Bangkok
Thai-American US senator says women need to break through the glass ceiling

Thai-American United States Senator Ladda “Tammy” Duckworth says women – in both Thailand and the US – need to take on leadership roles and break through the glass ceiling. Her speech, recorded in Illinois and played back at the Bangkok Post International Forum 2020, comes at a time where groups of Thai women attending the ongoing pro-democracy protests are expressing concerns with patriarchal society.
At a recent protest, a woman dressed in a school uniform with tape over her mouth held a sign saying “A teacher sexually assaulted me. The school is not a safe space.” At another protest, a group of women performed a dance and chant to raise awareness about how some victims sexual harassment and rape are blamed because the way they dress.
Others attending the protests have brought to light issues on gender equality in Thailand, such as how the nation’s top military school does not accept women. In an earlier report, a student protester told a New York Times reporter “The monarchy and the military have all the power in Thailand… I shouldn’t be afraid to say that men have almost all the power.”
The US senator, who was born in Bangkok, says she spent her entire life in male-dominated fields. She served in the US army and lost both her legs back in 2004 when a Black Hawks helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq was shot down. In her speech, she told a story about her experience being a woman in the army.
“I made sure that on every sub-zero morning there were hot teas and hot cocoas for my crew because it’s so cold in Chicago in the winter, but some of the male commanders and platoon leaders started to call me ‘the mommy platoon leader’. It was meant to be an insult.”
“Once I took away the warm teas and warm cocoas, my guys performed worse because they were cold. They were doing better when I provided them hot beverages to keep them going. What I should have done is to fight like a woman and beat those male leaders by doing it.”
She says women in America and in Thailand will never be as strong as they can be if they keep accepting the status quo that doesn’t “fully accept” half the world’s population, women.
“Our nations will never be at their best as long as 50% of our population have to keep ducking our heads to avoid hitting that glass ceiling.”
“National security is a women’s issue. The economy is a women’s issue. Healthcare is also a women’s issue. Our countries will never reach high stature as long as we keep siloing women’s issues in the way we are used to, because women’s issues don’t start and end with equal pay.”
Along with urging women in both Thailand and America to challenge gender barriers, Tammy says she hopes to see closer ties between the 2 countries.
“There’s a reason Thailand is often called Washington’s oldest ally in Asia. Ever since Washington’s ship landed on Siam’s shore more than 200 years ago. Ever since King Mongkut offered to send elephants to President Abraham Lincoln. Ever since we agreed to help strengthen one another’s economies with the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and helping defend one other through the Manila Pact.”
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Thailand
Woman sentenced to 43 years in prison for violating lèse majesté law

The Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced a former public official to more than 4 decades in prison for violating the country’s strict lèse majesté law on insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy.
The woman, a former Revenue Department official known as Anchan, was found guilty on 29 counts of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lèse majesté law, as well as the Computer Crime Act. She was sentenced to 43 years and 6 months in prison.
Anchan had posted audio clips on Facebook and YouTube of a man making comments considered critical of the Thai Monarchy. The man has been arrested, but officials haven’t released any other details.
The ruling comes during an ongoing pro-democracy movement raising subjects that are considered taboo in Thai society. In recent months, dozens of protesters have been charged with violating the lèse majesté law. A senior researcher from the Human Rights Watch as the recent sentence sends a “spine-chilling” message.
“Today’s court verdict is shocking and sends a spine-chilling signal that not only criticisms of the monarchy won’t be tolerated, but they will also be severely punished.”
Section 112 of the Criminal Code:
Those who defame, insult or threaten the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished by a jail term of between three to 15 years.
SOURCES: Thai Enquirer | Bangkok Biz News| Independent
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Thailand
Man arrested for allegedly overstaying 60 day tourist visa by 7 years

Immigration police arrested a 40 year old Nigerian man for allegedly overstaying his visa by 2,683 days. The man entered Thailand in April 2014 on a 60 day tourist visa. He was arrested in in Ratchathewi district of Bangkok.
Illegal immigration is considered as a major factor of the second wave of Covid-19 after the outbreak Samut Sakhon seafood market affecting a large migrant population.
Thai Visa says immigration officers were “targeting Africans to check on their visa status as part of measures associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The penalties for overstaying in Thailand are as follows…
When surrendering at airport immigration when leaving Thailand…
- Overstay less than 90 Days = 500 Thai baht/day overstay fine (maximum 20,000 Thai baht)
- Overstay more than 90 Days = 1 year ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 1 Year = 3 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 3 Years = 5 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
- Overstay more than 5 Years = 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 baht overstay fine
When caught while overstaying…
- Overstay of 1 day to 1 Year = 5 years ban from Thailand and 500 to 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
- Overstay more than 1 Year = 10 years ban from Thailand and 20,000 Thai baht overstay fine.
SOURCES: True Crime Thailand | Thai Embassy| Thai Visa
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Thailand
BTS Skytrain’s Green Line maximum fare to rise, Rail Transport Department disagrees with the move

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to raise the maximum fare on the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line from 59 baht to 158 baht, the Rail Transport Department is calling on city officials to suspend the maximum fare ceiling, saying it would put an unfair burden on passengers.
Bangkok Governor Aswin announced earlier that the maximum fare of 158 baht is to be imposed on February 16, but a discount to 104 baht is offered during the Covid-19 outbreak. The City Hall needs to increase the fare rate because it can’t pay the debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the BMA should halt its policy on the new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.
The Chairman of a House committee on transport, Sophon Sarum, a former transport minister, dismisses the BMA’s claim of its financial inability to repay the Green Line’s loans while suggesting the BMA to manage the Green Line’s finances by raising funds from banks and other financial institutions.
The Rail Department and BMA will meet to discuss the maximum fare ceiling this week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts Bangkok
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The Turtle
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 1:05 pm
I don’t know what she’s talking about, the US is pretty much a 50/50 matriarchal/patriarchal society. There are a lot of women in high ranking positions and typically cleanup in divorce court. They cry sexual harassment, a promotion is waiting for them the next pay period. And the term “mommy” is one of endearing, not sexist.
Duckworth seems to be just another female that wants absolute power to herself and hates on men because she can’t have it!
preesy chepuce
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:19 pm
Women should be addressed as Sir and wear trouser suits, they must be the boss at all times, and you are not allowed to smile at them unless you are a wealthy male model buying them something. I thought everyone knew this? Women are the master race. (White) men must apologise for existing.
Toby Andrews
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 2:07 pm
I agree. Women should be treated equality.
There should not be one prize for a man in a Marathon, and one prize for women. There should one prize for the winner.
No prize for the winner coming in at 2hours o6 minutes, a man, and a prize for a woman coming in at 2 hours 26 minutes.
One prize for the fastest, the winner. That is equality.
There is no glass ceiling. There is an ability glass celling.
Of course there are exceptions.
and another thing, I deplore the fact there are no dwarfs in the US police.
I know they would look ridiculous with their batons dragging on the ground, but they have a distinctive advantage in a gun fight. They are a smaller target to hit.
I say equality for dwarfs!
preesy chepuce
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:20 pm
Yes love, it’s your round. Are you buying me dinner? Are you taking me shopping? Equal rights now!
gosport
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 2:26 pm
One of the most amazing women listed by BBC for breaking glass roof.
Issan John
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 5:53 pm
As she deserves to be – full credit where it’s due.
preesy chepuce
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:21 pm
It’s a consolation for not really breaking many hearts?
joseph c Schmehl
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 6:52 pm
I agree that they should be paid equally. And then on the other side people go to Thailand to get treated better because the women in the USA do not treat them like Thai women do.
Jennii
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 8:05 pm
It’s indeed pathetic how many guys are intimidated by powerful women. Time to grow up.
preesy chepuce
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:22 pm
People often confuse “intimidation” with boredom… yes dear, if you’re going to throw a tantrum until you get what you want, fine, have it.
Sloan
Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 10:32 pm
Indeed. It’s likely all of the negative posters combined couldn’t claim a fraction of her intelligence, courage and accomplishments.