Thailand’s reformers are not seeking a revolution. They are simply yearning for democratic changes to their country’s political system, for freedom of speech and assembly, and for Thailand to be a part of the community of democratic nations.”
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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A student at Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus has been arrested and charged with violating Thailand’s strict lèse majesté law. Ironically, it was his calls for the law to be abolished that led to Sirichai Natueng, aka, “New”, being charged. The group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, has confirmed the student’s arrest on its Twitter page.
After being taken into custody, the pro-democracy activist was driven to Khlong Luang police station, in the central province of Pathum Thani, just outside Bangkok. Other anti-government activists, including Parit Chiwarak, aka, “Penguin”, and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul (“Rung”) followed, accompanied by representatives from TLHR.
Since the arrest, the hashtags #saveนิวมธ (Save New) and #ยกเลิกม112 (Cancel Section 112) have been trending on Twitter. Section 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code is the law governing lèse majesté, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Sirichai, a member of the pro-democracy group United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, has been charged with 2 lèse majesté offences. He is accused of defacing an image of the Monarchy, as well as the Rangsit campus sign, with graffiti calling for the abolition of the lèse majesté law.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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13 political activists who led thousands of protesters to the German Embassy in Bangkok last October have met with police and prosecutors in the capital. They face charges of violating section 112 of the Criminal Code for the October 26 rally at the embassy. The aim of the gathering was to submit a petition calling on the German government to ascertain if His Majesty the King was conducting state business from Germany. Section 112 of the Criminal Code is also known as the lèse majesté law, which prohibits criticism or defamation of the Monarchy. Violators could face up to 15 years in prison.
During yesterday’s meeting at Thung Maha Mek police station, officers were on duty in front of the station, to bolster security, while others in plain clothes photographed those who’d turned up in a show of solidarity with the 13 activists. The rally at the German Embassy was organised by the pro-democracy group, Khana Ratsadorn. The group’s leaders face multiple other charges in addition to lèse majesté.
One protest leaders, named as Atthapol Buaphat, aka, “”Khru Yai”, says the group is waiting to see if prosecutors press ahead with charges. He says they have provided additional handwritten evidence to police and asked officers to question more witnesses. Another leader, Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, says she just received a summons issued 2 months after an October 14 rally. She adds that the resurgence in Covid-19 means pro-democracy activists are pausing their political action but vows that it will resume again at some point.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Pro-democracy activists have called a protest at Thung Mahamek police station in Bangkok, in a show of solidarity with 13 protesters arrested for delivering a petition to the German Embassy. Last October, members of the pro-democracy Ratsadon group led a march of thousands of people to the German Embassy on Sathorn Road. The protesters’ plan was to submit a petition urging the German government to investigate allegations that His Majesty the King was ruling Thailand from Germany.
13 activists were subsequently taken into custody and have been hit with charges of lèse majesté or violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code. Thailand’s lèse majesté law, which prohibits criticism or defamation of the Monarchy, is considered to be one of the harshest in the world. Those found guilty face up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Yesterday, protest group The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration posted on its Facebook page, urging those who wanted to support the charged activists to join this morning’s rally.
“Tomorrow, 13 alleged offenders in the German Embassy case are scheduled to meet with the prosecuting attorney at Thung Mahamek police station. We have organised a meeting in front of the station from 10am. If you have no trouble going there, please join us to provide support to the 13 protesters.”
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:37 am
Enough is enough. I will begin an insurgency in Southern California. This government has to go.
Carlo Costantini
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:21 pm
Southern Cal only? What about the heart of darkness “NYC”?
Sara
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 7:17 pm
@John
You’re right.
What is the U.S. government’s involvement? It is an interference in Thai internal affairs. Are the Thai people meddling in internal problems in the US?
For months there have been demonstrations in Thailand; now there is an intervention by the US Senate. Strange coincidence. This gives credence to certain theses 😉
Richard
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:31 pm
The ones in support are quilty as hell in this farse of an Presidential election.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 11:41 am
lol
gosport
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Well, does Uncle Sam have the abilities to do so now?
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Thia could hardly be more ironic coming from a country whose president took office by what he called “a landslide” despite losing the popular vote, who has loaded the courts in an attempt to use the “constitution” to keep himself in power, which has abused basic human rights since it was founded, violently suppressed peaceful civil rights protests, including recently, openly keeps people imprisoned for decades without any form of trial, abuses its military power more than any other, and has an onging official policy of kidnapping, torturing and killing dissenters abroad.
This would be funny if it wasn’t quite so hypocritical.
Carlo Costantini
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:39 pm
Trump is an idiot. This is well documented since the 1980s. But honestly, do you actually think Biden or anyone else will do any better? If so, I suspect that you have not read “The Republic” by Plato & I know that you have not read the political playbook, aka “The Prince” by Machiavelli. For example, the playbook suggests that Biden will simply begin a PR campaign against a new demon (probably Republican Senate or, if they gain the Senate, blame an ephemeral group like “1%ers” like Obama did when Dems had all 3 power positions (I had huge hopes for Obama, btw) Lately, I have realized that people who support politicians, instead of taking 1 hour out of each actually helping people (not just a tax-deductible donation), are enablers of the injustices you mentioned. You can still change…I did. Consider this: the above mentioned works are available at any library.
Issan John
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Honestly?
Given the options, it was choosing between a clown and C3PO for President, and not dissimilar to the UK’s recent general election where it wasn’t so much a case of who do you want for PM but who do you NOT want.
You’ve got my sympathy, but that doesn’t help …
… and,unfortunately, the nearest library with those is probably a few thousand kms away
rob
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 12:03 am
You really are a dope aren’t you? HAHAHA
Texpat
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Yeo. But his ass just got voted out. Prayut?
John
Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 10:30 pm
You’ve been in Thailand waaaaaaay to long. Peaceful protesters burned down tens of thousands of businesses and killed hundreds of Americans. All because of some black criminal over dosed on his own drugs while being arrested. America is ripe for civil war and a purge.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 12:29 pm
I wonder if anyone has applied to the International criminal court for the arrest of certain members of the Thai government for crimes against humanity.
I can see a few violations, that require investigation.
That would certainly get the Thai dictators attention, knowing the results would be outside of Thailand and out of their corrupt control.
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Maybe you could detail those “violations” …..
….. or maybe not.
Toby Andrews
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 8:43 am
Yes I could . . .
Issan John
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 5:16 pm
Do feel free to … anytime …
Toby Andrews
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 5:40 pm
persecution on political grounds.
The enforced disappearance of persons
The prevention of free speech, by arbitrary arrest.
The right of equality before the law.
Read Human Rights Watch Thailand 2019, for more.
kenny
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Tammy is a American! Thai media often refer to her as being a Thai American , with the enfercise on Thai! she has been able to reach her standing by living in America. for all it’s faults the USA is a democratic country and not as racist as some may think . Thailand needs to take a long hard look at its self! can you imagine a farang Thai having any sort of government post in Thailand !!!!
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:04 pm
“can you imagine a farang Thai having any sort of government post in Thailand !!!!”
Ummm ….. well ….. luk kreung ….. yes, very easily.
Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath married a Ukranian, Ekaterina “Katya” Desnitskaya and their son was Major General Prince Chula Chakrabongse.
Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi, who founded the public health ministry, married Elisabeth Scharnberger from Germany, and they had three children including Princess Charulaksana Kalyani Rangsit.
As for the numkber of luk kreung who are part Chinese in “any sort of govenment post”, are you serious?
….. and just look at how many “Thai” entrants in Miss World and who are in the entertainment industry are luk kreung …..
James Pate
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Yes. If we broaden this category to include those with one non-Thai parent born outside Thailand, we’re going to get a long list, perhaps a few MPs and an occasional senator. Briefly, there were questions about PM Barnharn’s father’s actual nationality, which were rather quickly silenced.
Issan John
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 5:30 pm
IIRC Banharn was allegedly born in China …..
James Pate
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:45 pm
PM Barnharn was definitely born in Suphan Buri. I believe the question was whether his father had ever truly been naturalized. If not, he would not have been qualified to be PM. At least that’s how I remember it.
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 5:56 pm
“… for all it’s faults the USA is a democratic country …”
How can a country be “democratic” by any recognised definition of the word (and I do mean ‘any’) when two out of the last five presidents lost the popular vote by millions?
… when an elected senator from one part of the country represents sixty times as many people as an elected senator from another part, both with the same power?
The USA can rightly claim to be many things, few of them good, but being “a democratic country” isn’t one of them.
Texpat
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Any-Americanism is so boring. Where are you from?
Issan John
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Since you ask, born and raised in the UK, dual nationality (plus at least one more if I made the effort), worked mainly overseas (mainly Middle and Far East), lived in Thailand for nearly thirty years (retired early).
Toby Andrews
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Ah you are part Thai – that would explain a lot.
Now don’t be shy what are you?
other members, please don’t answer.
.
.
.lol
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 6:16 pm
… and FWIW, it wasn’t “Thai media” who called Tammy Duckworth a “Thai American” but Tammy Duckworth herself
(“… as a Thai-American …”)
She also forgot to mention that while she “fought to protect the right to peacefully protest here at home”, being badly injured in the process, the reality is unfortunately that she lost as Americans sadly but all too clearly have no such right.
Sara
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 8:01 pm
@kenny
USA are not a democratic country.
Sara
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 8:14 pm
USA are not a democratic country.
Whiro
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 2:30 pm
There is no democratic country in the world
Denis
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:49 pm
LO
What a surprise !
So, it is clear : USA is behind this manipulation.
bootsyXiaoLing
Friday, December 18, 2020 at 9:34 am
Classic excuses from supporters of dictators and authoritarians. The US Senator is THai-AMerican you fool. Now go sing songs praising Emperor Xi.
Manu
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Blah blah blah… So they are not happy with this military government anymore although both Thai and US armies were doing “joint training” as recently as August (but under Trump)… But then they did not obtain what they really always wanted: an army base in Thailand. The US are loosing even further their grip on this part of the world, China is (has) permanently taking (taken) over… And the US cannot accept that. Does anyone listen and/or believe anymore this “democratic rights” BS??? From the US (or any Western country)??? I do not think so.
Denis
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 8:22 am
@Manu
Exactly… USA is only looking for money interest all around the planet.
Thaïland is a real problem because they made a deal with China and forget about USA more and more.
It has nothing to do with democracy.. Only have to do with money
Whiro
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 2:34 pm
What are the other countries looking for around the planet other than the money Americans look for ???
习近平皇帝
Friday, December 18, 2020 at 9:40 am
Praise Heil Emperor Xi and his little brother Prayut! Dictatorship is freedom! Human rights are slavery! Up is down and down is up!
Sara
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 8:59 pm
@Manu
I totally agree with you :
All over the world, when a government does not accept what the United States demands, they try to overthrow it in order to install a regime in their boot, which they will call “democracy” because it does better for public opinion.
They act according to their own interests. The fate of the people does not include them.
Toby Andrews
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 5:48 pm
I like that line Sara{ The fate of the people does not include them.
Sara
Friday, December 11, 2020 at 1:17 am
Thank you !
James Pate
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 1:09 pm
More yellow shirts going to Wireless Road. As for the US Ambassador, couldn’t happen to a more deserving fellow.
pravit
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 7:59 pm
this lady no idea
say relathionship between country but is bullshit and usa need stays in them owner place and shut up only ,all world don’t like america .
but about thailand first at all need be eliminate pm prayut and stop with royalty ,this is over
time to have republic only.
this is future
or they never talk coz are only dictators
Whiro
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Your google translation sucks.
John
Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 2:05 am
They need to preface this with, “Democratic” Senators …
Pretty bold questioning Thai elections when there are serious issues facing US elections right now.